Jason Ryan is drawing a direct line between the All Blacks' three-Test hammering by the Springboks and how they need to approach the Bledisloe opener at Eden Park. He's conceded without qualification that New Zealand lost the physical battle across the series — the scrum and maul showed improvement in Baltimore, but it wasn't enough to shift the overall verdict. The squad review was, by his own account, uncomfortable. Ryan's focus now is on urgency over desperation: he wants the forwards to set a tone early through ball-carrying and breakdown work, with Australia's jackalling threat — McReight, Wilson, Tizzano and Bell — framing exactly where that battle will be won or lost.
AnalysisGeneralPlanet Rugby · SA Rugby Mag
All Blacks forward coach won't sugarcoat the Springbok series — and wants a physical statement against Australia
Jason Ryan has acknowledged the All Blacks were outmuscled by the Springboks across the series and is demanding a forward-led statement performance in the Bledisloe opener, with urgency at the breakdown and in the carry identified as the critical battleground against Australia's jackalling threats.
- New Zealand
- Springboks
- Eden Park
- Australia
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