Robertson ready to face the music in New Zealand
09/07/2024 05:36 PM
REACTION: All Black head coach Scott Robertson admitted that it will be tough to return to New Zealand and face his critics after two defeats against the Springboks in South Africa.
The visitors lost 12-18 to the world champions in Cape Town on Saturday. This comes after a 27-31 defeat at Ellis Park a week earlier.
It was the All Blacks' fourth defeat in a row to Rassie Erasmus' side and it was their third defeat out of four matches in this year's Rugby Championship.
"It was a helluva Test match," Robertson told reporters after Saturday's thriller.
"Firstly, I just want to congratulate South Africa.
"They took their opportunities, especially when they were in the 22 and they finished them, so congratulations to Siya [Kolisi] and Rassie.
"It has been a helluva tour. We had our opportunities and we created enough, but we just didn't finish them.
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For the second week in a row, the All Blacks had the lead heading into the second half.
However, they lacked that killer instinct final third this week and they allowed the Boks to score two tries.
Flyhalf Damian McKenzie also failed to convert a couple of crucial penalty attempts in that half.
Robertson was clear about what the difference was between winning and losing in Cape Town.
"Probably converting a couple of opportunities by kicking a goal here and there," he said.
"It is as simple as that.
"You've got a team that is desperate against the world No.1, and you are away for a couple of weeks.
"We had two chances to win and we didn't take it."
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Robertson knows that he will be facing some tough questions when the team arrives in New Zealand as the Rugby Championship enters a bye week.
"Our duty demands that we win those games. We care deeply about this jersey and we've got to win," he explained.
"We will be frank and honest about it [the defeats].
"That's the way you approach these things and you just step forward to it."
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