Former All Black Izzy Dagg has identified key areas of the current All Blacks side that need improving, after a tough loss to Ireland leaves them facing a daunting French side this Sunday.
Dagg, along with former Blackcaps skipper Brendon McCullum, pinpointed a lack of leadership support as an area that could help improve the All Blacks’ game, ahead of their final Test of the Northern Tour this weekend.
“In the past we’ve been blessed by our leaders … since then we’ve had Sam Cane and Sam Whitelock. Have we got enough leaders in and around those guys?” McCullum told SENZ Breakfast.
“I do feel that’s the problem at the moment,” Dagg replied.
“I think that is a big factor to it, I 100% believe that.”
Dagg also said the side must become tougher and more determined, as they lacked passion and drive in last weekend’s shock loss to Ireland, 29-20.
“They got outmuscled up front. They got out passioned. The attitude wasn’t quite there,” he said.
“Are we too nice?
“There will be a lot of questions asked this week of a lot of players.”
Dagg had outlined this weekend’s clash as a defining match for the All Blacks, who were unbeaten in the Northern Tour until going down to Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.
“It’s going to be tough, they’re up against a French side that is huge. I said this weeks ago, this will be the defining game where we really see where this All Blacks are at,” he added.
“It’s a tough time for the All Blacks, there’s a lot of questions being asked and there’s a lot of pressure on them at the moment.”
The All Blacks take on France this Sunday morning (NZ time) at Stade de France in Paris.