Scott Robertson admitted New Zealand were outplayed in the decisive moments of their 33–19 defeat to England, ending their Grand Slam bid in the Nations Series.
The All Blacks led 12–0 inside the opening 18 minutes but failed to convert long spells of possession after the break, allowing England to seize control of a contest they had dominated early.
Robertson said England’s ability to slow New Zealand’s ball at the breakdown ultimately dictated the momentum of a match his side had controlled for only one quarter.
He said: “England were efficient when they got down there, and George Ford was accurate with his drop-goals, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
“We actually had limited opportunities in that second half, and they kept pretty well.”
Robertson also reflected on the shift before half-time, when England’s drop-goals halted New Zealand’s momentum despite their early control.
He said: “We thought we came out and could score early and keep them chasing, but they kept the scoreboard moving and the momentum changed.”
Robertson admitted his side struggled to generate the energy that had carried them through the tour.
He said: “They did really well at slowing our ball down. They won the contact area and the breakdown, and that stopped us getting any roll-on.”
The captain, lock Scott Barrett, accepted Codie Taylor’s yellow card as a costly moment.
He said: “It was an impulse thing. Probably a bit of underlying frustration. Up to then we’d been pretty good and it cost us.”
Robertson confirmed that Cam Roigard was replaced at half-time because an ankle issue “squashed back” in contact and left him unable to run effectively.
He rejected the idea that the defeat indicated deeper problems but admitted New Zealand’s recurring struggles in the final quarter remain a concern.
He said: “If I knew exactly why, I’d fix it. We’ve had a few tight finishes we haven’t nailed, and that hurts.”
Despite the setback, Robertson said New Zealand must regroup quickly before facing Wales next weekend and aim to finish the tour on a high.
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