Jake White has expressed his surprise at how tactically naive the All Blacks were in the fourth straight loss to the Springboks in Cape Town.
The All Blacks suffered another bruising defeat to the world champions on Saturday, going down 18-12 in Cape Town.
It marked the Boks’ fourth consecutive win over their fiercest rivals, a record streak in the professional era that also saw South Africa reclaim the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009.
After leading the Boks 9-3 at half time, much like their previous encounter in Johannesburg, the Kiwis faltered again in the final stages.
Writing in his regular column for RugbyPass, former Bok coach White said he was amazed at the tactical naivete that clouded the All Blacks’ performance in Cape Town
“Anyone and everyone associated with rugby is throwing up reasons for the All Blacks’ loss of invincibility; from a new coach, to losing key players and the vulnerability of Super Rugby,” White writes.
“Yes, they are all factors to the All Blacks still finding their feet, but what really hit me in the second Test was that they seemed to have lost the ability to control what was happening in-game.”
As an example, White pointed out that Sevu Reece and Tyrel Lomax were yellow carded within minutes of Jasper Wiese and Willie le Roux being sent to the sin bin.
“Historically, they’d have worked out what they needed to do. Their inaccuracy cost them,” White explained. “Every time they looked like they were opening the Springboks up defensively, they dropped the ball. Cortez Ratima made a wonderful play and he passed the ball forward, Rieko Ioane spilt the ball when threatening.
“They looked as shocked as the supporters about what was happening. I was amazed how naïve they’d become.”
Photo: Anton Geyser/AG Media
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