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The 'inexplicably bad' 15 seconds that cost the All Blacks
By Ian Cameron
Fifteen dreadful seconds of play may well have cost the All Blacks victory over Argentina in Wellington on Saturday in their opening Rugby Championship match.
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In a closely contested game Felipe Contepomi’s Argentina secured a dramatic victory over New Zealand with a 38-30 scoreline.
The match hinged on a disastrous attacking sequence for the All Blacks in the 66th minute with New Zealand leading 30-28. They had possession and an opportunity to extend their lead but instead gifted Argentina a chance that would prove decisive.
New Zealand won a lineout in Argentina’s half setting up what should have been a routine attacking phase. However the execution fell apart immediately in almost comical fashion.
A shocking pass from captain Ardie Savea missed its intended target Damian McKenzie forcing him to scramble back to retrieve the ball. Under pressure McKenzie attempted another pass that went awry missing its mark again and putting his team further under the pump.
The miscue culminated in Argentina tackling Rieko Ioane over the try line resulting in a five-metre scrum for the Pumas. Argentina capitalized on this gift with veteran hooker Agustin Creevy scoring the decisive try.
Telegraph rugby writer Charlie Morgan wrote: “Turning point here. New Zealand nab the lineout but lose *50* metres and cough up a five-metre scrum with two inexplicably bad passes.”
Turning point here. New Zealand nab the lineout but lose *50* metres and cough up a five-metre scrum with two inexplicably bad passes. pic.twitter.com/fuGToLDOHl
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) August 10, 2024
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This unfathomably poor sequence turned the momentum of the match irrevocably in Argentina’s favour.
In truth, it was Keystone Cops stuff from the All Blacks.
One X account wrote “This isn’t the All Blacks I grew up watching” in reference to the clip.
Los Pumas’ forward pack dominated the All Blacks in the second half with flanker and captain Pablo Matera leading by example.
The victory marked only the third time Argentina has defeated New Zealand in rugby history a significant achievement. For All Blacks coach Scott Robertson this match marked his first defeat in charge following two narrow wins against England the previous month.
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“And look I’m disappointed, I’m hurt, but they’ll look to me and I got to make sure I put everything in place for them so that we respond this week,” said a crestfallen Robertson after the game.
Despite a strong first-half performance where New Zealand led 20-15 the team faltered in the second half allowing Argentina to outscore them and take control. The All Blacks’ 15 seconds of disarray ultimately cost them the match handing Argentina a famous win in Wellington.
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
Much clutching and disrespect?
Argentina were on top, 10 secs doesn't change that, they 'looked' like the only team that could score points so don't deserve, or didn't need, to say it was handed to them.
The pass was also fine, it was a keystone cop mistake for sure, but it was just a break down in that much vaunted 'partnership' with Beauden running away from McKenzies pass. I liked the idea from Barrett, to avoid the rush d by going back and looping around behind Dmac, but unfortunately they weren't on the same page.
This is beginning to look like a team selected and coached by committee. It's no surprise that there's no clarity in execution because there seems to be no clarity in selection.
Case in point: ALB proved in Fiji that he's a 12. Meantime, Jordie has not been playing well at all under this regime. Logically, you swap ALB for Jordie. But Jordie is the co-captain, so Reiko becomes the fall guy and ALB plays 13 against the Argies with entirely predictable results: he scores a good try from inside centre and makes an inside centre's line break, while, trying to defend as a 13, he gets beaten by pace on the outside, hasn't got the gas to chase back, and Cinti scores a great try.
Now that Darry has made his case, this committee has another big selection ahead of them when Scooter and Paddy are fit again. We lack grunt, we have no natural 6, so we need the Blues locks together doing their Stern Vern thing, and Scooter, our best forward, has to play 6.
I think the committee has to get their own story straight before they talk to the players. Maybe there are too many voices out there. Maybe, given the way the backs are playing, Jason Holland and Leon McDonald should take a week off and let the players sort it.
Funny only now people are finally starting to realize Jordie is rubbish
I agree and while I'm excited to have Razor and Ryan on board, one of my concerns with this coaching team is how many fricking coaches they have. I don't understand how players can have a clear and cohesive focus and game plan with 370 people giving them direction. It's a bit ridic, and as I say, I'm a fan of the new coach.
Some excellent points
I agree ALB got shown up as a 13 due to those reasons
Rieko might have some issues with distribution (confidence thing if you ask me) but tell me when the ABs midfield was broken down before that?
Look at SAs combo
Not amazing distributors (yes Kriel put a player away on the weekend) but they are so settled
Jordie is not playing very well and is actually providing very little
What offloads he does are often wild and inaccurate
But again like Rieko previously he is having to deal with another midfield partner
What next? ALB and Proctor?
I never thought I would say put Scott at 6 again but currently that seems a good idea to provide grunt and multiple lineout options
Blackadder IMO is a good player but just not next level
He and Papaliii (who got two steals though) got outplayed but the lack of physicality from Blackadder is alarming
For now I’d be making full use of Cane at 7 and yes Scott at 6
Perofeta still has his rib injury I think, so no, I don't buy the committee punchline. Perofeta and Jordan were ruled out starters, it was either Beauden again or a debut from Love. Also, it is just a duo thing, Razor and whoever is looking after that position.
We can go back to Fiji and the RC squad naming and whatever group makeup they were trying for their though. I certainly do think dropping Narawa backfired for them there, but honestly Beauden should have been able to handle two consecutive starts at least once this season.
I agree with your personal plan for ALB but not with your big picture plan. ALB covers both positions for me, as up until recently, he was a centre, and Proctor maybe just get 1 more chance start this year but was always unlikely for it to be back to back, doesn't make great development sense. The top midfield can't play all 15 test matches together, so I think they found now was a great time to ensure Reiko has a second break, and I wouldn't be surprised if Jordie was rested next if all went as expected (which I dare say they did). I don't think it unreasonable give the discussion over the last month that ALB be tried at centre first. But yes, I agree both positions have someone 'wanting' to fill/grab them, and I think ALB would be most suited to winning a starting spot at 2nd5.
You risk a 'selection by committee' with you pick a 6 GM but I think he is actually a natural 6 so hope they do all (well actually Razor is the selector for loosies, so he'll be wearing two hates and talking to himself the coach, along with Ryan of course, for that selection change) get their heads together for that one. Those two names are were I'd first be expecting coaching changes for sure. Hansen and Ryan can have a pass mark for now, but improvement is expected (as I'm sure they will have setup in their 'committee' development discussions as well).
The biggest mistake was Razor believing Blackadder is now his second best loose forward.
Dalton must be really disappointed to be taken off and the guy that plays hardly any rugby each season left on to miss tackles. Finau clearly the better option at six.
Jordie is having a lot of quiet games and McKenzie just not clicking as a game manager.
Perenara definitely past it now, Christie a better option along with the young halfbacks.
Reece just not a test winger and Savea continues to look like a seven at eight with Sititi too small as the other option.
Ioanes pace badly missed with ALB caught out for a try.
Bad selections were a massive contributor to the loss, Razor is a great coach but needs to accept that Blackadder is a seven and Reece isn't NZ's second best winger, Razor needs to let these two go and his Crusader bias.
Certainly noticed a difference when Perenara was replaced with Ratima.
Agree. What I am not reading is how out of his depth satiti was. 3 penalties given away, and completely unable to defend next to the post
Yeah they were too deep far too often without a blitz and I think McKenzie should take control of his outsides better, asking them to play flatter. Coaches need to ensure that picture at training as well though. Only a few flat lineballs from Dmac that game (due to his outsides and own sideways running), one of his strengths.
Twice ALB caught on the turn. Have you changed your mind on him now? What did you think otherwise of ALB?
I wouldn't say massive, it was all in moderation, selections, arrogance, luck, and a lack of development. Oh, and their support?
what about the other 79 minutes and 45 seconds by the allblacks
Under the pump by Argentina (rather than of their own making).
It always amazes me the rugby journalists who ask such weak questions - nobody challenged Razor and asked questions of note:
How do feel choosing ALL NZ coaches with no international experience?
Why would you assign coaches roles where they have limited or outdated specialist knowledge- for example France, Boks, Ireland & England all have Defence coaches who are specialist for the function?
That's not a hard question MO. He hand was dealt by NZR, nothing to do with Razor. Though I can't remember who was part of his team in 2019.
What makes you think Scott Hansen is not a defence coach? He was the one I had the most questions about?
NZ didn't respond to pressure. They did nor entertain the possibility of losing to Argentina. The spectre of actually losing was too much for them. They needed Argentina to go away. And Argentina had factored this pressure into their match plans. They knew if they ran NZ close and didnt go away they had a great opportunity of winning. This is the old fear, the choking that has dogged NZ world cup attempts. IF NZ are big favourites or under massive pressure to win: run them close and don't go away, it will likely be enough.
They will respect Argentina a little bit more now.
15 seconds?
More like the entire last 45 minutes of the game where they conceded 30 points to the Pumas.