Analysis: The All Blacks again lacked accuracy and ruthlessness against the Boks in Cape Town, qualities Aaron Smith had in abundance, writes Patrick McKendry.
After three defeats in Scott Robertson’s first seven Tests and familiar failings resurfacing in Cape Town, it’s apparent that the All Blacks are missing the direction and ability of Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga and of the pair it’s perhaps the halfback that has left the biggest hole.
It is consistently good decision making that is the biggest problem for the All Blacks and the lack of coherence on attack was again evident in this morning’s 18-12 defeat, just as it was a week ago in Johannesburg.
There were positive signs in the form of loose forward Wallace Sititi, a 21-year-old making his first Test start who seemed utterly unfazed by the occasion or the arena, the continued development of lock Tupou Vaa’i, and the way hooker Codie Taylor can seemingly turn back time will please Robertson.
The major problem is the attacking direction and no one was more demanding and accurate than Smith, the little No.9 whose presence was far bigger than his 1.71m frame.
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Smith, now aged 35 and playing in Japan, was a key part of the All Blacks’ golden run between 2012 and 2016 and not just because of his passing ability and quick feet.
His experience and determination to get the best out of those around him meant Smith was a reliable crutch for the entire backline but in particular his No.10s Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett and Mo’unga.
It’s unrealistic to expect the same from Cortez Ratima, who was solid after replacing TJ Perenara in the starting line-up, after only a handful of Tests, and Perenara doesn’t possess the quickness of either Ratima or Smith.
Smith was the epitome of ruthlessness, something the All Blacks are badly lacking on the biggest stage.
A case in point: in the 58th minute this morning, with the All Blacks trailing 13-9, the visitors were bending the Boks’ defensive line, first by Sevu Reece on the right, then thanks to a good carry from Vaa’i.
It allowed, momentarily, the All Blacks to have an overlap on the left, with Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown and Will Jordan in some space. But instead of using the short passing which had worked well until that point, McKenzie threw a miss-pass straight to Jordan, and the space quickly closed.
In terms of halfbacks, Noah Hotham is Robertson’s other option but with fewer Tests than Ratima, the Crusader appears more an option for the future than the present.
The one potential game changer is the impending return of Cam Roigard from a serious knee injury.
Roigard, on track for the end of year tour – a challenging trip to play Ireland, France, England and Italy – or possibly as early as the end of the NPC, will bring a physicality and attacking threat that will keep defences guessing and potentially provide McKenzie with more time and space.
Until then Robertson will presumably continue to give Ratima time in the No.9 jersey – and the little Chiefs player is likely to find the going slightly easier in his next two Tests against Australia in Sydney on September and a week later against the Wallabies in Wellington.
The Boks’ defence was remarkable this morning – reminiscent of their victory over the All Blacks in last year’s World Cup final. After shipping nine tries to Argentina in a 67-27 thrashing this morning, it’s difficult to see the Wallabies defending with that sort of structure and desperation.
The other selection question for Robertson is a familiar one: what to do with Beauden Barrett?
The fullback didn’t provide the spark off the bench that he and the All Blacks would have wanted this morning, and once again the game didn’t go Will Jordan’s way.
It may be that Robertson continues to back Jordan in the No.15 jersey, however, with Barrett attempting to fulfil the super-sub role he did so well in the England series.
It’s how he began his All Blacks career and it may be how he finishes it.
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