Former Wallaby great calls for more support for faltering All Blacks

Former Wallaby great Matt Giteau has called for more support behind the embattled All Blacks as they go through a historic rough period.

Giteau, who played for Australia 103 times over his 14-year international career, took aim at ‘keyboard warriors’ and said the All Blacks should be respected during this tough time.

The former Wallaby playmaker took to Twitter to call for more support behind the All Blacks.

“Results aside, I’d love to see the support of All Blacks in tougher times stronger,” he wrote.

“This team has been so dominant in world rugby for so many years that a few games shouldn’t change the support they receive nor should it warrant the constant criticism from the keyboard warriors.”

Result aside, I’d love to see the support of @AllBlacks in tougher times stronger. This team has been so dominant in world rugby for so many years that a few games shouldn’t change the support they receive nor should it warrant the constant criticism from the keyboard warriors 💭

— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) August 27, 2022

The All Blacks were defeated 25-18 by a physical Los Pumas side in Christchurch which made history on multiple fronts.

The victory was the first by Argentina on New Zealand soil after breaking their duck in Sydney two years ago by a similar score 25-15.

For the All Blacks, it was the first time they have lost three tests in a row on home soil after losing the final two tests to Ireland in July.

OMG: Michael Cheika’s Argentina have beaten the All Blacks in Argentina 25-18.

Argentina’s first win in New Zealand – and second in their history.

The defeat for the All Blacks comes just days after coach Ian Foster was confirmed through to the 2023 World Cup.

Incredible.

— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) August 27, 2022

The historically lean run extends back to the end of year tour with losses to Ireland and France.

They have won just two of their last eight tests which has heaped pressure on head coach Ian Foster.

New Zealand rugby writer Marc Hinton said it is ‘time to face reality’ for an All Black group that is past it.

Another dispiritingly poor performance from the All Blacks. Time to face reality: not only is the coach not up to it, this is just not a vintage group of players. Some quality types past their best, and new wave struggling mostly. Hard to see it changing by France23.

— Marc Hinton (@marchintonffx) August 27, 2022