All Blacks: Scott Robertson’s verdict on ‘remarkable’ rookie duo’s performances in Bledisloe Cup win
All Blacks duo Cortez Ratima and Wallace Sititi, and head coach Scott Robertson.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson singled out Wallace Sititi and Cortez Ratima for special praise after the rookie duo impressed during their Bledisloe Cup victory in Sydney on Saturday.
Loose forward Sititi and scrum-half Ratima were two of the Chiefs’ best performers during the Hamilton-based outfit’s run to this year’s Super Rugby Pacific final – which they lost to the Blues – and their displays in that competition were rewarded with call-ups to Robertson’s All Blacks squad.
After playing mostly off the bench during the July internationals against England and Fiji and during the early stages of the Rugby Championship, the young duo were included in the All Blacks‘ run-on side in recent weeks in matches against the Springboks and Wallabies and Robertson could not hide his delight with the progress they have made.
Impressive performances
Ratima walked off with the official man-of-the-match award in Sydney after impressing with his slick service to outside backs and his attacking play which saw him gaining 49 metres from five runs, while Sititi also shone with ball in hand and finished with 53 metres gained from a whopping 16 carries.
When asked for his opinion on the duo’s performances, a clearly delighted Robertson replied: “Oh, just pleased that they got the courage to show their talent and their skill set on the bigger stage.
“So early in their Test career, they step right to the occasion, don’t they, in the big moments. And, you know, it’s great when you give a young guy, young players opportunities and they take them.
“And, you know, the last three weeks, both of them have been remarkable. Great story, isn’t it?”
Despite claiming a 31-28 victory in Sydney to retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 22nd successive year, the All Blacks’ win came at a cost as they lost Jordie Barrett to injury.
“He’s got a medial knee, so we’ll have to get that scanned,” said Robertson.
New Zealand made a superb start as they raced into a 21-0 lead in the first half and also led 31-14 early in the second half but for the fifth successive Test, they failed to score points during the final quarter of a Test.
Their discipline also let them down as they had to play with 13 players at one stage during the latter stages of the match after Anton Lienert-Brown and Caleb Clarke received yellow cards.
Despite the tense finish to the game, Robertson was just happy that his team returned to winning ways after their recent back-to-back losses against South Africa.
‘I’m just really proud of the effort’
“I’m really pleased,” he said. “I’m just really proud of the effort and the care, you know, some incredible defence at the end there and some scramble D and been to a couple of yellow cards, just found a way to win it.
“I’m so proud.”
He admitted to being relieved that his team managed to hang on for their victory but feels that the Wallabies also deserve credit for pushing them all the way.
“Probably full respect to the Aussies and we just didn’t quite finish those opportunities we’ve been creating all year and there’s big momentum swings,” added Robertson.
“So look, when the score is like that, there’s always a little bit of trepidation, isn’t it? You’ve got to keep going and get those final passes to stick.
“But they didn’t and we got into a hell of a battle and found a way.”
