The All Blacks had defeated the Pumas 44-6 in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals in October but were far from dominant on Saturday, delivering an error-strewn performance to open their Rugby Championship title defence.
NEW Zealand coach Scott Robertson said he would reflect on what he could have done differently in the build-up to Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener after the All Blacks were stunned 38-30 by Argentina at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
Tries from Lucio Cinti, Mateo Carreras, Franco Molina and Agustin Creevy, plus an 18-point haul from the boot of Santiago Carerras, saw the All Blacks suffer their first defeat under Robertson since he succeeded Ian Foster in November.
“You look at yourself first,” former Crusaders coach Robertson said.
“You ask: ‘What could I have done personally as the head coach, how could I have framed this week better, how could I have more edge?’
“I’ll reflect over the next 24 hours. I’m disappointed. I’m hurt. They’ll look to me and I’ll make sure I put everything in place for them so we respond this week.”
The All Blacks had defeated the Pumas 44-6 in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals in October but were far from dominant on Saturday, delivering an error-strewn performance to open their Rugby Championship title defence.
The outcome eventually swung Argentina’s way when Creevy smuggled the ball across the line with 11 minutes remaining to earn the Pumas a third win over the All Blacks in 38 meetings.
“After every kick-off we put pressure on ourselves,” said Robertson, after his fourth game in charge of the side. “That’s hugely frustrating.
“When we did the simple things well, we looked great, and then we reverted back to put pressure on ourselves.
“You’re always rethinking. We’ve been together five or six weeks. You’ve got to build trust in your processes so you believe and then execute. Now we’ve got to get the execution right.”
The teams will meet again on Saturday at Eden Park, the All Blacks’ Auckland stronghold where they have not lost since 1994.
Meanwhile, Australia coach Joe Schmidt said he would not make sweeping changes to his team despite their heavy defeat by South Africa and that he had faith in the long-term plan for the side.
The Wallabies were hammered 33-7 by the World Cup winners in Brisbane, with Schmidt suffering his first defeat since taking charge at the start of the year.
The two sides meet again in Perth on Saturday and former Ireland coach Schmidt expects improvement from his side, though he will be without winger Filipo Daugunu, who suffered a fractured fibula against the Springboks, as well as locks Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams (both concussion).
Josh Canham, Sam Carter and Tom Robertson have been called up to the squad.
“I think there are guys that will improve what they’re delivering. Maybe it won’t be improved in time for next Saturday but we do have to have a bit of a long-term plan,” Schmidt said.
“We’ve got a much younger side than the South Africans. We’ve got a lot less caps, a lot less experience, and therefore I believe if we chop and change too much, then it’s very hard to grow the cohesion.
“Because when you go out into a game like that, you are very interdependent. You’re going to have to make sure everyone knows their role, has been built ready to deliver their role.”
Reuters
