Few things would have annoyed Scott Robertson and company more in Dunedin than Maro Itoje’s try for England.
For all the talk about the tourists’ high-pressing defence, the All Blacks’ was pretty effective too apart from that glaring miss and it should come as no surprise to learn that the contact area was a major focus at training in Auckland today ahead of the second Test at Eden Park on Saturday.
From an attacking lineout during the 16-15 victory which allowed the Razor era to open in perhaps the nerviest way possible, impressive blindside flanker Chandler Cunningham-South made easy metres towards the tryline after dodging Dalton Papali’i, with Itoje barging over from the resulting ruck.
The try after 20 minutes allowed England to take the lead thanks to Marcus Smith’s conversion and the breathing space provided by Sevu Reece’s try had evaporated in the space of five minutes.
All top teams put an emphasis on their tryline defence but it was a point of pride at the Crusaders under Robertson and his assistants Jason Ryan and Scott Hansen, so for them to concede in what they will likely consider such a soft way would have been difficult to digest.
Robertson, the All Blacks head coach, has previously been a defensive expert, with Hansen given that portfolio this season along with directing the squad’s halfbacks and first-fives.
The offending moment came when openside flanker Papali’i was beaten on the outside by Cunningham-South, while the ruck defence on the line was beaten on the inside.
England's second try - to wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in the second half after sustained pressure - would have been more excusable.
Robertson and most coaches believe that a team’s defensive mindset is an indication of their togetherness and character. It’s also a sign of combinations so, after 10 days of preparation, it was probably not a surprise that there was a lapse or two.
“The building blocks are there and we’re working on different ways for us to put on pressure,” loose forward Luke Jacobson said today. “Hopefully you’ll see that this weekend.”
Jacobson replaced blindside flanker Samipeni Finau halfway through the second half and revealed he was covering all three loose forward positions on the bench.
“I was ready to jump on wherever," he said. "It happened to be Samipeni who came off and I enjoyed going in there.
“I get asked which position I prefer and I don’t really have a preference – they’ve all got elements I enjoy.”
He also said he would prefer to start the second Test on Saturday as the All Blacks attempt to put their considerable lessons to use but Jacobson’s versatility means he may be given a bench role for another week.
Assistant coach Jason Holland yesterday hinted that change was likely as the All Blacks seek to challenge England in different ways. How that transpires will be made public on Thursday, with Ethan Blackadder a possibility in place of Finau.
The presence of a now fully-training former skipper Sam Cane also brings intriguing possibilities.
Cane, in his final year with the All Blacks after signing on for a long-term stint in Japan, wasn’t named in the 32-player squad but is one of many training with it. Outside back Will Jordan, due to return from a should injury later in the year, is another.
It is understood that Ryan was vocal in his support for Cane, who has been rehabilitating a back injury but is now fully fit, to continue to lend his experience and technical know-how with the squad.
Last Saturday’s narrow victory has put an entirely different complexion on this week because there would be expectations on the selectors to ring several changes for the second Test.
The scrutiny from the outside won't be as intense, but it may be internally. It would be tough on Papali’i, but Cane could present a good argument for the defence because there are few better tacklers in the game.
One change that will definitely come is at back-up halfback, with Chiefs No.9 Cortez Ratima set for a potential Test debut off the bench behind Finlay Christie following TJ Perenara’s knee injury.
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