Renowned former All Black Murray Mexted has expressed his overall satisfaction with the selections made by head coach Scott Robertson for the All Blacks’ second Test against France in Wellington this Saturday. Mexted, who has a storied history with the team, having played 34 Tests between 1979 and 1985, reviewed the team’s performance in their narrow 31-27 victory over France in Dunedin last week positively.
During his appearance on the DSPN podcast hosted by Martin Devlin, Mexted addressed concerns raised by forwards coach Jason Ryan regarding the team’s physicality in the first Test. While Ryan expressed dissatisfaction with the collisions on the field, Mexted believes the All Blacks are on a path of improvement and trust in the coaching staff’s strategy.
Mexted noted their previous shortcomings in securing possession, emphasizing that the team has learned from past experiences. He praised the addition of significant talent, particularly lock Fabian Holland, who made a notable debut in challenging conditions.
While he appreciates the overall selections for the second Test, Mexted finds it surprising that rookie number eight Christian Lio-Willie remains in the starting lineup, suggesting that Luke Jacobson might have been a more deserving choice based on his strong Super Rugby performance.
Looking ahead to the match in Wellington, Mexted observed that key players, including Ardie Savea and Tupou Vaa’i, would likely show considerable improvement. He anticipates a more active presence from Savea, a standout player, and commends Vaa’i for his confidence and effectiveness in the lineout, which adds an important dynamic to the All Blacks’ strategy.
Mexted underscored the need for Lio-Willie to elevate his performance in the upcoming fixture to secure his place in the team. Reflecting on his previous contributions, Mexted noted Lio-Willie’s quieter moments in the first Test and highlighted the expectation for a stronger showing in the next match.
With an optimistic outlook, Mexted believes the All Blacks have the potential to perform better than last week and looks forward to their growth as a team in the second Test. This perspective fosters hope among fans for an improved display from the All Blacks as they head into a crucial clash with France.