Source: Radio New Zealand
New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson www.photosport.nz
Analysis – Ten wins, three losses. That’s how it stacks up for the All Blacks this season, although as per usual those numbers don’t tell the full story behind Scott Robertson’s campaign. There are more figures to help put some context around it all, however, it’s fair to say that no matter how it’s spun, the All Blacks could have done better in 2025.
NZ Rugby will have a review, which they do at the end of every test block and season. This one feels different though – Robertson is now two years into his tenure and should have his feet under the desk by now, so the sort of explanations that presumably were used last year probably won’t wash this time around.
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Here are the things that will likely be considered when the review happens:
Titles
Cam Roigard and Simon Parker with the Bledisloe Cup. ActionPress
The Bledisloe Cup is safe for the 23rd year in a row, plus both tests were won in convincing fashion. However, that may well be more indicative of the Wallabies considering they’ve been god-awful in the second half of the season.
Other than that, it’s a couple of sponsor’s series trophies but no Rugby Championship. That’s the first time since 2001 the All Blacks have failed to win it over a two-year period, so now something fans used to take for granted is becoming an elusive prize.
Job titles
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, centre, with coaching staff Jason Ryan,left, Jason Holland, Scott Hansen and Leon MacDonald following the All Blacks Squad Announcement. Joseph Johnson/ActionPress
Two assistants leaving in two seasons isn’t good, no matter how you spin it. Especially since Leon MacDonald and Jason Holland had no firm plans on what to do next when they headed for the door.
Captaincy
Scott Robertson (left) and Scott Barrett after the England v All Blacks at Twickenham Stadium, London. www.photosport.nz
Robertson went with Scott Barrett off the bat for his skipper, which made sense given that was the dynamic at the Crusaders and Barrett’s spot in the team has been assured in his 91-test career. From the start, the debate between him and Ardie Savea has been vocal, and after this season is a very compelling one.
However, it’s not particularly negative given the reasons why.
Savea started four tests and finished a couple more as captain, and generally made the correct calls and big plays expected of him. Plus, the emergence of Fabian Holland and Josh Lord means there is now a bit of depth in the second row, so it will be interesting to see what the picture looks like at the end of next year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition – one that Barrett is sitting out.
The way the All Blacks won
Sky is seeking to bid high to again secure exclusive live rights with NZ Rugby. Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
The first and third tests against France, the first against Argentina, Ireland and Scotland, but most of all the win over the Springboks at Eden Park showed what this team’s mental fortitude can be when they are put in a tough situation.
All of those saw very assured performances at the business end, with the right calls and key plays made.
Damian Williamse of South Africa celebrates. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
Which is why the three losses are, in contrast, so disappointing. One week after Cordoba the All Blacks collapsed, unable to cope with a Pumas game plan designed to exploit their weaknesses. One week after Eden Park, they were destroyed by the Springboks for a record loss, basically giving up with 20 minutes to play. One week after Scotland, completely out-thought by England.
Nic Berry shows a yellow card to Sevu Reece. www.photosport.nz
Crucial yellow cards played big roles in the losses to Argentina and England, but the All Blacks were more unlucky than malicious overall. Especially when you compare them to the sort of craziness that happened in other tests over the last few weeks, so it’s probably likely that while these fine margins will be highlighted, so will the fact that not one All Black was suspended for foul play this season.
Maro Itoje of England lifts the Hilary Shield. England v All Blacks at Twickenham Stadium, 2025. www.photosport.nz
While Rassie Erasmus and the Springboks are firmly in control of the narrative of test rugby and the way it’s played, you could make a fair case that England are ahead of the All Blacks in the innovation stakes right now too and not just because they won that match on a very flexible game plan.
Robertson has talked about the need for his players to be adaptable, meanwhile Steve Borthwick has literally started Ben Earl in his midfield. They’ve developed their own ‘Pom Squad’ that took that test away from the All Blacks, and while the English media love to overhype the slightest bit of promise, they are looking like becoming a consistent powerhouse two years out from the next World Cup.
If anything, this review should be asking how the All Blacks can start being talked about in the same way again.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
