Can The All Blacks Fix Their High Ball Issues Before Eden Park? | Tony Johnson
DSPN Rugby
23,624 views
Tony Johnson joins Martin Devlin in the studio to preview the upcoming Bledisloe Cup opener at Eden Park. We break down the absolute minimum requirements for the All Blacks after a tough series against South Africa, address the ongoing high ball issues, and look at the squad selection changes heading into Thursday.
IMAGE CREDIT:
All Blacks Josh Moorby and South Africa Kurt-Lee Arendse during All Blacks v South Africa, Rugbys Greatest Rivalry Tour, Baltimore, USA, 13 September 2026. (Photo by Jack Megaw / action press)
20 Comments
@Marius_vanderLubbe 19 hours ago
There was a moments silence at rugby grounds for Phil Gifford at the weekend. At one ground in particular, the crowd couldn't be bothered shutting up for a minute. This was a good indication to where we have come to as rugby fans and as a society in general.
@rioslewis978 14 hours ago (edited)
Why is it so hard for the ABs to fix the basics? Every other team can.
@JoshuaKotze7 14 hours ago (edited)
Listened to Rennie's interview from the other day & it's concerning to hear him speak about playing the game at pace & not really mentioning winning the collision battle which allows you to play at pace
We the only team the struggles under the high ball & complains about the rules the coaching is simply not good enough
The fact the Rennie is still counting on players like Beauden Barrett & ALB is concerning as they have let us down the past, he trying to get different results with the same players. Not getting my hopes up for winning the World cup next year if we keep going down this path.
We the only team the struggles under the high ball & complains about the rules the coaching is simply not good enough
The fact the Rennie is still counting on players like Beauden Barrett & ALB is concerning as they have let us down the past, he trying to get different results with the same players. Not getting my hopes up for winning the World cup next year if we keep going down this path.
@Montezuma555 16 hours ago
Phil Gifford was a top guy. He was able to keep those around him riveted and entertained for hours - a natural story teller. It was a pleasure to meet him. RIP.
@Marius_vanderLubbe 19 hours ago
The parallels between Rennie's time and the former lot are already undeniable. Some of Rennie's sheen has been knocked off and there are few holes twitching in the upper echelons of NZ rugby. He better keep the Bledisloe or he's in deep Kimchi.
@jeff3175 19 hours ago
Back in the nick of time Marty. Muls was so sickly nice he drove Watto and John together as bosom buddies. If its not to late you might be able to retore order.
@wlk2408 15 hours ago
The Nations cup should be used for the rankings in the world cup. Play it the year before the world cup.
The other two non world cup years the winner of the Six Nations and The Rugby Championships can play a once of game at the end of the year to decide the Champion of Champions.
The other two non world cup years the winner of the Six Nations and The Rugby Championships can play a once of game at the end of the year to decide the Champion of Champions.
@Graeme-l6c 3 hours ago
You need to bring in a Australia rules coach, they are masters of the kicking game
@havenmohi2039 17 hours ago
Les Kiss is going to prove Dave Rennie is the Mili Vanili of coaching. Razors former team, the All Slacks a side consist of slackers.
@SamHawleywood 14 hours ago
Did you see the NRL Grand Final? Marky Mark was taking the ball AFL style above his head. So it's definitely possible. Recently, (I think it was Caleb Clarke?) said they're not looking to use that technique. Well, they better learn to grow or jump another 3-4 feet before the RWC.
@simonguitar9028 13 hours ago (edited)
Did you guys mention Kyren Taumoefolau breaking the NPC try scoring record, or did I miss that part? Either way, thumbs up to Kyren on breaking a long standing record with 18 tries in a regular season over 10 games!
@ollynehring470 13 hours ago
Marty is spot on need a coach to catch the high ball.players should have no fear and go after the ball
@joedennehy386 19 hours ago
Ive been harping on about catch the high balls win the game. Australia showed us how
@JerryJumper10 11 hours ago
At this rate I'm convinced Jim Tavatavanawai is just being named in these extended squads to prevent him from playing for Fiji or moving up north to France or the UK. Feel for the guy, you're next in line only for ALB to be brought back and slotted straight in would be demoralising IMO, especially when ALB is a shadow of what he used to be, and even at his peak he was ordinary to say the least.
@Natelaw-d6i 17 hours ago (edited)
Would it really be so bad to lose the Eden Park record? You mention a Reset, but it would appear that every time the ABs is about to ‘move with the times’, a win at Eden Park Resets the mindset of those in charge to say that ‘we are still ok’. So wouldn’t a loss at Eden Park be the catalyst for a true reset, because proper introspection and reflection would then be required? The ABs are currently stuck in a loop.
It took the Boks losing 57-0 to realise what needed to change structurally, but the signs were there a number of years before.
It took the Boks losing 57-0 to realise what needed to change structurally, but the signs were there a number of years before.
@KernewekTim 15 hours ago
Mytinn da Marty, Tony. Grand t'have you back Marty. Cheers for another sound episode both. I sense "butterflies", surrounding the Eden Park Test. Mind you, it seems to me this has been trending since the end of Reado's Captaincy of the All Blacks. All will be well I expect and yet, I always expect the un-expected. That's the problem, when we "expect"😉 Dursona!
Can The All Blacks Fix Their High Ball Issues Before Eden Park? | Tony Johnson
DSPN Rugby
23,624 views
Tony Johnson joins Martin Devlin in the studio to preview the upcoming Bledisloe Cup opener at Eden Park. We break down the absolute minimum requirements for the All Blacks after a tough series against South Africa, address the ongoing high ball issues, and look at the squad selection changes heading into Thursday.
IMAGE CREDIT:
All Blacks Josh Moorby and South Africa Kurt-Lee Arendse during All Blacks v South Africa, Rugbys Greatest Rivalry Tour, Baltimore, USA, 13 September 2026. (Photo by Jack Megaw / action press)