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Izz's Fizz: Next man-up mentality helps All Blacks to season-defining performance
Israel Dagg • November 11th, 2024 8:39 am
That was a defining performance for multiple reasons, which proved the All Blacks aren't afraid of doing it in threes.
Yes, it was messy and wet and Nick Berry didn't mind blowing the whistle and sometimes looked a wee bit lost. But a win is a win and we've 100 percent seen improvement.
There was a lot of talk and doubt that the All Blacks could do it without two very experienced players in Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett, as the next man up mentality seemed nigh on impossible - until now.
All hail Damian McKenzie and Asafo Aumua, two players that really needed to put in a huge shift if the All Blacks had any chance to win and they answered Razor's call in emphatic fashion.
Two weeks straight, Aumua has been thrown in the deep end and showed me and everyone what the future looks like. That was a career defining opportunity, which he took with both hands.
McKenzie also had his best performance at No. 10 for the All Blacks, looking great with ball in hand. Just look at that All Blacks try, two touches and some great decisions made, while he also controlled territory and possession like an absolute professional.
There were so many things to like about that All Blacks performance. Yes, there are still things to improve. But we've finally seen what Razor and his group of coaches are adding to this group.
Now the question we must ask - was that a one-off performance from Ireland, or are their glory days in the past?
Tune into Israel Dagg on SENZ's Scotty & Izzy, 6am-9am weekdays.
