Why the All Blacks must adjust their defence to beat Ireland
Criticism continues to mount on New Zealand's defence, this time a former All Black has spoken out about what needs to change for the team to beat Ireland in the quarter-final.
Previously labelled too "passive", the All Blacks have largely resisted the trend of top teams to implement a more aggressive, rushed defensive line.
Ireland great Rob Kearney was joined by La Rochelle coach Ronan O'Gara recently in identifying the defensive system as a weakness, saying it hands the opposition's attack too much of an opportunity and puts the defenders in unfavourable situations.
“They’re very passive, they give the opposition a lot of time and space on the ball that the Irish attackers will love," Kearney told Virgin media Sport.
If the All Blacks are to adjust their system for the Rugby World Cup's knockout stages, O'Gara says it could change the outlook of the tournament.
“I think if they’re very aggressive with their defence, they could surprise people and go all the way,” he told The Breakdown.
That is a big if, though. Former All Black James Parsons added his analysis to the conversation, saying his former team must treat the problem at it's root.
"Line speed doesn't even really start with line speed though," he told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
"They're fit enough to bring line speed. It's about the initial tackle, the collision in the tackle; you have to win that in the initial hit, try and get double shoulders on so they can dominate that collision, because their carriers are so strong and powerful and they get you retreating all the time.
"Then, secondly, you have to put some pressure in there defensively to slow the ball down. Because if you don't slow the ball down then you're never going to be able to bring that defensive pressure.
"I do think at times, Scotland slowed the ball down. In both of those tries we talked about, (James) Lowe's first one and probably more so (Hugo) Keenan's one, I know it was midfield ruck, well, mid-ish, and the normal thought is they can go both ways, but I think you've got to throw the normal rules out of the book because of the way Ireland attack.
"They can create that depth and if you let them get through five passes and you've got a staggered defensive line, where Bundee Aki comes down and then free's up with the offload, because they don't win that initial contact collision, then they're constantly on the back foot.
"But, also what's worst case scenario is if you put them under pressure, like massive line speed pressure, yes they can kick there, I get that, but then you're just going to have to outwork. Because, if you don't do that, you've got these guys on inside that are just going to have to corner flag it. Yes, they'll get some wins, but you've got to be comfortable with that, you've got to accept it.
"If you don't adjust their attack, and you let them go through their plays, they'll win."
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> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
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