All Blacks 'disgraceful', says Fitzpatrick

Former skipper Sean Fitzpatrick has slammed the All Blacks' performance against South Africa in Hamilton. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick has described the lineout against South Africa in Hamilton as disgraceful.

"We had no confidence. The one lineout we won [in the first half] was from their [a South African] throw. It [the lineout] gave the Springboks field position and go forward, and is something that needs to be addressed."

The ex-All Blacks skipper was in no mood either to mince his words or soothe badly bruised reputations. He went on: "These were two very desperate teams but you could see the intensity of the Springboks.

"But losing our own lineout ball was criminal. It helped ... with the All Blacks losing their own lineout ball ... set up the first South African try. Mils Muliaina got muscled out of the way so there was plenty of space for the try [by Fourie du Preez].

"That should definitely not have happened; it was against the run of play. But it was the first of many mistakes in the lineout."

Fitzpatrick continued to pull no punches in his analysis: "We said before the start, if the All Blacks could win their own lineout ball or they could get field position, it would be all right .

"But in the first half it was just disgraceful; I don't know what they were doing. They trailed 12-1 in the lineouts at halftime. They had no idea where they were throwing it and the Springboks were totally dominating where New Zealand threw it."

Fitzpatrick did not attempt to minimise South Africa's clear superiority over his own countrymen. "That intercept try by Jean de Villiers was a reflection of the game. The All Blacks were chasing the game whereas South Africa are quite clearly the best team in the world.

"From 1 to 15, they have shown throughout the competition and since the 2007 Rugby World Cup, they have gone on from strength to strength.

"They have a great kicking game, great physicality and probably the first 40 minutes in Hamilton was, for me, a truer reflection on the real game. It was an outstanding performance by the Boks. They have one of the best kicking games ever and for me, they rank right up there with the best Springbok teams of the past.

"You have only got to look at the quality of the players when you go through a team like the Springboks. A number of them would be in a World XV which signifies to me they are in pretty good shape.

"The only question now is how long the likes of John Smit, Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha are going to hold on in terms of a bit of motivation. What else can they win?"

* Peter Bills is a rugby writer for Independent News & Media in London