All Blacks v England: Winners and losers from a thrilling series as ‘influential’ Scott Robertson makes positive start
Marcus Smith stood up for England while Rieko Ioane struggled for the All Blacks.
Following a thrilling two-Test series between the All Blacks and England that ended in a 2-0 win for the hosts, we have selected our winners and losers.
In Scott Robertson’s first matches in charge, New Zealand edged to a 16-15 triumph in Dunedin before overcoming Steve Borthwick’s men 24-17 at Eden Park.
Without further ado, here’s our winners and losers from the past fortnight’s games.
Winners
Scott Robertson
It was ultimately job done for the All Blacks and their new head coach. The pressure was on Robertson, with much fanfare greeting his first series, and all in all there was plenty to be happy about. There are a few issues which he needs to rectify but you could see the influence of the Crusaders legend, particular with their ability to adapt.
In both matches they had moments on the back foot and went into the final quarter behind, but New Zealand altered their game plan and found a way to win. Under Ian Foster, they probably would have lost those encounters due to his insistence of playing ‘the All Blacks way’, but the sport has changed and Robertson realises that.
Beauden Barrett
The legendary playmaker was quite frankly the main reason for the All Blacks claiming a 2-0 series victory. Barrett was benched for the two games but came on to great effect to inspire a turnaround and get the Robertson era off to a winning start.
His ability to vary the kicking game caused problems in the England backfield and, as a result, allowed New Zealand to get on the front foot. There were also a few moments of magic, especially at Eden Park, as the hosts finished the matches strongly.
Marcus Smith
Handed the reins following George Ford’s injury and enhanced his claims looking ahead to the November series. There were issues with Smith’s goal-kicking in Test one but the fly-half was otherwise composed with ball in hand and dictated proceedings nicely.
The 25-year-old has always had the ability to create but Test rugby is a different beast and it needs to be married with good decision-making and an intelligent kicking game. It was therefore a coming of age series for the Harlequins star, who could well be the main man for England going forward.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
Before these mid-year games, the speedster had only started one Test – against Ireland in the Six Nations – but, after the encounters against Japan and New Zealand, he already looks at home at international level.
With the ball, everybody knows the quality he brings, but the challenge at the highest level is to have a well-rounded skill set and Feyi-Waboso showed just that. In England’s defensive system he has a big role to play but he did it with aplomb as the All Blacks struggled with the tourists’ blitz.
All Blacks scrum
Contrary to popular belief New Zealand have rarely had a poor scrum, but in the past they have tended to use it merely as a restart play – a way of unleashing their talented backline. However, now under the guidance of Robertson and forwards guru Jason Ryan, it has become a genuine weapon.
Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax have become world-class operators, while replacement tighthead Fletcher Newell was an absolute beast off the bench. The experienced Ofa Tu’ungafasi also impressed and with the versatile 23-year-old Tamaiti Williams waiting in the wings, their prop depth is scary.
Maro Itoje
It has not been an easy couple of years for the outstanding lock. While he has not been poor, the 29-year-old has not been at his absolute best. However, that changed in New Zealand as Itoje put together a couple of absolutely superb performances.
Itoje seems to relish taking on the All Blacks and he was arguably the best player in the series. The lock was a nuisance at the breakdown while he took the hosts’ lineout apart, which enabled England to offset their scrum problems.
England youngsters
Although New Zealand were under a new coaching regime, it must be remembered that their side was vastly more experienced than England. Of the Red Rose backline that took to the field, Henry Slade was the oldest at 31, with the others 27 or below. When you consider that the wings Tommy Freeman (23), Ollie Sleightholme (24) and Feyi-Waboso (21) are all under 25, there is plenty for Borthwick to be positive about.
Up front, it is perhaps even more exciting thanks to the presence of Chandler Cunningham-South (21), Fin Baxter (22) and George Martin (23), while on the bench in Auckland they had Theo Dan (23), Bevan Rodd (23), Alex Coles (24) and Fin Smith (22). They mostly showed up really well in New Zealand and point to a bright future for England.
Losers
Codie Taylor
The experienced front-rower went reasonably well in the loose and was also part of a dominant scrum, but the lineout was a major problem for the All Blacks. Although there are various factors at play in that set-piece, such as the lifters, jumpers and caller, if Robertson is thinking about a personnel change then he will inevitably look at the hooker.
Unfortunately for the head coach, they don’t currently have a huge amount of depth in that slot, but Asafo Aumua made a good impact in both Tests, while you would think the uncapped George Bell would get his chance against Fiji, so Taylor may well be looking over his shoulder.
Samipeni Finau
Keeping with the lineout theme and the back-rower was entrusted with the blindside flanker role after a stunning season for the Chiefs, but he struggled to set this series alight. Finau was partly selected for his lineout expertise, something he has done well in Super Rugby Pacific, but it was constantly disrupted by England.
The lineout problem was more than just Taylor and Finau, and there was likely a communication breakdown somewhere at the set-piece, but it may not help his chances long-term. However, the last thing the All Blacks want is another selection conundrum at blindside after the struggles they endured following the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Will Stuart and Dan Cole
Cole is a genuine legend of English rugby. He made his international debut in 2010 and has gone on to earn 115 caps, surpassing Jason Leonard’s record for most appearances made by an English men’s prop in Tests, but at 37 the Leicester Tiger must be close to retirement.
The issue for head coach Borthwick has been their tighthead stocks, which is why Cole returned to the fold in the 2023 Six Nations. Will Stuart has taken over from Kyle Sinckler as the other option in the 23 but he has not convinced and struggled against the New Zealand scrum.
All Blacks’ playmaking axis
Damian McKenzie and Stephen Perofeta were not terrible at all and, in fact, had some excellent moments, especially in the first Test, but the influence of Barrett late on will make Robertson think about the make-up of his playmaking axis.
If he were to make changes, it would likely see Barrett come in for Perofeta with McKenzie remaining at fly-half, but the head coach may want to see the 33-year-old being the primary decision-maker given his influence with the boot in the two Tests.
Rieko Ioane
The speedster has turned into a very good international centre after starting his career on the wing, but it is fair to say that Ioane did not have the greatest series. While the 27-year-old was solid in defence, he struggled with England’s rush defence.
Ex-scrum-half Justin Marshall has suggested that Ioane did not have trust in his skill set when the Red Rose blitzed and, if proven correct, that will be a concern going forward, especially in the Rugby Championship against the Springboks, who will also challenge his handling ability.
Henry Slade
Speaking of centres, it was another frustrating couple of games for Slade. Borthwick appears to have settled on the Exeter Chiefs star in that outside channel, but he has not really translated his club form into the international arena, especially from an attacking perspective.
Defensively, the Exeter man has adapted nicely to Felix Jones’ defensive system, but he has made very little impact with ball in hand. Slade is one of the vice-captains but, after a mediocre year for the Red Rose so far, he needs a big November.
England’s bench impact
There is a lot to like about some of the individuals who were among the replacements. The likes of Dan and Rodd do add dynamism in the loose, while Tom Curry, when fully match fit, is world-class. Equally, half-backs Ben Spencer and Fin Smith have the talent but, for whatever reason, the Red Rose’s bench just did not contribute enough in the two Tests.
Is that personnel? Tactics? Inexperience? Simply tiredness after a long season? We’re not wholly sure and no doubt Borthwick will be searching for those answers looking ahead to the next set of internationals later in the year.
