Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

The five All Blacks cracks exposed by the Springboks

Beauden Barrett evades the tackle of Siya Kolisi during the All Blacks' RWC clash with the Springboks.(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

By Liam Napier, NZ Herald

Naturally satisfied by beginning their Rugby World Cup campaign on a bright note, the All Blacks are also well aware improvement is needed to fulfil their quest for three straight Webb Ellis Cups in Japan.

Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus quickly noted the All Blacks will face different, potentially tougher, challenges from the northern hemisphere style of opposition later in the tournament.

Regardless of their remaining softer pool matches, this is just one reason the group phase will be used to refine and expand elements of the All Blacks game.

Liam Napier looks at five areas they will be keen to improve in the coming weeks.

ADVERTISEMENT

The set piece

The All Blacks pride themselves on set piece strength. While the northern nations like to think they dominate this area, very few teams regularly get the better of the All Blacks here.

Continue reading below…

Video Spacer

The Springboks, though, succeeded in exerting huge pressure on the All Blacks’ scrum and lineout. This forms a key part of the Boks game, and the All Blacks will be aware there is room for improvement.

Prop Joe Moody was probably fortunate not to be penalised as his elbow hit the deck during a couple of scrums. The All Blacks also lost two of their nine lineouts for a 78 per cent success rate (the Boks had 9/9).

As the tournament progresses, particularly come the knockout stages, the All Blacks will look to employ their set piece as a strike weapon.

With the lineout and scrum concentrating forward packs to one area, space is there to exploit. But for these first-phase moves to come off, the platform must first be delivered.

https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1177408686714544128

Attacking execution

The six-minute attacking blitz that blew away the Boks made the rugby world rock forward in their seats but the All Blacks could, in fact, have put many more points on the Boks.

On one occasion in the second half, Beauden Barrett loomed up on the outside with acres of room in front of him, only for a poor pass to stop the sweeping movement. Had Barrett received the ball, the All Blacks seemed set to score with an unmarked man outside him.

In another instance, the All Blacks audaciously ran the ball from their own in-goal and Scott Barrett had his pass intercepted. If that pass sticks, the All Blacks are off to the races.

In these tight, tense games the All Blacks strive to nail every chance they create.

They may well have reversed the result in Dublin last year had they executed better – think the rare Kieran Read chargedown error. Against nations such as Ireland, one of the best defensive teams at this tournament, similar moments could prove defining.

“We were put under a lot of pressure at crucial times where if we nailed them we could have hurt the Boks a lot more,” Barrett acknowledged.

“Basically it comes down to our skill execution under pressure which we’re going to get throughout the tournament particularly when there’s a greasy ball when you get the high line-speed teams and the pressure comes on in terms of knockout footy. There’s a lot to learn but a lot of it comes down to our skill execution under pressure.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B245X2Sg3Bk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Breakdown defence

An ongoing area of concern for the All Blacks.

Wallabies halfback Nic White had a field day around the fringes in the record Perth defeat.

The All Blacks swiftly rectified this issue the following week at Eden Park but they will be disappointed by the ease with which Pieter-Steph du Toit strolled through untouched to score in Yokohama.

On this occasion, the All Blacks had no pillar defender on the left-hand side of the ruck.

Boks halfback Faf de Klerk appeared keen to shift the ball after a strong carry from Eben Etzebeth but du Toit spotted the space, picked it from de Klerk’s hands at the base of the ruck and loped all of 10 metres to score under the sticks.

Tries must be much more difficult to come by so expect the All Blacks to remind their forwards of the importance of regaining their feet quickly to plug these gaps.

Moody, Scott Barrett and Sam Cane, who didn’t return after halftime, topped the All Blacks tackle count with 10 each but as du Toit proved, one missed marker will be punished.

https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1177361990202707968

Starting better

It may have been a case of opening night nerves or emotions spilling over from the impassioned haka but the All Blacks will certainly target better starts.

Both from the opening kickoff, and after halftime, the Boks enjoyed long periods of dominance.

Not until Read gathered his troops for a calming chat did the All Blacks stop throwing wild offloads at the start of the match and they were, perhaps, guilty of not bringing the same intensity to open the second half after breaking out to lead 17-3.

Dual playmaker combo

More of a positive than anything else. Five tests into their starting combination, Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett’s understanding can only improve.

They weren’t perfect by any stretch against the Boks but the signs are there that, gradually, their dual playmaker combination will come together.

Barrett’s 17 carries against the Boks – seven more than the next most in George Bridge – is exactly what the All Blacks are trying to achieve.

The more touches from Barrett in space, the better.

Mo’unga’s cross-field kicks to pick out Sevu Reece also sparked the opening try but the task of getting around rush defences will not get any easier particularly when the All Blacks confront the northern hemisphere versions of ingrained linespeed.

This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.

In other news:

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Kubota Spears vs Saitama Wild Knights | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

The gruelling reality behind one of the fastest sports in the world | The Report

Boks Office | Episode 40 | The Steven Kitshoff Special

Perry Baker in the house | HSBC Life on Tour | Los Angeles

O2 Inside Line: All In | Episode 6 | Le Crunch

The Unexpected Journey to USA 7s Glory | Aaron Cummings | Sevens Wonders

USA vs Japan | Full Match Replay

Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Confidence knocks and finding your people | Flo Williams | Rugby Rising Locker Room

Tackling reasons for drop-out in sport | Zainab Alema | Rugby Rising Locker Room

Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
TomCruise33 2 hours ago
'Well constructed': Vern Cotter on what led to a convincing win in Fiji

Contact Mighty Hacker Recovery 4 all hacking services 2025 Reach out on Whatsapp ++14042456415

Internet scams and cybercrime have surged to concerning heights, causing chaos in lives, depleting hard-earned funds, and incapacitating companies. F R A U Dsters work in multiple forms, such as counterfeit investment sites, binary options frauds, forex trading F R A U D, and cryptocurrency scams, all aimed at deceiving unsuspecting victims

These offenders are very cunning, utilizing psychological tactics and promising unrealistic high returns to attract individuals, only to disappear with their funds. I am recounting my experience as a caution to those who might encounter comparable circumstances. I used to be a target of a meticulously planned binary options scam, in which I lost an astonishing $898,300 in B I T C O I N to a F R A U Dulent broker. Initially, all appeared to be authentic. The platform seemed credible, and the offers of substantial returns were appealing. Nevertheless, after I put my money in, the fraudsters vanished completely, leaving me helpless and heartbroken. The emotional burden was overwhelming; I felt despondent, ensnared in a loop of sadness, and uncertain if I would ever regain my lost money

Luckily, I ultimately encountered MIGHTY HAC KER RECOVERY, a reliable and exceptionally talented investigative and recovery firm. Their group of cybersecurity professionals focuses on monitoring and retrieving money lost to internet fraud. Thanks to their assistance, I managed to recover my stolen funds and regain control of my life. Their determination and technical know-how were truly remarkable, offering me the assistance I urgently required during a difficult period

If you or someone you know has been a target of any type of online F R A U D, whether it’s a fraudulent investment plan or crypto theft, please seek assistance right away. In these situations, timing is essential, and the quicker you respond, the better the odds of recuperation. MIGHTY HAC KER RECOVERY has demonstrated itself as a dependable option for numerous victims, including me. They employ sophisticated methods to track stolen money, uncover scammers, and support legal proceedings when needed

Don’t allow shame or fear to silence you; con artists flourish when their victims stay silent. To all who see this: Remain alert, perform detailed research before investing, and avoid trusting offers that appear "too good to be real." If you’ve been S C A M M E D, don’t lose hope; contact a trustworthy recovery service such as MIGHTY HAC KER RECOVERY for help. Your journey to healing might be nearer than you realize.

0 Go to comments
C
Cecilia Diesch 5 hours ago
Freddie Burns' message to prompt transfer scramble?

Online scams and cybercrime have reached alarming levels, wreaking havoc on lives, draining hard-earned savings, and crippling businesses. Fraudsters operate under various guises, including fake investment platforms, binary options scams, forex trading fraud, and cryptocurrency schemes designed to steal from unsuspecting victims. These criminals are highly sophisticated, employing psychological manipulation and making fake promises of high returns to lure people in, only to vanish with their money. I am sharing my story as a warning to others who may find themselves in similar situations. I was once a victim of a well-orchestrated binary options scam, where I lost a staggering $150,300 in Bitcoin to a fraudulent broker. At first, everything seemed legitimate. The platform appeared professional, and the promises of high returns were enticing. However, once I invested my money, the scammers disappeared without a trace, leaving me stranded and devastated. The emotional toll was unbearable; I felt hopeless, trapped in a cycle of depression, and unsure if I would ever recover my lost funds. Fortunately, I eventually met TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY, a trusted and highly skilled investigative and recovery agency. Their team of cybersecurity experts specializes in tracking and recovering funds lost to online scams. With their help, I was able to reclaim my stolen money and get my life back on track. Their persistence and technical expertise were miraculous, providing me with the support I desperately needed during a dark time. If you or someone you know has fallen victim to any form of online fraud, whether it’s a fake investment scheme or cryptocurrency theft, I urge you to seek help immediately. Time is critical in these cases, and the sooner you act, the higher the chances of recovery. TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY has proven to be a reliable solution for countless victims like me. They utilize advanced techniques to trace stolen funds, expose fraudsters, and assist in legal actions when necessary. Don’t let shame or fear keep you silent; scammers thrive when victims remain quiet. To anyone reading this: Stay vigilant, conduct thorough research before investing, and never trust opportunities that seem "too good to be true." If you’ve been scammed, don’t give up hope; contact a reputable recovery service like TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY for assistance. WhatsApp them at +15617263697 or Telegram at +15617263697. Your path to recovery may be closer than you think.

0 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ 'Love him or hate him, Henry Pollock has got the rugby world talking.' 'Love him or hate him, Henry Pollock has got the rugby world talking.'
Search