DAVID LONG Last updated 21:54 16/09/2011
The 13-try, 83-7 rout did little to enhance the reputation of rugby as a global sport and for most of the game the only thing left to ponder was how close the All Blacks would get to reaching triple figures going into the pool clash with France on Saturday next week.
Having had to play France and New Zealand first up, the World Cup truly starts for Japan tomorrow when they can turn their attentions to winnable games against Tonga and Canada.
Those are the two games that will define Japan's tournament, not a hiding like this.
It's easy to understand John Kirwan's logic in selecting a B-team for this game and keeping his best players ready for the latter matches, but it did turn their clash with the All Blacks into a one-sided farce.
It took just three minutes for the onslaught to begin, with Conrad Smith scoring his 21st try in his 50th test, making best use of a break from Victor Vito.
Try second came in the 15th minute, with Richard Kahui going in on the right wing after most of the Japanese defence was sucked in trying to halt a rapidly-moving rolling maul on the right.
Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Andy Ellis and Colin Slade all scored tries later in the half as the game became anything but a contest.
Sonny Bill Williams came on for Cory Jane early in the second-half and went onto the wing.
Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams (twice), Isaia Toeava, Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu and Adam Thomson all scored second half tries for the All Blacks while wing Hirotoki Onozawa was able to pick up a try to at least stop Japan being completely embarrassed.
Result:
New Zealand 83 (Richard Kahui 2, Sonny Bill Williams 2, Conrad Smith, Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava, Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu, Adam Thomson tries; Colin Slade 9 con) Japan 7 (Hirotoki Onozawa try; Murray Williams con). HT: 38-0.
Showing posts with label worldcup 2011. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worldcup 2011. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Richard Kahui shines in mixed ABs opening
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE Last updated 22:33 09/09/2011SharePrint Text Size This content requires the Flash Player. Download Flash Player. Already have Flash Player? Click here.
New Zealand41
Tries: Israel Dagg (2), Richard Kahui (2), Jerome Kaino (1), Ma'a Nonu (1)
Conversions: Daniel Carter (3), Colin Slade (1)
Penalty goals: Daniel Carter (1)
Tonga10
Tries: Alisona Taumalolo (1)
Conversions: Kurt Morath (1)
Penalty goals: Kurt Morath (1)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Error: Cannot find match file.
Played at 8.30PM NZT
New Zealand out-manoeuvred the islanders with six tries on a glorious night, attempting to provide a spectacle of running rugby that has become their signature.
It wasn't always perfect. There was a sloppy second half where several opportunities went begging. They even conceded a try as Tonga bravely battled back.
And whether this New Zealand approach survives sterner tests remains to be seen in this seventh edition of the global event. But for an opening match, it certainly added to the festival feel the city had enjoyed all day long.
This was always going to be a New Zealand win. It was just a question of how big? In the end it probably wasn't big enough for everyone in the crowd of 60,214 jammed into the ground.
But the All Blacks will be quietly happy with this start. They will realise the limitations of the opposition but also be chuffed with the way some of the players clearly on trial stood up. They seemed to get some answers in areas they wanted solutions most.
The classy Kahui was probably top of that queue as Graham Henry looks for the right mix of his back three.
Kahui looked very comfortable playing out of position from his normal centre's role. He roamed dangerously all night, scored two tries and had a hand in two others. He mixed his deceptive running with some real power that might just be the formula the selectors are looking for in their wings.
On the other wing Isaia Toeava overcame a tentative start to contribute to the free-running affair for his 61 minutes of action while Israel Dagg chimed in from all over the paddock.
And the muscular midfield worked a treat, clearly giving the All Blacks options there.
Sonny Bill Williams enjoyed a bit of freedom and his trademark offloads freed up plenty of play for those alongside him.
The All Blacks handled the infamous Tongan physicality and in imposed their own power game on the men in red up front. Jerome Kaino was outstanding with his buckling defence and direct approach with the ball in hand.
And stand-in No 8 Victor Vito certainly didn't take a backward step which will have pleased the coaching staff given the strain on the back row resources at the moment.
We wait to see what the rest of the squad do in next Friday's second pool match against Japan for there are certain to be a raft of changes for that lightweight challenge.
But the marker has been laid down in some of the key areas to be sorted out over the opening phase of the tournament.
As for Tonga, they were largely disappointing with their lack of attack. The prospect of a fiery start never emerged. In fact they rarely fired a shot apart from a spell of forward exchanges on the All Blacks line in the second half.
Ad Feedback Yes, they stalled the All Blacks with a plucky third quarter and then had their say with a try to replacement prop Alisona Taumalolo to reward some better forward effort.
But unless Tonga can step things up they will be in danger against Canada, possibly even against Japan and most certainly against France.
When Irish referee George Clancy blew the opening whistle to start this seventh World Cup there was an almost eerie silence over the ground, in contrast to the buzz of excitement that enveloped the stadium during a marvellous opening ceremony.
Ali Williams rose to take a clean catch and the All Blacks' campaign was finally under way.
It didn't take long for the points to start mounting.
In the fourth minute Tonga were penalised at the breakdown and Dan Carter kicked the first points of the tournament with a simple 18m goal.
Ten minutes and 38 seconds into the match Israel Dagg had the first try, benefitting from some slick work from Richard Kahui who featured twice in the buildup coming off his right wing.
Kahui had his turn soon after as Williams produced a thrilling backhanded offload to Isaia Toeava and there was Kahui popping up on his opposite wing again and producing a delightful sidestep to dance over.
Toeava and Williams helped Dagg to his second try off a turnover courtesy of a turnover engineered by Andrew Hore.
Kahui showed his sheer grunt to get over for his second when he was given a bit of space by Dagg.
The Tongans finally got on the board with the last act of the half when Kurt Morath landed a 40m penalty.
The All Blacks made a bit of a sloppy start to the second spell but a slick pass from Ma'a Nonu gave Toeava a direct route to the corner. But his touchdown was blotted by a boot in touch according to the TMO.
Kaino made no mistake to cap his night with a deserved try off a chip and regather from Kahui.
Tonga had their best period of the match as they camped right on the New Zealand line and after a series of scrums and rucks, replacement prop Alisona Taumalolo eventually burrowed his way over.
The All Blacks had the final say with Nonu starting and finishing a 50m try that sent the big crowd off a bit happier.
There's work to be done. But the All Blacks are off the mark and the tournament is under way.
New Zealand 41 (Israel Dagg 2, Richard Kahui 2, Jerome Kaino, Ma'a Nonu tries; Dan Carter 3 con, pen; Colin Slade con.) Tonga 10 (Alisona Taumalolo try, Kurt Morath con, pen). HT: 29-3
New Zealand41
Tries: Israel Dagg (2), Richard Kahui (2), Jerome Kaino (1), Ma'a Nonu (1)
Conversions: Daniel Carter (3), Colin Slade (1)
Penalty goals: Daniel Carter (1)
Tonga10
Tries: Alisona Taumalolo (1)
Conversions: Kurt Morath (1)
Penalty goals: Kurt Morath (1)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Error: Cannot find match file.
Played at 8.30PM NZT
New Zealand out-manoeuvred the islanders with six tries on a glorious night, attempting to provide a spectacle of running rugby that has become their signature.
It wasn't always perfect. There was a sloppy second half where several opportunities went begging. They even conceded a try as Tonga bravely battled back.
And whether this New Zealand approach survives sterner tests remains to be seen in this seventh edition of the global event. But for an opening match, it certainly added to the festival feel the city had enjoyed all day long.
This was always going to be a New Zealand win. It was just a question of how big? In the end it probably wasn't big enough for everyone in the crowd of 60,214 jammed into the ground.
But the All Blacks will be quietly happy with this start. They will realise the limitations of the opposition but also be chuffed with the way some of the players clearly on trial stood up. They seemed to get some answers in areas they wanted solutions most.
The classy Kahui was probably top of that queue as Graham Henry looks for the right mix of his back three.
Kahui looked very comfortable playing out of position from his normal centre's role. He roamed dangerously all night, scored two tries and had a hand in two others. He mixed his deceptive running with some real power that might just be the formula the selectors are looking for in their wings.
On the other wing Isaia Toeava overcame a tentative start to contribute to the free-running affair for his 61 minutes of action while Israel Dagg chimed in from all over the paddock.
And the muscular midfield worked a treat, clearly giving the All Blacks options there.
Sonny Bill Williams enjoyed a bit of freedom and his trademark offloads freed up plenty of play for those alongside him.
The All Blacks handled the infamous Tongan physicality and in imposed their own power game on the men in red up front. Jerome Kaino was outstanding with his buckling defence and direct approach with the ball in hand.
And stand-in No 8 Victor Vito certainly didn't take a backward step which will have pleased the coaching staff given the strain on the back row resources at the moment.
We wait to see what the rest of the squad do in next Friday's second pool match against Japan for there are certain to be a raft of changes for that lightweight challenge.
But the marker has been laid down in some of the key areas to be sorted out over the opening phase of the tournament.
As for Tonga, they were largely disappointing with their lack of attack. The prospect of a fiery start never emerged. In fact they rarely fired a shot apart from a spell of forward exchanges on the All Blacks line in the second half.
Ad Feedback Yes, they stalled the All Blacks with a plucky third quarter and then had their say with a try to replacement prop Alisona Taumalolo to reward some better forward effort.
But unless Tonga can step things up they will be in danger against Canada, possibly even against Japan and most certainly against France.
When Irish referee George Clancy blew the opening whistle to start this seventh World Cup there was an almost eerie silence over the ground, in contrast to the buzz of excitement that enveloped the stadium during a marvellous opening ceremony.
Ali Williams rose to take a clean catch and the All Blacks' campaign was finally under way.
It didn't take long for the points to start mounting.
In the fourth minute Tonga were penalised at the breakdown and Dan Carter kicked the first points of the tournament with a simple 18m goal.
Ten minutes and 38 seconds into the match Israel Dagg had the first try, benefitting from some slick work from Richard Kahui who featured twice in the buildup coming off his right wing.
Kahui had his turn soon after as Williams produced a thrilling backhanded offload to Isaia Toeava and there was Kahui popping up on his opposite wing again and producing a delightful sidestep to dance over.
Toeava and Williams helped Dagg to his second try off a turnover courtesy of a turnover engineered by Andrew Hore.
Kahui showed his sheer grunt to get over for his second when he was given a bit of space by Dagg.
The Tongans finally got on the board with the last act of the half when Kurt Morath landed a 40m penalty.
The All Blacks made a bit of a sloppy start to the second spell but a slick pass from Ma'a Nonu gave Toeava a direct route to the corner. But his touchdown was blotted by a boot in touch according to the TMO.
Kaino made no mistake to cap his night with a deserved try off a chip and regather from Kahui.
Tonga had their best period of the match as they camped right on the New Zealand line and after a series of scrums and rucks, replacement prop Alisona Taumalolo eventually burrowed his way over.
The All Blacks had the final say with Nonu starting and finishing a 50m try that sent the big crowd off a bit happier.
There's work to be done. But the All Blacks are off the mark and the tournament is under way.
New Zealand 41 (Israel Dagg 2, Richard Kahui 2, Jerome Kaino, Ma'a Nonu tries; Dan Carter 3 con, pen; Colin Slade con.) Tonga 10 (Alisona Taumalolo try, Kurt Morath con, pen). HT: 29-3
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The man who won the last Rugby World Cup has endorsed the All Blacks winning the World Cup
The man who won the last Rugby World Cup has endorsed the All Blacks' prospects of finally ending their 24-year drought at the global tournament in New Zealand later this year.
Former Springboks coach Jake White, who guided South Africa to their second global crown in France in 2007, has said he believes Graham Henry's team will end their series of World Cup chokes when they host the tournament for the first time since 1987.
Incidentally, 1987 was also the last occasion an All Blacks captain raised the Webb Ellis Cup.
White, who has just agreed to a four-year deal to coach the ACT Brumbies from 2012, told Radio Sport in an interview from Cape Town he had no doubts the more attack-minded New Zealanders could prevail at this year's tournament.
"The laws are definitely going to suit the All Blacks and the way they play," he said. "One of the things they've got, and has always been a bonus, is that everybody in New Zealand plays the same style of rugby.
"I've got no doubt the All Blacks are favourites. They've got a wonderful group of players, they've got a coaching staff that stayed on, they've got a settled squad unlike the rotation policy they had in '07, and they've got some wonderful players coming through.
"I think they must be firm favourites.
"Any person who understands rugby will know it's very difficult to win in New Zealand, New Zealand are the form team, New Zealand want to win the World Cup, and it's about time New Zealand won the World Cup.
"Whoever is going to go there and try to win the World Cup in New Zealand is going to have to be very, very good to take it away from a country like New Zealand in New Zealand."
White also wasn't interested in any theory that the All Blacks' mental fragility would be exposed under the pressure of expectation. He says teams that go to New Zealand banking on that will be on a fool's errand.
"If the only hope teams have of winning the World Cup is because New Zealand are going to fold then you're not going to win anyway," he told Radio Sport. "If you're banking on some other team losing before you can win it you might as well not attend.
"If you look at history, teams who host World Cups play a lot better... there are two chapters you can read. Chapter 1 says New Zealand win World Cups they host. Chapter 2 says New Zealand don't play well away from home and don't do well at World Cups. It depends which chapter you want to stick to."
But White did caution that despite the current laws benefiting the attacking style of the All Blacks that "defence is vitally important" at World Cups.
"Big calls get made by refs, and there are not a lot of tries scored from the halfway line, and not a lot of tries scored from your own try line. You've still got to get field position, still got to hold on to the ball, and still get points on the board with good goal kicking."
Saturday, September 18, 2010
IRB bosses take note: top two teams know how game should be played
Spiro Zavos
September 14, 2010
Saturday night's epic Test between the Wallabies and the All Blacks was watched by 70,288 spectators, including several IRB heavyweights, the chairman Bernard Lapasset, vice-chairman Bill Beaumont, chief executive Mike Miller and the boss of the referees, Paddy O'Brien. What they and the vast roaring crowd saw was 21st century rugby at its best.
The Test was everything the World Cup 2007 final between England and South Africa should have been, but was not. That final was a static match where both teams played for field position and penalties. On Saturday night, the ball was in play for long periods, with the All Blacks five times establishing seven phases of play, and the Wallabies once. There were only 33 kicks, and many of them had a scoring intent. There were five scrum resets, 14 lineouts, and 27 turnovers (12 to the Wallabies, 15 to the All Blacks). There was a thrilling unpredictability about the play, which is the glory of rugby.
Australia and New Zealand have led the way (remember the ELVs?) to write a set of laws and a way of interpreting them that allowed for the thrilling spectacle at ANZ Stadium. For years, forces in the IRB resisted these efforts. There is some justice, therefore, that the Wallabies (No.2 in the rankings) and the All Blacks (No.1) lead the world in running rugby.
This season the Wallabies have lost once each to England and the Springboks and three times to the All Blacks. But they have improved significantly. The scrum is much steadier, the lineout is stronger, with several steals against the All Blacks on Saturday night. The defence needs stiffening, with 22 tries leaked in the Tri Nations compared with nine by the All Blacks. And the goal-kicking by Matt Giteau is a moveable feast, with two defeats, to England and the All Blacks, both in Sydney, directly related to misses that should have been converted.
Importantly, the Wallabies have finally established a distinctive and winning pattern to their game. It exploits the width of the field with long, flat passes to the outside backs to create overlaps. This allows the fullback to come into the line out wide, as Kurtley Beale did twice on Saturday, forcing Conrad Smith into two missed tackles. Once the defence is stretched, Giteau and Quade Cooper start to flick inside passes for runners to storm down the unprotected midfield. The All Blacks, playing their midfield driving game, crossed the advantage line 81 per cent of the time compared with the 67 per cent by the Wallabies.
September 14, 2010
Saturday night's epic Test between the Wallabies and the All Blacks was watched by 70,288 spectators, including several IRB heavyweights, the chairman Bernard Lapasset, vice-chairman Bill Beaumont, chief executive Mike Miller and the boss of the referees, Paddy O'Brien. What they and the vast roaring crowd saw was 21st century rugby at its best.
The Test was everything the World Cup 2007 final between England and South Africa should have been, but was not. That final was a static match where both teams played for field position and penalties. On Saturday night, the ball was in play for long periods, with the All Blacks five times establishing seven phases of play, and the Wallabies once. There were only 33 kicks, and many of them had a scoring intent. There were five scrum resets, 14 lineouts, and 27 turnovers (12 to the Wallabies, 15 to the All Blacks). There was a thrilling unpredictability about the play, which is the glory of rugby.
Australia and New Zealand have led the way (remember the ELVs?) to write a set of laws and a way of interpreting them that allowed for the thrilling spectacle at ANZ Stadium. For years, forces in the IRB resisted these efforts. There is some justice, therefore, that the Wallabies (No.2 in the rankings) and the All Blacks (No.1) lead the world in running rugby.
This season the Wallabies have lost once each to England and the Springboks and three times to the All Blacks. But they have improved significantly. The scrum is much steadier, the lineout is stronger, with several steals against the All Blacks on Saturday night. The defence needs stiffening, with 22 tries leaked in the Tri Nations compared with nine by the All Blacks. And the goal-kicking by Matt Giteau is a moveable feast, with two defeats, to England and the All Blacks, both in Sydney, directly related to misses that should have been converted.
Importantly, the Wallabies have finally established a distinctive and winning pattern to their game. It exploits the width of the field with long, flat passes to the outside backs to create overlaps. This allows the fullback to come into the line out wide, as Kurtley Beale did twice on Saturday, forcing Conrad Smith into two missed tackles. Once the defence is stretched, Giteau and Quade Cooper start to flick inside passes for runners to storm down the unprotected midfield. The All Blacks, playing their midfield driving game, crossed the advantage line 81 per cent of the time compared with the 67 per cent by the Wallabies.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
All Black Rodney So'oialo resigns
Senior All Black and Hurricanes captain Rodney So'oialo has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby and Wellington rugby unions through to the end of 2011.
So'oialo is the latest in a group of senior players to have committed to New Zealand rugby through to 2011, including All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Andrew Hore.
An All Black since 2002, 29-year-old So'oialo has played 55 tests for his country and is currently the joint third most capped All Blacks loose forward (with All Blacks great Michael Jones) behind Richie McCaw (77 tests) and Zinzan Brooke (58 tests). So'oialo has captained the side four times and has the rare distinction of having captained the All Blacks in a test from all three loose forward positions.
So'oialo has also played 79 matches for the Hurricanes and 55 times for his Wellington provincial side, is currently fifth on the all-time Hurricanes list of appearances and has captained the Hurricanes since 2006.
A family man away from the rugby field, So'oialo said the decision to re-sign with the NZRU had, in the end, been an easy one.
"I love living in New Zealand and particularly in Wellington and love playing my rugby here. My family is important to me and they were a key factor in me re-signing with the NZRU and Wellington Rugby Union. We are settled here and my wider family are also in Wellington and this is my home," he said.
"I am also excited by the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and would love to represent my country on home soil in that tournament," he added.
New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew said the importance of re-signing someone as experienced and respected as So'oialo could not be underestimated.
"Rodney is an outstanding, world-class player who could have easily commanded a significant package overseas, so we are thrilled to have him re-commit through to the end of 2011," Tew said.
"He has been tremendously loyal to Wellington, the Hurricanes and New Zealand and we thank him for his loyalty," Mr Tew added.
Wellington Rugby Union and Hurricanes CEO Greg Peters said So'oialo was a "very special person and very special player".
"We are extremely fortunate that he has shown such great commitment to the Wellington Lions and the Hurricanes. His leadership qualities have helped so many of our young players to reach their potential and we are delighted that he will continue to influence the next generation of players, both on and off the field," Peters said.
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