All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is doubling down on his decision to keep faith with his squad despite their thrashing by the Springboks, arguing that adversity is the ultimate teacher. Keeping 17 players from the squad that suffered a 43-10 hammering, Robertson has tweaked his lineup slightly, but insists that the core remains unchanged for a reason.
In a game that saw the All Blacks crumble in the second half, conceding 36 straight points after leading at the break, Robertson's choice to maintain continuity has sparked debate. Nevertheless, he stands firm on his philosophy of learning in the heat of battle. "We chased a game that got away from us, but for the majority, we played some good footie," Robertson claimed, emphasizing the importance of on-field learning under pressure.
"You learn on stage, and they’re under the spotlight. It’s another chance for them."
Robertson is relieved to welcome back key players including halfbacks Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima, hooker Codie Taylor, and wing Caleb Clarke, expecting that their return will stabilize the team's dynamics. "You bring those four back and you keep the cohesion of the rest of the group; that’s when you start to cement a little bit of form together and get combinations," he explained.
The review after the defeat was thorough, with Robertson and his team dissecting every aspect of their performance to forge a path forward. "The review process is just as much about understanding the game situation and the execution of it, how you deal with it on the field, what those messages are and then actually going and doing it," he detailed.
Despite the tough times, Robertson looks ahead with a clear focus on redemption and improvement, hinting at the resilience of his squad. "When you’ve been hurt and stung like we were, the best thing to do is to play and this hasn’t come quick enough," he admitted, signaling a fierce comeback in their next outing.
Ardie Savea will lead the team in the next match, stepping in for the injured Scott Barrett. In the wings, Robertson’s strategic choices and the team's response could turn their fortunes and keep their Eden Park winning streak alive while boosting their Rugby Championship aspirations.
All Blacks team: Ardie Savea (captain), Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Codie Taylor, Caleb Clarke, Patrick Tuipulotu
Wallabies team: Joe Schmidt (coach), James Slipper