On today’s podcast, It’s Only Sport host Martin Devlin does something that he is becoming increasingly and frustratingly used to – reviewing an All Blacks loss. New Zealand dropped their second successive test, third in total of 2024, and fourth straight to South Africa, going down 18-12 in Cape Town. What’s going wrong? Is it as simple as the Springboks experiencing a golden era of sorts while the All Blacks are in a transition period, or are there deeper issues for the Kiwis?
First off, Devlin heads to the mountain top with a sermon on the ABs loss and questioning how coach Scott Robertson and the players can right the ship. After the Rugby Championship, the team still has a tough away trip to the northern hemisphere at the end of the year to come, where they’ll play England, Ireland and France.
Then, Devlin is joined by three rugby experts in Philasande Sixaba from SuperSport, former All Black Richard Turner, and Chris Jones out of the UK to dissect and debate the main talking points out of the Springboks’ victory.
As well as that, former All White Sam Malcolmson recaps New Zealand’s poor showing in their 3-0 loss to Mexico in a football international, and Nelson mayor Nick Smith talks about plans to celebrate Tasman’s Ranfurly Shield victory over Hawke’s Bay. All that and much more!
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27 Comments
Glass half Devlin. Good things take time. We are rebuilding. Just chill my guy
They simply don’t have the forwards. A combined pack would still result in 2 ABs and 6 Boks. You’re right Martin … it’s the players. SA must enjoy this because they’re 4 or 5 retirements away from this all ending. Ask NZ
“Yo boy…😂!”
that's just typical dmac rumours after Razor have given him the starting 10 ahead of anyone else . any truths to these rumours
Losing to the best Bok side since 2009, with a brand new coach, is not the worst thing ever. NZ will recover. Change the rules to play your best players, ie Mouanga & Frizzel. (John Kirwan's recipe, if you are not winning, change the rules)
IOS is so good I downloaded the app
With new Zealand all black players jumping ship to go offshores and leave super rugby new Zealand rugby union in the near future will have no choice but to loosen up the rules preventing overseas player to play for all blacks, credit to south Africa for scraping them 🎉🎉and is paying off
Lets be very honest. The direction Razor is going is way off. The end of the year Northern Hemisphere tour is coming and it is the perfect time to realign and makes changes. We need big bodies to match European and South African Team. NZ got them in heaps
Firstly, a few pointers for Razor. BB and DMAc are not 1st Fives. As long as these two start all blacks will never win big games. Pick only one in the reserve for big games as cover for FB. Richie Moanga is ok and better than BB and DMAc at 1st five. If Richie is available BB and Dmac should never be picked.
Secondly, Rico has to go. Rico is the reason why all blacks did not win the world cup. It was lost in the quarter final when he sledged departing Irish player. Perhaps if he had performed a haka and bring him to tears rather than derail him in his last day, Rugby Gods will be smiling at AB. It is karma. Like Gregans "wait 4 more years" Sledge and Australia lost the final to England
On the other hand, you see the South African players will never ever do such acts and go down that low. They are very respectful and good people and they will keep winning. Rugby Gods will make South Africa win and they will keep winning unless Scott makes these changes
Thirdly, Don't let Sam Cane go. All Blacks have to keep him for big games. All Blacks Maul Defense is good because of him. Just keep him at test level and no other Rugby or very minimal club Rugby. Young loosies should hang around with Cane and learn about humility and respect
A message to BB, Dmac, Rico, Ardie Savea and TJ. Please make yourselves unavailable for 2 years. Ardie you are good but not a Back Row. You are too light.
That out of the way, now let’s select the team.
Front row sorted out by Jason Ryan. Won’t talk about it.
Locking sorted out with Tupou, Scott, Darry, Pat Tuipulotu and Josh Lord
Loosies. Do away with Ardie for a while. Go with Siti, Sotutu, Cane, Ethan, Jacobson, Papalii and Finau
Young stars like Satiti and Finau have to be grounded and train hard in the gym and bulk up for the next world cup. Sotutu has to work harder off the ball.
Half Backs: TJ out. Cam Roigard [has to learn to scream and communicate game time], Ratima and Noah Hotham
Back Line: 1st Five: Harry Plummer [Inside center Cover]
2nd five: JB [Fullback and first five cover]
Outside Centre: Billy Proctor
Wings: Clarke and Will Jordon [Fullback Cover]
Fullback: Ruben Love [1st Five Cover], Zarn Sullivan
Wings: Shaun Stevson [Fullback Cover], Talaea and Narawa
Centre: Quinn Tupaea, Umaga Jenson Brothers – need big boys, ALB
Messaage to BB, DMac, Ardiae, Rico and TJ. If you want All Backs to evolve and be world leaders again, please make yourselves unavailable for 2 years. Please just do it for your country. You will come back stronger in 2 years.
New Zealand team reminds me of NSW State of Origin. They always had the best players in their positions but never selected them in their position until Madge came and now NSW will be untouchable.
I'd like to see what the rest of the world are going to do when (ABOUT) 15 injured Springboks return !!! Just asking😊😊
Ian F.was treated pathetically !! Now the 🤡🤡🤡supporters/reporters,going to do that to Razor 🤮🤮From a troll South African 🇿🇦supporter😊
😂😢😮😅😊
I'm picking my nose
Now I'm watching the paint dry
Now I'm watching the grass grow
P.o
Now I m word
Oh s word now I have to f word my b word
C word
The platform sux
Bbbooooooooooo
Plunkett sounds like the name of a toilet brand possibly
Plunkett lavatory made in India
Martin Devlin your big mouth is now shut. Your All Blacks are with respect no contest for the Springboks. You are so quiet and yes you are right you are totally outfoxed by the Soringboks
NZRFU are simply arrogant…… let these top players apply their trade overseas (Pro 14 etc) and select them. Super Rugby is a pale shadow of its former self, evident by poor attendance and lack lustre rugby. Agree 4 losses against SA is unacceptable 🤙🏻
Its only sport… no its the pride of NZ and also SA. The time of the ABs has come and gone… the time of the Boks is now. Both good teams, but only 1 may reign supreme.
Too many Barretts thats the issue…
Martin Devlin you are jumping the ship like the character you are. Take your smile of your face because you are laughing at your own countrymen and rugby team. You were badmouthing the Springboks during the world cup 2023 and now your are swalling your words. You are a shameless individual and we dont even want to hear from you. We have definitely lots of respect for the All Blacks but not for you. The All Blacks are still a fantastic team but you Mr Devlin you will always be a arse hole! You can never even qualified as a fan of the All Blacks. Fortunately the All Blacks have fantastic fans and very decent people. Farewell to never return.