Victory with a Cost: All Blacks Lose Key Players for Ireland clash
All BlacksNovember 5, 2024
New Zealand's 24-22 win and a clean sweep of England at Twickenham on Sunday (NZT) was satisfying but costly for the All Blacks, with hooker Codie Taylor and first five-eighths Beauden Barrett ruled out of the Friday night (Irish time) Test against Ireland.
Both players failed HIA tests after head knocks. All Blacks XV players Brodie McAlister and Harry Plummer have stayed in Ireland to join the side, along with Ruben Love.
Loose forward Christian Lio-Willie is staying with the All Blacks as additional cover while Billy Proctor is returning to New Zealand on paternity leave.
Coach Scott Robertson said the England game produced every gamut of emotion, but the All Blacks showed character by staying in the fight until the end.
"Fifteen minutes to go, coming from eight down was a pretty special moment for us as a group."
He felt pleased as much as relieved.
"I'm pleased because of how much effort and care, and, every game we've been in this year we've had a lead or a chance to win and to get one, I'm pleased for the group because it means a lot to us and has galvanised us."
Captain Scott Barrett said England had every opportunity to win, and when included with the two Tests in July, they played three close games, and in each, England had their chance.
"When playing like they have shown this year, they are a dangerous team. We just played a little bit more rugby than them.
"There were a few arm wrestles but I was pleased with our endeavour to play, and that created an opportunity with Mark [Tele'a] to put us in front."
In their preparation for Ireland this week, Robertson said the All Blacks need to tidy their discipline and eliminate execution errors but keep creating and being brave and prepared to play.
"So they are slightly small margins but we'll have to be better."
He was pleased with the impact from the bench, with hooker Asafo Aumua having to come on after three minutes and lock Patrick Tuipulotu having to come on a minute after halftime following injuries to Codie Taylor and Tupou Vaa'i, respectively.
Taylor and first five-eighths Beauden Barrett failed HIAs and will not play against Ireland, but Vaa'i is expected to be available.
Robertson said flanker Wallace Sititi has proved to be an incredible individual.
"Firstly, I think we just underestimated what sort of person he is, but the way he performs, the way he prepares and he's well above his years and maturity, and his confidence on the field to make the right decision continuously is incredible."
He had deserved his Man of the Match award.
Robertson was questioned on the ability of the All Blacks forwards to achieve extraordinary things with the ball in hand and how much licence he gives them to do things like Sititi's offload to Tele'a for the first try.
"Yes, if you see it, do it. It's part of the skill set and part of our DNA. We want to play footy and we'll take the opportunity in front of us.
"We scored some great tries but, more importantly, we showed a lot of grit to stay in there and found a way to come from behind."
And he said Tele'a was a world-class finisher.
"He knows how to get to the tryline and slip and beat a couple of people and put the ball down. It's a gift he's got."
Barrett said England's inside-back pairing of halfback Ben Spencer and first five-eighths Marcus Smith controlled the game well and challenged the All Blacks when putting the ball in the air. He felt England may have been looking for a tactical change when they were substituted.
When they were replaced and New Zealand changed its front row, Robertson said the game's momentum changed towards the All Blacks.
"We knew they [England] were going to come out the back and try to tackle the second or third to last attacker and stop us getting to the edge. And they did a great job for the majority of it. They're brave in that department and they're a hard team to play as we have seen in the last few Tests."
