New Zealand broadcaster Martin Devlin argued on the Lekker Rugby Pod that the All Blacks' core problem in this series is not their attacking ability — nine tries across two tests proves that — but their failure to control the game when they're not scoring. "We've got to figure out, when we're not scoring tries, how are we controlling the rest of the game?" he said, pointing to the All Blacks' catastrophic first-half pattern: outscored 33-26 across both opening forties while conceding avoidable penalties and squandering lineout ball inside the Springbok 22. He was blunt that South Africa's ability to defend a lead, absorb pressure and feed off opposition mistakes is precisely what champion teams do — and what the All Blacks have not yet demonstrated. For Test 3, Devlin made the case that the All Blacks need to "marry" their brilliant counter-attack and broken-field game to a more pragmatic, possession-based approach, and identified the bench composition — potentially bringing in more back-line impact — as the selection call most worth watching.
Devlin: All Blacks Must Marry Their Attack Brilliance With Ruthless Game Control to Beat the Boks
Martin Devlin argues the All Blacks have the attacking tools to beat the Springboks but must add game control and discipline to their armoury if they are to win the series decider in Johannesburg.
Martin Devlin argues the All Blacks have the attacking tools to beat the Springboks but must add game control and discipline to their armoury if they are to win the series decider in Johannesburg.
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