Rugby 365
INTERVIEW: FLANK SAM CANE SAID THE ALL BLACKS HAVE IDENTIFIED AREAS IN THEIR GAME THAT THEY NEED TO IMPROVE AHEAD OF THE SECOND TEST AGAINST WALES IN WELLINGTON ON
SATURDAY.
The All Blacks won the first Test in the three-Test series 39-21 in Auckland, but they did not have it all their own way for a large period of the game.
Cane said told allblacks.com on Sunday the Test had been a reminder of the differences between Super Rugby and international play, especially in the first half.
"The small reaction times and the consequences if things are off just a fraction [were crucial], but it was good to get back into it," he said.
"Those seconds in rugby at Test match level are critical.
"We were probably a little slow at times to transition from attack to defence and a couple of kicks where the bounce could have gone anywhere they got on the end of those so they put us under a wee bit of pressure there.
"From our point of view I thought their tackler was just there and we'd have to put an extra body in to get rid of him where we could be using that cleaner to remove another threat but it's always different every week so it's not a criticism, more an assessment than anything.
"It's still an area we'll get better at."
Despite starting a new era with a number of experienced players gone, Cane said that there was still a strong leadership group within the team.
"We were put under a bit of pressure particularly at the back end of that first half and everyone was really calm. We made sure everyone was connected and messages were getting across and the same at half-time.
"I thought we went out after half-time with a wee bit more spring in our step and I think that showed," Cane added.
Source: @AllBlacks
NZ Herald
What the All Blacks need to work on for the second test
They may have won 39-21 but the All Blacks still have a few things to work on ahead of the second test in Wellington.
1) Defence
If the ease with which Wales penetrated the All Blacks' defence looked a little unfamiliar, there's a reason for that. Saturday night was the first time the All Blacks had conceded at least 20 points since their last defeat, against Australia in August 2015. And it was even more unusual for Eden Park regulars-the 21 points conceded were the most at the venue since 2006. Wales were allowed to create far too much space as a defensive line infused with a number of new players lacked structure and cohesion.
2) Midfield
That was especially, and understandably, true of the midfield. Making just their second test start as a pair, Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa were reasonably solid but struggled to limit the effectiveness of the Welsh whenever they went wide.
nd on attack, the backline was occasionally too flat which saw their own impact negated by the tourists' rush defence. The obvious answer is the pair needs time together, but that's only true if Crotty is the long-term solution at second-five.
3) High ball
Usually a strength of Steve Hansen's sides-exemplified when Ben Smith started one memorable break that led to Waisake Naholo's try between the posts- the All Blacks' ability under the high ball at times left a little to be desired. Instead of being at their most dangerous when settling under loose kicks, too often the ball was left to bounce or the catch was spilled. The All Blacks will also want to have more success in winning back their own ball in the next two tests.
4) Handling
This has probably been a work-on after just about every first test of the international season. A little rust is understandable, as new combinations take time to gel, but the All Blacks put themselves under pressure by throwing a few ill-advised passes as they battled to get going in the first half. And some players' skill set let them down, both under the high ball and in general play, with Naholo especially guilty. Starting with secure handling will be a big priority in Wellington.
