In a revealing discussion on The Platform NZ podcast, ex-All Blacks coach Laurie Mains dissected the thin margins that separate New Zealand from their fierce rivals, the Springboks, following this year's Rugby Championship. The tournament concluded with both teams tied at 19 points, but the Springboks took the title with a superior points difference after a tight win against Argentina, while the All Blacks secured a solid victory over Australia.
The Springboks and All Blacks, perched at the top of the World Rugby rankings, both notched four wins in six games. The Boks' losses came at the hands of Australia and New Zealand, while the All Blacks stumbled against Argentina and in a record defeat to the Springboks in Wellington. Mains pinpointed a "mental lapse" and questionable player selections as key factors in the All Blacks' struggles, particularly during their heaviest-ever defeat.
"They are, but like at half time in that second Test, there was nothing in it. It was a pretty equal game, and that was with what I think are not a very well thought-out, selected All Black team,"
Mains criticized the decision to bench the formidable Fabian Holland and to shift Tupou Vaa’i from his successful position as a blindside flanker to lock, a move he deemed ineffective against larger opponents. This misstep in player positioning, according to Mains, contributed significantly to the All Blacks' downfall in the second half of their critical match against the Springboks.
"And then it sort of fell apart after half-time. There’s all sorts of reasons for that, and maybe the major one, here’s what got me: We couldn’t win our own lineouts because Fabian Holland wasn’t there,"
Mains elaborated on the issues, stating that aside from lineout troubles, the All Blacks were "pushed back in our scrums, and that was a mental lapse, not a physical lapse." He also highlighted difficulties in handling high kicks, particularly for Damian McKenzie, who struggled against taller opponents.
The former coach's insights reveal the fine line between victory and defeat at the elite level of rugby, where strategic decisions and mental readiness play crucial roles. As the All Blacks regroup, the lessons from this year's Rugby Championship will undoubtedly influence their strategies and selections moving forward.
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In a revealing discussion on The Platform NZ podcast, ex-All Blacks coach Laurie Mains dissected the thin margins that separate New Zealand from their fierce rivals, the Springboks, following this year's Rugby Championship. The tournament concluded with both teams tied at 19 points, but the Springboks took the title with a superior points difference after a tight win against Argentina, while the All Blacks secured a solid victory over Australia.
The Springboks and All Blacks, perched at the top of the World Rugby rankings, both notched four wins in six games. The Boks' losses came at the hands of Australia and New Zealand, while the All Blacks stumbled against Argentina and in a record defeat to the Springboks in Wellington. Mains pinpointed a "mental lapse" and questionable player selections as key factors in the All Blacks' struggles, particularly during their heaviest-ever defeat.
"They are, but like at half time in that second Test, there was nothing in it. It was a pretty equal game, and that was with what I think are not a very well thought-out, selected All Black team,"
Mains criticized the decision to bench the formidable Fabian Holland and to shift Tupou Vaa’i from his successful position as a blindside flanker to lock, a move he deemed ineffective against larger opponents. This misstep in player positioning, according to Mains, contributed significantly to the All Blacks' downfall in the second half of their critical match against the Springboks.
"And then it sort of fell apart after half-time. There’s all sorts of reasons for that, and maybe the major one, here’s what got me: We couldn’t win our own lineouts because Fabian Holland wasn’t there,"
Mains elaborated on the issues, stating that aside from lineout troubles, the All Blacks were "pushed back in our scrums, and that was a mental lapse, not a physical lapse." He also highlighted difficulties in handling high kicks, particularly for Damian McKenzie, who struggled against taller opponents.
The former coach's insights reveal the fine line between victory and defeat at the elite level of rugby, where strategic decisions and mental readiness play crucial roles. As the All Blacks regroup, the lessons from this year's Rugby Championship will undoubtedly influence their strategies and selections moving forward.