The All Blacks have had a good, hard look in the mirror after their Mbombela misfire, and some of the reflections have been decidedly unpleasant – never mind their coach’s bizarre post-game positivity.
Backup No 10 Richie Mo’unga, who may be required for starting duty depending on selection whims and Beauden Barrett’s health, spoke on Monday in Johannesburg about unacceptable basic errors digging them a hole in the Rugby Championship opener last weekend, while midfielder David Havili says the players have to take more accountability around executing under the relentless Springboks pressure.
There is a lot to fix after the 26-10 defeat at Mbombela Stadium – the worst against the Boks in 94 years, and the team’s fifth loss in the last six tests – and just a week to get it done, with the rematch at Ellis Park, here in the Highveld, early Sunday (NZ time).
The All Blacks, looked at one of their worst funks in the professional era, made some improvements in Mbombela in the wake of their historic Irish series defeat, but they were marginal. Their maul defense was better, as was the lineout, and there were flashes of attacking spark amid an otherwise disappointing evening. But they were bossed at the breakdown, struggled to cope with the Boks’ renowned bomb squad and looked bereft of ideas in the face of the home rush defence.
The review, Mo’unga confirmed, had matched their immediate thoughts when they trudged off after an electric night in Mbombela.
“There were a lot of opportunities left out there, and it just confirmed how good this South African team is, and how they’re able to build so much pressure, and put teams into a cycle that’s hard to get out of… set piece , round the corner, penalties and shots at goal,” he said.
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The adjustment, said Mo’unga, was strictly physical. “It’s just skill error. You don’t have to be in the right frame of mind to catch a ball, or to complete your job, or to do the basics well. Not executing put us under pressure and into a cycle that South Africa rugby do so well.”
Christiaan Kotze/Photosport
All Blacks captain Sam Cane and his team sink to another defeat as their losing run in 2022 continued apace.
Mo’unga admitted to a degree of concern that the same sort of errors were cropping up. “It is frustrating it’s the same errors – it’s not frustrating that the intent, care and effort is there. We’re all trying our best. But they call them test matches for a reason. They test you mentally, and they test your skill.
“But at this level you have to learn and adapt and if you don’t, you’re going to keep coming off second best which we have the last couple of games.”
In terms of why these basic errors are occurring in highly capable rugby players, Mo’unga had no doubt about the root of the problem.
“It’s pressure. Pressure can do that to you – scoreboard pressure, all sorts. This is test match rugby where you can’t execute the most basic skills for a lot of reasons. What I will say is we’re so close. Close isn’t good enough at the moment, but we’re looking to build on the missed opportunities last week.”
Havili was a little more circumspect, though that was probably a personality thing. He’s a man who chooses his words from him carefully, and he was in that mode as the All Blacks launched preparations for what is a must-win encounter – for championship prospects, and their coach’s slim hopes of survival.
“The effort was there – we’re trying bloody hard,” he said. “It’s just a few things that aren’t sticking and when they do I know we’ll get back on the horse.
Christiaan Kotze/Photosport
Sam Whitelock and the All Blacks had their moments, but couldn’t deal with the Boks’ pressure in Nelspruit.
“We’re creating opportunities, just not executing at the right time. It’s taking accountability and making sure we execute that stuff under pressure, understanding where we need to be at the right time, and taking those short passes.”
Havili, like his Crusaders mate, feels a breakout display is close. “The Boks did a great job of starving us of ball and putting us under pressure. We’re working on that this week.”
In terms of the lack of impact in midfield this year, Havili felt it came down to one important factor. “We’re not setting deep enough, but they’re doing a great job of taking our time and space away. There’s a lot of good stuff we took out of the review and are looking to implement this week.
“We’re trying our best, and so is the coaching staff. It’s not clicking at the moment but our effort is there, we’re creating chances and now we’ve just got to take them.”
Sounds simple. But the way these guys are in, it’s anything but.