Justin Marshall still ‘not convinced’ All Blacks have ‘found the answer’ after doubling down on blitz defence rant

All Blacks great Justin Marshall felt that there was a slight improvement from Scott Robertson’s men on Saturday but still believes that their attack is not firing.

New Zealand started off the Robertson era with a 2-0 series over England, but they were pushed all the way by the tourists.

Their attack was put under significant pressure at Eden Park and, although the All Blacks did enough to find their way over the line on a couple of occasions, Marshall felt they once again struggled against the blitz.

‘Negative’ tactics

“The All Blacks, again, when they needed to win big moments, they won those big moments,” he told The Platform.

“When you look at it, the All Blacks were certainly not fluid, I’m still not convinced that they have found the answer to getting through, around and beating a blitz defence.

“At times I thought we were a bit negative by kicking the ball away when we looked lost for ideas.”

After last week’s 16-15 triumph in Dunedin, Marshall criticised the reaction to the win by stating that observers were making excuses for the All Blacks’ attacking inadequacies.

“Probably there is some blame to go towards the players who negatively are thinking that playing in the wrong areas too much will concede a penalty, which could ultimately concede them points,” he said.

“I guess it’s the frustration of not being able to get over the advantage line after two to three phases, so the default setting seems to be, ‘okay, let’s kick it back to the opposition and let them play with the ball.’

“I think I was saying the same things last week.

“I thought that we were a little bit more patient but I still don’t feel we have actually found the answer to be able to regenerate quick ball when that blitz defence does hit you back behind the advantage line.

“I don’t know what the answer to that is but it’s certainly not kicking it down the throat of the full-back too far, and then not putting any pressure on that kick and making it contestable, and then allowing them to dictate the game.

“It was an improvement but they’re going to cop that style of defence a lot more.”

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Praise for England

Marshall also credited England, whose style played a significant part in the All Blacks’ struggles. As mentioned, their rush defence caused the hosts all sorts of problems, while they are improving with the ball after matching New Zealand for tries scored across the two Tests.

“I think it is a good English side which is improving with every Test match they play. They have basically thrown the kitchen sink at a new game plan,” he said.

“Having new generals helps that. Alex Mitchell, he’s growing into a very good nine, and equally Marcus Smith plays very differently to Owen Farrell.

“You’ve got some genuine firepower out on the wing. (Immanuel) Feyi-Waboso was absolutely outstanding, I think they missed (George) Furbank from the previous week but, when you think of some of the players they’ve got built off the back of a very good tight five, they are getting better and better.

“They are a side that’s going to turn into an even better side and they’re going to be more of a handful again at Twickenham later in the year.

“We’ve got to pay tribute to them and… if they were playing Australia or South Africa on a southern hemisphere tour, I think both of those sides would certainly have their challenges against this England side.

“There’s certainly a lot of holes in what the All Blacks have done in those first two Test matches, but those holes can be worked on and can be fixed.”

READ MORE: Razor Watch: Unpacking the All Blacks’ pressing issues and our verdict on Scott Robertson