Fall tour 2024 – Xavier Garbajosa's column: “Wallace Sititi? He's a butcher”

How has this All Blacks team become impressive again?

For me, this team is not impressive. Not in the sense that we understand it with this magical side, boys capable of making differences, “off-loads”, play in defense, flamboyant play. Today, the Blacks are efficient, not spectacular. As much as Australia is at the moment, New Zealand is much more rustic. In the last two matches, I saw them make unusual mistakes. On the other hand, in terms of commitment, they have raised their level. You can see it in the rucks, in the counter-rucks, in defense… They are much harder, rougher. In these last two matches against England and Ireland, we did not enjoy the game on offer. But then, in the fight, it stings. The New Zealanders stifled both teams.

How do you explain it?

The personality of new coach Scott Robertson is no stranger to this. He was a tough, rustic, solid player. I am convinced that he told his players: “Playing Rugby is good for the image of the Blacks but fighting is better.” Against Ireland, they still managed the feat of forcing the “Irish” to multiply their mistakes. And they capitalized. Eighteen points on the foot for a single try.

Have they become less unpredictable?

No, they remain that way. Just look at Jordan's try against Ireland… Afterwards, in these last two matches, they started the match with Ratina at the scrum who was in a bit of difficulty. The Blacks are like all teams: as soon as they lose the speed of release in the rucks, they lose the lead time necessary for the imbalance. His replacement Roigard brought this speed and that's how the Blacks scored this magnificent try on a turnover ball against Ireland. Until Roigard entered, they had had difficulty hitting the lanes due to clumsiness and the quality of the Irish defense. To be honest, the Australians offered much more flamboyant rugby last weekend. But the Blacks have matured their ability to fight.

Isn't the third Sititi the symbol of this observation?

He's a butcher. He was exceptional against England. He won every collision and showed he was a ball player too. We saw him a little less against Ireland quite simply because he had set the bar so high against the English that it was difficult for him to do better. Besides, we also see Ardie Savéa less. Except that. Now he too is scrapping. Result: in this team, there are fewer X factors but a better collective, particularly on the fundamentals of this game.

To beat this team, will the notion of power be imperative? And in this context is the presence of a player like Meafou an asset?

Meafou will be valuable but it will not be enough. Rugby remains a team sport and each player must give the best version of themselves. Blacks are not Japan. Everyone understood that. In combat, they are “tough”. Really, I insist. In the two matches I commented on for BeIN Sports, I didn't see them give away a single easy ball. While offensively, I haven't seen them offer any high-flying actions. On the contrary. Before studying them in more depth, I wondered about this team.

Have they impressed you in the scrum and touchline areas?

Yes and no… The Blacks lost Codie Taylor to England very quickly in the match. His replacement Aumua, a very dense, very rustic super rugby player, had difficulty with his throws. And the scrum was also hectic, at least until half-time. And despite these problems and all the mistakes that we are not used to seeing from them, they won their two matches thanks, in my opinion, to the level displayed in the fight. Honestly, they're not funny.

How to beat them then?

As usual, we will have to win the fight. On energy, they will have to be reduced to zero, if that is possible.

Would a victory for the Blues make it possible to finally launch Fabien Galthié's second term?

A mandate is built step by step. Beating New Zealand on Saturday will be one more step, not a guarantee of winning the World Cup in 2027. Beyond the mythical and symbolic side, it is the opportunity to launch the next 6 Nations Tournament well, move forward a little further in the construction of a new group, a new project. Beating the Blacks, in my time, didn't happen every day. If the Blues can do it, they will take a big step forward.