Eddie Jones didn't pull any punches when he dissected the All Blacks' lackluster attack, pointing directly at Beauden Barrett's role in their recent drubbing by the Springboks. In a match that saw New Zealand trampled 43-10 in Wellington, the performance starkly contrasted their previous outing at Eden Park.
While reviewing the game on the Rugby Unity podcast, former Wallabies coach Ewan McKenzie commented on the All Blacks' passive play. "New Zealand just looked a bit off the pace everywhere," McKenzie remarked, sympathizing with their heaviest-ever defeat in test rugby. Conversely, Eddie Jones was relentless, criticizing the All Blacks' ineffective tactics of playing too wide. "The key stat is that South Africa had 110 carries for 629 metres, and New Zealand had slightly less, 95 for 262 metres. Unfortunately, you don’t get any points for going to the sideline," Jones stated sharply, concluding with "So that’s the game, mate."
"Unfortunately, you don’t get any points for going to the sideline. So that’s the game, mate."
McKenzie also highlighted the static nature of the All Blacks' phase play. "They drop the pass out the back to a playmaker, but it’s to a guy standing still," he explained, pointing out the lack of momentum and predictability that hindered their performance.
The Springboks, on the other hand, dominated across all facets, leading to their comprehensive victory. "South Africa won the aerial contest, the lineouts, and had the advantage in the scrum in the first half – so, you put all that together, it’s a pretty conclusive victory," Jones added.
Amidst the critical review, Jones did offer some empathy towards the All Blacks, suggesting growth pains under head coach Scott Robertson. He noted the contradiction in Barrett's usage, oscillating between full-back and fly-half, which hasn't helped solidify their attacking strategy. "New Zealand is an interesting team in attack, I think they’re still trying to find their way," he said. "Barrett has played over 100 Tests, but hasn’t played a lot of rugby at 10 over the last period of time, and he seems to loathe taking the ball as a first receiver."
Despite the harsh critiques, it's clear that the All Blacks are in a transitional phase, struggling to find the right balance and strategy on the field. Only time will tell if they can adjust their gameplay effectively under Robertson's guidance.