High ball contest crucial for All Blacks to maintain their 'winning ways'

Argentina made a dramatic shift in their kicking game in their second test against the Wallabies, controlling the game through both territorial and contestable kicking.

With an unchanged starting 15 from the side that managed to defuse South Africa’s kicking game just two weeks ago, the All Blacks will be looking to replicate that success against the Pumas in Christchurch.

Will Jordan started on the wing at Ellis Park and is certainly anticipating more high kicks from the Pumas:

“They had quite a bit of success against the Aussies with that,” Jordan told media in Christchurch.

“I mean it’s nothing really too new for us. (We) obviously took a lot of high balls over in Africa. It’s nice having had that focus the last few weeks just being able to roll that through.”

The All Blacks tour of South Africa was a tale of two Tests. The Kiwi side were thoroughly dismantled in game one by the Springboks’ kicking and game control. A remarkable turnaround saw the visitors take game two with far better execution around the high ball. Jordan credited the entire team for the improvement:

“We’ve had some real focusses around the team around our escorting and just making sure it’s a full-team effort.

“When it gets to the back three, (we’ve) just got to do our best to go up and catch it.”

The All Blacks gave away multiple penalties in last year’s Rugby Championship for obstruction when blatantly disrupting opponent chasers looking to contest the high ball. In contrast, they have received no penalties for the same infraction in this year’s tests.

While their second outing in South Africa was an impressive display of growth, the team is looking to the Argentinian Tests to build some consistency.

“It was great to get back to winning ways,” Jordan said. “It’s about going out there this week and being able to back that up.”

“One-off performances are great but they’re not really that good in the long term. It’s important we go out this week and do well again.”