3. All Blacks scrummaging under scrutiny – Nic Berry entrusted for refereeing Test
A key element of discussion throughout this week’s match build up, was that of the All Blacks’ scrummaging and the performance of the referee last Saturday. There has been heavy scrutiny upon New Zealand prop Ethan de Groot, with the Highlanders loose-head often seen to be wheeling away from the pack. The likes of Adam Jones, Brian Moore and David Flatman have all cast their contempt towards the scrummaging, and how it was officiated in Dunedin.
STEVE BORTHWICK: “We have our call with the referee, Nic Berry, this evening. He was on touch as an AR (assistant referee) last week so he would have had a very good view of all aspects of the game. We’ll ask him the areas he has seen and what his view of the game this weekend will be. Clearly, the scrum will be one of those areas we will ask for his view on.”
“I leave the officiating to the officials and talk to my team very much about controlling the controllables. That is the consistent mantra we have. That is why I never discuss the officiating publicly or with the players. That’s not something we can control.”
“I feel myself and Joel Jutge (World Rugby Head of Match Officials) have a great relationship and after each game, if there are some things we want to clarify, it is a normal process that we will ask for clarification. It means we can continue to have that clarity in the way we coach the players. Joel always gives us clarity. We will ask for Nic Berry’s perspective and we will obviously put forward what we have seen, and have a conversation. That’s the approach we always have with the officials.”
JAMIE GEORGE: “We’ve been here before. What I’ll say on it, I think like what people have said is out there and it’s pretty clear to see. We’ve had some some good feedback from World Rugby around what their take on it was. I think we’ve got every confidence in Nic Berry making sure that he makes the right call this weekend.”
4. Marcus Smith will kick at goal for England after disappointment in Dunedin
Steve Borthwick confirmed that Fly half Marcus Smith will be taking the kicks at goal this Saturday, despite the Harlequin having a disappointing outing from the tee in Dunedin. The halfback missed a handful of shots at goal, which he would have routinely slotted through the uprights. Putting aside the underwhelming performance from Smith’s high standards, Borthwick confirmed in a succinct manner, that he is entrusting his 10 to take the lead from the tee once more.
STEVE BORTHWICK: “Marcus Smith will be taking the first goal kick on Saturday.”
5. The ‘Eden Park effect’ – home field advantage influenced from referring pressure
There has been no ignoring the ‘Eden Park effect’, that comes with the territory as the All Blacks arrive in Auckland. It has been well documented throughout the past week, that the 48 consecutive Test match winning streak adds a special aura to Saturday’s game, with everything to lose from an All Blacks perspective.
Borthwick believes that such incredible home-field form, can at times be influenced by the officiating. Whilst the England head coach did not indulge the media with the intricacies of sports psychology, the point he was making was clear. The All Blacks bring an extra element to Eden Park, that can more often than not play to their benefit with some favourable decisions.
STEVE BORTHWICK: “It is down to the refereeing factor. Every study I have read says it comes down to the impact it has on the referee.”
“You will have to read the social science of it. When they started doing the studies through Covid, when there weren’t supporters in the ground and the impact on officiating. You are testing my memory now but it generally has an impact on the referee.
“To be clear, you asked me a question. I am not trying to talk about officiating. I don’t. For us, our boys are excited to get out there. What a brilliant place to go and play rugby. What a brilliant series. The boys were eager to go to Tokyo and play in the heat, and they delivered in the heat.
“Then we go down to Dunedin and play indoors and it as really fast and the players loved that challenge; gutted that we didn’t get a result, losing by a point. Now we are in the open air in Auckland at Eden Park, what a brilliant place to go and play. We were expecting winter to be a bit different boys were then eager to go and play indoors in Dunedin.”