What Tony Johnson is hearing about the vacant All Blacks assistant role

Razor has said that he is the culture coach, doesn't do any hands on coaching.

What does that mean exactly?

Well they could go back to whoever the guy was from Fosters team, he’s now with four more years experience. Or just anyone with a better attack than Hollan.. sorry Hansens’ teams have had over the years.

People keep saying ABs need an experienced international coach, then they say Joseph and Brown. Well Hansen was withbthosex2 when they coached Japan so there it is.

Is Brown a good coach, maybe but sometimes it depends on the cattle you have to work with and at the moment SA have the cattle

So, they didn’t struggle dealing with the high ball in the RWC 2023 cycle but with the change of laws and playing Will Jordan at 15 and Leicester Faingaʻanuku on the wing, it has become a problem.

Hmmm, this may be a bit extreme for the AB coaches but I often found playing a full back at full back and wingers on the wing usually helped with situations like that.

I wonder if a high ball expert that came in and suggested trying Jordie Barrett back at full back with Caleb Clarke & Will Jordan on the wings would get his message through the current coaching “group think”.

Robertson has to be the least articulate All Blacks coach ever. When it comes to talking to the media. Suppose to come in after we sacked Ian Foster .Take the All Blacks to new heights and beyond. No where near anyone would have hoped we the (All Blacks) would or should be. With the world cup draw and South Africa in the Quarter Finals. We aren't looking that good. Hopefully things can change. Tour to South Africa next year will show us. If we are going in the right direction. Or if we need a change before the RWC. Time will tell.

High ball coach??? Correct me if I'm wrong aren't these professional players top in their positions from across the country.

Catching and maintaining a high ball is a fundamental skill especially for the back 3 to have relative to their position. Now if you wanna teach props how to catch them maybe you might need a coach for that, otherwise these skills should be a pre requisite to even be considered to play wing or fullback.

It's like they are regular joes but getting confused about basics.

Remember the likes of Ben Smith/ corey jane safe under the high ball and warranted their selection in the team. Where has that gone, this new style of coaching lacks due diligence and players are rewarded for doing 1 thing right despite lacking in other areas.

This is why the Abs are in the position they are in,once the benchmark now more like the bench.

If it’s a high ball expert, Cory Jane comes to mind. He’s one himself. And he’s the only NZ coach I’ve heard who can identify the problem, articulate it, and offer a solution. At least verbally, which is a big improvement on the current lot already.

Like everyone else, though, I agree they need a good attack coach, preferably with international experience. That would mean dropping Hansen, who appears to have too much power, to let someone else to run the strategy.

As Johnson rightly points out, there isn’t anyone available waiting for the AB’s call. NZR has been great at letting thier best coaches get away, while they will pay any money to keep BB.

There is one bloke underemployed though, and he’s already partly involved with the squad, Wayne Smith. He would make a fantastic swap for Hansen. He ticks all the boxes, could transform this team from incoherent on attack, to lethal. And probably sort out the defence and high ball issues at the same time.

Somebody needs to convince him to come out of semi retirement for 18 months. His country needs him.

Alas, it sounds like NZR will stick with Hansen, however. And fudge a solution with a “high ball” coach. While trying to convince us all that it will solve all the problems.

So the Garyowen obvs should have both an attack and defense element.

IMO retreating defenders need to almost arc around and de facto come back in through the gate to be in position to have an impromtu onside defensive structure in play.

In attack an attacking structure needs to arrive at the area of the ball drop. England use their 7 type players for the chase for this reason.

If NZ embrace this fully as an arrow for their bow then they will score a lot of tries, and prevent a lot.

It requires very mobile backrow forwards and fit backs. Plenty of time. NZ as always, have the cattle.

An optimistic way of viewing this is an area where NZ will gain on SA/Eng etc.

None of this will make me change my mind. What exactly is Robertson a coach of? Apparently, not much. He has delegated far too much of the actual coaching to his assistants. And if this team still looks so confused, it’s because the training lacks clarity. Scott Hansen cannot be the boss on the field while Razor is the boss behind the microphone. A head coach also needs to be on the field. He is the leader, the one who sets the main direction, who oversees everything. As long as the All Blacks staff is organized this way, with a head coach who stays off the field, it won’t work. The problem doesn’t come from the assistants but from the way responsibilities are divided within this staff.

I’m afraid NZR won’t do much, as if paralyzed by the fear of change… the status quo will only bring about this team’s decline. You’ll see…

Shambles.

Attack coach is the top priority.

Dealing with the high ball is a skill. Doesn’t need a full-time coach. And yes, Hansens lack of ‘clarity’ in explaining where things are going wrong must be confusing for the players also.

I think there’s too many cooks there who are out of their depth.

Not enough international experience to compete withe top teams

Don’t need a highball coach ,get a NRL/AFL pro to come in for a couple workshops here and there ,if razor isn’t getting sacked then sack Hansen and Ellison

Agree with Tony, the attack coach is critical and the AB's have not had one this year.

Also need 3 new number 10's to direct the team.

It does not sound as if there is enough total team coordination which is required.

A captain who can articulate and inspire a game plan would be helpful too.