What has gone wrong with the All Blacks and can they fix it?

Endless threats and yet the All Blacks cannot find a way to ignite them despite sacking their attack coach, Brad Mooar, with embattled head coach Ian Foster assuming that brief for the South African tour. This year’s first Test victory against Ireland, when the All Blacks created space by using wider forward runners and feasted on mistakes to launch counterattacking strikes, seems a lifetime ago.

In four Tests this season, three of which ended in defeat, that opening Eden Park win is the exception to the rule.

Last week in Mbombela the All Blacks had minimal answers for the Springboks’ suffocating rush defence. They could not muster a try until the 78th minute, and spent almost the entire first half pinned in their territory. Beauden Barrett sparked one counterattack movement; Will Jordan broke the line in the second half from an Ardie Savea assist and when the Springboks were reduced to 14-men, Caleb Clarke made a brilliant bust to set up Shannon Frizell’s late try.

Otherwise, though, the All Blacks were easily contained. Even when they did forge overlaps their once revered catch-pass skills failed to stick in the face of Springboks defenders shooting out of the line.

New Zealand have won two of their past three ventures to the venue of Saturday’s Test, Ellis Park, scoring 11 tries in those epic contests. To have any chance of delivering a revival at the South African rugby mecca this weekend, they must somehow rediscover their attacking mojo.

South Africa’s aerial assault on the All Blacks is underlined by the ugly challenge on Barrett that resulted in Springboks wing Kurt-Lee Arendse receiving a four-week suspension. Arendse took Barrett out mid-air while he attempted to field one of many towering kicks. The All