Retallick reveals the key lessons from Springboks loss ahead of tour
After a week off to refresh and recharge following their Rugby Championship success, the All Blacks are back into the swing of training ahead of their end-of-year tour of the United States and Europe.
Remaining in Queensland after locking the Rugby Championship away for the first time since 2018, the All Blacks have moved to the Sunshine Coast to undertake a week-long training camp prior to their departure to Washington DC on Sunday.
The camp comes at a good time for Ian Foster’s squad, who were afforded a seven-day break in Noosa last week following a run of five tests against the Wallabies, Los Pumas and Springboks in consecutive weekends.
Despite doing enough to clinch their fourth piece of silverware this year, the All Blacks closed out their Rugby Championship campaign with a 31-29 defeat at the hands of South Africa on the Gold Coast a fortnight ago.
The loss was a stark reminder that, even though they impressed in their previously unbeaten stretch through their test schedule, there is still plenty of work to be done by Foster and his players before they develop into the complete overall product.
In order to become that, veteran All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick believes improvements need to be made in certain areas of his side’s game, which he said on Tuesday has been a key focus in the early stages of this week’s training camp.
“We kind of left it [the loss to the Springboks] alone in Noosa and, this morning, we had our first kind of review around some of what we did on our attack and we went out and trained it today,” Retallick said.
“That’s kind of the focus over these two days, and then, tomorrow, we’ll look at defensive review and set piece review. I guess we just need to be better there, to be fair.
“We still created some opportunities and didn’t execute, and then, at times, we were put under pressure when we didn’t make a lot of gain line and didn’t take the best of options.
“It’s been good to have this time, I suppose, to look at the footage and then go out and train it and break it down so, moving forward, when we get up to Europe, we can nail it.”
As a second rower and New Zealand’s chief lineout caller in the absence of long-term lock partner Sam Whitelock, Retallick has placed a particular emphasis on improving his team’s set piece.
The All Blacks looked especially wobbly at the scrum and lineout towards the end of both matches against the Springboks, whose forward pack are renowned for their physicality and quality.
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Analysis of the loss to Springboks has highlighted where the All Blacks went wrong at the lineout, with Retallick taking ownership of his failings in that match as the Kiwis struggled to impose themselves against their South African counterparts.
“They put us under a lot of pressure, but I think we need to break it down,” the 30-year-old, who acted as All Blacks vice-captain throughout the Rugby Championship, said.
“It’s got to be better there and call some better options and not be so focused on them. I’ll take a lot of responsibility there and it’s something we’re going to tidy up over the next couple of days.”
As the week progresses, the All Blacks will begin to turn their focus to next weekend’s clash against the USA Eagles at FedEx Field in a clash that should be won comfortably by the visiting team.
It will be the first time in seven years the two teams have met, with the All Blacks running away with a 74-6 victory over the Americans, who lost to Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier last weekend, at a sold-out Soldier Field in Chicago on that occasion.
Beyond that, four straight tests against a depleted Welsh team, Italy, Ireland and France beckon in Europe in what will be a challenging set of fixtures for New Zealand.
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That is primarily due to the fact that most of those sides utilise similar game plans to that of the Springboks, meaning the All Blacks will need to show signs of improvement in their areas of weakness if they are to return home victorious.
Those matches will also end a two-year wait for tests between the All Blacks and European opposition, with New Zealand’s last outing against a Six Nations outfit coming against Wales in the bronze final of the 2019 World Cup.
Retallick said exposure to some of Europe’s elite teams will be beneficial for the current crop of All Blacks, many of whom are yet to face any international sides north of the equator.
“I think it’s going to be massive in terms of understanding where this group is at, and also growing our game,” the 89-test star said of playing Wales, Italy, Ireland and France.
“We obviously played Australia and Argentina, who were a similar style to us, and someone like South Africa that plays different to the rest of us, and then we’re going to go up to Europe, where they’ll probably play a similar game [to the Springboks].
“It’s going to be different conditions, it might be cold and wet, so it’s going to be hugely important for a measure for ourselves, but also a great learning for the squad, I think.”
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Simple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain and that’s a big carrot to offer.
8 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
1 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
8 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
8 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
8 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
8 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
8 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
8 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
8 Go to commentsThose ears must give him great field awareness
1 Go to commentsFrench international centre Maelle Fillopon is death, too.
1 Go to commentsIf your act of foul play leaves someone with a broken leg it's pretty trashy to them say that it wasn't really red card bad. Suspensions for injuring a player through foul play should be as long they're out injured plus a penalty on top of that.
3 Go to comments