The All Blacks are in crisis, and it’s not just about losing matches—it’s about losing their identity. But here’s where it gets controversial: Former All Black scrum-half Steve Devine believes the team’s rigid, ‘structured’ attack is stifling Scott Robertson’s vision, leaving the coaching staff seemingly out of sync. Could this be the root of their downfall? Let’s dive in.
New Zealand’s 33-19 defeat to England at Twickenham wasn’t just another loss—it was a nail in the coffin for their 2025 Grand Slam dreams. Under Robertson’s leadership, the team has yet to secure a Rugby Championship title, and their record-breaking defeat to the Springboks in September still stings. With pressure mounting, questions are swirling around ‘Razor’ and his coaching team. Are they truly aligned, or is there a disconnect behind the scenes?
And this is the part most people miss: Devine, a 10-capped All Black, told Sport Nation’s The Rugby Run that the coaching staff appears to lack cohesion. ‘You can see it in the attack,’ he said. ‘They’re not all on the same page. There’s a missing piece, and it’s costing them.’ He pointed out moments where the team showed promise—like creating space for the wings against England’s defense—but then inexplicably abandoned those strategies. ‘It’s a confidence issue, but there’s clearly something deeper going on,’ Devine added.
While the All Blacks’ set-piece, led by the highly regarded Jason Ryan, has been solid, their attack has been surprisingly lackluster. Since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the team has struggled to find their rhythm. The departure of attack coach Leon MacDonald early in Robertson’s tenure didn’t help, and the recent announcement of backs coach Jason Holland’s exit raises more questions than answers. Here’s the bold question: Is the coaching staff’s inability to replace key figures a sign of deeper organizational issues?
Devine highlighted a troubling trend: ‘We’ve lost our attacking DNA. Once, teams feared kicking the ball to us. Now, we seem so structured that we’re often lost on how to attack. I’ve never seen an All Black team like this before.’ This isn’t just a tactical issue—it’s a cultural one. The All Blacks’ once-feared attacking style has become predictable, and their opponents are capitalizing.
Controversial take: Could it be that Robertson’s hands-off approach to coaching is backfiring? Or is the problem systemic, rooted in a coaching staff that’s failing to adapt? Weigh in below—do you think the All Blacks’ struggles are a coaching issue, a player issue, or something else entirely? The debate is open, and your take could be the missing piece to this puzzle.
