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Jake White: I'm amazed at how naive the All Blacks have become
For as long as I’ve been coaching, the one thing the All Blacks have always possessed is an innate understanding of the game. An almost sixth sense to do the right thing at the right time. Let me give you an example. In 2013, Ryan Crotty scoring against Ireland after the hooter in Dublin and breaking Irish hearts.
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For what seemed like an eternity, at any given point, they could speed the game up, slow it down, keep the ball, or kick it downfield for territory. And it wasn’t just the All Blacks. It was something you saw with their age-grade groups, their Maori teams – it’s was almost like they were coached that way from the first moment they picked up a rugby ball.
Anyone and everyone associated with rugby is throwing up reasons for the All Blacks’ loss of invincibility; from a new coach, to losing key players and the vulnerability of Super Rugby. Yes, they are all factors to the All Blacks still finding their feet, but what really hit me in the second Test was that they seemed to have lost the ability to control what was happening in-game.
I’ll give you an example. Jasper Wiese got yellow-carded for obstructing Cortez Ratima and two minutes later Sevu Reece was carded for taking Willie le Roux out in the air – Scott Robertson must have had his head in his hands. When it was business as usual, they’d say, ‘right, we have 10 minutes to unpick the opposition and win the game’. They had another chance to pull ahead when Willie (le Roux) was carded in the 62nd minute, and what do they do, fail to register any points and get Tyrel Lomax sent to the bin for impeding Cheslin Kolbe. I couldn’t believe it. That is one area, I thought, ‘jeez, that is so unlike the All Blacks’.
Let me stress, I’m not just talking about the senior players, I’m talking about every squad member. Historically, they’d have worked out what they needed to do. Their inaccuracy cost them. Every time they looked like they were opening the Springboks up defensively, they dropped the ball. Cortez Ratima made a wonderful play and he passed the ball forward, Rieko Ioane spilt the ball when threatening. They looked as shocked as the supporters about what was happening. I was amazed how naïve they’d become.
You can talk all day long about the loss of titans Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Richie McCaw, Ma’a Nonu, Ben Smith, but even the domestic competitions like Super Rugby and the NPC, they always had that streetwise nous.
Saying that, I’m not worried because the All Blacks have shown they are the masters of reinvention for over a century. Right now everyone in New Zealand will be trying to figure out what the missing link is. From dog walkers stopping for a chinwag, to groups of men in heated debate over a pint of beer, or old friends discussing what’s gone wrong over the cheese counter in the supermarket. Mark my words, it will be a national debate.
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They will find a way, though. Rugby is too important in their country not to. It’s probably their biggest export commodity. So whether it’s a breakaway think tank, whether it’s looking outside the sport, or outside New Zealand, they will be desperately searching for that competitive edge.
Here in SA, over a rum and coke, or over a braai, the same questions pop up. What side should we go with? Should we go for a huge, slow team, a smaller more agile team, do you pick your best team to start, or do we choose to unleash them off the bench? That is what makes rugby such an intriguing game. I read Legacy, the book that rubberstamped their standing as the most successful sports team in the world. They had that reset in 2004 and went on to dominate for the next decade, so in 2024, you wonder, what’s next? Relatively, they have a smallish player base, so it is remarkable they have dominated for so long.
Even though they are our greatest rivals, I don’t mind admitting my admiration for how they go about their business. I remember when I was coaching the Springboks and Tana Umaga played his last Test match in Dunedin. We were invited along at a function room and they brought up the former headmaster of Auckland Grammar, Sir John Graham (a former All Black) and Sir Jock Hobbs up on stage to speak about Tana. The way they talked about him would have made him feel ten feet tall. They hit the perfect tone. I remember standing there and thinking, the All Blacks have always done what’s right for rugby. Yes they have always played great rugby, but it’s the little details that make them so unique. I’ve said before that going into the inner sanctum with Sir Graham Henry, Sir Brian Lochore, Sir Jock Hobbs and Sir Steve Hansen, sitting there having a beer, discussing the finer points of the game was one of the most privileged moments of my career.
Indeed, I remember sitting with Jock (Hobbs) once. He told me a story. He said that him, Buck Shelford and Gary Whetton – three great players – were told in pretty blunt terms that they had to change the way New Zealand played and if they couldn’t adapt they’d find players who could. They went and found someone like Michael Jones, who was a centre and converted to a loose forward, and Zinzan Brooke, a remarkably gifted athlete. They worked out how rugby needed to be played in order to be successful. That wasn’t specific to a coach but a nation. The Kiwis brains trust will be working furiously on the weaknesses and shortfalls in their squad. They’ve always been like that. The next moves will be important not only for New Zealand but in shaping the world game.
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They needed a reaction like they had against Los Pumas, but it didn’t come. Ironically against Argentina, it was in the rain, but in Cape Town it was bathed in sun, but they still couldn’t find that piece of magic.
As for the Boks, it’s obvious people can’t take for granted that winning is as much of a habit as losing. When you have momentum on your side and that belief, it’s contagious. Whether you’re changing players, your lineout is squeaking, or you’re dropping passes or tackles, it’s incredible what carving out results does. The All Blacks used to be the comeback kings, or Man Utd in Fergie-time, and now it’s the Springboks who have found a way to win, often against the odds.
The All Blacks aren’t far off, however, because in the cold light of day, they only lost on South African soil by four and six points – they weren’t shipping 67 points like the Wallabies. I expect them to beat Joe Schmidt’s men and then get back to the drawing board ahead of the Autumn Tests.
I must stress, the real Test isn’t in year one of the World Cup cycle, however, it’s in the year leading into the tournament. It’s ironic that for once New Zealand aren’t the No 1 side and they’re in the chasing pack. It’s funny, when they led from the front, they were criticised for not peaking at the right time! In those days, a lot of Kiwi fans used to say, ‘we don’t win World Cups, we’re chokers, but we are the No 1 side’ but that’s rubbish. I say this as a World Cup winner, it is the jewel in the crown of rugby. It’s where you get judged and the next few years will be fascinating.
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International Players in the Top Tier nations have seen the failure of their respective Unions. World Rugby is a joke!
It will only a matter of time until the "Players" will take over the game worldwide.
The sooner the better.
Simply they are the game.
Jake White ought to have been selected as the Wallabies coach, after a great stint with the Brumbies. Nothing but mess has followed for the green and gold!
1. I don’t think he’s hands on enough as a coach. The bulls structure and organization around him is well established. He directs.
2. He doesn’t have the political skills/tact needed to navigate the challenges off the field. He’s a lot like Eddie Jones.
3. His school teacher vibes don’t go down well with all teams. When he was appointed to the bulls I thought the bulls organization and culture is probably a good fit for his style. Didn’t suit a team like the sharks very well and I doubt it would go down well in the aus national team.
Maybe as a technical advisor or something. But not as a head coach.
Joe Schmidt is an excellent coach but I don’t think Australia is the right place for him. It’s either going to turn and go well or flounder and sink with him parting ways - probably after the Lions tour.
I think the long term solution is a proper innovative Aussie with gold and vegemite coursing through the veins. I can’t believe you haven’t produced one in all these years.
Or maybe the jobs becoming one of those that nobody wants to touch or risk reputational suicide?
Joe’s a brave man. Kudos for that.
He jumped ship at the Brumbies. A lot of the players were really upset with him.
I wrote about rugby from a documentary space a few times. During one of these forays, back in 2015, the process I went through included researching New Zealand rugby and how it connects to community. My personal opinion after doing that research (which included interviews with NZ rugby's school administrators and coaches) was that one of New Zealand's core strengths was connecting their elite teams with their communities, and connecting rugby in general with the values that underpin it. WHat this meant, practically, was that at a very junior level, inclusion was encouraged by NZ rugby when they engaged with schools. Everyone who wanted to play should get an opportunity to play, and it wasn't a case of pick the big kid and give him the ball. There was also a genuine belief among those I interviewed that just playing rugby was the goal for most young kids. Not representing the All Blacks. That would come later. But the jol with pals in a community that saw you play was the main thing.
To a certain extent, I think the Springboks have begun to achieve these connections where previously they did not exist in an inclusive way, and we're reaping those rewards. ANd it isn't just Rassie who has been part of that journey. Alister Coetzee made his contribution, Bafana Nhleko, Rito, Hlungwani, Mzwandile Stick... and many, many others. Players like Eben have played a role. Willie. Lukhanyo. Sekekete.
Quite right, quite right. And you hit the nail on the head as the reason why too, the drain of the good rugby IP overseas.
The Mo'unga's, Fakatava's, Christie's, Plummers', Sullivan's, have all been left with the indelible imprint of Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, and even the highlights reals of the great Dan Carter can easily set the wrong example what it is to have the edge as an All Black.
NZR has cast aside those players of yaw who had to use every facility available growing up as a kid, as theres always someone bigger and stronger than you were. Where it used to be every good example of an AB played with nouse, we decided to let go the JGP's, the Gareth Anscombes, the Hayden Parker's, Nick Evans, Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, even for the outside backs a good half the number of players like Smith's, Jane's, and Dagg's, we still had gifted players like Reihana and Howlett left relatively early.
A team playing like the All Blacks first and foremost needs to execute skills, and vision players a large part of getting it right. That is what they missed on the weekend.
NZ has been exporting its IP for a couple of decades now. The UK has been influenced by several coaches and experienced players, even SA has a NZ coach.
The rolling maul has seen the No 2 as the tournament winning team's top try scorer when once upon a time it would be the wings.
The extra subs allowed and officials tolerance of stoppages has meant fitness and stamina has far less affect in the closing 20 minutes.
That try in Ireland would never be scored now as we would have had a stack of "injuries" to slow the game down. NH refs would contribute greatly to the slowing down of the game.
Finally - if Jake White is the coach then I'm not watching his team play - what a joy killer! I don't watch sport just because a particular team is winning.
South Africa is lucky to have a coach who is not scared of the All Blacks nor has a man crush on them.
Strewth.
Tony Brown is a Legend!
Haha Still an Egg. SA has a Kiwi coach Ojohn.... That must really trigger your anger.
a great read from a genuine "been there done that" and still doing the business... thanks JW...go well, and your team finds that "piece of magic" too..
Easy to say anything you like when your team has just beaten the ABs 2-0.
The Boks are better than the ABs at the moment but not by much.
Playing against a better side away in front of the amazing SA crowds will always put a lot of pressure on teams.
With all the AB weaknesses, the margins of victory were very small.
AB rugby has a history of bouncing back and improving when they have been humbled by an opponent. I expect this will be no different and looking forward to hosting the Boks next year in NZ.
JW kind of has a point at the moment we do have the players and the skills they just seem to be a little bit clunky still especially the last quarter. Silly mistakes no brainer kickaways seems almost to be born of a panic situation. He's right in that, up against the odds,always hard to win in South Africa,the ABS could have taken either game. They certainly weren't belittled or humbled.
Really good article and spot on
He really loves his rugby Jake and is very respectful and knowledgeable
Same last week. Proper rugby man. His young Bulls did a good job for the Boks too.
People seem to underestimate the importance of age-grade rugby. New Zealand's dominance (particularly between 2011-2019) also coincided with a relative dominance at U20 level - with the 2011 Baby Blacks feeding into the Seniors' team. Fast-forward to 2024 and they're nowhere close to winning the U20 World Cup. The youngsters need to improve and adapt - otherwise it will be a long way back for NZ Rugby in general.
The team that they had up to 2015 is no more. Using the example of 2013 against Ireland is irrelevant because Ireland have improved massively over the past 10 years, and so have other teams. Feeding off other teams mistakes late in the match does not happen anymore.
Reckon NZ will be very strong come next world cup. Sititi looks like a gem and Williams in the front row looks so solid and a real class act. If they can keep their players from leaving they should be in great shape
Yes they will. I think it will be a very tightly contested WC.
The draw is unlikely to be so lopsided again. France, Ireland and England will be strong again too. Scotland has made good strides, and the Boks are already building great depth
Brilliant work uncle Jake!
Yes every family has that embarrassing drunk inapropriate Uncle.
Very interesting perspective, and I enjoyed reading this one!
How’s preparations for the UrC going Jake? Do you have time to share your campfire stories?