Former England star Tindall insists All Blacks have chink in their armour

Matt Jones - Editor 22:33 29/11/2017
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  • Mike Tindall believes the All Blacks have developed a small chink since 2015.

    He isn’t exactly likening the supposedly infallible All Blacks to the Titanic, but Mike Tindall believes the autumn Test series highlights there is a crack in the hull, and that the rest of rugby’s international powerhouses must now exploit their chance to sink the ship.

    He’s sat, bleary-eyed and jet-lagged at 10:30 at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre in the shadow of Dubai International Airport, but former England centre Tindall is adamant the seven-hour flight from the UK hasn’t made him delirious. The man capped 75 times by the Red Rose smiles when he says he has been “laughed at” by friends and colleagues over the past year when he even dares question New Zealand’s invincibility.

    But the evidence is there. They came through the end-of-season internationals unscathed, unbeaten against the Barbarians, France, Scotland and Wales. But against the Scots and Welsh in particular, they looked ragged at times, outplayed for long spells by both. Of their 14 games in 2017, they were beaten twice, by Australia and the British & Irish Lions.

    The third and final Test against Warren Gatland’s visitors was drawn 15-15 in Auckland. That followed defeat in the second Test, the first time since 2011 the All Blacks had gone successive games without victory – an incredible span of 77 matches. Add in defeat to Ireland at Soldier Field last November, the supposedly invincible All Blacks army have lost three times in 12 months. And Tindall feels that is a crack. Albeit tiny, but a crack nonetheless.

    “I’ve said it and been laughed at for the last year for saying they’ve got a chink, a little crack in the ship,” said Tindall, who appeared alongside former All Black Josh Kronfeld at The Royals Rugby Sevens Dinner at Le Meridien last night ahead of the Dubai Rugby Sevens, beginning on Thursday.

    “Not a big one. It’s a ship that’s made of cast iron usually, but since 2015 there’s a little chink and there needs to be a regular hammering of it to spring a leak.

    “You look at the leaders they’ve lost. If Kieran Read doesn’t play, you don’t have an immediate standout as captain.

    McCaw's retirement has been a big loss for the All Blacks, says Tindall.

    McCaw’s retirement has been a big loss for the All Blacks, says Tindall.

    “You don’t have the seasoned veteran, like (Richie) McCaw. In their back line too, Beauden Barrett is undoubtedly the best 10 on the planet but he seems to go through a rollercoaster ride every now and then. His kicking can be suspect and he can have quiet moments in games. It’s a small chink but it’s down to other nations to prise it open. If it’s there, it can be exposed. Whether it’s the other teams catching up or them on a slight decline, the gap is closing. There’s an ability to get at them and every nation needs to feed off that.”

    Closer to home, Tindall admits the Red Rose were hardly scintillating during the autumn. However, Eddie Jones rested Lions stars like Owen Farrell and Mauro Itoje, while a number of a new wave of talent were blooded. Even while experimenting, Jones steered England safely to wins against Argentina and Samoa, with a clinical 30-6 dismantling of Australia the highlight. “Overall they’ll be pretty happy,” Tindall said.

    “Argentina was disappointing. How clinical they were in the last 10 minutes against Australia was encouraging. Even in the Samoa game they took their opportunities ruthlessly. So one poor performance and two good ones. If they want to establish themselves as the world’s No2 team though, they have to win a Grand Slam.”

    Looking ahead to the Six Nations, England will be gunning for a hat-trick of titles, a feat no side has ever achieved since the inaugural Home Nations tournament was played in 1883. And Tindall expects several of the new breed to make Jones’ squad. “I think one place we’re not really set yet is the back-row,” said ex-Bath and Gloucester man Tindall.

    “Sam Underhill and Chris Robshaw do a lot of the same things and it puts pressure on Nathan Hughes to do a lot of the ball carrying.

    “Sam Simmonds has had a great autumn. He got through his work and can be that ball carrier. We always function better when we have two carriers.

    Tindall believes England have their work cut-out in the Six Nations Cup.

    Tindall believes England have their work cut-out in the Six Nations Cup.

    “Henry Slade didn’t have the best game against Australia but played better (against Samoa) and Piers Francis came on and had an excellent game. The new role of a prop is to be useful around the field, we have that with Mako (Vunipola) and (Ellis) Genge.

    “It proved our depth is strong. Their options are good. You get an injury and someone will slot in. Billy Vunipola is a massive player for England too so to play like we did without him is a positive sign.”

    Despite the fact England have become a juggernaut under Jones, equalling the All Blacks’ record of 18 Tests unbeaten in March, Tindall doesn’t expect more history in the shape of a third successive Six Nations title to come easily. With Scotland resurgent even before smashing Australia 53-24 last weekend, Wales adopting more of a multi-faceted attacking game and Ireland already England’s nearest rivals, Tindall is predicting one of the most keenly contested championships in years.

    “England should win it, is what I believe, and the other three could be a coin flip,” he adds. “Realistically it could be a coin flip for all four. It could be a top four of home nations. Italy are in a woeful spell and France are still not great so you probably put them last and second-last.”

    England were exposed at the 2015 Rugby World Cup – the first host nation to not make it beyond the pool stage in eight tournaments. Under former Japan coach Jones though, they have rediscovered their swagger, something Tindall admits was lacking under predecessor Stuart Lancaster.

    “(Jones) doesn’t play to the media. He does the opposite,” said Tindall, who scored 14 tries for England. “Look at Sam Simmonds. He’s been the best No8 in the Premiership this season so everyone’s saying he should start and he doesn’t. I think he does that to show a) he’s still boss b) it’s the mental game with the players to keep them on their toes. People compare him to (Jose) Mourinho.

    “He’s doing a fantastic job, giving them more freedom. Stuart was a bit of a disciplinarian.

    “(Australia coach, Michael) Cheika talked about bullying England in the World Cup. Michael Hooper said ‘we knew we could do anything we wanted because we knew they wouldn’t retaliate’.

    “Eddie’s said that won’t fly so Dylan’s (Hartley) captain, Mike Brown is vicecaptain and Owen Farrell, people who are really in your face.”

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