Two former All Blacks have questioned the team’s resolve after Saturday’s record 43-10 defeat to the Springboks in Wellington.
Two former All Blacks have questioned the team’s resolve after Saturday’s record 43-10 defeat to the Springboks in Wellington.
The Boks ran in 36 unanswered points in the second half to consign the All Blacks to their biggest-ever Test loss. It was also a third defeat in four Tests for coach Scott Robertson against Rassie Erasmus’ side.
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.
You have to give it to South Africa – they came out in the second half, they piled on some pressure, they demanded everything in that second half and basically blew the All Blacks away.”
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.
“That was a tough one to swallow. The Springboks certainly showed up and made a real improvement to last week and we certainly didn’t adjust,” he said.
“Across the board, our scrum was under pressure. We had limited opportunities and I think the Boks took theirs.”
