@crucial said in All Blacks 2022:
No need to make out that we are poor at the basics. We just aren't good enough to beat those that have surpassed us and the gripe is that the coaches don't seem to ave the answer for that.
I think you are overreacting a bit. To me, the secret of AB rugby is all about doing the basics well and consistently -and that allows razzle dazzle and showcase reel highlights elsewhere.
What's concerning me is our rate of basic errors has gone up - the quality of cleaning, the skill level with the ball, missing touch with kicks. poor box kicking, etc. It's the basics; winning lineout ball, kickoffs in the right place, lifters ready, getting the right players carrying around rucks, etc. So I don't think we are good at the basics at the moment.
The argument I suppose is how good is good, and how poor is poor. We're certianly good, but things like Tonga scoring a rolling maul try against us makes me scratch my head. A well drilled team with the basics should be able to defend it. Then we shouldn't be surprised if England or Ireland or SA do that against us either.
We're trending towards a solid, team, somwehwere between 2 and 5 in the world. That's elite by all but AB historical standards frankly.