The All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup marketing campaign began dismally in a bruising defeat to hosts France of their event opener – and the New Zealand media has taken a dim view of their possibilities of turning issues round.
One Kiwi journalist declared the group was ‘teetering on the brink’, whereas one other stated the aspect is probably going ‘heading towards their worst ever World Cup campaign’.
Here’s how the media in New Zealand reported on their nightmare defeat.
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France ran out 27-13 winners on the Stade de France, handing the Kiwis a first-ever pool stage match of their tenth World Cup and their largest ever World Cup defeat.
But it didn’t are available isolation, with the group coming off the again of a report defeat to the Springboks in England of their last warm-up earlier than the event started.
The pair of defeats present how far the All Blacks have fallen from their imperious finest.
Grant Chapman wrote for Newshub: “Coming off a record defeat to South Africa in their final warm-up, their first-ever World Cup pool defeat has been a big reality check – a reminder they are mortal after all.
“They have no competition points, and players and coaching staff are having to take a long, hard look at themselves in the mirror.”
And Marc Hinton wrote in Stuff: “All is not lost. Of course not. But if you’re not cognisant that these All Blacks are teetering on the brink, then you’re delusional.”
He added: “But what is salient is that the New Zealanders have now been bested by record margins for two straight internationals, and are repeating failings at a worrying clip: discipline, set-piece execution, basic errors, aimless kicking, slipshod attack play.”
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Patrick McKendry was equally damning in his criticism in 1news: “In isolation, this defeat doesn’t spell doomsday for the All Blacks’ hopes in France, but their tournament takes on a different complexion when the setback is weighed with their horror show against the Springboks at Twickenham.
“This morning those same frailties emerged: a lack of discipline in terms of conceding penalties (12, to France’s remarkable four), poor skill execution under pressure … and a general failure to adapt.”
It echoes the view from England, the place Alex Lowe wrote for The Times: “This was a reality check for the All Blacks, whose aura has gone. France won without [star player Antoine] Dupont having to shine, which is a statement in itself from the hosts on the opening night of their big event.”
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The All Blacks’ ill-discipline all through the match was notably regarding, shedding wing Will Jordan to a yellow card a part of the best way by way of the second half – having seen Scott Barrett despatched off in that worst-ever 35-7 loss within the warm-up towards South Africa final month.
Grant Chapman wrote in Newshub: “Discipline must be of particular concern to the All Blacks coaching staff.”
Brodyn Knuckey wrote for 1news: “Discipline has cost them dearly once again with Will Jordan’s yellow card just the tip of the iceberg. France were looking fatigued even at halftime but the All Blacks couldn’t make the most of it as they kept giving the ball away through penalties and handling errors and eventually it allowed France to not just get into the game, but take it by the horns.”
And Mark Quinlivan wrote in Newshub: “In the end, it was the All Blacks’ poor discipline, a similar story in their 35-7 defeat to South Africa in the UK two weeks ago – that cost them any chance of toppling the hosts and leaving coach Ian Foster’s side with plenty more questions and doubts to answer.”
There was additionally loads of tactical criticism of the All Blacks, and notably their gameplan to interact in kicking battles with their opponents. In the 2023 Rugby Championship they averaged 23 kicks per recreation, whereas they kicked 39 instances towards France.
Jamie Wall wrote for RNZ: “The French defence tightened up and the game became dominated by the boot. The All Blacks were certainly committed to kicking a lot, and it worked some of the time. The issue was it needs to work all the time.”
Scotty Stevenson wrote in 1news: “There is nothing inherently bad about trying to play a kick-and-stick game, but you can’t do it when you don’t have any territorial advantage. You also shouldn’t try it when it is not your natural game. Which does beg the question: what is this New Zealand side’s natural game?
“They once were the instinctive entertainers of the game, now it seems they are constantly in reaction mode, and that is not how World Cups are won.”
Compare that to the well-drilled French group that performed to their strengths and saved issues clear tactically.
Stevenson added: “France taught New Zealand a lesson in pressure rugby on Saturday morning in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup. France have a game plan they understand with intrinsic simplicity, and as such they are able to shift gears when it matters.”
The All Blacks’ incapacity to regulate tactically was only one instance of their psychological woes, some claimed.
Patrick McKendry wrote for 1news: “Have the All Blacks got the mental strength and clarity of thought to do it in a quarter-final when they failed so badly here in a game they didn’t need to win?
“Again, at this rate it appears unlikely, which means the All Blacks, having lost their first ever pool game, are heading towards their worst ever World Cup campaign.”
The All Blacks have been lacking Sam Cane, Jordie Barrett, Shannon Frizell and Tyrel Lomax – and their absences have been sorely felt – however coaches have promised to not rush again the injured quartet. None are more likely to play towards lowly Namibia on the weekend, particularly since NZ has a two-week break following that match.
The All Blacks should win all three of their remaining pool video games – Namibia, Italy, then Uruguay – to make it to the quarterfinals, the place they’d doubtless meet South Africa or Ireland.
But there’s little question that they want some massive enhancements earlier than then.
Marc Hinton wrote: “The fact of the matter is if the All Blacks are to turn their fortunes around … they have to transform themselves, if not overnight, certainly through the remaining three pool matches.”
World Cups aren’t received in September, because the All Blacks have been at pains to repeat. But they’ll want to repair their massive issues in the event that they’ll have any hopes of successful.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
