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Live sport on SN this weekend'It bloody well hurts': All Blacks’ struggles hit home for Watto
Sport Nation • September 6th, 2026 6:18 pm
Jordie Barrett after the third Test defeat against South Africa | Photo: Photosport
Mark 'Watto' Watson says the All Blacks’ loss to South Africa has left him feeling more than frustrated, with the result striking at the heart of New Zealand’s sporting identity.
The All Blacks were unable to close out another Test against the Springboks, continuing a pattern of missed opportunities and costly errors that has frustrated Watto for several years.
“It bloody well hurts, conceding that South Africa are a better rugby nation than us and have been for the last two or three years,” Watto said.
“I walk around almost feeling a little bit embarrassed that we lost. I take it personally, it’s a big part of who we are as New Zealanders, it’s part of our identity.”
Watto's HEATED exchange with John O'Connor | The Rugby Run
The Rugby Run host acknowledged the All Blacks have improved under coach Dave Rennie, but believes progress means little if the same mistakes continue to decide the biggest matches.
“I love Dave Rennie...but I do just sense when it comes to certain players, he’s maybe more of a friend rather than a coach,” he said.
For Watson, the concerns stretch across the team, from handling and goal-kicking to the high ball, defence and the scrum.
“We’ve just got to find a way of being better,” he said.
“We’ve got to find a way of closing these games out.”
All Blacks forward coach Jason Ryan | Photo: Kerry Marshall/Photosport
The scrum remains one of his biggest concerns, with questions surrounding whether the All Blacks need a fresh approach from their coaching staff.
“Jason Ryan, the scrum coach, serious question marks over him,” Watto said.
“I’ve never seen an All Black scrum look so disjointed.”
He also believes the team’s selections need to be examined, particularly after repeated defensive lapses.
“To be an All Black, you can’t just be a good rugby player. You’ve got to be a great rugby player,” Watto said.
Leroy Carter | Photo: Ron Gaunt/Photosport
Leroy Carter came under particular criticism after defensive errors against South Africa.
“Carter defensively, just not good enough,” Watto said. “He’s a good rugby player, but we need great rugby players in the All Blacks.”
Watto said the All Blacks had enough depth to consider changes, naming Peter Lakai and Ethan Blackadder among the players he believes should have greater involvement.
“Lakai, simply superb. Needs to be in that loose forward trio permanently going forward,” he said.
Timoci Tavatavanawai | Photo: Shaun Roy/Photosport
He also called for more attacking variety from the bench, suggesting Timoci Tavatavanawai could give South Africa a headache late in matches.
“Bring him on with 20 minutes to go, show the South Africans something very, very different on attack,” he said.
Although the All Blacks still have another Test against South Africa in Baltimore, Watto does not see it as an opportunity to disguise the significance of the series result.
“We’ve lost the series,” he said. “It is a separate individual test match in my eyes.”
But he believes the All Blacks must respond.
“We cannot lose three consecutive tests to the South Africans,” Watto said.
“It’s an absolute must-win test.”
With the next World Cup approaching, Watto says the All Blacks cannot continue relying on future potential while failing to fix the problems in front of them.
“We’re starting to run out of time,” he said.
And for Watto, that urgency is not simply about one result, it is about restoring what the All Blacks represent.
“I just need my All Black team winning now,” he said. “It’s just been such a messy sort of seven or eight years.”
Listen to the full show:
