World Cup-winning halfback on Cam Roigard’s substitution in France loss

Rugby World Cup winner Tawera Kerr-Barlow has explained why New Zealand needed to replace Cam Roigard during their 30-29 loss to France.  The La Rochelle halfback has gone out to bat for Les Bleus, saying one perception of that team is outdated as last weekend's Test showed.

Roigard lined up opposite France’s Antoine Dupont for the first time in a highly anticipated matchup between two quality halfbacks. The 24-year-old enjoyed a standout moment between the pair too, pulling off a moment of brilliance to score New Zealand’s second try.

The All Blacks led 14-3 after Roigard’s try was converted, with the rising star otherwise having a positive impact against Les Bleus. Roigard linked up with Beauden Barett well as the men in black took control, taking a hard-fought seven-point lead into the break at the half.

But with Paul Boudehent and Louis Bielle-Biarrey scoring a quick try each for France early in the second term, the match’s momentum had well and truly swung in the hosts’ favour. It was around then the All Blacks decided to make a change, with Roigard replaced in the 52^nd minute.

Cortez Ratima came off the pine and had a mixed night as the replacement halfback. It was a positional change that has prompted much discussion amongst fans in the hours and days that followed the Test, but a former All Black has explained why the change might’ve been needed.

“When you look at rugby now, and obviously sometimes a nine will play 80 minutes but these guys are probably putting in upwards of seven or eight (kilometres) in a game,” Kerr-Barlow said on Sport Nation’s Afternoons with Staffy.

“You need your halfback to be getting to the rucks quickly and be fresh to make good decisions because it’s all about decision-making and control, isn’t it, when you’re in the halves.

“Cam Roigard, he’s been tracking really well. I was actually really looking forward to watching him play because I haven’t seen too much of him, and I suppose when Cortez came on, the game was getting a little bit tighter – the French were defending their lead and what not.

“One thing I will say about the All Blacks… I thought we probably could’ve kicked a little bit more when we were between our 40s and we weren’t moving just to conserve a bit of energy because people down south have the impression the French aren’t as fit as what we are and that couldn’t be further from the case.

“Gone are the days when we came up here and play England and France and we’re gonna get across the line in the last 20 minutes. These guys are super fit, just as fit as us now.”

Ratima partnered Damian McKenzie in the halves for the last 30 minutes of the Test as the All Blacks continued to trade blows with their northern hemisphere opponents. McKenzie converted four penalties which set up a grandstand finish at Stade de France.

McKenize’s last penalty reduced France’s lead to just a single point, but time wasn’t on the visitors side as they were parked deep inside their own half as the clock struck the dreaded 80-minute mark.

Will Jordan was held up close to his own try line, a maul was called, and the ball was deemed unplayable by the on-field referee. France won the match by one point which brought an end to New Zealand’s hopes of an unbeaten run during their Northern Tour.

Since leaving New Zealand, they’ve beaten Eddie Jones’ Japan, Steve Borthwick’s England at London’s Twickenham Stadium, and Andy Farrell’s Ireland who were the world’s top-ranked side going into that Test match in Dublin.

“I’ve read a little bit of media coverage from New Zealand, not as much as I used to but the margins at this level are so small,” Kerr-Barlow explained.

“Everyone in the top five teams in the world… there’s nothing between the teams and everyone’s as talented as each other, and all it comes down to is who’s going to take their opportunities.

“In the end that was France and you’ve got to take your hat off to them but definitely the game was there for the All Blacks. Both teams have equal opportunities to take it and unfortunately, it was the French but it was a really good game.

“If we can cut out a few of the errors in our game then we’re moving in a real positive direction.”