The recent shellacking the All Blacks suffered at the hands of the Springboks has thrown the spotlight fiercely onto their leadership, particularly captain Scott Barrett. The crushing 43-10 defeat at Wellington's Sky Stadium not only marked a grim milestone for New Zealand's rugby pride but also triggered a cascade of scrutiny over the team's guidance under such dire straits.
Former All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne, a veteran of 50 Tests, weighed in on the situation, emphasizing the collective responsibility of the leadership group. Thorne, who led the national team in the early 2000s, suggested that while the captain often bears the brunt of criticism, it's a shared load among the team's seasoned players.
"Well, look, it depends on it. I mean, I know the focus is always on the captain more than other players, but there’s a number of very experienced leaders in that group,"
Thorne remarked during a conversation with Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB.
He pointed out that leadership in rugby, especially in high-intensity matches, often transcends beyond the individual wearing the captain’s armband. Players like Beauden and Jordie Barrett, Ardie Savea, and Codie Taylor, all of whom are steeped in test match experience, play crucial roles in game management and decision-making.
The conversation also touched on the immediate post-match scenario, where Scott Barrett faced the media. Thorne noted the difficulty in such moments, especially following such a heavy loss.
"It’s very hard in the heat of the moment, straight after a game, when you get a camera and an interviewer coming up to you and wanting answers immediately post-match, particularly when you’ve been on the receiving end of a loss like that,"
he explained.
Thorne advocated for patience and reflection rather than knee-jerk reactions to the defeat, suggesting that both Barrett and the team need time to analyze and regroup. As the All Blacks look to rebound from this setback, the role of its leaders, both on and off the field, will undoubtedly be under intense scrutiny as they prepare for their upcoming matches.
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The recent shellacking the All Blacks suffered at the hands of the Springboks has thrown the spotlight fiercely onto their leadership, particularly captain Scott Barrett. The crushing 43-10 defeat at Wellington's Sky Stadium not only marked a grim milestone for New Zealand's rugby pride but also triggered a cascade of scrutiny over the team's guidance under such dire straits.
Former All Blacks captain Reuben Thorne, a veteran of 50 Tests, weighed in on the situation, emphasizing the collective responsibility of the leadership group. Thorne, who led the national team in the early 2000s, suggested that while the captain often bears the brunt of criticism, it's a shared load among the team's seasoned players.
"Well, look, it depends on it. I mean, I know the focus is always on the captain more than other players, but there’s a number of very experienced leaders in that group,"
Thorne remarked during a conversation with Jason Pine on Newstalk ZB.He pointed out that leadership in rugby, especially in high-intensity matches, often transcends beyond the individual wearing the captain’s armband. Players like Beauden and Jordie Barrett, Ardie Savea, and Codie Taylor, all of whom are steeped in test match experience, play crucial roles in game management and decision-making.
The conversation also touched on the immediate post-match scenario, where Scott Barrett faced the media. Thorne noted the difficulty in such moments, especially following such a heavy loss.
"It’s very hard in the heat of the moment, straight after a game, when you get a camera and an interviewer coming up to you and wanting answers immediately post-match, particularly when you’ve been on the receiving end of a loss like that,"
he explained.Thorne advocated for patience and reflection rather than knee-jerk reactions to the defeat, suggesting that both Barrett and the team need time to analyze and regroup. As the All Blacks look to rebound from this setback, the role of its leaders, both on and off the field, will undoubtedly be under intense scrutiny as they prepare for their upcoming matches.