The All Blacks' assistant coach, Mike Blair, offers a candid assessment of the team's attacking prowess, labeling it a 'mixed bag' despite their impressive six-game winning streak under Dave Rennie in 2026. Blair, a former Scotland halfback, takes on the attack coaching role, joining a formidable coaching staff led by Rennie, Neil Barnes, Tana Umaga, and Jason Ryan.
In Pretoria, Blair reflects on the team's performance against South African URC sides, particularly the Bulls and Sharks. He acknowledges the positive aspects, such as scoring 50 points and creating numerous opportunities, but also highlights areas for improvement. One key issue is the consistency in offloads, especially in challenging conditions against the Sharks, where the All Blacks managed an impressive 18 successful offloads out of 20.
Blair emphasizes the importance of sighting the target and making precise passes, avoiding forced decisions. He recognizes that the team's skill set and decision-making will be under scrutiny during the upcoming tour, particularly against the Springboks, where opportunities will be scarce.
Despite the mixed results, Blair remains optimistic about the team's progress. He attributes the challenges to the limited training time with the group, especially those who played against the Stormers and Bulls. He believes the team is building cohesion and has shown excellent moments, indicating a positive trajectory ahead of the first Test.
In my opinion, Blair's honest assessment provides valuable insight into the All Blacks' attacking strategy. His emphasis on consistency, skill set, and decision-making highlights the fine margins that separate success from mediocrity in rugby. As the tour intensifies, the team will need to refine these aspects to maintain their winning streak and compete at the highest level.
