The All Blacks scored a narrow victory over France - and a former player joined Piney to recap the team's performance.
The Kiwi side beat out France 34-32 at Christchurch's One NZ Stadium in their first game under Dave Rennie.
Former All Black Jon Preston joined Piney to unpack some of the factors at play.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB Taylor.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Taylor goes high into contact, taking two minutes short Hien
for roy Guard, right ardswords, Fretz Parties, Slight the Red Sea,
Cam Roygars, thank you very much.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Yeah, Cam roy Gard with two tries last night. John
Preston played twenty seven times for the All Blacks, including
some berg Berg Test matches, and remains an incredibly astute
analyst of the game. He joins us Now, John, thanks
for taking the time first test of the Dave Reny era.
What was your overall assessment of what you saw last night?
Speaker 4 (00:46):
Yeah, Look, I think the thing we need to start
with is being realistic about the situation. You know, new
coaching groups come and first test it's to these players
come STRAIGHTI our Super Rugby.
Speaker 5 (00:58):
The coaching group had very little.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Time with them, and you've got some changes, some new
faces in new combinations in there as well. So I
think you're just going to be realistic about what's achievable
in these circumstances. So it was never going to be
the perfect out thing, and it certainly wasn't. They achieved
ultimately what they needed to which was a first up
one and against You know, I know the Friends had
(01:21):
a number.
Speaker 5 (01:21):
Of the top line players missing, but they're still got
massive depth and highly talented bunch of players they got to.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Choose from, so I think they'll be pleased that they
ended up on the right side of the Leiger. There's
always plenty of things to work on. In general, the
attacking side of their play was good, albeit some eras
and little missed opportunities. It's probably on the defense where
they'll be looking a little more closer I would to call.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
I want to get to defense in a minute. But
just on attack, did you notice anything different about the
way the All Blacks were trying to attack compared to
in previous seasons.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
No, I didn't greatly myself. You know, there's limited what
you can try and put together I think from cetpace,
and you've got no time, so they keep that as
simple as possible in these early phases of a campaign
when the players have just come together, and then in
phase play, it looked as similar type of structures that
(02:16):
have been used in the past. To me. Actually, one
of the interesting differences for me was that the attacking
approach by both sides so you know, we tend to
use that.
Speaker 5 (02:26):
Particularly off nine.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
We have the three forward pod initially got back and
behind and then players now sweep from depth in the
late to try and beat rushing defense and done well,
it works really well. And the All Blacks got into
the width doing that pretty well and had some great games.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
And ultimately scored a lot of their points in those areas.
The French were, they tend to.
Speaker 4 (02:49):
Totally different approach where they'll have five four, five, six
forwards almost on one flat line, and they'll hit maybe
off nine that passes a wee bit wider to start with,
and it might be the second or third receiver of
those forwards, and then he might carry, he might tip
it on and then they have a back sitting in behind.
They given time, he can sweep and behind when they
think there's opportunity perhaps a little bit wider. And I
(03:11):
think what they did was it held the All Blacks
defenders in a little bit tighter, and that's where the
French found some space once I held that defense.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
That's great analysis. And yell, I mean I get the
I guess the issue is they don't get to play
France again next week, do they. It's Laber present a
slightly different challenge for them.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
Well, that's right, and that's probably one of the one
of the difficult things.
Speaker 5 (03:32):
I mean, obviously they know how the fringe play.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
They have seen that, although you know, there's a big
contingent and Bordau players on that side.
Speaker 5 (03:38):
Wasn't there and they know each other inside out.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
So as you say, the thing is, you can you
can only play one game in advance and now it's
going to be different defensively. But having said that, it's
defense is also about making decisions and they want to
get up, they want to smack people over give them
no space. But I thought the French did it nicely
and their decision making when to let the Affords carry
(04:02):
and when they'd seen the opportunity that those All Blacks
were committed to their front line or five or so
sick towards and they saw the opportunity to go out
the back because they could get into winds.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
So that's what the game's about, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
You've just got to create opportunities and then the decision
type in execution.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
What did you make of Reuben Love's first start at
team for the All Blacks Apart from the yellow cat
early on. Once he got back on, what did you
make of his performance?
Speaker 5 (04:24):
Oh? Look, I thought he's pretty sound. Actually, he had
some really nice moments on a tech as we know
he can.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
He's he's got beautiful footwork, breached the line a couple
of times and then and then he's you know, off
the mark for his two medias.
Speaker 5 (04:36):
He's quick.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
So he got him behind that French defense on a
couple of occasions, which has been great because you.
Speaker 5 (04:42):
Know that we need that. You've got to have a
team who has that capability.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Can't just keep shoving it to midfielders and looking for
space on the outside all the time.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
So those parts was game were great.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
The obviously had that little moment at the start, which
can happen to anyone and that can rock you. But
it didn't seem to bother him too much at all,
and it was helped maybe because the All Blacks scored
a try and that period was often things were going okay.
The only probably side to me was we, you know,
we expect Roally Gad to do if your amount of
(05:14):
kicking is is he embarracked to the Hurricanes and I
just didn't think Ruben's love Ruben Love's kicking at times
was on the money. You get less time you see
space at that level, and you get less time to
take advantage of it because you know the opponents are
at a higher level as well, and they'll shut down
their space pretty quickly once they see you.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
Shape the kick.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
And so he's probably with his accuracy and his final
decision making on kicking was probably off a little bit,
but that'll come with time. You know.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
It's it's stepping up a level again.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Guys have come off Super rugby and that's play that
pace for sure, but international rugby is a different ball game,
and so you get less time to do everything, and
it's a matter of adjustment.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
And I'm sure he could adjust with less time before
the next Rugby World Cup. I mean it's a short runway, John,
isn't it. You know they got fifteen months. Do you
feel like they have to go all in on Ruben
Love at first five if they believe he's the man
to guide them to the World Cup.
Speaker 5 (06:08):
Yeah, well of course he've got no hanger. He's coming
back and they know that, you know, we have to
be really honest.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
It remains to be seen how he's going to perform
when he gets his chance too, because he's been out
of the scene for a bit, but they know he's
been an absolute class player and Rening in particular.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
Would have been watching him. You know we week to
week in Japan too, so they've got him there.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
I've always stood by my view that you know, Damiel
Kinney is an outstanding footballer, but I personally don't think
top top level teen is his best spot. Fall back
to the place for him, and Boden Barrett hasn't been
in great form.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
He's no doubt about that. He's you know, your class
doesn't leave.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
But as we get older, the ability to do the
things athletically we used to be able to do start
to drift the weaver it. So we'll see him at
some stage and we'll see how he goes. But yeah,
I mean outside of that, you know, Reuben loves the
man and we need depth. We've seen in World Cups
before you can have four or five tens lined up
and three of them can fall over during the season
(07:11):
or even close to the competition or in it. So
we've been an area that New Zealand's been blessed in
for a long long time. But for whatever reason, there's
not a dearth, but there's certainly less talent around that
we could see with the ability to step up at
the moment. So yeah, they've just got to put keeping
him time because they just get better with time. He's
(07:32):
a talented talent to the footballer. And I did hear
Adie Seversa, as I just said on the radio this
morning that once they came under the pump towards the
end of the game there he did take control. They
heard his voice and that's what you need out of
your teen you know, and pressure moments. He's still got
to be the man in general who dictates play and
runs the game, and they heard that from him, so
(07:54):
that'll give him confidence as well.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
What about cam Roygut JP, I mean, I don't know.
It feels like if anybody's going to thrive under Dave
Rinny's system of optim as a end of playing a
dynamic style of rugby, it's Cam Roygud. How integral will
he be over the next fifteen months for the All Blacks?
Speaker 5 (08:11):
Massive as we see every time he takes the field.
Speaker 6 (08:15):
Now, yeah, you don't like to say he's any class
of his own, but he's just playing outstanding football. I
mean he's a constant threat and remarkable health, and he
crosses the line.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
In one form or another. You know, he's got all
round game.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
That the left boot of his his gold as well,
because he gives you options on different sides of the field,
and he's calm and composed and pretty confident.
Speaker 5 (08:42):
And yeah, so he's massive.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
I think for the all Blecks at the moment, he
needs to be fit and firing in the biggest games.
Speaker 5 (08:49):
There's no doubt about that. So you know, I mean
say it. The only thing is going to Stottle would
be injury. You would think he's just in superb form
and he's an outstanding football all right.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
And anybody else who maybe flew under the radar for
others who you.
Speaker 6 (09:03):
Thought he is.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
It a good game.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
I don't think he was in Yeah, it was better.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
Had to pick up any individual who incredibly stood out.
Speaker 5 (09:14):
It was a usual suspect. So I thought it was
a pretty much across the board. I was interested to
see how.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
The Lucies would go, and I thought Jacobson, you know,
he's a he's a tight toiler, he's a worker, and
so he gets buried and does that well.
Speaker 5 (09:28):
Addie Severe is Peru who came out with two or
three important turnovers.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Lack I probably didn't see as much of him at
six as we may have done at eight. So it's
that mix and where those guys play ultimately will be
interesting to see. And if I like the Titi off
the bench myself, because he's just gives you that total
point of difference, and particularly when teams tire and I
thought the French did.
Speaker 5 (09:55):
Tire a bit in the second half. You know, you
bring on someone like.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
Him with this incredible athletic ability in that game, changing
types of players.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
So I like him off the bench.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
It's it'll be interesting to see what the mixings up
in the three. And they've got some other talent of foot,
you know, Signa.
Speaker 5 (10:11):
I can't wait to see him play.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
I think he's outstandingly talented, mostly at sech a great
line out forward as well, but he's shown he can
play at seven and he's an athlete, so you know,
it's exciting to see how they develop.
Speaker 5 (10:26):
And they've already put down a little bit of a
benchmarket tech wise, and then it'll get better.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
So as we say, fighting up a few things and
then work on that defensive side and it's going to
be some.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Good viewing, Absolutely some good viewing and day John, thanks
so much for joining us today. I really appreciate your time. Also,
thank you, John, John Preston there with us Storge.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk z B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks EDB Taylor.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Taylor goes high into contact, taking two minutes short Hien
for roy Guard, right ardswords, Fretz Parties, Slight the Red Sea,
Cam Roygars, thank you very much.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Yeah, Cam roy Gard with two tries last night. John
Preston played twenty seven times for the All Blacks, including
some berg Berg Test matches, and remains an incredibly astute
analyst of the game. He joins us Now, John, thanks
for taking the time first test of the Dave Reny era.
What was your overall assessment of what you saw last night?
Speaker 4 (00:46):
Yeah, Look, I think the thing we need to start
with is being realistic about the situation. You know, new
coaching groups come and first test it's to these players
come STRAIGHTI our Super Rugby.
Speaker 5 (00:58):
The coaching group had very little.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Time with them, and you've got some changes, some new
faces in new combinations in there as well. So I
think you're just going to be realistic about what's achievable
in these circumstances. So it was never going to be
the perfect out thing, and it certainly wasn't. They achieved
ultimately what they needed to which was a first up
one and against You know, I know the Friends had
(01:21):
a number.
Speaker 5 (01:21):
Of the top line players missing, but they're still got
massive depth and highly talented bunch of players they got to.
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Choose from, so I think they'll be pleased that they
ended up on the right side of the Leiger. There's
always plenty of things to work on. In general, the
attacking side of their play was good, albeit some eras
and little missed opportunities. It's probably on the defense where
they'll be looking a little more closer I would to call.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
I want to get to defense in a minute. But
just on attack, did you notice anything different about the
way the All Blacks were trying to attack compared to
in previous seasons.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
No, I didn't greatly myself. You know, there's limited what
you can try and put together I think from cetpace,
and you've got no time, so they keep that as
simple as possible in these early phases of a campaign
when the players have just come together, and then in
phase play, it looked as similar type of structures that
(02:16):
have been used in the past. To me. Actually, one
of the interesting differences for me was that the attacking
approach by both sides so you know, we tend to
use that.
Speaker 5 (02:26):
Particularly off nine.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
We have the three forward pod initially got back and
behind and then players now sweep from depth in the
late to try and beat rushing defense and done well,
it works really well. And the All Blacks got into
the width doing that pretty well and had some great games.
Speaker 5 (02:42):
And ultimately scored a lot of their points in those areas.
The French were, they tend to.
Speaker 4 (02:49):
Totally different approach where they'll have five four, five, six
forwards almost on one flat line, and they'll hit maybe
off nine that passes a wee bit wider to start with,
and it might be the second or third receiver of
those forwards, and then he might carry, he might tip
it on and then they have a back sitting in behind.
They given time, he can sweep and behind when they
think there's opportunity perhaps a little bit wider. And I
(03:11):
think what they did was it held the All Blacks
defenders in a little bit tighter, and that's where the
French found some space once I held that defense.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
That's great analysis. And yell, I mean I get the
I guess the issue is they don't get to play
France again next week, do they. It's Laber present a
slightly different challenge for them.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
Well, that's right, and that's probably one of the one
of the difficult things.
Speaker 5 (03:32):
I mean, obviously they know how the fringe play.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
They have seen that, although you know, there's a big
contingent and Bordau players on that side.
Speaker 5 (03:38):
Wasn't there and they know each other inside out.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
So as you say, the thing is, you can you
can only play one game in advance and now it's
going to be different defensively. But having said that, it's
defense is also about making decisions and they want to
get up, they want to smack people over give them
no space. But I thought the French did it nicely
and their decision making when to let the Affords carry
(04:02):
and when they'd seen the opportunity that those All Blacks
were committed to their front line or five or so
sick towards and they saw the opportunity to go out
the back because they could get into winds.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
So that's what the game's about, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
You've just got to create opportunities and then the decision
type in execution.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
What did you make of Reuben Love's first start at
team for the All Blacks Apart from the yellow cat
early on. Once he got back on, what did you
make of his performance?
Speaker 5 (04:24):
Oh? Look, I thought he's pretty sound. Actually, he had
some really nice moments on a tech as we know
he can.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
He's he's got beautiful footwork, breached the line a couple
of times and then and then he's you know, off
the mark for his two medias.
Speaker 5 (04:36):
He's quick.
Speaker 4 (04:37):
So he got him behind that French defense on a
couple of occasions, which has been great because you.
Speaker 5 (04:42):
Know that we need that. You've got to have a
team who has that capability.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
Can't just keep shoving it to midfielders and looking for
space on the outside all the time.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
So those parts was game were great.
Speaker 4 (04:53):
The obviously had that little moment at the start, which
can happen to anyone and that can rock you. But
it didn't seem to bother him too much at all,
and it was helped maybe because the All Blacks scored
a try and that period was often things were going okay.
The only probably side to me was we, you know,
we expect Roally Gad to do if your amount of
(05:14):
kicking is is he embarracked to the Hurricanes and I
just didn't think Ruben's love Ruben Love's kicking at times
was on the money. You get less time you see
space at that level, and you get less time to
take advantage of it because you know the opponents are
at a higher level as well, and they'll shut down
their space pretty quickly once they see you.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
Shape the kick.
Speaker 4 (05:35):
And so he's probably with his accuracy and his final
decision making on kicking was probably off a little bit,
but that'll come with time. You know.
Speaker 5 (05:43):
It's it's stepping up a level again.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Guys have come off Super rugby and that's play that
pace for sure, but international rugby is a different ball game,
and so you get less time to do everything, and
it's a matter of adjustment.
Speaker 3 (05:54):
And I'm sure he could adjust with less time before
the next Rugby World Cup. I mean it's a short runway, John,
isn't it. You know they got fifteen months. Do you
feel like they have to go all in on Ruben
Love at first five if they believe he's the man
to guide them to the World Cup.
Speaker 5 (06:08):
Yeah, well of course he've got no hanger. He's coming
back and they know that, you know, we have to
be really honest.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
It remains to be seen how he's going to perform
when he gets his chance too, because he's been out
of the scene for a bit, but they know he's
been an absolute class player and Rening in particular.
Speaker 5 (06:23):
Would have been watching him. You know we week to
week in Japan too, so they've got him there.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
I've always stood by my view that you know, Damiel
Kinney is an outstanding footballer, but I personally don't think
top top level teen is his best spot. Fall back
to the place for him, and Boden Barrett hasn't been
in great form.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
He's no doubt about that. He's you know, your class
doesn't leave.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
But as we get older, the ability to do the
things athletically we used to be able to do start
to drift the weaver it. So we'll see him at
some stage and we'll see how he goes. But yeah,
I mean outside of that, you know, Reuben loves the
man and we need depth. We've seen in World Cups
before you can have four or five tens lined up
and three of them can fall over during the season
(07:11):
or even close to the competition or in it. So
we've been an area that New Zealand's been blessed in
for a long long time. But for whatever reason, there's
not a dearth, but there's certainly less talent around that
we could see with the ability to step up at
the moment. So yeah, they've just got to put keeping
him time because they just get better with time. He's
(07:32):
a talented talent to the footballer. And I did hear
Adie Seversa, as I just said on the radio this
morning that once they came under the pump towards the
end of the game there he did take control. They
heard his voice and that's what you need out of
your teen you know, and pressure moments. He's still got
to be the man in general who dictates play and
runs the game, and they heard that from him, so
(07:54):
that'll give him confidence as well.
Speaker 3 (07:56):
What about cam Roygut JP, I mean, I don't know.
It feels like if anybody's going to thrive under Dave
Rinny's system of optim as a end of playing a
dynamic style of rugby, it's Cam Roygud. How integral will
he be over the next fifteen months for the All Blacks?
Speaker 5 (08:11):
Massive as we see every time he takes the field.
Speaker 6 (08:15):
Now, yeah, you don't like to say he's any class
of his own, but he's just playing outstanding football. I
mean he's a constant threat and remarkable health, and he
crosses the line.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
In one form or another. You know, he's got all
round game.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
That the left boot of his his gold as well,
because he gives you options on different sides of the field,
and he's calm and composed and pretty confident.
Speaker 5 (08:42):
And yeah, so he's massive.
Speaker 4 (08:44):
I think for the all Blecks at the moment, he
needs to be fit and firing in the biggest games.
Speaker 5 (08:49):
There's no doubt about that. So you know, I mean
say it. The only thing is going to Stottle would
be injury. You would think he's just in superb form
and he's an outstanding football all right.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
And anybody else who maybe flew under the radar for
others who you.
Speaker 6 (09:03):
Thought he is.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
It a good game.
Speaker 5 (09:08):
I don't think he was in Yeah, it was better.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
Had to pick up any individual who incredibly stood out.
Speaker 5 (09:14):
It was a usual suspect. So I thought it was
a pretty much across the board. I was interested to
see how.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
The Lucies would go, and I thought Jacobson, you know,
he's a he's a tight toiler, he's a worker, and
so he gets buried and does that well.
Speaker 5 (09:28):
Addie Severe is Peru who came out with two or
three important turnovers.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Lack I probably didn't see as much of him at
six as we may have done at eight. So it's
that mix and where those guys play ultimately will be
interesting to see. And if I like the Titi off
the bench myself, because he's just gives you that total
point of difference, and particularly when teams tire and I
thought the French did.
Speaker 5 (09:55):
Tire a bit in the second half. You know, you
bring on someone like.
Speaker 4 (09:59):
Him with this incredible athletic ability in that game, changing
types of players.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
So I like him off the bench.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
It's it'll be interesting to see what the mixings up
in the three. And they've got some other talent of foot,
you know, Signa.
Speaker 5 (10:11):
I can't wait to see him play.
Speaker 4 (10:13):
I think he's outstandingly talented, mostly at sech a great
line out forward as well, but he's shown he can
play at seven and he's an athlete, so you know,
it's exciting to see how they develop.
Speaker 5 (10:26):
And they've already put down a little bit of a
benchmarket tech wise, and then it'll get better.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
So as we say, fighting up a few things and
then work on that defensive side and it's going to
be some.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Good viewing, Absolutely some good viewing and day John, thanks
so much for joining us today. I really appreciate your time. Also,
thank you, John, John Preston there with us Storge.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk z B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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