Justin Marshall has accused Scott Robertson of refusing to modernise New Zealand’s bench strategy while their rivals cash in on forward-loaded replacements.
The former All Blacks scrumhalf says the head coach’s commitment to the traditional 5-3 split is holding the team back, especially after watching England overpower the All Blacks with a decisive bench surge in their 33-19 win.
Speaking on the GBRANZ podcast, Marshall didn’t hold back.
“For f**k sake, why do we not want to be innovative and go 6–2 or 7–1?
“England injected five into the game in one fell swoop… the game dynamic changed. They got real energy out of that, whereas we still put them on in dribs and drabs.”
WALES LOCK: We can beat All Blacks
The Springboks’ two straight World Cup triumphs – built on a 6–2 and even 7–1 bench split – have already inspired England and France to follow suit. According to Marshall, New Zealand are the outliers.
He says the All Blacks have the squad to match that approach but lack the willingness to adapt.
“We can emulate that but we don’t want to. We want to carry that extra back reserve and I don’t understand why.”
Marshall even pointed to players like Ardie Savea as examples of the All Blacks’ versatility.
“If we got really in the s**t, you could put Ardie in the midfield, you could put him on the wing, and he would do a good job of it.”
MORE: England end All Blacks’ Grand Slam bid
Former Wales and Lions No 8 Andy Powell echoed Marshall’s praise for England’s depth, calling their bench “the best England squad since 2003”.
Marshall, though, remains baffled that New Zealand continue to ignore a trend that keeps delivering results elsewhere.
“Are we feeling like South Africa are getting it wrong when they do it? England are getting it wrong when they do it?”
Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
The post Marshall blasts Razor’s bench appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.