News

All Blacks backline under pressure

July 30 2009

'Time to shape up' - that's the message coming from New Zealand assistant coach Wayne Smith as a few senior All Blacks come under pressure ahead of Saturday Test's against the Springboks in Durban.

Smith was forced to defend his under-performing backline from a barrage of questions from journalists on Wednesday.

With the All Blacks' worse try-scoring record for fifteen seasons coming under the spotlight, Smith said execution was the only thing letting the side down - but was at a loss to explain how to rectify the problem.

"That's the $64 million question. Sometimes it just takes time, it takes time with combinations," he told NZPA

The backs coach did however suggest that a few players were under pressure when asked if changes were considered to this week's backline aside from the one swap at scrum-half, where Jimmy Cowan replaces Brendon Leonard.

"I think some of the players played really well in the backline," he said.

"That was a pretty easy decision on them. There were a couple of positions where there's a bit of heat coming on."

While Smith was full of praise to the progress made by fly-half Stephen Donald, his comments lead one to believe that experienced players such as full-back Mils Muliaina, winger Joe Rokocoko and centre Ma'a Nonu are not living up to expectations.

Smith said one-on-one conversations are held regularly with the players, "to see if we can get improvements in their game".

He added that the backline was gelling better every week at training, but that cohesion was now needed on the playing field.

"Execution's been a big thing under pressure, where we've made some critical errors," he said.

"We're improving. We're playing with better width and there's a better understanding about what we want to do."

Smith said all international sides are struggling to score tries this year, with defences improving further and forcing teams to lean on kick-and-regather methods rather than keeping ball in hand.

"The game's changed slightly. It doesn't mean it can't change back," he said.

"Something's got to be a catalyst for that.

"We're trying to play an expansive game, as we've always played, but we have to modify it as well... there were enough opportunities last week for us to execute and score tries from. We didn't quite manage it so that's our work-on."