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‘What a statement’: Andy Goode accuses former All Black of Kiwi ‘arrogance’

By Finn Morton
New Zealand players after the team's defeat following the Summer International match between New Zealand All Blacks v South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on August 25, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Former England playmaker Andy Goode has accused ex-New Zealand wing Jeff Wilson of Kiwi “arrogance” in the wake of the All Blacks’ disastrous 35-7 loss to South Africa.

Playing in front of more than 80,000 fans at Twickenham on Friday, the All Blacks were blown off the park in a way that nobody saw coming.

Tries to Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse, and a red card to All Black Scott Barrett, saw the Boks take a hard-earned 14-nil lead into the break. South Africa looked great, but their best rugby was yet to come.

South Africa embarrassed their New Zealand rivals as they put on an attacking clinic during the second term. It was a record-breaking defeat for the All Blacks.

Former New Zealand halfback Justin Marshall described the defeat as “worrying” ahead of the World Cup, but another ex-All Black doesn’t seem anywhere near as concerned.

“That was the best the Springboks can play, that’s it,” former All Black Jeff Wilson said on Sky Sport NZ’s The Breakdown. “We know that we can play so much better.

“There’s not another team in this competition coming forward that we can anticipate that will play like that.”

That comment from Wilson has not gone down well in the northern hemisphere.

Ex-England flyhalf Andy Goode shared the clip on X – formerly Twitter – and wrote: “Is this the arrogance of Kiwis again?! Haha what a statement from Jeff Wilson!!”

At the time of writing, Goode’s post has 674 likes, 95 reposts and more than 180 comments. One of the commenters disagreed with Wilson by suggesting that South Africa could play better.

The All Blacks will play World Cup hosts and favourites France in the opening Test of rugby’s showpiece event. That clash will be held at Stade de France on September 8.