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The Herald
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald
All Blacks coach expects beaten South Africa to revert to ‘DNA'
Robertson, however, declined to conjure even faint praise for the Wallabies, saying he was more focused on the All Blacks' second Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires. 'It was a game of small moments — a bounce of the ball, a pass. South Africa played beautifully for a long period, and then it turned, didn't it?' he said. 'It shows how discipline, accuracy and limiting errors can change things quickly. 'I'll turn the page when we get past this week and we'll start talking about the teams,' he said. The All Blacks saw off an Argentina fightback to win 41-24 in Cordoba last Saturday despite a lack of cohesion in the backline at times. Rieko Ioane's move to the wing and Billy Proctor's promotion to starting number 13 remain under the microscope, with neither dominating their positions. Robertson defended the two players, saying Ioane was getting better every week and calling for patience for five-Test Proctor. 'He's a long-term project, and we're sticking with him,' he said of Proctor.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks victorious in Argentina: what we learned
Analysis: The more things change, the more they stay the same - at least for the Pumas and their attempts to beat the All Blacks on home soil. This morning's test, won 41-24 by Scott Robertson's side, followed a now well-established script for those played between the two sides in Argentina and ticked off every box along the way. The All Blacks shot out to a big halftime lead, then fell asleep at the start of the second half, just long enough for the Pumas to get themselves back in the match. A second-half All Blacks yellow card even gave the hosts a sniff of victory, with Billy Proctor now joining the South American sin-bin inmate club started by Joe Moody and Liam Squire in 2016, then subsequently adding Matt Todd, Kieran Read and Sonny Bill Williams. Anton Lienert-Brown punched his ticket too, just for good measure, but his yellow for a head clash with moments to play was meaningless in the wash-up. Not meaningless was the importance of this result. Yes, the All Blacks established that lead, but the way they finished was more impressive, given how clinical and crowd-killing Samisoni Taukei'aho's powerful efforts were. The All Blacks seemed to flick a switch, something we'd become perhaps too accustomed to during the 2010's, and one of some pretty notable good points. . Samisoni Taukei'aho scores against the Pumas. Photo: ActionPress Halfback Cortez Ratima was under the microscope and stepped up very well, the scrum again earned plenty of key field position and Robertson's stripped back Plan B proved to be very effective. The All Blacks leaned on their forward dominance and Beauden Barrett's boot when they needed to, and it worked, with Ardie Savea's decision-making at the end empowered to go for tries, rather than shots at goal. Importantly, this time last year, the All Blacks' biggest issue was their inability to score at the backend of games, something now in the rearview mirror through this season's first four tests. Not that they probably knew it at the time, but it also sent a serious and ironic message out in regard to what had transpired a few hours earlier in Johannesburg. South Africa had racked up a 22-0 lead after only 20 minutes against a sorry-looking Wallabies side, who somehow got hold of Asterix's magic potion and piled on 38 unanswered points for a famous victory . The Springboks seemed to forget who they were, trying to run it from everywhere, without setting a platform. Cortez Ratima stepped up at halfback against Argentina. Photo: ActionPress For a while there, the All Blacks seemed likely to do the same thing, especially after Tomas Albernoz stepped past some very confused defence close to the All Black line to draw the Pumas within a converted try. Where the Springboks faltered, uncharacteristically letting the occasion get to them and losing their heads, the All Blacks screwed theirs back on. All it took was one penalty, one chance in the 22 and, suddenly, Taukei'aho's first try solidly gut-punched the resurgent Pumas. His second was the left hook follow-up that knocked the hosts out, pushing the score to a far more comfortable and familiar looking one. While the cold-as-ice ending should rightfully be lauded, plenty of things remain to work on, before the sides meet again next weekend in Buenos Aires. At times, the backline looked like they'd just met each other before kickoff, heading backwards with possession and bringing back horrific memories of the turning point in last year's loss to the Pumas in Wellington. The aforementioned lack of discipline was concerning, especially since Proctor's yellow came after a frenetically unhinged period of defence, and Ratima's early subbing was a headscratcher, but the impact of Taukei'aho and especially Patrick Tuipulotu off the bench was extremely heartening. Tuipulotu's shift was about enough to gain a man-of-the-match award, with a couple of huge tackles and vital lineout intelligence at the right time. Most of all, coach Robertson will be pleased with the fact that he brought on the right amount of experience to manufacture that clinical finish. Along with the Wallabies win, the result sends the All Blacks back to the No.1 ranking in the world - for whatever that's worth. There were patches in Cordoba where they certainly played like a team befitting that title, but with plenty more to work on, if they want to hang onto it and eventually win back the Rugby Championship. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
1News
2 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
All Blacks withstand big Pumas comeback to go top of the world
The All Blacks have withstood a ferocious comeback from the Pumas to win 41-24 in Cordoba and go to the top of the world rankings. Hours after the Wallabies roared back from a 0-22 deficit to win 38-22 against the Springboks in Johannesburg, Scott Robertson and company may have wondered if a similar upset was on the cards at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes this morning. The visitors had controlled the first half with their accuracy and efficiency to take a 31-10 halftime lead following a yellow card (professional foul) for prop Mayco Vivas. But a yellow card for centre Billy Proctor just before the hour mark, which came in the middle of two converted tries for Tomas Albernoz and Joaquin Oviedo, had the All Blacks in trouble. The Pumas were suddenly playing with an intensity that the All Blacks couldn't match, and, with skipper Scott Barrett replaced by Patrick Tuipulotu and Robertson changing his entire front row, the visitors' final quarter struggles in last year's Rugby Championship may have been front of mind for the coaching group. ADVERTISEMENT However, with Ardie Savea standing up superbly as captain in Barrett's absence, the All Blacks took back control via their pack, and in particular their lineout drive, which reaped two tries for replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho to make the game safe. And while the All Blacks finished on a high by continuing their domination of the Pumas' lineout – they stole or disrupted three in a row at the end – their discipline was again a bugbear. Billy Proctor, centre, is involved in a scuffle with the Pumas during the All Blacks' win. (Source: Photosport) Moments after centre Anton Lienert-Brown, who replaced Proctor, was penalised for tackling a player on the ground, he was sinbinned for making head contact when attempting to tackle Argentina second-five Santiago Chocobares, the All Blacks finishing the Test with 14 men. The six-tries-to-three victory takes the All Blacks to the top of the Rugby Championship table on points difference after the Wallabies' remarkable win at Ellis Park. It also allowed them to overtake the Springboks as the No.1 side in the world. But there will be big questions for Robertson to ponder. Right wing Sevu Reece, with two tries in the first half, was one of New Zealand's better attacking weapons, along with fullback Will Jordan, but Rieko Ioane's form on the left may be a concern and there should be scrutiny on Proctor in the No.13 jersey after his difficult Test. ADVERTISEMENT Halfback Cortez Ratima had a try in the first half in what was an up and down match for him, with No.8 Savea also crossing the line. It was another Jekyll and Hyde performance from the home side, who looked sensational when playing with momentum but were too often guilty of failing to adhere to the basics when not. It seemed that the All Blacks' attacking intentions would be too much for them – Reece scored his second try more than two minutes after the halftime siren – but a lull after the break invited the Pumas back through the front door. They could not stay with the All Blacks, however, and that will come as a huge disappointment to head coach Felipe Contempomi. Argentina have beaten the All Blacks three times since 2020 - but all away from home. The precious victory on home soil remains out of touch and they will need to improve significantly to grasp their next opportunity in Buenos Aires next Sunday NZT. All Blacks 41 (Sevu Reece 2, Samisoni Taukei'aho 2, Cortez Ratima, Ardie Savea tries; Beauden Barrett 4 cons, pen) Argentina 24 (Rodrigo Isgro, Tomas Albornoz, Joaquin Oviedo tries; Albornoz 3 cons, pen) Halftime: 31-10
NZ Herald
12-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Blacks player ratings: How they rated in second test win over France
13 - Billy Proctor - 7 Another go at centre and a much stronger showing at both ends of the field. Won a big defensive turnover. Had eight carries in the first half but did look a bit gassed near the break. Big tackle led to a turnover in second half. Finished with second most carries (12). 12 - Jordie Barrett - 7 Saved two tries, one in first half with cover defence out wide and also held up a try. How many times has he done that now in tests? Forced a pass that wasn't needed hot on attack, but that was the same tackle that saw him dumped on his head leading to a yellow for France. Off load to Proctor almost led to try. Showed his versatility again as happy to slot in at 10 with his brother in the bin. 11 - Rieko Ioane - 7 Good chase pressure all night. A slick pass to Holland in the lead up to the Vaa'i try. Solid defence including an intercept which denied French try. Much better attacking effort in second half, finished with 10 carries total, including a line break and a decent finish to score in the corner. 10 - Beauden Barrett - 6 Not great night with the boot. One out on the full and a few chasing kicks too long. Did produce a crafty chip for Ardie which turned the French around. A harsh yellow card. One fumble under high ball which led to a penalty. Put Jordan in for try but rarely got the chance to run in a kick-heavy test. 9 - Cam Roigard - 8 A strong boot all game especially from deep own end and from kickoff exits. Finished off the trick play for opening try. Finished with 56 running metes, a solid chunk from the try run. He even won a lineout. Superb outing. 8 - Christian Lio-Willie - 7 Won a ruck penalty which we haven't seen enough of from the back three so far. Had nine carries but was off after 54 minutes for Kirifi. 7 - Ardie Savea - 9 A monster effort for the full 80. The best on the field. Had an early knock on after a lineout steal. Assist in the Roigard try. Well sold. Scored the second try from lineout - all on his own. Strong run out wide in lead up to third try. 6 - Tupou Vaa'i - 7 Need to see more at six as he has impressed so far. Was leading All Blacks tackler with 13 when he left the field. Had a charge down early on and finished a great team try. Replaced after accidental head knock in second half. 5 - Fabian Holland - 7 Another superb outing. Was busy on defence early and got a lineout steal. Put under pressure at kickoff time but mostly did a good job. Seven carries in the first half including assist for Vaa'i try. Finished with 16 tackles, most for the All Blacks. 4 - Patrick Tuipulotu - 7 A welcomed return to test rugby. Was a safe option at lineout and had a steal in the first half. Made an impact with ball in hand, seven carries in the first half. Replaced after 60 minutes. 3 - Fletcher Newell - 7 Made eight tackles in first half and finished with 10. Scrum went from strength to strength. Replaced after 50 minutes 2 - Codie Taylor - 8 Vintage Taylor. Forced early knockout with France on attack. Was near perfect at lineout time, one lost deep in French half. Crafty with the close throw to Holland before Savea's try and scored himself from lineout drive. Even had a lineout steal. Replaced after 54 minutes. 1 - Ethan de Groot - 6 Put under pressure at first scrum but improved as match went on. Lost ball in contact inside French half but called back for high shot. Not a massive tackle count. Reserves Samisoni Taukei'aho - 4 Ollie Norris - 5 Pasilio Tosi - 5 Samipeni Finau -5 Du'Plessis Kirifi -4 Cortez Ratima -4 Timoci Tavatavanawai -6 Damian McKenzie - 5
RNZ News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks naming: Holland to start, Proctor gets nod at centre, loose forward reshuffle
Du'Plessis Kirifi. Photo: Brett Phibbs / All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm, Saturday 5 July Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Four players are set to make their All Blacks debut in Dunedin against France this Saturday. Lock Fabian Holland and loose forward Christian Lio-Willie are named in the starting side, while prop Ollie Norris and loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi will prepare to debut off the bench. Other than the new caps, the main talking point is the selection of Beauden Barrett at first five and Billy Proctor at centre. It feels like a flip of a coin selection for Barrett over Damian McKenzie, after both men put up strong cases at the business end of Super Rugby Pacific. However, Proctor has earned his way into the 13 jersey, although it hasn't come at the expense of Rieko Ioane. The Blues veteran moves back out to the wing in a surprise selection, replacing team mate Caleb Clarke. In another surprise, Tupou Vaa'i starts at blindside - his first time at test level in that position since the World Cup. Fletcher Newell comes in for a start at tighthead and Quinn Tupaea will complete his long jerney back to the All Blacks via the bench. Billy Proctor. Photo: Brett Phibbs / "Facing France is always special; they bring intensity, flair, and physicality. As a group we have had a fantastic ten days together, preparing for the three-test series ahead of us. We are ready for the challenge and what better place to kick it off than under the roof in Dunedin, in front of a packed home crowd," Robertson said . All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa'i, 7. . Ardie Savea, 8, Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Cameron Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Rieko Ioane, 15. Will Jordan Bench: Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Tyrel Lomax (calf); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Luke Jacobson (concussion); Anton Lienert-Brown (collarbone)
