Variety key to winning tactical approach, says Smith
In the wake of the latest All Blacks implosion, coach Ian Foster publicly questioned the ‘‘DNA’’ of his players when placed under pressure.
He was certainly getting no argument from veteran halfback Aaron Smith ahead of a pivotal Rugby Championship rematch against Argentina tonight.
Following last Saturday’s shock, and historic, 25-18 defeat to the Pumas in Christchurch, Foster questioned the All Blacks’ blind faith in their ability to run the ball out of a tight spot and challenged them to be more tactical in their approach.
Foster was pinpointing the All Blacks’ inability to vary their tactical approach against an Argentina team that was more than happy to give them the ball deep, and backed their defence to create the pressure, and points.
Almost certainly a similar approach is coming again in Hamilton tonight in a matchup the All Blacks must win to keep their championship hopes alive, and Smith indicated that the message from their coach had got through.
‘‘Variety is the key, but the mentality from our boys is to want to hold the ball, build pressure and use our attack,’’ said the 108-test halfback when asked if the All Blacks were indeed guilty of playing too much of a running game.
‘‘As we’ve seen from the northern hemisphere teams and teams so far in the Rugby Championship, they want to give us the ball. They don’t really want to play and they’re attacking our breakdown, so if you attack for long periods you’re giving them opportunities – and they’re taking them.
‘‘Variation was something we looked at hard-out in the review around using our kicking game, using the ball to pressure teams and turn them round, because teams are going two to three phases and just kicking it because that’s their tactic.’’
Smith talked about the All Blacks needing to be aligned in their ‘‘identity’’, as well as their tactical response, at FMG Stadium Waikato tonight as Foster has left his starting unchanged.
‘‘It isn’t trying to hold the ball for long periods if we’re not going anywhere,’’ added the 33-year-old halfback. ‘‘As a 9 and 10 we’ve talked about trying to turn them round, pressure them and read the situation of the game. Argentina weren’t trying to win the game – they were just trying not to lose it and they used their D for that. We played into their hands in that sense.’’
Smith also talked about using ball in the wider channels and
XV controversially spreading the defence better. Argentina did not bring the linespeed of Ireland or South Africa, he said.
Smith is adamant the All Blacks are not far off returning to dominant mode. He points out the defence is operating well, as are the forwards, for the most part, and says the first half in Christchurch showed they had it in them, only for their illdiscipline to keep the visitors in the game.
‘‘We want to fix this and make it right, and to be given the opportunity again is bloody exciting.’’