Under the coaching regime of Scott Robertson, the once fluid and unpredictable All Blacks have transformed into a unit operating with a mechanical precision that lacks the thrilling spontaneity of old. Following a string of disappointing performances, including a historic defeat, the legendary Justin Marshall has voiced concerns over the team's current direction and the immense pressure of expectations they face.
The criticism surrounding Robertson intensified after New Zealand's shattering 43-10 loss, marking the largest defeat in the nation's storied rugby history. With the upcoming matches against the Wallabies looming, the All Blacks are in desperate need of a victory to regain their footing. Critics have not only questioned Robertson's results but also his conservative approach to the game's strategic aspects, a stark contrast to the dynamic tactics employed by counterparts like Rassie Erasmus.
"I see a side that is playing restricted, that is not playing to the potential or playing with a little bit more freedom. I think they’re playing really robotic,"
Marshall expressed on Sport Nation’s The Rugby Run. The expectation to deliver winning results is visibly influencing their gameplay, leading to a style that is more cautious and calculated than the daring, instinctive rugby New Zealand is famed for.
Unlike Erasmus, who enjoys the leeway to experiment and rotate his squad thanks to his substantial achievements including two Rugby World Cup victories, Robertson seems shackled by the comparative lack of accolades and the immense pressure to maintain the All Blacks' legacy of success.
"When you’re a World Cup back-to-back champion and you’ve got the pedigree, and you’re number one in the world, if he dropped that game in Wellington, he still would have gone back and people would have said: ‘Rassie, he tried something’, but he wouldn’t have the fallout that Scott Robertson’s going to get,"
Marshall highlighted, underscoring the different stakes each coach plays against. Marshall advocates for a return to a more adventurous style of play, suggesting that the All Blacks harness their renowned skill set to reignite their once formidable attack and play a more heads-up, counter-attacking rugby.
As the All Blacks prepare to face the Wallabies, the rugby world watches closely to see if Robertson will adjust his strategies and perhaps take a leaf out of Erasmus’ playbook in a bid to revitalize his team and restore their reputation as innovators of the game.
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Under the coaching regime of Scott Robertson, the once fluid and unpredictable All Blacks have transformed into a unit operating with a mechanical precision that lacks the thrilling spontaneity of old. Following a string of disappointing performances, including a historic defeat, the legendary Justin Marshall has voiced concerns over the team's current direction and the immense pressure of expectations they face.
The criticism surrounding Robertson intensified after New Zealand's shattering 43-10 loss, marking the largest defeat in the nation's storied rugby history. With the upcoming matches against the Wallabies looming, the All Blacks are in desperate need of a victory to regain their footing. Critics have not only questioned Robertson's results but also his conservative approach to the game's strategic aspects, a stark contrast to the dynamic tactics employed by counterparts like Rassie Erasmus.
"I see a side that is playing restricted, that is not playing to the potential or playing with a little bit more freedom. I think they’re playing really robotic,"
Marshall expressed on Sport Nation’s The Rugby Run. The expectation to deliver winning results is visibly influencing their gameplay, leading to a style that is more cautious and calculated than the daring, instinctive rugby New Zealand is famed for.
Unlike Erasmus, who enjoys the leeway to experiment and rotate his squad thanks to his substantial achievements including two Rugby World Cup victories, Robertson seems shackled by the comparative lack of accolades and the immense pressure to maintain the All Blacks' legacy of success.
"When you’re a World Cup back-to-back champion and you’ve got the pedigree, and you’re number one in the world, if he dropped that game in Wellington, he still would have gone back and people would have said: ‘Rassie, he tried something’, but he wouldn’t have the fallout that Scott Robertson’s going to get,"
Marshall highlighted, underscoring the different stakes each coach plays against. Marshall advocates for a return to a more adventurous style of play, suggesting that the All Blacks harness their renowned skill set to reignite their once formidable attack and play a more heads-up, counter-attacking rugby.
As the All Blacks prepare to face the Wallabies, the rugby world watches closely to see if Robertson will adjust his strategies and perhaps take a leaf out of Erasmus’ playbook in a bid to revitalize his team and restore their reputation as innovators of the game.