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All Blacks get 'real honest' on another underwhelming forward pack performance
By Ned Lester
After five strong performances to start the year, the All Blacks forward pack has come under immense pressure in their last two outings from the huge South African and French outfits.
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There’s no way to compete in the Rugby World Cup without a dominant set piece, an area where New Zealand have traditionally excelled.
Also with a sterling track record is forwards coach Jason Ryan, a man with a reputation for never letting in lineout maul tries and conducting some of the world’s most clinical forwards units.
Ryan has helped the All Blacks pack turn a corner over the past 12 months, but World Cup time has turned up the heat and New Zealand weren’t up to the task in the opening match.
“I think that’s a real honest appraisal and I agree with you [that they need to step up],” Ryan responded to reporters’ comments in Lyon. “We know that this test match against Namibia is really important for us as a forward pack.”
As is the All Blacks way, any negatives from the match were framed as “learnings”, but that’s not to say Ryan isn’t willing to ask the hard questions of his team. Since joining the camp, the former Crusaders guru has implemented a higher standard of accountability and willingness to have difficult conversations.
Rugby World Cup
Pool A
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Italy
1
1
0
0
5
2
France
1
1
0
0
4
3
Uruguay
0
0
0
0
0
4
New Zealand
1
0
1
0
0
5
Namibia
1
0
1
0
0
Pool B
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Ireland
1
1
0
0
5
2
South Africa
1
1
0
0
4
3
Tonga
0
0
0
0
0
4
Scotland
1
0
1
0
0
5
Romania
1
0
1
0
0
Pool C
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Australia
1
1
0
0
5
2
Wales
1
1
0
0
5
3
Fiji
1
0
1
0
2
4
Portugal
0
0
0
0
0
5
Georgia
1
0
1
0
0
Pool D
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Japan
1
1
0
0
5
2
England
1
1
0
0
4
3
Samoa
0
0
0
0
0
4
Argentina
1
0
1
0
0
5
Chile
1
0
1
0
0
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As All Blacks legend Richie McCaw said after the France loss: “Keep positive, but be real about the things you need to fix.”
Positives from the match include improved discipline from the forward pack compared to their previous outing at Twickenham, a crucial step in the right direction for the team.
“If you look at the common themes of this World Cup it’s discipline, set piece pressure and kicking,” Ryan continued. “And I think we learned a couple of valuable lessons in all of those areas to be honest.
“What we’ve also noticed is the ball and the humidity, it’s quite greasy and the jerseys are really wet. There has been a couple of turnovers from ball carries from all teams and adjusting to that and training with wet balls is important for us.
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“It’s been said a couple of times; it’s probably going to be the closest World Cup there’s been in a while. All the teams are really raising the bar.”
The man who paid the price for the indiscipline at Twickenham was Scott Barrett, the influential lock who had a superb outing in the losing effort in Paris.
Barrett was adamant the engine room in the team was firing but admitted there was work to do to turn the results around.
“I don’t think we are lacking any determination,” he said. “There is plenty of hunger and drive in the group.
“Twickenham, that hurt I guess. We weren’t up to the mark there, we were well off physically, sort of out-powered. On Friday night (against France) particularly around the scrum there was a few little games being played but we’ve got to adapt.
“There is plenty of fuel in the tank. This group wants to keep getting better. There is no lack of drive off the back of that loss.”
The good news for the forwards is reinforcements are en route in the form of Ethan Blackadder. The nine-Test All Black is renowned for his work ethic and will add depth to the depleted loose forward stocks.
“Ethan, he will step in and bring plenty of energy and an engine that just keep chugging, like a diesel. That’s what he brings and the boys love what he does.”
Heads up TJ, I haven't played a Test, so this is uninformed:
The pack problems began when Cane was appointed captain. He is neither a 6 nor 7 and had Foster used the last 4 years more productively, he might have developed a balanced loose fwd trio.
The article was essentially about the tight five so "good news" would be if Joe Moody was coming wouldn't it lol?
I hope the weird 'learnings' gets buried along with all the bits of wood and extravagant haka under the next coach.
The worst thing is the arrogance and lack of humility. It's been one big happy family of mediocrity.
Cane has been completely unable to play his way out of the side and Ardie has been a protected species at eight because of that.
Ardie needed the 4 years to develop himself into able to get to and dominate the point of turn over.
Dalton is clearly not a turn over specialist and should be given as a bigger body the 8 position to contest with Luke Jacobson who is far more dynamic than Cane whilst Savea starts at 7 and we bring in another specific 7.
Will Jordan isn't a good winger, he should be used as the reserve fullback.
The real possibility is NZ will win world rugby player of the year, it's just going to be a shame he is playing as the Irish halfback, together with Bryn Hall and Roigard these guys have not had the opportunity due to Smith and a couple of others given all the games.
The frustration is the Allblacks have access to big players to compete in the 27 minutes of play but the Allblacks are still picking smaller bodies, a classic photo of Penaud pictured after his try with Aaron Smith looking like a preschooler in his wake.
NZ rugby needs to find explosive, physical players and wake up to the fact that the rest of the world wants a slow, ponderous, forwards battle and the chances of getting a high speed, aerobic game is getting less with each new caterpillar ruck and drinks break.
The Allblacks can still win this cup but they need to go to a 6-2 bench, start Roigard, shift Savea to 7, drop Cane, bench Jordan, shift Telea to the right wing and start Leceister on the other for the next six games.
Give them to munch spinach like Popeye.
The much-adulated forward coach has lost some skin lately.
Really an amateurish staff coaching. Other prove . Hansen is in the camp to help until Wednesday. Hansen pushed to make the clown foster like coach and now he comes to help him.
Stupid decision by the NZRU clowns and board to appointe the worst coach in the history… and we see the result .
Clearly after the World Cup : NZRU clowns and board : OUT !!!
Nz rugby need competent people !