Jordie Barrett wants All Blacks to be more clinical
Jordie Barrett says the All Blacks must improve their finishing against the Springboks after creating chances in their 33-26 defeat.
©Steve Haag
New Zealand centre Jordie Barrett says the All Blacks must become more clinical with their attacking opportunities when they face South Africa in the third Test of the Greatest Rivalry series at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Jordie Barrett targets improved All Blacks finishing
New Zealand fell to a 33-26 defeat in Cape Town despite creating numerous attacking opportunities and scoring four tries to South Africa’s three.
Barrett believes the All Blacks generated enough chances to win but failed to convert several important moments into points.
“Our attacking numbers are a lot better than the first Test, but we don’t win the game, and that’s strange how Test rugby works,” Barrett said.
The defeat was New Zealand’s first under head coach Dave Rennie and allowed the Springboks to level the four-match series at 1-1.
Springboks fast start puts New Zealand under pressure
Barrett also identified New Zealand’s slow defensive start as a significant factor at DHL Stadium.
“Unfortunately, we probably didn’t start as well as we wanted to, particularly defensively, and we were chasing for the first half an hour of that game.”
South Africa established early momentum and forced the All Blacks to chase the contest during the opening half-hour before New Zealand fought their way back into contention.
Barrett said creating opportunities naturally means some chances will be missed, but stressed that New Zealand must improve their execution when those openings emerge.
“I think when you’re a team that crowds a lot and uses the ball a lot, there’s a perception that you leave a few more out in the park.
“That’s the reality; you create a lot of opportunities, you’re going to leave more out there, but we also finish a lot of opportunities.
All Blacks prepare for crucial FNB Stadium Test
New Zealand have outscored South Africa on tries in both Tests so far, crossing five times to the Springboks’ one at Ellis Park before holding a four-to-three advantage in Cape Town.
However, South Africa’s greater accuracy from the kicking tee proved decisive in the second Test.
The All Blacks will now look to sharpen their finishing and make better use of their attacking opportunities when the teams meet again at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on September 5.
