The All Blacks' Future Hangs in the Balance as Scott Robertson Faces His Toughest Challenge Yet
Murray Mexted, a former All Blacks loose forward, believes that the team's jobs are on the line when they embark on the 'Greatest Rivalry Tour' to South Africa later this year. This tour will be a crucial test for the All Blacks before the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, providing an opportunity for Scott Robertson and his staff to develop the squad and prepare for the upcoming tournament.
In an interview on the DSPN podcast with Martin Devlin, Mexted emphasized the significance of winning the series in South Africa. He stated, 'Winning that series will give us a hell of a lot more chance of winning the Rugby World Cup.'
The All Blacks' performance in 2025 did not meet Mexted's expectations, but he remains optimistic that they can turn things around in the lead-up to the World Cup. He believes that the team needs to get back to winning consistently and that the tour will be a great way to develop their best players and team mantra.
Mexted added, 'So, it's going to be a great experience, and it's going to be a great way of developing our best All Blacks side.' He highlighted the challenges of playing at altitude and the importance of the team's performance in South Africa, stating, 'If you don’t bar up, you come second.'
The All Blacks' struggles and the Springboks' warning of a 'dangerous' mindset for 'tough' Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series add to the tension and importance of this tour. With jobs on the line, the All Blacks must rise to the challenge and prove their worth, both on and off the field.
