“Again, it was tight. We’ve just got to be better in those key moments. And so we’ve learned a lot.
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has found positives from the tour of South Africa, but was left frustrated by the 3-1 loss. Photo / Photosport
“We put 49 players on tour. I always felt that the tour would be really good for us and we come out of there regardless of the results with a year to go to a World Cup and a really strong place.”
The 62-year-old highlighted how he felt the All Blacks could improve in those game-changing moments.
“A lot of it’s about game sense, tactically understanding how you can squeeze a side and we’re probably playing a slightly different game to some other teams.
“We want to play. Our game revolves around a lot of high tempo, which I think’s exciting to watch.
“South Africa, on the other hand, they squeeze you, they put a lot of ball in the air, they attack you at set piece and the game tends to be a lot slower.
“And so it was a real contrasting of styles. But, I just think we’ve got to be better in those key moments and you’ve got to find a way of winning those.
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi (left) and Eben Etzebeth with the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry trophy. Photo / Photosport
“And when we stack positive moments, we’re a real handful. And when we didn’t or when they were able to, they’re difficult to contend with.
“Accuracy was important for us. If we felt we got continuity, we could keep the ball moving and fatigue them.
“But if you make an error 60 seconds before you get a scrum down and they’ll try and leapfrog up the field using their set piece.
“So I would say frustration. We probably got back and we’re kicking stones a little bit for a while because we definitely had opportunities, but, you know, we just got to be better.”
Despite the 3-1 series loss to the Springboks, Rennie felt the teams were close in ability.
“You can contest referee decisions all you like, in the end you’ve got to put in performances that make the referee irrelevant.
“And we had chances to do that. So, they’re a very experienced side. They’re really clear on their DNA. We’re still developing that.
“We’d been together nine or 10 weeks at that stage. So, I just think we’ve got a really big upside as players get really comfortable at playing the game we’re trying to play. So that’s exciting.”
Rennie’s next challenge with the All Blacks is the Bledisloe Cup, with tests against Australia at Eden Park on October 10 and a week later in Sydney.