The ABs: structure or instinct
It’s the rugby equivalent of nature versus nurture.
If the All Blacks’ end-of-year tour clashes against England and Ireland have taught us anything, it’s that they’re confused about their method. Their performances said as much and now hooker Dane Coles has given voice to the conflict we all see.
Speaking to reporters in Rome, where New Zealand meet Italy on Sunday, Coles confirmed that the All Blacks are battling to strike a balance between playing what they see and the things that they’ve been coached to do. Much of that on-field direction comes from first five-eighth, creating a bit more of that Beauden Barrett versus Richie Mo’unga, Hurricanes versus Crusaders, instinct versus structure debate.
As Barrett’s Super Rugby captain, Coles couldn’t really hide where his own instincts lie, as the All Blacks try to settle on a style capable of winning a third successive World Cup.
‘‘That’s a tough question,’’ Coles said when asked how the team are adapting to the new gameplan coach Steve Hansen has talked about implementing.
‘‘Like we’ve got some of the best players in the world who just play what they see in front of them. Like, in the weekend, everything we kind of did, Ireland were like there; we didn’t break them down. With previous teams, when we build pressure you make a linebreak but they were just everywhere; they played their hearts out.
‘‘You’ve got to have structure and you’ve got to have balance and we’ve got guys reacting to situations and sometimes that’s just going out of your structure and just playing what’s in front of you, and I think we’re still trying to find that balance.
‘‘It’s a tough one to ask because you definitely need that structure in the game and then you need to just react to what’s in front of you and play, so we’re still trying to find that.’’
Ireland deserve lots of credit for their 16-9 win over New Zealand in Dublin. Tactically and physically they were the superior side and people will look differently at the All Blacks now. There’s a vulnerability about the team and an apparent indecision about what they’re up to.
‘‘Nah, it’s not confusing,’’ countered Coles.
‘‘We’re all drivers out there and we can’t just rely on like the Beaudys to make all those decisions. There’s 15 of us on the field so we need to help those guys out and, if we see something, just call it and just back our instincts.
‘‘It’s just working hard to get set, see what’s in front of you and calling the right thing. If it’s the wrong decision, but you commit 100 per cent, so be it.’’
Playing ‘‘heads-up’’ footy and backing your instincts has been the hallmark of the Hurricanes teams Coles and Barrett have played for. It helped them win a title in 2016 but, in the grand scheme of things, the Crusaders have been far and away the more successful Super Rugby side.
Elements of that Crusaders game, such as playing territory, backing your defence and encouraging the opposition to play a lot of the rugby, seem to have become part of the All Blacks’ repertoire.
The early signs haven’t been good, but Hansen is confident the team will adapt in time. It’s just interesting to hear the emphasis Coles continues to put on instinct.