All Blacks coach Scott Robertson: Watch live as Razor answers questions about France series
Player ratings: The All Black debutant that impressed the most
A fine debut in a strong 80-minute effort. How often do you see that from a new lock? Earns another test to see if we have the new Brodie Retallick. Led the All Blacks with 17 tackles and also had 13 carries.
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France player ratings: The Frenchman who outshone the All Blacks
Best on show. Arrived with a big reputation and justified it with his energy and dash. Lovely running and important tidying-up in the busy late stages. Billy Proctor is probably too young to remember Serge Blanco, but he got a taste of the classic when the French No 15 jersey wafted out of reach in build-up to opening try. Read more
'Exceeded my expectations': Barrett on transformative Irish rugby journey
'I didn't know what to expect,' [Jordie] Barrett says, reflecting on his Irish stint. 'No one before me had done it for quite some time. Dan [Carter] was the last but no one had gone for an Irish or Leinster experience so I was walking out into deep water at the start.' Read more
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1News
an hour ago
- 1News
Analysis: McKenzie question looms as biggest issue for All Blacks
Damian McKenzie, on early at fullback for the All Blacks in Dunedin, may find himself back on the bench in Wellington, writes Patrick McKendry. Such is the determination of this group of All Blacks selectors to put their own stamp on the team 12 months into the job, it is probably foolish to predict what they will do for the second Test against France. But with Sevu Reece out as he recovers from a head injury and Scott Barrett unlikely to play after hurting an Achilles – an announcement on the skipper will be made tomorrow, which sounds ominous – Scott Robertson and company may elect to keep other changes to a minimum. The head coach today said the biggest area of improvement for the All Blacks this week after their 31-27 win in the first Test is their ability to finish opportunities. 'We broke 20 tackles and made 13 line breaks, so that's probably a reflection of what we created,' Robertson said. ADVERTISEMENT 'It's just the finishing part… just the ability to keep trusting your instinct. The conditions this week might be a bit different. You expect everything here [in Wellington], so we'll have to adapt to that and have the same mindset around backing ourselves.' Improving combinations will likely lift cohesion, which would make big changes more likely for the third Test in Hamilton than Saturday at the Cake Tin. Waiting in the wings to replace Reece The big question — one we'll address shortly — is what the selectors do with Damian McKenzie, who was on early in Dunedin and is a chance to start in Wellington but who may be better used as a pure impact player. The inclusion of Patrick Tuipulotu to the starting line-up – and probably alongside impressive debutant Fabian Holland — may be the extent of the changes to the pack. The selectors rolled the dice on playing Tupou Vaa'i at blindside flanker and that was, overall, a success. There will be no complaints about the All Blacks' set piece – their last-minute scrum penalty to help close out the game was a highlight – but they will want to pressure the French lineout a little more this week. Beauden Barrett lines up a kick against France in Dunedin. (Source: Photosport) ADVERTISEMENT Centre Billy Proctor, in his third Test (and first at home), was caught out defending too narrowly in the build-up to France's first try in Dunedin and later threw a wayward pass as the All Blacks swept on to the attack. But he deserves another crack on his home pitch. The biggest call for the selectors will be how to adjust to the withdrawal of Reece, who departed after just 57 seconds at the weekend. McKenzie was a little uncertain under the high ball but virtually all his teammates were. This, and their defensive alignments, will be the team's two work-ons this week. Overall, McKenzie did a solid job at fullback as Will Jordan shifted to the right wing, but the selectors may want him back on the bench to allow Jordan to play in his preferred position at the back and Beauden Barrett to have full reign as game controller. If it is a straight swap for Reece, Caleb Clarke could come into the frame but so too could the uncapped Timoci Tavatavanawai. The Highlander's power game and breakdown excellence could add a new dimension to his team's attack and defence. Possession is nine-tenths of the law Otherwise, the All Blacks' inability to consistently retain possession will have disappointed the coaches. ADVERTISEMENT Forwards coach Jason Ryan said yesterday that part of the issue was the way his players carried the ball into contact but just as important will be supporting runners finding an extra urgency, and, after being reminded of the realities of Test rugby, the All Blacks should be better here second time around. Beauden Barrett's accuracy off the tee (five out of five) – which proved crucial in the end – and key involvements in two of his team's three tries means he is a shoo-in to continue in the No.10 jersey. Barrett told 1News today: 'We were probably a bit disappointed with the amount of errors we made in those conditions which are perfect for running rugby. 'That came from us being a little bit too flat at the line at times, putting our skills under pressure, but also we've got to give the French defence some compliments around the way they like to connect and work hard together.'
NZ Herald
2 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Letters: French rugby team deserved more respect
It was a mistake to underestimate the French rugby team. Photo / Getty Images Letters to the Editor We should have treated the French with more respect Some of the more opinionated and outspoken sports journalists and rugby commentators, not for the first time, got it horribly wrong. In the lead-up to the first test on Saturday, the French Les Bleus were summarily written off and variously described
Otago Daily Times
3 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Blood-soaked and full of pride
This is one jersey going straight to the pool room. And it may not even get washed. Du'Plessis Kirifi shed blood for the cause as he made his debut for the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday night — and he had a white collar soaked red to prove it. His 30-minute cameo off the bench included all the energy and bustle we have come to expect of the 93-game Hurricanes veteran, and spilling a touch of claret was a small price to pay for the greatest moment of his career. "It's going to get framed, and it's probably going to go to my dad," Kirifi said when asked what he had planned for his first black jersey. "Unwashed, too." Kirifi was one of four players on debut for the All Blacks in the 31-27 win in the first test against France. The rugby passed by in a blur, but he said he treasured everything about the experience. "Just the whole night. The bus, getting changed in the official changing room for the first time, the national anthem. "What a proud moment, you know. Being able to represent your country in front of your country is special. "To be able to get out and perform the haka — that's something you used to do when you were 7, 8, 9 years old. "So there were a heap of special moments to go with playing alongside some lifelong friends of mine, and winning, and being able to go into the crowd and see my mum and dad." It had been an intense week leading up to the first test for Kirifi and fellow forwards Fabian Holland, Christian Lio-Willie and Ollie Norris. But the 28-year-old openside flanker took everything in his stride. "I guess one of my points of difference is I'm not 21, 22 anymore. I've been doing this for nine-odd years, so although it was my debut, and there was a little bit of nervousness, it comes with a lot of belief and confidence in my work ethic and my ability to just do my job. "I've had plenty of texts and phone calls left unanswered. I will slowly get back to some people. "I'm definitely feeling the love." Kirifi said there was immense respect in the All Blacks for how the French challenged them. While the game appeared in the balance for much of the second half, the home side had "massive belief" they were not going to let the test slip. "We had confidence in our plan, and also just trust. "When you're hard on defence, you look across the line, you can hear boys talking, you can see their body language and their eyes up — when you see that, it's hard not to be confident. "You're not sure how it's going to end. They may end up scoring. But when you see the body language and the chat, it fills you with a lot of confidence." Kirifi would treasure a start on his home ground in the second test in Wellington this weekend, and it will be interesting to see whether the All Blacks do any tinkering in the loose forwards. Some sort of announcement is expected today on whether captain Scott Barrett could be out for some time after tweaking his Achilles in Dunedin. If he is a goner, Ardie Savea will presumably be captain, and Holland can expect another start at lock.
