All Black tactics far too complex, says John Mitchell
The All Blacks overcomplicated their strategies, had insufficient matchplay and made dubious selections for the pressure of knockout rugby, says former national coach John Mitchell.
"What kind of preparation handles you for pressure - those who have been there before and have the resolve and experience to make amends," he added.
Players like Chris Jack and Aaron Mauger had that understanding and could have dealt with the quarter-final demands in Cardiff. The alternatives, Keith Robinson and Luke McAlister, were extremely good players but not used to the different type of stress in sudden-death rugby.
Mitchell also questioned the New Zealand Rugby Union administration and how they seemed to allow the All Black coaching staff widespread licence.
Like many, Mitchell was staggered by the All Blacks' 20-18 defeat against France. He and some mates watched the misery unfold on television as they ate a meal at a Japanese restaurant in Marseille.
Earlier in the day they were equally stunned when they saw live, the Wallabies lose their way against England in the opening quarter-final.
"I thought the Wallabies would have handled the heat better than England but they just got shut out," he said.
"Then with the All Blacks, it just goes to show how desire at the right time from the French can make up for a lot of things, it is something you can't really plan for. They demonstrated it, their timing could not have been better.
"The pressure then built on the All Blacks as France got back into the game and we saw what pressure can do in a tight contest."
The All Blacks resorted to pick 'n' go tactics after Rodney So'oialo scored, they stayed with that plan because of one success and ignored their backline. In the first half they showed how penetrative they could be. Their continuity game was effective in manipulating defences but with that came risks when a tackler won a collision, it was a slightly loose way to play in sudden-death rugby.
France had no recent history of self-belief against the All Blacks, they had shown little signs of being a threat and gave away plenty of first-half possession through kicking. Those roles were reversed after the break.
"The All Blacks will be hurting but I just think they got too complicated," Mitchell said.
"Rugby is a simple game, there are simple things you need to emphasise to a team. It looked a bit like [Sir Clive] Woodward in 2005 with too many ideas backed up by science, it was almost like they got too technical and then got a bit complacent when too many of them had too much rest.
"I would have liked to have seen the top team play more this year, they have to be very familiar with each other and I did not see enough evidence of that."
Mitchell acknowledged he employed a rotation policy on the tour to Europe at the end of 2002 as a method of finding some more players attuned to international rugby. After that he tried to stick with his best sides. He did not approve of the McAlister/Mils Muliaina midfield combination and thought McAlister was someone to attack on his inside shoulder because he drifted hard in defence.
It had been tough to lose both Daniel Carter then Nick Evans and that disrupted the backline, it was a situation which called for extra direction from halfback Byron Kelleher.
"He is a super kid but a bit of a follower. A superb halfback with leadership would have taken over with box kicks and using his forwards more effectively.
"When the All Blacks get tied down they use a narrow attack in waves before bringing the backs in when the space opens either side. The halfback drives all that and he did not stand up.
"I don't know if he can handle the pressure, he does not bring the composure needed in really tight contests."
The harsh reality was that World Cups were not easy tournaments to win, everything had to go right. Knockout rugby was totally different from a Lions tour or a Bledisloe Cup series.
"The only way to handle pressure is by being there before, understanding what is was all about. Every other country drops their standards in between but they sort it out by the World Cup."
Mitchell said his former running mate, Robbie Deans, had that experience if there was to be a coaching change with the All Blacks but he wondered about his relationship with the NZRU board.
Mitchell said he had received several "interesting" emails from countries inquiring about his interest in returning to the international arena but he was committed to coaching the Force for the next four years.
5:00AM Thursday October 11, 2007
By Wynne Gray
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/...0469122&pnum=0
