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Set-Piece Struggles Highlighted in Scrutiny of All Blacks Player Ratings The New Zealand All Blacks’ player ratings have been placed under intense public and analytical scrutiny following a chastening 43-10 defeat to the South Africa Springboks in the Rugby Championship, with several senior players receiving uncharacteristically low marks across New Zealand media outlets. The decisive loss in Johannesburg, which saw the All Blacks comprehensively outmatched in the set-piece and defensive breakdowns, has brought into sharp relief the challenges facing new head coach Scott Robertson as he works to define his side’s culture and strategy. The player ratings published across international and domestic rugby media this week serve as a sobering metric of the individual performances, highlighting concerns over front-row stability and midfield execution at Test level. Unprecedented Low Scores Spark Debate The severity of the defeat was reflected in the player ratings, which saw several starting forwards marked between 4 and 5 out of 10—scores rarely assigned to All Blacks Test players. Prop Ethan de Groot and tighthead Tyrel Lomax were particularly singled out for their struggles at the scrum, where they conceded crucial early penalties that shifted territorial advantage overwhelmingly to the Springboks. One analysis of the front row noted that the pressure told early, with Lomax having limited impact in general play and de Groot struggling to impose himself. Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, despite contributing several tackles, also had a mixed performance marred by a costly wayward lineout throw, further compounding the set-piece woes. The failure to secure reliable platforms is seen by analysts as the core reason for the team’s inability to launch an effective attack. “The individual player ratings are merely a symptom of a systemic breakdown,” stated Dr.
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Eleanor Vance, a Rugby Performance Consultant based in Auckland. “When the tight five struggles to gain dominance and secure the primary platforms, the entire game plan, especially the intricate attack structures in the backs, becomes non-functional. The low ratings for the front row reflect not just individual form, but the collective collapse of the pack. ” Backline Execution and Defensive Gaps The poor foundation established by the forwards led to difficulties for the backs, where half-back and fly-half pairings struggled to generate sustained tempo or penetration against a suffocating Springbok defence. Veteran fly-half Beauden Barrett was noted for struggling to control the game and kicking loosely, failing to spark the attack under consistent pressure, ultimately receiving a middling mark. Meanwhile, wing Will Jordan, typically a prolific try-scorer, received a low rating after a handling error resulted in a wasted try opportunity—a moment of poor execution emblematic of the overall pressure the side was under. However, the ratings did provide minor points of encouragement, most notably in the midfield and on the debutant wing. Centre Jordie Barrett was consistently praised for his high defensive work rate, leading the team in tackles and offering reliable physicality in the face of the opposition’s centres. Similarly, young players who came off the bench, such as prop Tamaiti Williams and loose forward Fabian Holland, were cited for showing promising glimpses of impact and heart in a tough contest, suggesting underlying strength in New Zealand’s depth pipeline.
The ‘Razor’ Era: Balancing Expectation and Development The result and the subsequent player ratings contrast sharply with other recent performances in the new era under coach Scott Robertson, known as 'Razor. ' Just weeks prior, the team secured a vital 28-14 victory over the Wallabies in Perth to clinch the Bledisloe series, a performance that showcased greater consistency and tactical discipline. This inconsistency underscores the principal challenge facing the All Blacks—balancing the ruthless pursuit of immediate results with the necessary development of a squad undergoing generational change following the 2023 Rugby World Cup. In the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) 2024 Annual Report, the governing body noted the team finished the year with a respectable 71% winning record across 14 matches, highlighting the fine margins in international rugby and the emergence of fresh talent like World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year, Wallace Sititi. Speaking on the broader picture, a spokesperson for NZR maintained an optimistic outlook regarding the team's trajectory despite the recent setback. “While the result against the Springboks was clearly unacceptable and necessitates an immediate, honest review, the focus remains on the long-term vision under Scott Robertson,” the spokesperson said. “We have seen significant growth and the emergence of promising talent that demonstrates the depth of New Zealand rugby. Our commitment is to holistic player development and ensuring we return to the necessary performance standards required of the All Blacks jersey. ” Outlook: A Test of Character The critical player ratings serve as a strong message to the squad regarding the required standard of performance at Test level.
Analysts suggest that the team’s immediate priority must be to rectify the set-piece deficiencies and improve both individual and collective discipline, particularly under pressure. Veteran New Zealand rugby commentator Grant Nisbett previously delivered a blunt assessment of the team’s overall performance throughout the season, suggesting that even with subsequent victories over strong northern hemisphere opponents, the overall rating would not exceed 7. 5 out of 10. This viewpoint reinforces the high, perhaps unattainable, expectations placed upon the team. The All Blacks now face a period of intense review ahead of their next major campaign. The ability of the coaching staff to respond to the damning individual ratings, restore confidence, and ensure technical accuracy in high-pressure moments will be the true test of this new era’s potential. The focus is no longer just on winning, but on achieving the level of set-piece dominance and execution that has historically defined the black jersey. The YouTube video below features an analysis of the All Blacks' 2024 season, providing further context on the coaching changes and overall performance that underpin these player ratings. ITS HONEST AND AT TIMES BRUTAL | MY REVIEW OF ALL BLACKS IN 2024.
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