All Blacks and Ireland 2012

On the eve of test two for the All Blacks of 2012, a few thoughts.

1. How good was this NZ backline? Offset by a Number 9 who finally looks like they can pass faster than Justin Marshall (that in itself is not a tall order at all….but we’ve had such a plethora of sluggish half backs with their inaccurate passing in the last decade, I was beginning to doubt I would ever see the day that NZ would produce someone that could even just have a hint of the Gregan in them).



2. Savea. That’s all. Just Savea.


3. Great to have Dan Carter back steering the ship, supported by the ever sturdy, ever dependable Conrad ‘runs an intelligent line’ Smith – who as it turns out has won 50 of the 56 tests he has played for NZ. This in itself is a world record. What can I say? The man is Taranaki born and bred.


4. Why does Adam Thomson do that wind wiper thing when he is on the lucky end of receiving a try? Can’t stand the guy….sorry Slugso, know you love him, but he’s no Kaino, and his showboating is hard to take.


5. Speaking of showboating….what is Ali Williams doing in this team? From the moment he snatched the Webb Ellis trophy out of McCaw’s hands at the world cup presentation last year, my patience finally wore out for this particular journeyman. Yes, he was good in his day, but he is past it now. Why Williams is allowed to stand in the front row of the haka and do the most am-dram rendition is beyond me. Probably his bezzie mate status with McCaw is protecting him somewhat. However, he doesn’t deserve to be in the All Blacks anymore.


6. The Irish weren’t as bad as the scoreline predicted. Often they had it over our forwards and took us to the wire in the back row.


7. In saying that – I wish they would stop moaning about how tired they are because they’ve been playing for 11 months. It is such a poor excuse. The All Blacks often have played for 11 months when they made the trip to the UK for the end of year autumn internationals. And you didn’t hear them complaining much about being tired.


8. So the Irish are already done and dusted. The series will be 3-zip. Well… that is according to every arm chair critic in the country. The flames are fanned of course from the parochial and arrogant NZ media (Chris Rattue, a ‘commentator’ who has had to eat his words more times than I have banged on about Robbie Deans being a traitor). Best remember people ‘pride becomes before a fall’. And to dip further deeper into my carpet bag of clichés: ‘It ain’t over till the fat lady sings’.


9. It would be nice if Richie McCaw acknowledged the opposite team a little more. It is so important to be gracious in victory and defeat (well, for the most part, unless of course Wayne Barnes has been officiating…then it is fine to blame the ref).


10. It should be another emotional night with it being the first test match back in Christchurch since the earthquake. I hope it turns out to be a spectacular one in the best possible way for everyone concerned.

Pool A: New Zealand 37 - France 17

A Statement of Intent

When Daniel Carter lined up for a drop goal into the second half, neatly slotting the ball through the posts, he told the world: "We've learned our lessons from 2007 - beware."

This game was highly emotional. I was blubbing like a baby during the national anthems (which incidentally are so beautiful with that gorgeous voiced RWC choir).  The stadium looked amazing. It was our stadium of four million to say: ‘our time is now’.

What were my highlights? The first half saw clinical, beautiful rugby played by the men in black.  Forward and backs alike tackled like men possessed, wrestled and won at the breakdown, and when they broke the line, they made it count in points.

As usual, the incredible centre pairing of Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu (who is rapidly becoming my player of the tournament) were at the heart of things, with Smith tackling everything that dared move and Nonu cutting apart a flappy French defence.

Israel Dagg showed why he was picked over Mils at 15.  The man makes magic from nothing. I hope his injury is nothing worse than a niggle, because we need him. In saying that, we have a more than worthy backup in Muliaina and I do hope that the veteran will be allowed at some point to finish his All Black career with two more caps.

France started so well and I really thought after the first half that if they had scored first we might have been in for shades of 1999 again. Alas for France, it wasn't to be this time, on a highly emotional night for an All Black team seeking revenge and celebration for their centurion captain.

And what of Richie McCaw?  Well any talk of him losing his form is complete cobblers. The man was everywhere tonight, and that is why we love you so Richie. You fight and graft until the death. You wear your rugby heart on your sleeve and it has been an honour to watch you over these years, and to have you in the team that we support. We are blessed and you are bloody magnificent. And was that a tear in his eye when he received his 100th cap from Jock Hobbs?  Our captain cries on cue too. Is there anything he can't do?

As for Lievremont and his team in white.  They showed some spirit to come back in that second half and will they be too worried about going into the northern hemisphere side of the draw? Still, maybe the French didn't really want to throw this one either.  An angry French fan had words with Lievremont after the test where the French coach, character to the end, gave it back.  In the end it was reported a security guard had to step in.

My honourable mentions tonight: Nonu, Weepu (how good was he tonight, I take it all back Piri), Dan the man, McCaw, Smith, Kaino, Whitelock and SBW. 

All Blacks V South Africa B - Tri-nations 2011

New Zealand 40 - South Africa 7

Wellington

First thoughts

There's more to follow with Slugso's magical infography but I just wanted to jot down a few meanderings after watching this game in Lazio with a very over excited Italian commentary.

I felt for this Bok B team. They've been used by P-Divvy as sacrificial lambs and didn't their faces show it by the end of the game.  They were really quite inept, and I can't understand how a team with such rugby mana could be so useless, particulary in their backline attack.

The All Blacks looked quite good by my standards although a quick trawl of the New Zealand papers and you'd think the world has fallen around us with such a mediocre performance.

Unlike the bah-hum-bug middle aged grumps that work for Fairfax however, I took heart from a lot of things. Dan Carter for example was back to his ghosting best although his kicks at goal left a lot to be desired. I can forgive him that though. He looked the Dan of old in the field of play and he's back to all time world rugby points scorer, overtaking a certain Mr Wilkinson, so I'm happy to cut him some slack (just this once mind ;-)

Our backs, particularly our wings and Conrad Smith looked fantastic.  Cory Jane (why ever was he put into the reserves in the first place) was my man of the match. He steadied the ship and he surely deserves to be in the first team, as a wing or as fullback. Zac Guildford showed some nice speed and Conrad Smith did what he did best (excuse me while I pull out this cliche) and ran some good intelligent lines.

The forwards were their usual steady selves and it was good to see us back on top of the breakdown stats again. It was particularly heartening to see the Ali Williams of old take to the field and not come off through injury.

Overall this was a good performance, although admittedly, they were playing boys. I have a few gripes. I'm still not happy with Muliaina as first choice full back. Ditto our two half backs, but what can you do when there's no-one better on the sidelines.  Number 9 is our absolute weak point in this team and has been for some time now.

Watch this space on ruggerblogger, there will be more to come in the next few days.

NEW ZEALAND 40 (Zac Guildford 2, Cory Jane 2, Wyatt Crockett, Colin Slade tries Daniel Carter 2 cons 2 pens) bt SOUTH AFRICA 7 (John Smit try Morne Steyn con) at Westpac Stadium. Referee: Alain Rolland