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Scott Robertson reflects on the All Blacks’ Freedom Cup loss to Springboks
By Finn Morton
When All Blacks coach Scott Robertson walked into the press conference room on Saturday evening, his Springboks counterpart Rassie Erasmus was leaving. The two seemed to exchange pleasantries before going their separate ways, with Erasmus returning to a joyous Boks squad.
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For the first time since 2009, the Springboks now hold The Freedom Cup after recording their second win over the All Blacks in the space of a week. New Zealand were beaten 31-27 in Johannesburg last Saturday, and once again fell 18-12 in a thrilling Test at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium.
Three penalty goals from Damian McKenzie saw the All Blacks race out to a somewhat strong lead during the first half as they took a 9-3 advantage into the break. But the Springboks hit back almost immediately in the second term, and it was their skipper who led the way.
Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Siya Kolisi scored the first try of the Test in the 48th minute and that seemed to spur the hosts towards greatness as the crowd chanted passionately from their corner. Boks hooker Malcolm Marx scored the only other try on the night.
The All Blacks had a chance to take the lead inside the final 10 minutes but McKenzie’s shot at goal went wide. Instead, the All Blacks will be left to wonder what could’ve been after falling victim to their own inaccuracies and the “small margins” of Test rugby.
“A hell of a Test match. Firstly, I’d just like to congratulate South Africa. They know how to get it done, don’t they? They took their opportunities, especially when they’re in the 22 and they finished them,” Robertson told reporters.
“Congratulations to them, Siya and Rassie.
“It’s been a hell of a tour. We’ve had our opportunities, we’ve created enough but we just haven’t finished them.
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“We talk about being proud of all our efforts and how much care and what we did physically and stuff but the black jersey demands the best of us and finishing off what we’ve created.
“Small margins, Test footy. Some great things to see and some great young players coming through but not the result.”
When the full-time whistle sounded at the Cape Town venue, the Springboks rightfully began to celebrate their Freedom Cup triumph. It’s been 15 years since they held the Cup, but the two-time defending World Cup champions created more history on a fateful September evening.
As for the All Blacks, it was the fourth time in as many Tests that they’ve failed to score a single point in the final 20 minutes. ‘Razor’ Robertson’s men have also lost three of seven matches this year, which included a shock loss to Argentina in Wellington last month.
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Robertson was asked to pinpoint where it was going wrong for the All Blacks. The coach paused before explaining further how small margins go a long way to determining the victor at this level.
“Probably converting a couple of opportunities with kicking a goal here and there, as simple as that really,” Robertson said.
“You’ve got a team who are hugely desperate and world number one, you’re away for a couple of weeks and we had two chances to win it, we didn’t take it and that’s Test footy.
“It’s there, that’s the great thing about it. It’s there for us. We’ve got to be brave and be clutch and take it.”
Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV
Well time to get back to the real world. Cheers.
Fine with no birth control by the sound of it. We all know 68m of those live in squalor and I don’t think any decent South African can start lecturing anyone about harm!
Define “maches”? Must be an ancient Afrikaans word…..
Crash and burn like your rugby is doing atm? Sadly you guy's might be tier 2 by the time we make up those 20 odd test maches. No worries we still have 70 odd mil people left in South Africa so we will be fine unlike your rugby. They say when the All Blacks lose a match that family harm goes through the roof in Nz. Is that true? Anyway you were a nice distraction but I tire of your idiocy. Cheers🐑
70,000 plus SA immigrants to NZ will probably disagree with you there Ninjin about what NZ offers them. Talk about crash and burn! You are just too easy and the words “candy” and “baby” spring to mind.
Let me know when the Boks reach 62 wins over the ABs.
On second thoughts, you’d better leave an instruction in your will to your great great great grandchildren to let mine know…..
It will in time but what does it matter. Rugby is just a game and nothing more. People who have lives with things and people in them that actually matter will know this fact. It must sting to know once the rugby goes your country will not have much to offer the world.
108 62 42 4
These are the numbers that matter Ninjin! No, they’re not your Lotto numbers. If the first one is the total of tests played between the ABs and Boks, guess which one is the total of ABs wins??
It must sting to know this will never be reversed…….
I would be more worried about the Aussies if I were you. If they beat the Blacks you might have a full meltdown as a country again just like in 99. Yes I am speaking of that 43-31 loss to France. France ended that 6 Nations with the wooden spoon but they were able to put the Blacks away🤣. It might just happen again for all we know in two weeks time but I am sure that you will have your excuses ready just in case. Did I hear you say that you are the All Blacks and that you are the best? Well tbh your womans team plays better rugby than the men at the moment so no wonder Hansen said the Nz wags did the fighting. In most first world countries the lawyers make the most money but in Nz it seems it's the psychiatrist's.🤣😂🤣😂. Now don't go all Joker on me ok.
Kolbe up for an Oscar!!!
Nice try but please do not drag my countryman into your delusions.
They both cheated! Bok didn’t have to but chose the dive. Not all your countrymen are as one-eyed as you and weren’t happy with Kolbe’s bending of the rules….
when this ABs team finally clicks they will be unstoppable.
The All Blacks have the athletes, they need to grow gane management and mental resilience.
They have panicked 2 weeks in a row and failed to ice their opportunities.
Gotta get that under control.
Otherwise, tonnes to like about where they are trending.
If game continued another 10 minutes, Boks would have won by more. Totally dominated game in second half, and All Blacks looked like an average club team. Savea, Barrett, Rieko and Cane don’t have what is required. All Blacks are currently number 3 in the world, but heading much lower in the rankings, and they and the Haka will be a laughing stock!
What a pathetic man you are.
One team was playing to get penalties and kick them while the other was playing to score tries and convert them. The better total rugby was played by South Africa and it reflected on the score sheet. AB entry to the 22 on attack was not manifesting anyone crossing the goal line. Relying on McKenzie to kick you out of attack failure will not end well.
They did muscle up but turned over and kicked away their possession. Jordan’s aimless kicking was awful. Straight down the neck of SA backs with no chasers. Robertson’s bias against Barrett at first five needs to change. One flyhalf per match doesn’t change the attack and is too predictable.
The substitution utilisation was ordinary unless they’re trying to build 90 minute fitness at test speed, playing four front rowers against 6 and not giving your Bench locks experience against the best is not going to work long term.
I dont think NZ Rugby is down, I just think its the first time in History that at any given time, at any match, any if the top 5-6 Ranked teams could beat each other, I know All Black supporters would want to win at the same rate they used to, but this stiff competition is good for the game, and just look how much interest has grown for
There was sum great rugby played by the all blacks in the 1st half Wallace Siutiti (sorry about spelling) had the best game, along with Tupou V. Forwards
V.G. Only 2 passengers Rieko &
Telia ( who was abysmal)
Coaches errors Sam C. & Cody T.
Should have been subbed in the last 20 mins. for Wallace & Asafie O.
Razor was untouchable in a club competition that favours the AB's with no real competition. The Crusaders has been the main feeding trough for the ABs for a long time. Easier to stay strong and win against weaker club teams like Super Rugby Pacific. A great club coach doesn't make for a winning test coach. Rassie took over a Bok team that got flogged by everyone. He changed them around and created a winning team and culture. Razor took over a team that barely lost in a WC final. Massive difference between the 2 coaches and teams during transition phases. The question have to be asked...Is the problems in NZ rugby deeper than the team? Are they growing weaker due to coaching or competition? This 2 tests the AB's had it but lost it against a team that is swapping and changing continuesly. Changing that many players, no matter how good they are, you lose a lot of little things. In attack the Boks struggle to gel, they play in short bursts and currently is a team who rescue themselves through sheer power or broken play. Their mental strength is one of the biggest changes in the team. They find a way to win. They believe that they are the best but they are not letting it make them complacent. They know they are hard to beat and at any given day can lose. They are not the polished product and far from reaching their end goal. Rassie keeps shifting the goal posts. Making it harder for every player to keep their spot on the team. Fozzie was seen as the worst AB's coach, but he got them to the WC final. The NZRU would have been very happy that the AB's lost that final. What would it have looked like if they fired a coach they mocked, gave a hard time and fired long before the WC, if he won the WC? They are not good at their jobs. Just like with the Aussie board, this NZ board is failing upwards. How long before the AB's become the Wallabies? The players are trying hard, but they can do only so much. Razor is a coach of habit. He has his favourites. Is the current AB's team the best players in each position in the country? Or is there better players that don't get a look in? These players are not bad. The best though? Imagine what an Aki Bundee would have been able to do, and other players the AB's throw away for fun. Now they gain residency and play for other countries or go back to their Island nations and play for them. No matter how I look at it, NZ rugby is going backwards. I don't blame the players. NZ still produce world class players, but a lot of questions is left to answer. More than just a losing team. Razor should not have walked in as head coach. He should have been assistant to learn the ropes of international rugby. There is a vast difference between club and international rugby. Is the NZRU setting up Razor to fail?
This is a uneducated comment. The rugby world said NZ will struggle this year due to a complete coaching change and some of its best players retiring at the end of last year. Normal rugby fans expected losses this year and expected 5-6 for the season. The talent coming thru has been exceptional with Vaii and Darry really playing like long term ABs and with Holland coming in next year our locks will develop well. Experience is vital and they are getting that now.
Roigard, Ratima and Hothem are the longterm 9s for the ABs and have serious talent. at least 1 of them will rival Smith one day. Talented backs are abundant in NZ and again need a few ( 15-20 ) tests to become their best. Props are a major strength with 4 absolute world class and 2 more exceptional backups. Tosi and Williams ( backups to DeGroot and Lomax will excel in the next year or two with Williams already doing very well, plus Numea too. Backrowers with Savea still got plenty, Sititi looking like a 6 or 8 longterm, Frizzell coming back next season, Iose and Lakai to add to the current guys minus Cane.
I think NZ rugby and the ABs will be strong for a long time yet.
Scott "Razor" Robertsons Crusaders won Super Rugby Titles.. 2017 def. Lions, 2018 def. Lions and won the 2019 Final def. Jaguares.. with the Bulls 5th, Sharks 6th, Lions 10th, Stormers 11th...and shortly there after SARU CEO Jurie Roux spat the dummy at NZRFU and went north....anyhoo... Scotts now the head coach of a depleted AB's team which saw 8 players totalling 626 Caps depart post RWC 2023...its highly likely a few more Caps will drop out or not even be considered before this year is finished and then the rebuilding can really begin in earnest going forward...for mine I like his positive enthusiasm and I'm confident he will make his mark in Tier 1 coaching ranks.
Let’s see how the Boks do in NZ next year shall we? A points advantage of 10 over 2 tests at HOME suggests the ABs are a lot better than the doom and gloom you are spreading!!
Not rocket science. The big difference is continuity of head coach & key players. The Boks haven’t lost their Whitelock, Retallick, Frizell, Mounga, etc. And new coaches need time to get their feet under the desk. Both organisations are at vastly different stages of development. And yet, the ABs were close in both tests. Give it time.
"Are they growing weaker due to coaching or competition?"
It's both.
Congratulation to South Africa for winning both matches, the spoils and bragging rights....with that being said...the AB's have held their own on this tour and there were a lot of positive outcomes for Scott Robertson to build on and look towards returning the favour at home next year....Go the AB's...refresh, reboot, reload, and focus on...firstly the Bledisloe Cup Wallabies rivalry and the EOYT to Europe...
The ABs will grow from these tests. But there are massive improvements from game to game, since the English game. End of year should be interesting. The new ABs need time
Back line needs radical changes, 10 is a big problem as is 13 ,it's obviously time to try something different come on Mr Robinson.
The whole backline needs new talent.
"Here's to you Mrs Robinson "
Talk about flogging a dead horse trying to win a game. How many players were NZ playing with at the end there?
Can't believe Lomax thought he could take Kolbe out right in front of the ref. The ref didn't even wait for the replay - immediate penalty then replay for the card. It was anybody's ball with Kolbe running onto it at full speed it would have been interesting. But luckily it didn't cost the Boks but it might have been the single act that cost the AB's the game.