As far as I can make out the All Blacks suffer from a dissappointingly
apparent lack of tactics.
Now don't get me wrong, I am not a master tactician, and as a lowly 5/8 come
halfback it probably isn't my place to tell John Hart how to coach his Rugby
team, but even our coach discusses set plays and on field tactics. (And one
day we will make him happy by actually doing one correctly wihtout the ball
being popped to Mr Invisible, only to bounce lonely on the ground).
I did not see one set piece from the All Blacks on Staurday night and have
not seen one in their last 3 games. In total contrast Aus's play was riddled
with set pieces from the lineouts to the rucks and mauls, right out to the
centre's - everyone was executing set plays and tactics to control the game.
It seems in New Zealand's arrogance they believe they can just send 15 guys
out into the paddock and say - "Do your stuff!"
And when they fail, they blaim individuals for not making it happen. One man
against a team of 15 (albeit Matt Burke finished off every point scoring
opportunity)
This is hard to believe but becoming obviously true. The only real piece I
saw was when Vidiri jumped in the lineout, but I think this may have been
because he was filling in, or was in the wrong place and they wanted to get
things moving quickly.
A glaringly obvious no-tactic phase was the introduction of Jonah Lomu to
charge around like an angry bull, away from anyone of use into defense. Sure
it took three guys to put him down, almost as many as it takes to put
Willi-O to the deck.
I would hate to see the ABs fall out of World Rugby (Although I doubt this
will happen) but you have to get the message home, 15 guys need leadership,
direction, and most importantly tactics.
If Hart does have tactics and does have set pieces, than give Randall the
arse as he is not filling the role as captain properly.
Nuff Said!
Ian