Cup defeat still on ABs’ minds
Codie Taylor described the pain of the All Blacks’ agonising defeat to England in the 2019 World Cup semifinal by discussing a metaphorical punch in the head.
With England once again standing tall on the horizon, when the two old foes meet at Twickenham in London on Sunday morning (NZ time) it will the first time they have clashed since the global tournament in Japan, Taylor offered his recollections of the disastrous result that ended the All Blacks’ hopes of winning their third consecutive tournament.
Yokohama Stadium was the battleground, and England were the victors.
The 19-7 win in front of 65,000 people was arguably one of England’s greatest days on a rugby field, as they upset the tournament favourites to earn the right to play South Africa in the final.
There were no excuses from the All Blacks; they knew they had been stomped on by a rampant England team, and in the days that followed they shed tears as they tried to explain how things could go so horribly wrong.
Taylor, who started the match before being replaced by Dane Coles soon after halftime, was blunt in his assessment of what unfolded in Yokohama.
‘‘We just mentally got outplayed,’’ Taylor said. ‘‘They came at us, and [we] probably got punched in the face a couple of times and we didn’t get out of it.
‘‘But, jeez, we are going to get much of the same this week. And the boys are up for that challenge, and what it’s going to bring.’’
Although three years have passed, a large chunk of the team that was forced to accept their World Cup dreams had been splintered by England that day remain on duty for the All Blacks.
Unlike former coach Sir Steve Hansen, Eddie Jones has remained in charge of England and the All Blacks will be vigilant about any unexpected tricks he may present at Twickenham.
All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan, who was employed as Crusaders boss Scott Robertson’s offsider at the time, was at the ground. He, like all other New Zealanders at the venue, had to accept the best team on the day won.
But he wasn’t looking in the rearview mirror.
‘‘We are really looking forward to this next test match. We haven’t used any language around it being our last one, it is just our next one.
Asked if the All Blacks had a score to settle with England, Taylor, responded by saying: ‘‘Well, you never like losing.’’
Later, when prodded again on the topic, he was slightly more forthcoming.
‘‘As a couple of top-tier nations going at it, you would be lying as a Kiwi if you said you didn’t want to play the English and get up. But that just makes these tests so special.’’