Scott Robertson defends selection calls as underperforming All Blacks to ‘learn on stage’ after being ‘hurt and stung’ by Springboks
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson.
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has backed his troops to ‘learn on stage’, after retaining 17 players from the 43-10 defeat to the Springboks.
Razor has made seven personnel changes from their record defeat at Sky Stadium against their bitter rivals, including injured captain Scott Barrett, but has still kept a lot of the squad together.
The All Blacks conceded 36 unanswered points in the second-half against the Boks, after initially leading 10-7 at half-time.
‘You learn on stage, and they’re under the spotlight’
His selection has been met with raised eyebrows among pundits and fans alike, with more widespread changes expected in response to the loss, but Razor insists he is backing his players to ‘learn on stage’.
“We chased a game that got away from us (against South Africa), but for the majority, we played some good footie,” he said. “A good core of those guys get to play again; you learn on stage, and they’re under the spotlight. It’s another chance for them.
“It’s also great to have a couple of half-backs back (Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima), your starting 100-Test hooker (Codie Taylor) and it’s good to have Caleb (Clarke) back on the wing, he’s really important for the aerial game.
“You bring those four back and you keep the cohesion of the rest of the group; that’s when you start to cement a little bit of form together and get combinations.”
Despite resisting the urge to completely chop and change his squad, the manner of the defeat still hurt the All Blacks boss, and he went into detail over the review process his side went through in the aftermath in order to ‘find a solution’.
“The review process is just as much about understanding the game situation and the execution of it, how you deal with it on the field, what those messages are and then actually going and doing it. I’m just pleased (with the selection), someone like Patrick Tuipulotu can come off the bench, our props are another game better for playing, just more scrum and will be a bit more scrum and match fit. There are some exciting options ahead,” he said.
“Things have been pretty short after a long review, we’re pretty clear. We know how the Aussies are going to play. The exciting part is going back out on the field and doing it. When you’ve been hurt and stung like we were, the best thing to is to play and this hasn’t come quick enough.
“There was a bit of ownership and things we could have done better; a few hands go up and find solutions. That’s the key thing because you’re going to play again, so what’s the solution and how can we be better.”
A win for Razor’s men would not only ensure they keep their Eden Park streak alive for another year, but also boost their Rugby Championship title hopes heading into the final round of the tournament.
