2021 was another eventful year for the All Blacks. Photos / Photosport/Getty/NZ Herald
Now the dust has settled from the Paris test, Cameron McMillan reviews the All Blacks season which started at Mt Smart Stadium and ended with consecutive defeats. Yes, 2021 was not a normal year for the All Blacks.
Saturday July 3, Mt Smart Stadium
It was far from the ideal start to the season. The original July window schedule was to play perennial Six Nations wooden spooners Italy in two tests (ok that doesn't sound ideal either) and Fiji in a solo test which was changed due to pesky old Covid-19 – more on that soon. Instead, it was Tonga then two tests against Fiji. Sadly it was Tonga B.
Tonga called upon 13 players to make their debut, with several of their top players not released from their European clubs while others were still in quarantine ahead of more important World Cup qualifiers against Samoa.
The All Blacks ran in four tries in the first 10 minutes of the match and it looked like the record tally of 145 points against Japan in 1995 was possibly on the cards of being broken. It was barely a training run let alone a contest.
In the end the All Blacks scored 16 tries; Will Jordan claimed five on his own to equal Jeff Wilson's record and sit one behind Marc Ellis' six in that Japan mauling 26 years ago.
All respect for Tonga who should not have been in that position. Herald colleague Liam Napier called it a "sad state of affairs". Captain Sonatane Takulua gave an emotional speech following the loss, saying there was a lot going on behind the scenes many didn't know about. As former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen would say – a real dunny flusher of a test.
How the Herald saw it:
All Blacks crack a hundred in dud contest with Tonga
Gregor Paul: Mystery remains despite All Blacks running rampant over Tonga
Player ratings: All Black's perfect 10 in big win over Tonga
Match rating:
***
Saturday July 10, Forsyth Barr Stadium
The captain merry-go-round of 2021 was on just two tests in with Aaron Smith leading the side out for the first time. Another 80 minutes and the All Blacks were still unable to shake-off that annoying early season rust. The story of the match was Fiji's ability to dominate the All Blacks at the breakdown and the collision area.
The All Blacks did finish strong with Dane Coles claiming four tries off the bench in the second half – three of those coming from lineout drives.
How the Herald saw it:
All Blacks spark major concerns after sloppy win over Fiji
Gregor Paul: Where the All Blacks went wrong against Fiji
Who was the perfect 10? How the players rated in the All Blacks' win over Fiji
Match rating:
***
Saturday July 17, FMG Stadium
Wet and blustery conditions compared to under the roof the previous weekend but despite that, the All Blacks looked much better in the second encounter with Fiji. Richie Mo'unga proved Ian Foster is forever going to have to toss a coin every week for the 10 jersey after playing a hand in four tries before he was subbed off early in the second half.
Sevu Reece scored a hat-trick and the All Blacks stepped up at scrum time and on defence. Travelling in the right direction for the Bledisloe Cup series.
Captain – Sam Whitelock again
How the Herald saw it:
All Blacks deliver vastly-improved victory over Fiji
Gregor Paul: Where the All Blacks made a giant leap forward in win over Fiji
How the players rated in the All Blacks' win over Fiji
Match rating:
***
Saturday August 7, Eden Park
The first big challenge of 2021 and the All Blacks didn't exactly wow at Eden Park. The first half hour was stop-start throughout as both sides tried to find some rhythm after three weeks off.
The All Blacks didn't get out of third gear and didn't need to against an inexperienced Australian side where Anton Lienert-Brown had more caps than the entire Wallabies backline.
Wallabies first five-eighth Noah Lolesio had a shocker, kicking two from seven, and the All Blacks went out to a 25-point lead in the second half (at which point this writer left the stands) before the Australia closed it to a more respectable gap late.
Captain – Sam Whitelock again
How the Herald saw it:
Record run continues - but disjointed All Blacks far from their best
Gregor Paul: 'Clunk, clunk, clunk...' before Mo'unga magic rescues ABs
How the All Blacks rated in win over Wallabies
***
Saturday August 14, Eden Park
Not the biggest crowd at Eden Park and no doubt fans would have been kicking themselves as the country entered lockdown the following week and rugby crowds in Auckland were banished for the rest of the year.
They were probably put off by the expected result - Wallabies never win at Eden Park - but it was an entertaining test. The All Blacks locked away the Bledisloe Cup for a 19th straight year and stretched their unbeaten record at home against the Wallabies to 27 tests.
It was 21-15 at halftime but a 36-7 second half saw the All Blacks make it a record score. Loose forwards Ardie Savea and Akira Ioane brought a physical intensity all night while Brodie Retallick proved he was back to his best. The All Blacks didn't let up sending a big message to the Wallabies ahead of the third test in Perth.
How the Herald saw it:
All Blacks thrash Wallabies in record-breaking win to retain Bledisloe Cup
Gregor Paul: Watch out world - the real All Blacks have arrived
How the ABs rated in record win over Wallabies
Captain – Sam Whitelock
***
Sunday September 5, Optus Stadium
Jordie Barrett became the sixth All Black to be sent off and the third in three years when his foot collected the face of Marika Koroibete in the 28th minute. The five previous times an All Black got their marching orders - the side lost. But a new rule meant Barrett, the second family member to see red in Perth, could be replaced after 20 minutes and that meant Damian McKenzie entered the fray after halftime when the All Blacks led 18-0.
It was a great advert for daytime rugby with 60,000 fans turning up in Perth after the test was delayed a week by New Zealand Rugby. Nine tries were scored in total and the All Blacks secured yet another sweep of the Wallabies.
And the red card was rescinded a few days later. The perfect result.
How the Herald saw it:
All Blacks shrug off red to complete Bledisloe sweep
Gregor Paul: Best defence in years - ABs send warning to world
How the All Blacks rated in win over Wallabies
***
Sunday September 12, CBUS Super Stadium
10 months earlier the Pumas pulled off their greatest ever win to claim their first ever victory over the All Blacks. They never had a sniff in this one.
Beauden Barrett's flick ball for Luke Jacobson's first try was a thing of beauty and the All Blacks rolled on from there to produce four more tries to take it to 19 in three matches.
Once again the All Blacks big men were frequent in the middle of the park and equally physical at the break-down. What more would you expect from a side led by Brodie Retallick for the first time?
How the Herald saw it:
Pumas pummelled: All Blacks cruise to another impressive victory
Gregor Paul: Silencing the doubters - why this All Blacks side is a different beast
How the All Blacks rated in Pumas thrashing
Captain – Brodie Retallick
***
Saturday September 18, Suncorp Stadium
An underwhelming second half but the damage was done early on as the All Blacks put the marker down across the opening 60 minutes. Always leave room for improvement, they say. The win did get the All Blacks back to number one as well, which I guess means bragging rights.
It was a chance for some second or third choice players to impress with Hoskins Sotutu, Ethan Blackadder, Samisoni Taukei'aho and Tupou Vaa'i doing just that. Damian McKenzie showed the All Blacks have another reliable option at 10 - for the rest of 2021 at least.
How the Herald saw it:
On top of the world: All Blacks move back to No 1 with dominant win
Gregor Paul: Dire finish takes shine off All Blacks victory
How the All Blacks rated in win over Pumas
Match rating:
***
Saturday September 25, QLD Country Bank Stadium
All the talk ahead of the 100th test between the two great rivals was that South Africa's forward dominated and kick-heavy gameplan seen throughout 2021 would be no match for the run happy All Blacks.
Well, it almost proved to be the winning formula with the All Blacks coughing up ball and referee Luke Pearce happy to stop play regularly with 26 penalties.
If you ranked the 100 encounters this one would probably be near the bottom of the list but it at least had a thrilling ending with Jordie Barrett capping off a superb night with the boot by kicking the match-winning penalty from 43 metres with three minutes remaining. Another Rugby Championship secured for the All Blacks.
Captain – Ardie Savea
How the Herald saw it:
All Blacks beat Springboks after late Jordie Barrett penalty
Gregor Paul: The surprising Springbok tactic that nearly doomed the All Blacks
How the All Blacks rated in win over Springboks
Match rating:
***
Saturday October 2, CBUS Super Stadium
Jordie Barrett was almost the hero for the second straight week only to be denied when replacement Boks playmaker Elton Jantjies kicked the penalty in the final play of the test to cap off a thrilling test.
The Boks win snapped their three-match losing run – their first since 2016. It also ended the All Blacks' nine-game unbeaten streak, and robbed them of the world No 1 ranking they held for all of two weeks.
In the end the All Blacks were left to rue a lack of composure and costly discipline at the death.
On the back of English referee Matthew Carley, the Boks piggybacked their way down field where Jantjies added his penalty to a drop goal five minutes earlier. The All Blacks were denied a Rugby Championship sweep and handed their first defeat of 2021.
Captain – Ardie Savea
How the Herald saw it:
All Blacks lose epic encounter to Springboks on final play
Gregor Paul: The crucial changes that led to Boks slaying the All Blacks
How the All Blacks rated in loss to Springboks
***
Sunday October 24, FedEx Field
Part of me enjoyed this for all the times the Tall Blacks had to face the USA basketball team but it was very much like the Tonga test to kick off the season. 29 seconds in, the All Blacks scored through the weak defence and it was clear what sort of day it was going to be.
It finished 16 tries to two and the only positive was the fact no All Blacks were injured heading to the European leg of the tour.
In the end, it was a question of who did a better job at destroying America's morale in such a short time in Washington - the All Blacks or Donald Trump.
How the Herald saw it:
All Blacks thrash USA to open northern tour with easy victory
Gregor Paul: The unlikely 'real' winner in All Blacks' superficial romp
How the players rated in the All Blacks' win over the United States
Captain – Sam Whitelock
Match rating:
***
Sunday October 31, Principality Stadium
After bringing up 100 points in Washington, it was Beauden Barrett's chance to celebrate the milestone in Cardiff as he ran out for his 100th test. Wales were kind to provide him a gift in the third minute courtesy of a Gareth Anscombe intercept. The All Blacks were in control of the entire test but really turned it on in the second half with a Will Jordan chip and chase try and some superb passing that set up Sevu Reece for another.
Unfortunately, that's as good as they got on the Northern Tour as the following three weeks they failed to reach those heights again.
How the Herald saw it:
All Blacks blitz Wales with champagne rugby to mark Beauden Barrett's milestone test
Gregor Paul:The biggest surprise from freakish All Blacks
How the players rated in the All Blacks' win over Wales
Captain – Sam Whitelock
Match rating:
***
Saturday November 6, Olympico Stadio
It's a hard business being the All Blacks. Imagine Manchester City beating Norwich 4-0 but getting criticised for their mistakes outside of the times they got the ball in the back of the net. But to be honest this was a dreadful watch.
It was mistake, mistake, penalty, mistake, penalty, flurry of tries, halftime, and repeat for the second half. Sam Cane at least got an 80 minute run in return as captain and Finlay Christie impressed with an almost full game when Brad Weber left after failing an HIA.
How the Herald saw it:
All Blacks pile it on late in scrappy win over Italy
Gregor Paul: The worrying sign in All Blacks troubled and frantic win over Italy
How the players rated in the All Blacks win over Italy
Captain Sam Cane
Match rating:
***
Sunday November 14, Aviva Stadium
There were some groans about the All Blacks not playing England on this tour but why worry about Twickenham when you can have this test and this occasion more regularly?
The Irish were superb, the All Blacks were staunch on defence making umpteen and a half tackles each to take a halftime lead but in the end a few key moments went the way of the home team. Rieko Ioane threw a slight forward pass to his brother which saw a try denied and the All Blacks, down six, uncharacteristically took the three points.
It was a well deserved win for Ireland who have become real rivals of the All Blacks and play positive rugby. Great test. It was so good to watch the TMO stopping play regularly to let the referee catch a glimpse of the action. Could have done without the whinging from both sides though.
How the Herald saw it:
Ireland earn deserved third victory over All Blacks in absorbing test
Gregor Paul: Rattled All Blacks more vulnerable than anyone realised
How the All Blacks rated in their 29-20 loss to Ireland
Captain Sam Whitelock
***
Sunday November 21, Stade de France
A brilliant performance by the French as the All Blacks ended a year with back-to-back defeats for the first time since the 1999 World Cup. Foster's men did an impressive job to get back into the test after trailing 24-6 at the break, closing it to a two-point game before a yellow card to Ardie Savea and a David Havili intercept pass gave the test back to the home side.
The match ended a gruelling run for the All Blacks which saw them play 10 tests in 13 weeks, 87 days on the road amongst Covid travelling restrictions and regular testing.
Captain Sam Whitelock
How the Herald saw it:
Worst season in 12 years: All Blacks stunned by France
Gregor Paul: Forget number 1 - are the All Blacks even in the top 5 right now?
The best and worst of the All Blacks in loss to France
***
Trophies won: Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship, Freedom Cup, 1874 Cup
Trophies lost: Dave Gallagher Trophy
The two defeats to end of the year could have swung either way and at the end of a long season it's enough to give Foster a pass in season two.
OPINION: Breaking down just where the decider can be won.