All Blacks coach Scott Robertson says his side were “clearly second best” in Wellington after the Springboks blew them away 43-10.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson says his side were “clearly second best” in Wellington after the Springboks blew them away 43-10.
New Zealand led 10-7 at half time but conceded 36 unanswered points as the Boks took control of the set piece, punished errors and ripped through their defence out wide.
We’ll take it on the chin,” Robertson said after overseeing the heaviest defeat in All Blacks history. “They were clearly better in the second half, weren’t they?
“The second half, they won the aerial battle and the scraps. Too many penalties around the set piece, there were some really big moments there and the game got away.”
Robertson said his team had prepared specifically for the Boks’ kicking and contestable game, but were still outclassed.
“South Africa have probably been criticised for their aerial game and their kicking over the years, but they put so much value and so much time into that and the way they play and they get return on it, they’re just so good on it,” he said.
Speaking on Sky Sport, Mils Muliaina said he was stunned at how meekly the All Blacks folded.
“I still think they were in the game with 15 minutes or so to go. They were still only 14 points behind,” said Muliaina. “What concerns me is they almost gave up. It’s not really the sight you want to see from the All Blacks.
Fellow Test centurion Kieran Read echoed the sentiment, while giving the Boks full credit for their tactical and physical dominance.
“You have to look at that All Blacks side … there’s something within that group when you are able to just leak and leak. Where’s that spine we want to see?” he said. “Full credit to that South African side, they played really well.”
Captain Scott Barrett admitted his team were well beaten in all facets.
