‘It’s hard to watch’ – Aaron Smith gives verdict on Scott Robertson’s All Blacks

Aaron Smith admits that seeing the All Blacks struggle in the Rugby Championship has been difficult, but the New Zealand legend can see the positives in their performances.

Scott Robertson’s men have lost three of their past four matches, going down to Argentina and then suffering successive defeats to South Africa.

They are currently in third position in the table and out of title contention going into the final two rounds but could finish on a high when they face the Wallabies in the Bledisloe Cup.

Progress despite mixed results

Robertson’s record currently stands at four wins and three defeats but Smith can see progress from the All Blacks, especially after what he saw against the Springboks.

“It’s hard to watch. I love the boys and can see how hard they’re trying. For the England games, they did really well but Test rugby now is different; everyone can win on their day,” he told the Kick Offs and Kick Ons podcast.

“That South Africa tour, they showed a lot. I was quite worried before that first Test at Ellis Park but for 70-odd minutes they were brilliant. They didn’t finish that game well but they were a different team to how they were in the first five games.

“To play the Springboks over there, it’s bloody tough as we all know, but I think we’re in a good spot.

“The Wallabies are hopefully going to be in for one. The boys have had two weeks off and will be pretty hungry.”

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New Zealand have held the Bledisloe Cup for the past 22 years and, on the evidence of the past couple of months, that will extend to 23 despite the All Blacks’ mixed results.

Although the 2023 Rugby World Cup runners-up have some teething problems which Robertson needs to rectify, the issues are far greater within the Wallabies set-up, who were thrashed 67-27 by Argentina last time out.

Smith’s theory

After the global tournament, the All Blacks saw a number of players, including Smith, depart while there was a complete overhaul of the coaching staff.

That is being headed up by Robertson, who has become the first person to be appointed as head coach from outside the set-up since Graham Henry in 2004.

“I think we’re in a great spot. There’s just been a lot of change for once and that’s the thing that’s pretty interesting,” Smith said.

“My whole time at the All Blacks was the same crew of management, coaching, continuity and player turnover.

“Every year, even after World Cup cycles, some new guys would take a bigger role and a coach within the coaching staff would take a bigger role.”

READ MORE: Sonny Bill Williams rues Scott Robertson’s management as Springboks ‘lead the way’