All Blacks coach Dave Rennie: 'It's a pass mark, but we'll need to do better next week'
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie expressed satisfaction with his team's victory over Italy but emphasized the need for better execution in upcoming matches. Despite a strong second-half performance, Rennie noted that the team's lack of discipline in the final minutes was disappointing.
Why it matters
High-level rugby performance analysis is critical for fans and stakeholders tracking the All Blacks' preparation for major international tournaments.
Coach Dave Rennie was satisfied with Saturday's victory over Italy, but he knows the All Blacks will need to be more ruthless if they're to beat an in-form Ireland next weekend and protect their Eden Park record.
"It's a pass mark, but we'll need to do better next week," Rennie said.
"I thought we were pretty passive defensively in the first 10 or 15 minutes, but really good beyond that. We started to get time and tackle and a lot more line speed, and so that was positive."
Leading by just four points at halftime, the All Blacks scored three tries in the first 15 minutes of the second half while Italy had a player red carded for a headbutt, effectively killing off the visitors chances of a comeback.
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