Sir John Kirwan explains why All Blacks are facing their ‘hardest’ Rugby Championship ‘in a long time’
Sir John Kirwan explains why All Blacks are facing their ‘hardest’ Rugby Championship.
Sir John Kirwan insists that the All Blacks are facing one of their “hardest” Rugby Championship campaigns and says that they must not take Argentina lightly this weekend.
New Zealand have dominated this competition since its inception in 2012, winning 10 of the 12 editions.
The All Blacks have won the title on the past four occasions, with the Springboks’ success in 2019 the last time they did not claim the silverware.
However, Kirwan predicts that this year’s tournament will be much more challenging than in recent years.
South Africa challenge
“I personally believe that this is the hardest championship we’ve played for a long time,” he said on The Breakdown. “How do you go to South Africa with a South Africa in such form and win twice over there?
“It’s a different type of competition. It makes it way more difficult I believe.”
New Zealand open up the Rugby Championship with two home games against Argentina. On paper, it should be their easiest matches of the tournament but Kirwan is not discounting Los Pumas, especially since the All Blacks are without their captain, Scott Barrett.
“The biggest issue for me is the leadership side of things in the middle of the pack. I think that Scott Barrett is an amazing leader, he also gives you confidence, not only as our captain now but he’s learnt from [Brodie] Retallick. Locking and those hard yards takes something special,” he said.
“You have to earn the right with Argentina. I don’t know why but everybody underestimates Argentina and it’s probably because they’re Latin-based, right?
“You never know what you’re going to get but, if they turn up, if they’re motivated, if they’re ready to go, they’re as good as anybody around.”
Centurion Mils Muliaina agrees with Kirwan and is concerned about the All Blacks’ physicality up front without their captain in the side.
“If you’re not there mentally, if you don’t beat up the passion… if they don’t go out there and get that physical dominance against Argentina, it’s going to be a long day at the office,” Muliaina said.
“Barrett’s out, who is going to step up and actually be that enforcer against a team that’s going to be physical?”
‘Annoying’ Argentina
Kirwan believes that it could become a struggle for New Zealand should they fail to deal with Argentina’s threats at the contact area.
“They’re just annoying at the breakdown. They slow it down, you get frustrated with them, their defensive line is very good, they smack you around and they get you out of your rhythm,” he added.
“It becomes annoying. No one likes playing them because it’s annoying and then when you’re getting annoyed, you start taking risks, you stop sticking to the game plan.
“The important thing for the All Blacks is to be ready for that and be really, really patient.
“Against Argentina, believe it or not, take your three, take your six, take your nine, get to 12 and just really wear them down.”
READ MORE: Ardie Savea gets ‘obvious’ new role as All Blacks coach teases at more changes for Argentina Tests
