Following successive defeats to the Springboks in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, assistant coach Jason Ryan and rugby icon Sir Graham Henry have addressed All Blacks vulnerabilities in the scrum and high ball. As the team prepares for the Bledisloe Cup matches, officials point to the competitive level of Super Rugby.
Ryan Assesses Forward Pack Defeats Against Springboks
New Zealand’s forward pack came under intense scrutiny following three consecutive losses to South Africa, where the Springboks deployed a dominant set-piece strategy. Jason Ryan, serving as an assistant coach under Dave Rennie, acknowledged the team’s difficulties in the scrum, maul, and lineout during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series. The Springboks secured momentum through set-piece pressure, accumulating seven penalties at critical moments.
Despite ranking third globally for top-quality ball on their own feed, the All Blacks struggled to contain South Africa’s physical approach. Ryan evaluated his own performance critically after the matches, noting the unique challenge of playing the Springboks in four consecutive Tests.
I looked pretty hard on myself. I’ve probably learned more in seven weeks than I have in a number of years, to be honest, Playing the Springboks, best in the world at what they do, four Tests in a row, it is so unique, but it’s put us in a good place.
Jason Ryan, Assistant Coach
When questioned by a journalist about the Springboks’ tactical approach of walking around
in the scrum—a method previously criticized by head coach Dave Rennie and senior assistant Neil Barnes—Ryan dismissed the suggestion with a laugh, stating that the team would focus strictly on scrummaging.
Henry Blames Super Rugby Structure For Test Flaws
Adding perspective to the team’s ongoing troubles, former New Zealand head coach Sir Graham Henry pointed to structural limitations within domestic competition. Speaking in a discussion with Sport Nation, Henry highlighted how the absence of South African franchises in Super Rugby has deprived New Zealand players of regular exposure to physical, set-piece-oriented rugby.
The legendary coach noted that foundational skills, including scrum stability and high-ball retrieval, have declined since challenges first surfaced at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Neither Scott Robertson nor Dave Rennie have fully resolved these persistent issues.
Obviously, we’ve got to improve the game we’re playing. I think it reflects the level below, the Super Rugby level below and whether that’s strong enough to produce top rugby players at Test match level, You’re learning the game really, learning to play a team like South Africa, who are very good at scrum and very good at driving lineouts, you’re learning how to play that at Test match level rather than at Super Rugby level because we don’t play the South African teams at that level anymore.
Sir Graham Henry, Selector and Former Coach
Aerial bombardment remains a central weapon used by opponents to disrupt the All Blacks’ rhythm.
It is obviously a concern and the guys are working at it. It’s getting better, we would like it to be perfect, We don’t play that way as much as opposition teams do. We don’t get that opportunity to perfect that at the level below, so we have to perfect it at this level.
Sir Graham Henry, Selector and Former Coach
Barrett Returns For Bledisloe Cup Campaign
As the All Blacks turn their focus toward the upcoming Bledisloe Cup matches against Australia, the squad welcomes back 32-year-old lock Scott Barrett. The former captain missed the Springbok series, a gap that Ryan admitted the forward pack sorely felt in both leadership and physical presence.
Barrett brings 80-odd Test caps of experience back into the pack, along with exceptional ball-carrying capabilities and lineout prowess in attack and defense. Ryan noted that younger locks gained valuable exposure during the recent series, but the return of a seasoned leader provides stability as the team looks to correct its set-piece trajectory.