The times they are a challenging

Is this the All Blacks’ 2009 reckoning all over again? The chance to address key issues, make some big calls and strike a new pathway to the promised land. It sure has that look about it after a 2021 campaign that served a grim reminder the men in black no longer bestride the global game.

On the surface it wasn’t all bad, Ian Foster’s men winning 12 of 15 tests in a programme that saw them play the last 10 on the road in 12 weeks. Almost every other nation would snap the hand off anyone who offered them a record like that.

But this is the All Blacks. They can roll out of bed and win threequarters of their tests. Their bar is set sky-high. The eye test applies just as much as the data one. And they are most certainly not used to being squeezed, manipulated, exposed and challenged as the Springboks, Ireland and France managed during this unprecedented campaign.

Yes, they swept the wobbly Wallabies, made short work of a regressing Argentina side and thumped a Welsh outfit missing over 20 frontliners.

But in the four true tests of the year they went 1-3.

So this was a speedbump, a blip on the graph, a wakeup call — there can be no doubt the All Blacks came up short when it mattered in 2021.

The Springboks applied their usual pressure up front, at the set piece and with their line-speed, but also succeeded in taking the New Zealanders to some uncomfortable places with their predictable but deadly accurate high-kick game. What was concerning was how, later, Ireland and France succeeded in outplaying the All Blacks using decidedly different styles.

The Irish played an effective game of keepaway in Dublin, dominated possession and territory and played the well-rested top All Blacks lineup off the park with a mix of raw-boned intensity, withering urgency and stunning execution. Their ball-playing props did all but kick sand in their opposites’ faces.

The next week at Stade de France Les Bleus, in so many ways, took the New Zealanders on at their own game, played with pace, width, beautiful rhythm and brilliant skill, and left the All Blacks in their dust. All the memories of a splendid test were of men in blue setting the night alight with their daring and dash.

So, a bit to digest, as there had been in 2009 when Graham Henry’s All Blacks hit the metaphorical brick wall, dropping four tests in a problematic campaign (one to France in Dunedin, and three straight to the Springboks) and one to the Barbarians as well.

That year the Boks had exposed key deficiencies under the high ball – effectively ending the test career of Sitiveni Sivivatu – and left Henry facing some harsh realities. But the adjustments came – then, as in now, mid-World Cup cycle – personnel were retained (lock Isaac Ross was the only other major casualty), game-plans redrawn, techniques honed and deficiencies addressed. By 2010 the All Blacks had turned a corner, winning 13 of 14 tests (including all three against the Boks), and the platform was reset in time for the 2011 World Cup triumph.

Can Foster make 2009-level adjustments to get things back on track for France ‘23? Only if he acknowledges what has just played out, deep dives into the shortcomings, makes the necessary hard calls in one or two key areas and figures out a way for the All Blacks pack to again be a dominant force against a heavyweight opponent.

Pass or fail?

Just in case he needs a little help, here then is our report card for the 2021 All Blacks year:

Record: Played 15, won 12, lost 3; scored 720 points; against 273.

Best performance: The 57-22 victory over the Wallabies in Auckland. Ran in eight tries and decimated an Aussie outfit that had hung tough for a half but could not live with the pace of the New Zealand game over the run home.

Worst: The 29-20 loss to Ireland. Comprehensively outplayed by a team that was smarter, tougher and more skilful. Is it still an ambush when you know it’s coming?

Assessment: Flat-track bullies who struggled to dictate when the bigger boys on the block came their way. Won all the games (and trophies) they should have, and ran in a bucketload of tries in the process, but got the staggers against the Boks, Ireland and France. Appear to have issues in the tight five, at lineout, getting consistent

gain-line against the top sides, skill execution against the rush defence and decision-making under pressure. Exposed in the air by the Boks, on the drive by the French and in the collisions by Ireland. Work required to become the team they aspire to be.

Overall grade: C+

What they did well: When quality front-foot ball was achieved, no one could live with them. Still possess fabulous attacking weapons and instinctive players. Coped well with a trio of key defections (Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga and Sam Whitelock) for the Aussie stuff, tucked away the trophies, built some quality depth and introduced a new wave of talent. Showed character, too, against Ireland and France to hang tough when things were going against them — and could have stolen both games with an ounce of luck.

Where they need to be better: It’s hard to shake the feeling the All Blacks tight five needs a rocket. The props appear to lack the allround games of the better bookends of the north, and the old-firm second row of Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock was outplayed over the final two tests. Big men who can carry, get gain-line and flick the odd offload are required. The lineout needs a tidy, too, and the defence of the drive was shown up by the French. Dealing with defensive line-speed remains the unsolved puzzle.

Challenge for ’22: Revive the tight five. Whether that’s upskilling, bringing in fresh talent or rotating what’s on hand, Foster has to find some grunt and grind from his big men. Settle on a midfield and let ‘em roll. Figure out the No 6 conundrum. Make the big calls on the vets who might not have two more years in them. Develop a game-plan to combat line-speed.

Awards

Player of the year: Ardie Savea and Rieko Ioane. Hard to separate these two for consistent excellence.

Best career revival: Dalton Papalii. From bit-part figure to frontliner, now a real chance of taking ownership at No 7 if he keeps it up. Best newcomer: Ethan Blackadder. Made for test footy. Samisoni Taukei’aho looks a keeper too.

Most improved: Jordie Barrett. Found consistency and resilience in his game and was clutch with the boot.

Try of year: Sevu Reece’s pearler against Wales had it all. Quick thinking, pinpoint kick, brilliant hands, support lines, dazzling feet, and the man himself featuring three times.

Quote of the year: Who else? Dane Coles: ‘‘We’ve got to look ourselves in the eye and have those tough conversations we can’t shy away from. Those last two games haven’t been good enough.’’