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NZ Herald
14 hours ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v France: Reviewing the performances of Scott Robertson and his men
Four more tries elevated his tally to 42 (from 44 tests) to edge ever closer to claiming the All Blacks' record. With 10 more tests this year few would bet against Jordan reeling in Jeff Willson (44 tires in 60 tests), Beauden Barrett (45 in 136), Julian Savea (46 in 54), Joe Rokocoko (46 in 68) and Christian Cullen 46 in 58, before setting his sights on Doug Howlett (49 in 62). Biggest mover: Fabian Holland Three successive 80-minute shifts is a huge effort for anyone, let alone a test rookie. Holland started on debut at his adopted Dunedin home to realise his dream of becoming the first Netherlands-born All Black. And with Scott Barrett ruled out of tests two and three against France, he retained starting status alongside Patrick Tuipulotu. Some test rookies need time to find their feet, to grasp the increased pace and physicality. Holland, though, never looked overawed. Comparisons to Brodie Retallick are premature – Holland has a long way to match Retallick's physicality with ball in hand – but with 27 lineout wins, 44 of 46 tackles and 112 rucks hit across the three tests, there is no questioning his long-term value to the All Blacks. Holland is 22 and merely getting started. Injuries permitting, he could well forge into a test centurion. His towering presence offsets major second-row depth concerns, too, with Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Sam Darry, the latter debuting last season before injury struck him down, waiting in the wings behind Barrett, Tuipulotu and Tupou Vaa'i. All Blacks lock Fabian Holland has impressed in three test. Photo / SmartFrame Bench balance and finishing One clear directive from the All Blacks this year, after the four tests they lost in 2024 came after leading at half time, was to improve their finishing. Elements of this area have, indeed, improved. The scrum is one notable weapon thanks to the depth of their front row stocks. In the first test in Dunedin and the third in Hamilton, the All Blacks replacement front row earned crucial, match-turning penalties. With what's to come such depth and confidence in this platform cannot be understated. The balance of the All Blacks bench is not there yet, though. In the first and second tests, with their best side selected, the All Blacks scored 10 points in the final quarter. And while they finished strong in Hamilton, Jordie Barrett injected the most impact, with a try-saving tackle and the definitive line break for Brodie McAlister's late strike. Barrett would usually be starting, though. The tactic of selecting two loose forwards on the bench hasn't paid off – and the lineout malfunctioned to lose three throws when the pressure ramped up in the third test. When the likes of Tamaiti Williams, Wallace Sititi, Scott Barrett, Asafo Aumua and Caleb Clarke return from injury, the All Blacks bench will significantly strengthen by putting the squeeze on the starting side. Playing style The intent to play fast – with quick taps and lineouts – and impose fatigue was widely evident from the All Blacks. This year, everyone is one the same page. Even under scoreboard pressure they did not deviate from the script. Through offloads, pace and attacking intent, the All Blacks are, essentially, playing to their inherent strengths. Wayne Smith's chaos theory, based on movement and keeping the ball alive with multiple attacking threats, appears to have influenced the stylistic shift. To achieve that, the All Blacks must achieve lightning quick ball. Their breakdown was compromised in the first and third tests to shine a light on their carry-and-clean urgency and technique. French No 8 Mickaël Guillard caused problems there and as the Pumas and Springboks loom, the All Blacks must address this area. Their penchant for conceding points from restarts and striking the right kick-pass balance will be other focal points. They will, though, be pleased with the leadership and composure to overcome late disruption and fight through difficult situations to emerge on top. That wasn't always the case last year. Selection Project 4/4/4 – four deep in each position over four years to win a fourth World Cup – is progressing with six more rookies – Ollie Norris, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Brodie McAlister, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Holland, Christian Lio-Willie – introduced. After missing multiple opportunities to expose fringe talent last year Robertson seized his first chance to rotate in the third test by making 10 starting changes. While the raft of adjustments stunted performance, the benefits of blooding prospects should show in time. The drop off from incumbents to the next tier is most telling at hooker and halfback. Aumua's return from his hamstring issue will improve the hooking stocks but Codie Taylor is only truly appreciated in his absence. Cam Roigard is levels above his competition, too. No one in New Zealand compares to Roigard's booming boot and sniping runs. Roigard, having only played 12 tests, is in the infancy of his All Blacks career but he is already among the world's elite halfbacks, such is his growing influence. Elsewhere, selection questions remain at centre, where Billy Proctor needs further investment, blindside flanker with the All Blacks likely to persist with Tupou Vaa'i's switch despite Samipeni Finau's impressive performance in Hamilton and the up-for-grab wings. First five-eighths depth evokes concern, but it is perhaps unfair to judge Damian McKenzie on one performance in a vastly reshaped team. Damian McKenzie makes a break against France. Photo / Photosport Biggest concern Of all the positional question marks, wing is among the most contestable. New Zealand has a long history of producing superb finishers but uncertainty prevails over who will emerge to demand starting status. Two late reshuffles – Caleb Clarke's injury in Wellington and Rieko Ioane's withdrawal in Hamilton – didn't help progress plans but after selecting two specialist wings in July, the All Blacks are arguably no closer to determining their best finishing options. Clarke's ankle injury that may sideline him for another five-to-six weeks was a notable setback as the second test stage was set for him to recapture the form that locked down the No 11 jersey for the first time in his career last year. Clarke could yet tick many boxes for the All Blacks. He's a power wing, in the mould Robertson tends to favour, and the best edge option in the air – one area France exposed the All Blacks. But after a quiet season where he's yet to score a try, Clarke needs game time to cement his claims. Jordan, the All Blacks' first-choice fullback, was their best winger against France. By some distance, too. He scored two tries in Dunedin after shifting to the edge in the first minute – and was then among the All Blacks most prominent figures two weeks later after a late promotion from the bench. Sevu Reece wasn't helped by his first-minute exit in Dunedin after a head knock but he has everything to prove at test level after an underwhelming All Blacks season last year where his pace and erratic tendencies sparked concern. Reece is also 28 – the age when All Blacks wingers traditionally decline. By the 2027 World Cup, it's difficult to envision him being the form finisher the All Blacks need. The jury remains out on Rieko Ioane's back-to-the-future switch from centre to the wing, too, which shouldn't surprise given this test series was the first time in four years he started on the edge at any level. There's a strong argument the All Blacks missed a trick by not selecting form Chiefs wings Emoni Narawa and Leory Carter in their July squad – and instead including six midfielders. Narawa started the second test in Wellington but only after Clarke's late exit to continue a lack of faith in his abilities at test level. Other emerging options include Caleb Tangitau, a revelation for the Highlanders before injury prematurely ended his campaign, and Crusaders wing/fullbacks Chay Fihaki. Leicester Fainga'anuku has returned from France to play for Tasman in the NPC and is a certainty to be called up for the All Blacks northern tour squad. Where Fainga'anuku features remains to be seen but he spent the bulk of his two years with Toulon at centre. Context Would the All Blacks have won this series against France's first-choice team? There's no definitive answer, but it does pose context to take stock of the vastly understrength opposition to start the year. The All Blacks can only play who is in front of them. NZ Rugby had no say in the longstanding agreement between the French Top 14 clubs and Les Bleus that prevents the national team from selecting players involved in their domestic final for the July internationals, which duly undermines the elite arena. The second test blowout aside, where rookies were thrown to the wolves, France's performances belied their second-string nature to speak to the Top 14's depth of talent. France cannot be accused of turning up merely for wines on Waiheke, picnics in Hamilton Gardens or soaking up Dunedin's St Clair beach. Their defensive effort in the final week of their arduous season, where they made 292 tackles, 172 more than the All Blacks, underscores their tenacity for the fight. Scott Robertson's men will faces tougher challenges against Argentina and South Africa. Photo / Photosport Assessing the All Blacks against the backdrop of France leaving their best talent at home, though, is a somewhat fraught exercise. In some ways it's the ideal start that allowed traditional rust to be shaken off and Robertson the selection freedom to use his full squad while banking wins. Now the real business arrives in the form of the Rugby Championship, starting with two away tests in Argentina before the world champion Springboks arrive for a tilt at breaking Eden Park's 50 match unbeaten run and a return clash in Wellington the following week. Those four tests between August 17 and September 13 will reveal exactly where the All Blacks sit. Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
Otago Daily Times
16 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
The small moments are ones that matter
Recent stories in the media have revealed a disturbing pattern of violence and misogyny among men, not just in distant places, but here in Dunedin, even within the student community. The events emerging have left me unsettled. I've found myself talking with friends, revisiting conversations and interactions, and questioning how toxic masculinity maintains such a strong, persistent, and comfortable position in our society. It has called into question who holds responsibility beyond those committing the harm. As a student, I wonder: have I, in any way, perpetuated this culture of violence against women? And if so, what responsibility do we all bear? The culture we live in, work in, study in, and joke in can quietly and steadily make these crimes against women seem like an unfortunate but unavoidable part of university life and life in general — and this is despite first, second, and third-wave feminism, despite countless books, songs, films, speeches, and lectures by men and women talking about the harm this causes. When harms against our women are framed as drunken mistakes, we miss the opportunity to confront the societal pressures, blurred boundaries and warped attitudes that too often lead to these situations in the first place. We hear it all the time: He's a good guy, they were drunk, that was back in the day, he's a promising musician, a future dentist, an All Black in the making. The harmless jokes, the language of "mistake", and the excuse that these deliberate actions are merely out of character teach the next wave of students and high schoolers, those watching and learning, that violence is just part of our culture. We need to model how to have honest conversations, and demonstrate how to recognise the signs and name what we see. I have long believed that the culture of some sports contributes to these harms. Not because rugby, for example, causes violence, but because aggression, alcoholism and sexism have been allowed and encouraged to grow within it. The post-game festivities that spill into town often end in fights in the Octagon or on the streets. Around the world, domestic violence rates spike following national team losses and sometimes even wins. In May this year, riots broke out in Paris after Paris Saint-Germain's victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final, resulting in fatalities and widespread injuries. What bothers me, as a Dunedin resident, is that our city's sports clubs are often filled with high school students, the next generation of university students. They are watching and learning from those older than them, and their responses to future situations are being shaped in real time. When they witness harm being done, what matters is how their role models respond. Institutions like sports clubs have real potential to lead change in these areas. They have influence and access to young people, as well as the power to create and uphold policies and messaging that could make a difference. Too often, though, I see them leaning more towards bravado and loyalty over accountability. At Otago alone, I've seen many instances of casual sexism, including inappropriate comments, flat names, jokes, and moments where no-one speaks up. The small moments often seem harmless, but they shape what is normal. We all have a chance to notice them, name them, and choose not to let them slide. We have excellent support systems in place for victims, including mental health and wellbeing services, OUSA Student Support, and Te Whare Tāwharau Sexual Violence Support and Prevention Centre. I will also mention the mahi of those at Ōtepoti Communities Against Sexual Abuse (ŌCASA). On campus, I have seen the relationships students have with tuakana, tutors, counsellors, and lecturers. If something bad happens, there are people to help. One of the beautiful parts of the student experience at Otago is the connections you make with those around you. However, it is also important to ask: what are we doing to prevent the harm from happening in the first place? Not just isolated actions, but also the interrogation of the structures from which these harms emanate. What is it about our institutions, sports culture, and social norms that allows these harms to keep recurring? Change starts with recognising the culture for what it is, recognising who benefits from things staying the same and cutting it off at the root where possible. If enough people push back, across enough spaces, change becomes possible. It begins with discussing and naming it, which is what I am attempting to do here. The brilliance of the Dunedin student experience should not be lost, and should not be taken from anyone. It is vibrant and supportive — but this should not come at the cost of safety or dignity, especially for women and our female students. I don't believe every boy who plays rugby is sexist, or that all jokes are violent. However, I am aware that we are part of a culture that is being watched by those older than us and those younger than us. Are we teaching those around us to be passive participants in a culture that normalises harm? Or, how to speak up and help a stranger somewhere else down the line. "Silence only protects the powerful." Suzie Miller, Prima Facie . Kind regards, Grace. • Dunedin resident Grace Togneri is a fourth-year law student.
1News
a day ago
- Sport
- 1News
All Blacks midfielder re-commits to NZ Rugby, confirms sabbatical
All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown has extended his contract with New Zealand Rugby through to the end of 2028 and has confirmed he will take a sabbatical in Japan next year. Lienert-Brown, who has played 86 Tests and scored a try in the recent win over France in Hamilton, said this year had been a tough one due to injuries and he was pleased to secure his short-term future. A broken collarbone suffered while playing for the Chiefs in Super Rugby Pacific meant he was out of the game for nearly three months – his comeback match was a start for the All Blacks in their 29-19 victory over France in the third Test. "I'm excited to re-commit to New Zealand Rugby through to 2028," Lienert-Brown, 30, said in a statement. "This year's been frustrating with injuries outside of my control but pulling on the black jersey again last Saturday reminded me just how special this journey really is." ADVERTISEMENT As revealed by 1News in April, Lienert-Brown will activate a sabbatical clause in his contract and play for Kobe Steelers next year. Fellow senior All Black Ardie Savea, who captained the team in the absence of Scott Barrett during the past two Tests, has since announced he will also play a sabbatical season at Kobe next year alongside former All Black Brodie Retallick. Anton Lienert-Brown scores a crucial try for the All Blacks before halftime against France. (Source: Photosport) Leinert-Brown and Savea will return to New Zealand in time to be available for next July's home internationals. Fellow midfielder or wing Rieko Ioane will also take a sabbatical next year to play for Leinster with a view to returning in time to play for the All Blacks. All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said: "Anton is a true professional and a player who embodies the values of the All Blacks jersey. "His experience, composure, and clarity in the midfield are hugely valuable. He's overcome injury setbacks in recent years and has shown real resilience. We're thrilled to have him locked in through to 2028. The experience he'll gain in Japan will only enhance his game and leadership." ADVERTISEMENT Robertson will hope Lienert-Brown returns with the same sort of form as Jordie Barrett after the midfielder's own recent sabbatical at Leinster in Ireland. NZR general manager professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum said: 'Anton's loyalty, work ethic and consistency have been hallmarks of his career at every level and we are delighted he has chosen to extend through to a potential third Rugby World Cup campaign." Chiefs head coach Jono Gibbes said: "Anton is a massive asset to the Gallagher Chiefs, and this sabbatical is a great opportunity for him to experience a different rugby environment and learn from a new playing style. I look forward to seeing how this experience shapes him as a player and what he brings back to the team."
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Legendary in fists journey – the life of White Buffalo
Francois Botha (56), well-known as 'The White Buffalo', a South African fighter from the streets of the City of Coal, is back, not in the ring, but deeply involved in the sport he loves so much. He started doing wonders in the ring in 1990. He secured two titles that led to his international recognition. He stepped out of South Africa to enter the bigger arenas around the world. He had bigger dreams that led him to leave for the United States, knowing there were fewer rules on fights and much more prize money to be won. His biggest moment came in 1995, when he faced Axel Schulz for the IBF Heavyweight World Title. The White Buffalo fought with everything he had. When the final bell rang, he was the new world champion. It was a dream come true, a huge moment for him and South African boxing. But this great victory also brought a tough challenge. Soon after, he lost the title because of a failed drug test, which was a very difficult time in his career. But if there's one thing you know about The White Buffalo, it's that he never gives up. Even after losing his title, he proved his courage by stepping into the ring with some of the biggest names in boxing history. His total professional record shows just how much he fought – 63 fights, winning 48 of them, with 29 of those wins coming by knockout. He battled other fighters and former champions like Michael Moorer in 2000, including the living legend Evander Holyfield in 2002. He also battled Lennox Lewis in 2000 for the unified heavyweight title. But perhaps his highly remarkable fight was in 1999, when he faced off against Mike Tyson. In his 40s, The White Buffalo jumped into the world of kickboxing, and he had a kickboxing match against the 27-year-old All Black rugby star, Sonny Bill Williams, at 44. 'It was not easy, but the rewards the world can see! God is great! This all started as a young boy from eMalahleni at the Blesbok Park boxing gym,' The White Buffalo said. 'Buffalo is semi-retired as I'm in negotiations for one more, to become the oldest Heavyweight Champion in history,' Botha added. The legendary boxer is now back in South Africa. The White Buffalo's journey in the boxing ring, and later in other combat sports, is a wild ride full of powerful punches, big wins, unforgettable moments, and a spirit that just never gives up. Breaking news at your fingertips … Follow WITBANK NEWS on our website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or TikTok Chat to us: [email protected] At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
What's happening about fire-hit New World Victoria Park?
Former All Black weighs in on France final test Ian Jones gives his take on the final game against the French over the weekend.
