Current crop of All Blacks have lost physical edge claims former Ireland six

Former Ireland back row Stephen Ferris believes that this generation of All Blacks don’t have the physical edge of former New Zealand teams.

A British & Irish Lion in 2009, Ferris faced the All Blacks in 2008 and 2010, scoring a try in the latter, a 38-18 loss in Dublin. Speaking on the RugbyPass’ The Offload podcast, the former blindside says that the current crop of New Zealand players are just not quite as scary as previous iterations of the team.

“I played against Jerome Kaino. Jerome Kaino was 115 to 120kgs of pure brutality. Now they’re playing Papalii, who looks 105, 108kgs.

Stephen Ferris, have New Zealand rugby lost their aura? | RugbyPass Offload | EP 42

Stephen Ferris, have New Zealand rugby lost their aura? | RugbyPass Offload | EP 42

“Kieran Read was 112 – 114kgs, runs very fast, never takes a backward step.

“Ardie Savea is a freakshow of an athlete. We all know how explosive and powerful he is, but it just feels like they’ve went away a little bit from the huge physicality that they brought to matches.

“When I played against them, it was just ferocious. Even Richie McCaw, he wasn’t someone that went around banging boys but it was what he brought to the breakdown.

“I just don’t think that they have that at the minute. With Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock in the second row, they don’t seem to be at the peak of their powers, as they were six or seven years ago.

“Then you had the Frank brothers in the front row. Mealamu at hooker. They’re [the current All Blacks] just missing that little bit of physicality.

“You look at all the leagues around the world. It’s the biggest, strongest, fittest, most powerful teams that are winning everything these days. Maybe that’s what they need to revert back to. Just a little bit.”

The former British & Irish Lions loose forward believes that Foster could yet be replaced by former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt, but only if New Zealand lose the series on Saturday.

“All the chat here in Ireland is because Joe Schmidt has been hanging around – obviously with the Blues doing very well all season – then he sort of stepped into Foster’s boots when he had his Covid scare.

“There was chat that he [Schmidt] wasn’t going to be at the first Test. Then he was there doing all the interviews etc I think that all the success that Joe Schmidt had with Ireland, the Kiwis are like why are we not employing this guy?

“If he can do this with the Irish players and we feel that we have the better quality of players, then what could he do for us? That’s the opinions that are floating around here at home.

“On the ground [in NZ] I heard from Alan Quinlan, a friend of mine in commentary side for Sky at the minute, he said it’s like someone had died over there this week, just because New Zealand got their arses handed to them by Ireland.

“It’ll be interesting to see what happens this week and to hear Ian Foster’s pre-match and post-matches interviews, especially if it doesn’t go to plan.

Ferris was asked by the panel does he think it was too late to sack Foster this close to a Rugby World Cup.

“I’m not so sure. With someone like Joe Schmidt who’s been in the camp already, it wouldn’t be a loss to cut someone loose and kick on.

“If it doesn’t go to plan the All Blacks arguably the best side in the world – not producing at home when they’re all supposed to be fresh and rocking and rolling, I think there could be a big decision made.

Ferris predicts the All Blacks will win in Wellington in the final Test – by a margin of around nine points.

“I don’t think they’re going to lose, that’s why I think Ian Foster will last to the World Cup”.

“We’ve seen it before with lots of teams. when you get such a big win, create history, all the hype that comes with it, the adrenaline that comes with that. The boys will be patting themselves on the backs on Monday and Tuesday.

“You can maybe take your eye off the ball a little bit.”