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The All Blacks can't have it both ways if tests aren't meaningful
This is what happens when you abandon all pretence of accountability.
By rights, the All Blacks should be applauded for beating Argentina 53-3 in Hamilton last Saturday.
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Now, I would argue it was an adequate performance over an opponent who was inadequate on the night.
I don’t know how the Pumas celebrated their win of the previous week but, given the way they behaved on the field after that match in Christchurch, I think most seasoned observers believed they’d never be as desperate seven days later.
Frankly, Argentina looked like they’d spent most of the week in the hotel bar.
Oh well, it’s not as if these results matter.
That’s the issue for the All Blacks in 2022. New Zealand Rugby (NZR), through their continued endorsement of Ian Foster, have told us that outcomes are immaterial.
As long as the players like their head coach and are convinced that the team is “building,’’ then this season is a success.
Ordinarily a 50-point win over a credible foe would be cause for celebration. But given losses don’t count in 2022, we can hardly turn around and hail victories either.
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I feel a bit for the team in that regard. I mean it’s still rather embarrassing that they have to be shamed into performing to their potential, but that’s because rugby in New Zealand faces broader issues than just the men in black.
This isn’t an elite All Blacks team and there are systemic reasons for that.
It is kind of weird, though, that it seems to take a week of public and media criticism to rouse them into action, but it’s at least nice to know they will play well when they absolutely have to.
That is the issue I’ve always had with this regime. That performances and results can be consistently below previous expectations and yet nothing meaningful changes.
Provided the occasional victory is thrown in to quiet the baying masses, everything’s hunky dory.
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I’ve written before, partly tongue-in-cheek, that I reckon the All Blacks can go unbeaten for the rest of the year. Admittedly, I wrote that before the first Argentine test, but I stand by it.
I don’t see anything on the schedule that should frighten the team and I think we’re all entitled to expect a cleansweep of the clashes with Australia, Japan, Wales, Scotland and even England.
The question is though: can we congratulate the All Blacks for it if they do?
And I mean that.
The team and NZR can’t have it both ways. Either every test result is important or none of them are.
I do genuinely wish there were sterner tests ahead of this side in the remainder of the season, because it is difficult to get a read on whether improvements are being made.
I am enthused about the propping rotation of Ethan de Groot, George Bowler, Tyrel Lomax and Fletcher Newell. Samisoni Taukei’aho looks an outstanding hooker and I still think Dane Coles can be relied upon in 20-minute cameos.
Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Scott Barrett are excellent locks, Ardie Savea an admirable No.8 and Caleb Clarke an emerging star on the wing.
But I retain misgivings about openside and blindside flanker, halfback, first five-eighth, second five-eighth, centre, right wing and fullback.
I’d love it if England at Twickenham was a real challenge. I’d love the All Blacks to face some real adversity there and to find a way to prevail.
Ultimately, though, we have what we have – in terms of players and coaches – and not a lot’s going to change between now and the World Cup.
Football is the model for rugby now. Outside of tournaments such as the world cup and European championships, every other international match in that sport is a friendly.
They’re games help to build confidence and combinations, but the outcomes are essentially meaningless.
I find it a shame to see All Blacks test matches become an irrelevance, but that is the situation that NZR have created.
Beating Argentina on Saturday was certainly better than losing to them, but it proved nothing.
All the eggs are in the World Cup basket and the only results that matter will be there.
Writing from and looking from afar in the Philippines, the one objective piece that you and the many NZ public are miserably failing to see is that it was never about Foster. They had planned reviews in place from the beginning of the year to address his coaching team and carried them out as planned and scheduled.
Other articles suggesting Robertson missed out again is baseless and kindergarten opinionated nonsense.
Excellent article which summarises the thoughts of many.
Nothing much will change as Foster will be loyal to the players who came out publicly in support of him.
Someone recently described the ABs as a hibernating bear which had been unceremoniously disturbed. Keeping them awake and angry will be a task for Schmidt and Ryan.
I still believe ardie should play 7 with a specialist 8 and 6 but you have to acknowledge cane had his best game in a long time
I don't think that Foster should be head coach, but even I found this article mean and unfair. Especially the bit where he says that we are entitled to expect a clean sweep of the two Bledisloe tests, Japan, Wales, England and Scotland. That sense of entitlement is exactly the reason why we're considered up ourselves and arrogant. Remember, England beat Australia and South Africa last year so they are no mugs. This was nothing more than a blatant attempt to put our team in a no win situation.
We need to accept that the McCaw era was a special time and the NH teams are much better than they were because of the SH coaches and players. We're going to have ups and downs and aren't entitled to beat anyone.
As for the idea that losses don't matter, nobody has said or implied that.
I don't agree with the tactics and selections of most of the past two or three seasons but I'm hopeful that the evidence of the much better tactics in Joberg and Hamilton will ensure that the penny has finally dropped. I'm optimistic that were at least on the right track.
Ardie, Cane and Frizzel/Barrett are an effective, balanced trio. Brodie, Whitelock, Barrett and Frizzel are a hardworking 4/5/6/19. The front row kids are a revelation. Smith and Mo'unga are distributing well and getting the most from their carriers and centres. Mo'unga & Havili are getting good territory.
Now we need to prove that we can be consistent.
Determinedly
miserable. Maybe Argentina weren't all half cut as your slur implies? NZ always pill on the point on various occasions. Nothing unusual. Inconvenient for yoyr narrative though, i can see that. And if the Boks win by 12 in a few weeks will you call it unthinkable? Reckon...