Retallick leaps at chance to fix lineout woes

Brodie Retallick accepts a lack of technique and attitude contributed to the All Blacks’ lineout drives being reduced to a pop-gun strategy when the Springboks snapped their winning run on October 2.

The All Blacks’ attempts to score tries off attacking setpieces were nullified by the gritty Springboks forwards during their 31-29 win on the Gold Coast, and Wales coach Wayne Pivac will have taken note ahead of Sunday morning’s test in Cardiff.

The loss, their first of the season, stung the All Blacks and although a second-string side blitzed the United States 104-14 in Washington DC last weekend that’s likely to have been cold comfort for Retallick.

He, like most of the forward pack who started against the Springboks, didn’t play the US. Instead they will have spent the last three weeks stewing on the defeat in the final round of the Rugby Championship and been trying to correct the issues that led to the mauls off the lineouts being ineffective.

‘‘Some of our technique was pretty average, and our attitude, there,’’ Retallick admitted.

‘‘We probably went away from a little bit of focus at training and stuff, leading into those weeks – not using that as an excuse.

‘‘We have put some real work into it in the last couple [of weeks].’’

Having received a scare in Townsville the previous week, when several attacking lineout drives were splintered and a late Jordie Barrett penalty was needed for a 19-17 win, the All Blacks failed to come up with a plan in the re-match a week later.

Wales, given they have one of the best defensive lineout jumpers in the world in captain Alun Wyn Jones, are sure to have pored over footage of those contests in an attempt to replicate the Springboks’ successes at Principality Stadium.

Retallick said it was vital for the All Blacks to rectify the issues during the four-match northern tour, noting that if conditions are wet they may be forced to kick more for the corners to trap their opponents deep in their own half.

The revenue-sharing match in Cardiff, which is expected to reap NZ Rugby several million dollars,