Kiwi scribe: All Blacks can’t play with ‘big boys’

The Springboks have exposed exactly where New Zealand’s high-risk style breaks down against the most formidable packs on the planet.

Writing for the New Zealand Herald, Paul Lewis says Dave Rennie must find a way to toughen the All Blacks’ game model without abandoning their attacking identity.

Lewis adds the third Test of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series showed the familiar pattern: a dominated scrum, second-half errors and swarming Bok defence disrupting the All Blacks’ rhythm. 

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He notes New Zealand have won just seven of 16 Tests against full-strength Bok, French and English sides since 2022, and argues the All Blacks are still trying to play a “beautiful” style without the “ugly” fundamentals needed to topple the world’s best.

Lewis believes scrum coach Jason Ryan faces scrutiny given how the Kiwi pack has been outmuscled, and wants forwards capable of punching through South Africa’s suffocating defensive line so the ball can reach space in Baltimore on Saturday.

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“The loss of the third test against the Springboks highlighted a broader question for the All Blacks: how to keep playing their high-octane, high-reward but high-risk game and win against the big boys?,” he writes.

“The “big boys” are full-strength teams from South Africa, France and England, against whom the All Blacks … do not have a wonderful record over the past four years.

“The All Blacks are skilled enough to see off most teams but a look at the “big boys” confronted over the past four years reveals they struggle against the biggest packs and toughest defences.

“Rennie must find a way to upset the odds in Baltimore this week – and in Australia next year [at the World Cup].”

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