'The All Blacks are well off their best' - Murray Mexted on ABs' 2024 season

[@darrenandrews1979]

Same old issues with hands and micro skills letting them down. Reiko continues to underwhelm at 13. Hands let him down repeatedly and he has an inability to see space as he should.

[@jamesward9372]

Totally agree, inside backs are running lateral lines lacking penetration. Those 50/50 ‘miracle balls’ inside the 22 frustrates the hell out of me.

[@garrytito2068]

Totally. He's not All Black level. Never stands out. Yet Reiko picked for Italy.

[@nielvanderwalt1965]

​@@garrytito2068hes all blacks level on the wing

[@Camcolito]

Ioane is being played out of position.

[@jacobh1867]

It's a shame they didn't even bother to give Proctor a run against anyone but the minnows, then cotton-wooled him out of rugby for so long he was rusty by the time he got some time in the NPC. Rieko can't kick, can't fend with both hands, doesn't distribute, and is good for lost possession several times a game (3 against France). If you're part of the 'leadership group' you simply don't get dropped as an All Black. Only an injury will see someone else given a chance.

[@rfggibson]

I would have liked MM to make some specific selection suggestions. Maybe next time. Thanks for the interview, agree with everything he said.

[@Kiwigisborne]

Thanks Marty and Mex Great positive outlook for the All Blacks

[@joedennehy386]

Great stuff Mex. We made a poor decision to kick for 3 down by 4 with 5 to go. Its un All-black like. We should have had a go.

[@niallsheehan474]

Yes he had a choice and went for the loss option

[@nzfreeski]

People assume the ABs always dominated - before professional, the ABs used to win 9-3 or 12-6 etc. this team will be just fine - this is the first change in coaching philosophy since 2004 -

[@krishassall2349]

Yeah but we didn’t give caps for games against the Japanese, the US, Fiji etc. we had a 75% win record really just playing against SA, AUS, the home nations and the French. Over indexed on the first two as well. There were no gimmies

[@edmond435]

What happened is reiko is not a centre Caleb clark is wasted on wing he is a xfactor centre has all the attributes of a ma.a.nonu can break first line of defence set up wingers reiko on to wing or bench

[@Kiwi_Haydn]

Makes no sense saying Ioane is a wing, but we should try Clarke. Clarke is in exceptional form on the WING. We have midfielders back home, just need to give them a chance like we did with Sititi.

[@garrytito2068]

Exactly what I thought. We have plenty good wings. Worth trying clarke at centre.

[@mikeanderson3703]

Love listening to Mex, always has great insight. I do like listening to Marshy also but cheers Martin and Mex!! Fuck all impact in our mid-field for the last couple years. This has to change.

[@dominicbritt]

The France game changed in the 2nd half - France changed their defence tactically - McKenzie and Ratima didn’t seem to spot this and adjust…that’s where the game was lost. Unfortunately we have a lot of green players who need time to learn test rugby.

[@ss2gora0]

Like Ratima?

[@ListP2]

Agree Mex, the 9.10.12.13 combination isn’t working. Needs a big change. Our 9/10 is starting to look good. Both our 12 and 13 play similar games and just crash the ball up. 12/13 combo needs to change. J.Barret overrated, we haven’t found a solid 12 yet, and L brown isn’t upto international standard. Put proctor at 13 and let’s find another solution for 12.

[@vernonmoodaley7858]

I hope Razor are reading this but I don't think he watches the same game we watching.

[@nzfreeski]

I think 9,10 is fine as are wings and 15 (however, Ione should be wing) and we need new blood at center and off the bench for that cover

[@skinnypins73684]

Jordie and Reiko are the problem. Been obvious for two years. The fact Razor hadn't dealt with it shows all the hype was nonsense. He is out ofnhisndepth. Joseph and Brown were always the right coaches for Nz

[@HerbalTee69]

Laumape was the man and they lost him..

[@jonathonmerson93]

good show Marty .......cheers mate

[@Sunflower-dt6ev]

The ABs haven't been the "must win" ABs since Foster took over in 2020. Foster's win percentage overall was 69.57%, so let's recognise our expectations have been dumbed down for four years. It finally feels, though, like the Foster stink has been rinsed from our collective psyche. Mex's point about Reiko is spot on. So many times, the attack breaks down at him. It's because he's instinctively a finisher, not a creator. I suspect he'll be back on the wing when Razor selects his first purely "Razor" squad next season. The win rate this year will be 71.4% if we beat Italy. Not bad. You can't just ignore the growth journey of the team, players & coaches. I suspect the end of year ABs would be a different proposition to the team that lost 3 TRC tests. This ABs team would win those tests imo. This is why, for me, 71% is about right when assessing the entire year. It's certainly better than Foster's first year win rate of 58%.

[@rabbitss11]

Yes, Ioane seems to be where it's breaking down and it's that word 'instinctive' that's the key, he just doesn't seem to think like a centre should, Billy Proctor might fit the bill

[@rugbymad-r1y]

Yep Reiko on the wing

[@dominicbritt]

Decades of shipping our coaching and player IP to the Northern Hemisphere means that the 6 Nations teams are now all pretty good. Murray’s generation played amateur teams….

[@charleswanderi7737]

As all the comments on different forums suggest, the backline needs work. No ifs and buts. There is a lack of smoothness there indicating a lack of speed in thought and deed. All thats keeping them there is experience and their defence. It just seems that New Zealand has not produced any outstanding flyhalfs or midfielders in quite a while. Why should that be? Scrumhalf looks good. Dylan pledger looked the goods at 9 in the under 20s this year. No issue there. And a lack of genuine pace on the wings.

[@rugbyanalyst1]

Good analysis Murray, there should be changes - but once again there have been minimal made against Italy by Razor.

[@aaronnz8051]

cheers Marty/Mex, great insight

[@silemon916]

How long before Joesph Manu is bought into the squad for that X factor

[@danfrost5927]

Love DSPN!

[@babu7141]

They were actually a better attacking side when DMac started at 10 and BB at 15. DMac can break a line more than BB; BB is a better visionary from the back.......Jordan gives you more possession but he doesn't create anything for others or use much kicking. If you want more tries you'd revert back to that 10/15 combo (although I'd persist with Perofeta at 15 given BB's lack of legs nowadays) with Jordan on the wing. Plus you need to bring in Hoskins Sotutu and admit that not everyone can score tries and assist tries......Sotutu has handling alla Sua'ali'i. Subs would be BB/Plummer, Love and Tele'a. Move Rieko from centre and their defence falls apart - just watch the first Argentina test this year.......defence at 13 is far more important nowadays than creativity, just look at the Boks 12 and 13 whom no-one has issues with yet they are hardly the most creative.

[@racketman2u]

agree with you that starting DMac at #10 (remember they beat Ireland with him starting) BB to fb and Jordan to wing makes more sense to me. Perofeta at fb didn't impress, tried too hard, BB is solid there.

[@simonvanrysewyk9376]

Great interview! This show is building nicely.

[@paulnash5500]

NZ are getting better.. I think t other teams have caught up, simple. Coaches and professional athletes are much the same around the world, give or take. I still think NZ players are more skilled, but defences are so organised, now. There is so much pressure on attacking teams. No time given to move the ball. Hopefully attacking teams will come up with something new. Ireland have had a brilliant attacking system over the last few years. I think it’s been found out now. Defence is currently ahead, but NZ coaches will come up with something. If overseas players are aloud in again, home rugby will decline..

[@tvpc3194]

caught up? passed out

[@napintasboli7939]

Good show i liked what ex great All black had to say😁🤗 see lot postives but midfield problem-- in my eyes🤔

[@jollyman4874]

The eel needs to be there

[@blakesmith9844]

Jordie Barret is not the guys. We need someone that can break the line and tackle.

[@Jordan-mq4wj]

He's also slow as hell

[@paperfoxradio]

Tend to agree Murray 👍

[@naidoo307]

Only way da AB,s can start dominating again is when da men in green slow down and I don’t c dat happening anytime soon my guess another 6 years plus ! 😊

[@HerbalTee69]

LAUMAPE was what we needed .. we didn’t pick him.. that worked well?

[@rossmcintyre1328]

Reiko Ioane is not the centre that most hype on about. Need big change there. Te'lea and Reece need to learn not to run flat alongside the ball carrier as their position determines whether they receive a forward pass or not. The ball needs to get out the back more quickly with supporting players and start using the grubber kick to turn the opposition around to chase backwards. Keep Roigard as the starting halfback and possibly finish the game.

[@garrytito2068]

Yep annoys me that wingers don't cut under the ball carrier. Like I see done successfully in 7s.

[@khorse69]

Forwards were physically dominated by the french forwards, especially defensively. Hard to do anything in the backs when your not getting front foot ball

[@clintonjonker8474]

They are building a complete squad. The hookers are good, and tamatai williams. Degroot jot bad, but the tight heads need to be bigger or just very good scrummers. The 10(richie ) has to be the one. Rules and nz must change this to avoid losses. Jordie is the 12 and maybe anton 13. Wings are hot and cold.not a lack of effort. Jordan plays so well off creative moves offset tobthe running defence.

[@MrBoatcare]

Mexted right on reiko . Centre aint working for him . Miss nonu smith combo

[@dineshdavid405]

All Blacks will never improve until overseas players are considered for selection.

[@gdd2959]

Big true

[@DavidJackson-oe9vs]

Amen

[@Sentz89]

Ahhh there you are. Selection for Super, yes.

[@ManaBlack208]

Pretty harsh I reckon they're improving and I'm backing them to win RWC 2027 if the officials aren't corrupt

[@silverbackbruv6335]

Clueless comment.

[@tvpc3194]

scotland v portugal was a sell out

[@steveosullivan4211]

On field game play is below standard, 10, 12, 13 are the problem areas. The 6,7,8 look is near correct. Try Clark in as 12, we have nothing to lose, the senior AB's need to go, give youth a chance to develop. Foster left a mess, now we need to turn a pig's ear into a silk purse. Game time, trying youth and playing players in their position 100%, plus less B/S rest breaks, play the game and learn.

[@Patrick8804]

Cam Miller is the man you want to look at for 10, got all the skills, good temperament, 90% kicker, tackles like a good southern man.

[@jacobh1867]

@@Patrick8804 Yeah, really surprised Cam Millar didn't even make the ABs XV. He's not flashy, but neither are the likes of Sexton or Pollard, but we seem obsessed with 10's with razzle-dazzle rather than the basics. Hopefully he shines for the Highlanders next year.