The unacceptable facet of All Blacks play Sam Cane pinpoints as the first priority
New Zealand captain Sam Cane believes there is "not a whole lot" they need to improve to get back into top form after four losses in their last five Tests.
Their recent run has left the team under fire back home with their 2023 Rugby World Cup preparations under a cloud.
Ireland's historic 2-1 series win in New Zealand last month put head coach Ian Foster under enormous pressure but it was his assistants John Plumtree and Brad Mooar who got the boot and were replaced by forwards coach Jason Ryan.
Any immediate improvement will be tested by world champions South Africa in the opening match of the Rugby Championship that will be played at altitude in Nelspruit on Saturday.
"It may seem like there's a lot to fix from the outside but in camp we have some clear focuses and often when you get those big things right a lot of the smaller things that may seem like issues sort themselves out," Cane told reporters on Tuesday.
"It's important that we don't focus on all these things going wrong because the truth is there aren't a whole lot. With top teams, it is small margins in games.
"In the last Test (against Ireland) we lost by 10 points (32-22) but we let them score two rolling maul tries, which for an All Black pack is something we don't see as acceptable. Fix that and it is one big thing we have sorted out."
New Zealand play their first Test in South Africa since 2018 and for some of the touring All Blacks it will be a new experience to face the Boks in their own backyard.
"It's been a long time since we have been here. It is one of the things you took for granted when we were doing it twice a year. There are a few boys who are in South Africa for the first time," Cane added.
"They (the Boks) have an incredible amount of depth in their squad. We know what to expect, a confrontational, physical battle.
"Big men coming around the corner, cleaning hard, and then the skill in the midfield and the backs. It's up there with the best in the world. They are the full package."
The teams will also clash in a second Rugby Championship encounter in Johannesburg on August 13.
Latest Comments
I wonder Jake, who do you think is the best fit for Australia as a coach? Not since Joe Schmidt took over as coach did Australia look any good, however, there is always this debate around not having an Aussie coach by the fans and so called pundits and old players.
Some of them are changing their minds now however, but I would love to see who you would choose. I think Joe Schmidt is an excellent coach, who puts in everything for the team he is coaching. To him, there is no such thing as being biased.
Go to commentsExcept for the 6N he has won nothing. No WC's, no Lions tours not anything. He is ranked even behind Eddie Jones, who has won a WC with SA and have a better victory rate than Gatland. Keep your so called "best coach" in the world. No one but Wales wants him. A very harsh Hell No comes to mind if anyone asks if they would want Gatland as head coach.
Guess the man is wearing blinders. Rob Howley is howling mad describing Gatland as the best. What a load of 💩
Go to comments