Former Springboks kicking guru Vlok Cilliers believes he's identified a weakness in the All Blacks that could cost them the Rugby World Cup: Beauden Barrett's goal kicking.
Barrett's ability off the tee has been under fire for the past couple of weeks after the No 10 kicked just two ofsix conversions in the All Blacks' 36-34 loss to the South African side in Wellington earlier this month.
Speaking to South Africa's Sport24, Cilliers acknowledged Barrett "is the world's best and most dangerous flyhalf, and out of hand can kick very smartly" however there was not a lot to be desired in his ability off the tee.
"Look, a lot of time in recent years the All Blacks have been outscoring teams by, say, five or six tries to two, so even if he kicks at somewhere around a modest 60 per cent success rate the All Blacks won't feel it too much on the scoreboard.
"What happened in Wellington ... it's not a fluke. There had already been stats available to show the danger of New Zealand losing through bad kicking.
"Barrett missed a few sitters, and that's at his Hurricanes home ground where he should be able to kick with his eyes closed."
Cilliers went as far as to call the All Blacks "arrogant" for their preference to kick to the corner from penalties because "they think by going for corner all the time, they'll get a try."
He compared Barrett to the likes of England's Owen Farrell and South African Handre Pollard, who have both done damage from the tee against the All Blacks in recent years.
"For a World Cup you have to train those things; that event is a different kettle of fish in playing style. There is a better chance of some close games, especially as the tournament wears on. If they don't sort out Barrett, I'm telling you they could run into problems.
"He is an unbelievable rugby player, I rate him, but place-kicking wise, he is not in the same league as Farrell, Jonny Wilkinson, Morne Steyn, Johnny Sexton or Leigh Halfpenny."
