NZ should harness Lomu's star power
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 12:06 12/10/2009
Reuters
BIG WIN: Rugby legend Jonah Lomu is embraced by a supporter after rugby's acceptance as an Olympic sport for 2016 and 2020.
OPINION: How refreshing to see a rugby organisation using the power of Jonah Lomu to get their message across.
Lomu was a key figure as rugby persuaded the Olympic movement to include Sevens in their ranks for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
It's not too often we dish out praise to the International Rugby Board but they need a double dose of "well done" for their efforts last week.
First of all, great work in getting rugby on to arguably the grandest stage of all.
Sevens, with its high speed game and quick-fire tournament format, is well suited to the Olympics and there will be no arguments from Kiwis who will sniff a genuine chance of a rare medal at this level.
Secondly, well done to the IRB for enlisting the help of Lomu to get their message across when it mattered most.
With the finish line in sight after gaining a nomination along with golf to be added to the programme for Rio, Lomu helped rugby get rubber-stamped.
There he was as the good news was delivered to the rugby delegation hugging the likes of IRB president Bernard Lapasset and chief executive Mike Miller.
Lomu made his name in Sevens before going on to be an All Blacks superstar.
But he never lost his appetite for the abbreviated game, winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal and a Sevens World Cup in amongst his test duties.
A World Cup win in 15s eluded him in 1995 and 1999 but he still did enough in both of those tournaments to be the individual star of two glittering occasions.
That was never lost on the IRB. They realised his standing as the game's biggest name with his ability to transcend sporting stages and simply be a global sportsman, a name known to fans other than followers of rugby.
To their credit adidas have also stood by Lomu - being at his side for some of his greatest triumphs and his biggest struggles both on and off the field.
He remains one of their few sporting ambassadors.
It should be an embarrassment to New Zealand rugby that we have done so little to acknowledge his presence beyond his All Blacks achievements.
If ever there was an ambassadorial figure for the modern age it is Lomu.
Yet he has been used little if not at all to promote the game in this country or promote the New Zealand rugby cause overseas.
Lomu has matured into a fine man, comfortable to operate in the corporate surroundings as well as athletic environments.
Sadly or bravely, whatever way you look at it, he is still trying to have another crack at playing rugby again, this time in the lower divisions of the French club scene.
That's a clear mark of the passion he still possesses for the game.
It's just a pity that at times he isn't rewarded with the same sort of passion for his standing or powers on these shores.
New Zealand has a World Cup beckoning in less than two years. Who better to spread the word before and during that event than Lomu?
If he's good enough for the IRB he should be good enough for the NZRU. If he's good enough for the Olympics, he should be good enough for the World Cup.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Six cities get All Blacks tests in 2010
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 20:11 08/10/2009
IAIN McGREGOR/Stuff.co.nz
RETURN OF THE BLACK: Dunedin and New Plymouth were the big winners, being allocated June All Blacks tests in 2010.
Dunedin and New Plymouth were the big winners when the venues for the All Blacks' home tests next year were unveiled.
The All Blacks will play in New Plymouth, Dunedin, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch next year during the June internationals and Tri-Nations that follows.
The Dunedin test at Carisbrook, against Wales, is notable for two reasons - it could be the last international played at the famous old ground which is due to be phased out in 2011 for the new roofed facility; and it will be the first time the Welsh have played New Zealand in the southern city.
The All Blacks will kick off their season with a test against 2009 Six Nations champions Ireland at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth (June 12). This will be just the second international at the Taranaki venue, following last year's historic clash against Samoa.
The New Plymouth match will be followed by two tests against Wales, the first at Carisbrook on Saturday, June 19 and the second at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, on Saturday June 26.
Christchurch gets the Bledisloe Cup test in the Tri-Nations, which will be the first to be held in the fully redeveloped AMI Stadium.
The other Tri-Nations tests, both against South Africa, are being held at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday July 10 and Westpac Stadium in the capital a week later.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the All Blacks' home test schedule presented some great opportunities for the regions hosting matches.
"The Dunedin, New Plymouth and Christchurch test matches will be quite special, all for different reasons, and I'm sure that rugby fans in those regions will already be looking forward to these historic events," he said.
2010 ALL BLACKS & TRI-NATIONS SCHEDULE
June International Series
June 12: All Blacks vs Ireland, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
June 19: All Blacks vs Wales, Carisbrook, Dunedin
June 26: All Blacks vs Wales, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Investec Tri-Nations
July 10: All Blacks vs South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland
July 17: All Blacks vs South Africa, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
July 24: Australia vs South Africa, Brisbane
July 31: Australia vs All Blacks, Melbourne
August 7: All Blacks vs Australia, AMI Stadium, Christchurch
August 21: South Africa vs All Blacks, Johannesburg
August 28: South Africa vs Australia, Pretoria
September 4: South Africa vs Australia, Bloemfontein
September 11: Australia vs All Blacks, Sydney
Last updated 20:11 08/10/2009
IAIN McGREGOR/Stuff.co.nz
RETURN OF THE BLACK: Dunedin and New Plymouth were the big winners, being allocated June All Blacks tests in 2010.
Dunedin and New Plymouth were the big winners when the venues for the All Blacks' home tests next year were unveiled.
The All Blacks will play in New Plymouth, Dunedin, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch next year during the June internationals and Tri-Nations that follows.
The Dunedin test at Carisbrook, against Wales, is notable for two reasons - it could be the last international played at the famous old ground which is due to be phased out in 2011 for the new roofed facility; and it will be the first time the Welsh have played New Zealand in the southern city.
The All Blacks will kick off their season with a test against 2009 Six Nations champions Ireland at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth (June 12). This will be just the second international at the Taranaki venue, following last year's historic clash against Samoa.
The New Plymouth match will be followed by two tests against Wales, the first at Carisbrook on Saturday, June 19 and the second at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, on Saturday June 26.
Christchurch gets the Bledisloe Cup test in the Tri-Nations, which will be the first to be held in the fully redeveloped AMI Stadium.
The other Tri-Nations tests, both against South Africa, are being held at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday July 10 and Westpac Stadium in the capital a week later.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the All Blacks' home test schedule presented some great opportunities for the regions hosting matches.
"The Dunedin, New Plymouth and Christchurch test matches will be quite special, all for different reasons, and I'm sure that rugby fans in those regions will already be looking forward to these historic events," he said.
2010 ALL BLACKS & TRI-NATIONS SCHEDULE
June International Series
June 12: All Blacks vs Ireland, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
June 19: All Blacks vs Wales, Carisbrook, Dunedin
June 26: All Blacks vs Wales, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Investec Tri-Nations
July 10: All Blacks vs South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland
July 17: All Blacks vs South Africa, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
July 24: Australia vs South Africa, Brisbane
July 31: Australia vs All Blacks, Melbourne
August 7: All Blacks vs Australia, AMI Stadium, Christchurch
August 21: South Africa vs All Blacks, Johannesburg
August 28: South Africa vs Australia, Pretoria
September 4: South Africa vs Australia, Bloemfontein
September 11: Australia vs All Blacks, Sydney
All Blacks: The best deputies
5:00AM Sunday Sep 27, 2009
By Gregor Paul
If you torture statistics for long enough, they will tell the story you want to hear. Or in the case of the All Blacks and the influence wielded by Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, they will tell the story no one wants to hear - that the All Blacks can't afford to be without either player.
Since 2003 - the year Carter made his debut - the All Blacks have lost 14 of 87 tests. No one can quibble with that. No other side gets close, not even South Africa, when viewed over the same period.
Of those 14 losses, only five have occurred when both Carter and McCaw have started. Now that's an incredible influence. The Wallabies have managed just one victory against the All Blacks when both McCaw and Carter have started. That was the 20-14 win in Melbourne before the World Cup.
The other wins in that period have been achieved when New Zealand's super pairing have been split; in the 2003 World Cup loss, Carter didn't play; in 2004, Carter played at second five and McCaw was in the stands with concussion; and in 2008, McCaw wasn't involved due to his injured ankle.
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Over the same period, the Springboks have been better able to operate against the All Blacks both generally and specifically against Carter and McCaw. The Boks beat the All Blacks in 2005, 2006 and again this year when both men started.
France, in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final, are the only other side to have beaten the All Blacks when both Carter and McCaw have started. It has come to the point where the All Blacks are two different sides; they carry a hint of vulnerability when one or both of their superstars are not involved. With them, they are a different prospect.
With Carter and McCaw, the accuracy is that little bit higher; the confidence flows, the game-plan comes together, the on-field leadership is more obvious and the All Blacks more convincing.
Last week's test in Wellington was the perfect example of the Carter/McCaw effect. The captain was in his element. After some injury troubles, he's back in top nick, his confidence restored and his performance was world class against the Wallabies.
Carter has given the All Blacks obvious stability and structure since he returned to the No 10 shirt in Sydney. His very presence has calmed jittery nerves around him, with Ma'a Nonu able to feel it is not up to him to singlehandedly destroy the opposition.
It's little wonder, on the stats alone, that the New Zealand Rugby Union made the retention of Carter and McCaw top priority last year. It's also no surprise that there is widespread concern about the lack of cover for these two invaluable soldiers.
It's not that everyone expects to have replacements of equal ability. These are once-in-a-generation players and their back-up will never be of quite the same calibre. But the back-up should at least be All Black calibre and firmly established as the second choice.
Currently neither box has been ticked, which has been the case for most of the past six years, with brief periods when there were alternative options.
Again, statistics can paint a damning picture; they can show precisely the danger of not having top class alternatives.
McCaw and Carter have played 38 tests together and the All Blacks have won 88 per cent of those. That compares with an overall win ratio since 2003 of 84 per cent.
The All Blacks have played 49 tests in the past seven years without one or both Carter and McCaw and have managed to win 40 of them - for a win ratio of almost 78 per cent. They are 10 per cent worse off without Carter and McCaw. That's a big drop and the pressure is on the selectors to fix this problem.
The end of year tour has to herald the dawn of a new age. There must be some brutal decisions made to reach agreement that no progress has been made on those fronts so far this year. Or, more accurately perhaps, progress has been made in the sense that some contenders can now be eliminated.
At the start of the test season, Adam Thomson was the great hope at openside and Stephen Donald at first five.
"We've got to be honest and say we've tried the odd thing from time to time that hasn't worked and that's probably one of them," assistant coach Steve Hansen said recently of using Thomson at No 7. "We're desperately looking for someone that can back Rich up. That was a test match where we thought we'd give that a go. We thought he'd [Thomson] displayed a lot of the skills needed but in fairness to him, he's gone back to six and he's telling us through his form that that's the position he should play in."
Having agreed Thomson is a blindside, and quite clearly the best in the country, he needs to be seen as a specialist and not swapped between the two sides of the scrum.
He's not McCaw's successor and nor, in the immediate future, is Tanerau Latimer. He's a good athlete. He possesses an admirable work-rate, good attitude and appetite for his chores.
For all that, however, he's not quite there yet. Latimer looks the kind of player who would be comfortable to back up against the likes of Italy, Canada and Fiji but out of his depth should he have to front the Boks or Wallabies in a must-win clash. Scott Waldrom looks to be in a similar position, although he does have an X-factor with his pace.
The pick of the contenders has to be George Whitelock, who has the size, pace, strength, rugby knowledge and leadership. In his cameo performance against Italy, he was immediately composed.
Long term, he has all he needs for test football. All he lacks is exposure. He needs to be built into a test class openside. If he's taken on tour, he'll make giant strides just by being indoctrinated into the All Black ways. Next year, he can be drip-fed into action - regular game time off the bench and the odd start against lesser nations would bring him on further.
The clock is ticking now in terms of the World Cup and the All Blacks have to make a commitment to one player and stick with it. If it's Whitelock, then back him all the way - make a two-year plan that sees him reach September 2011 as McCaw's deputy.
It's the same with first five. Much has been invested in Donald but he's not the answer. He's an intriguing bench option with his unorthodox range of skills and he has shown he can change the dynamic of the contest when he's introduced. But he's not a game manager. He's not equipped to control and dominate, a la Carter.
Luke McAlister is not in that mould either. He's a 12 who can reluctantly play 10 but that's not a solution. First five is for specialists - men who relish the responsibility and want to own the game. It's not a berth you can be shoved into.
Options are thin on the ground with Aaron Cruden screaming out as the best choice. He's young. He's still raw with flaws and areas of weakness. But he reads the game well. He understands how his role works and he wants to take it on.
He is an orthodox first five who has a few extras - like his ability to run and escape trouble. Like Whitelock, he needs commitment from the coaches. His development plan should be similar to Whitelock's and the journey needs to start next month.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Emphatic victory to All Blacks
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 19:25 19/09/2009
Emphatic victory to All Blacks
Crisis averted. Jobs safe. Vice-like grip on the Wallabies continued. All in a night's work for the suddenly awesome All Blacks.
But the big question we'll be asking ourselves as we digest this comprehensive 33-6 Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup victory over the Wallabies over our Sunday morning breakfast will be just what value do we place on it? Really, was it any great surprise?
The All Blacks have now won six of their last seven tests against the Wallabies over the last two seasons, since a certain Robbie Deans slunk across the Tasman to take charge of the Men in Gold.
And this latest instalment simply continued that trend. Graham Henry might not be able to buy a win over the Springboks right now; but he owns Deans.
And really as much as the All Blacks are tying themselves in knots over their inability to counter the South African game; they must feel pretty satisfied about the superiority they hold over their trans-Tasman rivals. They've now swept them 3-0 in the Tri-Nations and will surely make it a round four in Japan next month.
Really, if ever the Wallabies were going to redress the imbalance, you would have thought this match would have been it. But they simply weren't good enough as the All Blacks convincingly won the arm-wrestle through the first three quarters and then came home with a wet sail and two late tries to inflate the margin out close to embarrassing territory for the Wobberlies.
This was among the more convincing wins over the Australians over the last couple of years, too, with the All Blacks dominating most aspects of play, including that much talked-about lineout, and successfully suffocating everything and anything the visitors could throw at them on attack.
Yes, it was a performance to be proud of from the All Blacks who avoided the spectre of their first ever three home loss season, and answered their critics in fine style. This was how we expect them to play. This was how they should play.
Their set-piece work was excellent, their breakdown game top drawer and, possibly for the first time this season, the All Blacks got their attacking game going. It was a sweet response, and would have been manna from heaven for the under-siege New Zealand coaches.
Credit to them, too, to rally the troops after the defeat in Hamilton and come up with improvements in areas where they had to be made.
"I'm pretty proud of the guys, it's never easy coming off a loss and the belief among the whole group was outstanding and to put a performance out here tonight... very, very happy," said skipper Richie McCaw afterwards.
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He was rapt with the lineout response that saw the All Blacks hold firm on their own ball and even steal two straight Wallaby throws (both by supersub Jason Eaton) late in the piece.
"We kept the belief in ourselves," said McCaw. "We realised last week it was only minor things that went wrong, the boys worked hard all week and put that together which is vital to get your game going.
"It's great. When you're down it's a real test of what character you've got within the team."
Wow. What a difference a week - and a few harsh words from their critics - made. The All Blacks looked a different side in the first 40 minutes of this contest, playing with a purpose, precision and penetration that had not been there in Hamilton, nor for that matter in any of their opening salvos throughout this competition.
A strong, and accurate, opening half was punctuated by a magical period around the half-hour mark right about when it looked most ominous.
Centre Isaia Toeava had just been despatched to the sin-bin for a high tackle on young Wallaby fullback James O'Connor, and from the same play phase Berrick Barnes had just coolly slotted a dropped goal (under advantage) to close the Wallabies to within three, at 6-9.
Ten minutes, a man up, we all steeled for the Wallaby charge that would surely come.
Instead it was the numerically disadvantaged All Blacks who pounced. During a nice spell where they did extremely well to limit the Australian chances to expose them, wing Cory Jane snatched a try - quite literally - out of thin air.
It had looked distinctly unpromising when fullback Mils Muliaina received backtrack ball his side of halfway and sort of ran out of options for the pass. So instead he hoisted one of those middle-of-the-field high bombs that the Springboks specialise in, but are catching on like wildfire at the moment.
It could have - should have - been diffused with little discomfort by the Wallabies. Could have, schmould have. Instead Jane came flying through the air like, well, Tarzan, plucking the ball from right under the nose of startled Australian wunderkind James O'Connor and then dashing 35 metres or so for a superb try, and a 16-6 lead they would hold till the break.
Where has this man been all season? Oh, that's right, not required.
The Wallabies came out with plenty of purpose after the break, but they could still find no way through an All Black side that remained on its mettle on defence.
Carter slotted an early penalty to extend the margin to 13, the All Blacks battened down the hatches for a period of Wallaby dominance and then straight after Eaton had come in with his lineout thievery they finished with their flourish.
Ma'a Nonu had the second try six minutes from the end, with a trademark bullocking run that left a handful of Wallaby defenders looking like fools; and before it was over the All Blacks worked a couple of quick phases off a scrum before putting Josevata Rokocoko into enough space on the right to unleash one of those swan dives for his 45th test try.
And, with Carter slotting a second goal off the upright, the margin went out to 33-6, and the bleeding was well and truly stopped. The All Blacks were mostly all on top of their games. Jane was superb on the wing, and surely he's earned more starts on the back of this. Toeava had one of those tests that remind you why his coaches covet him so and there was also a much improved showing from Rokocoko. Also, wasn't it good to see Mils Muliaina playing with a lot more confidence?
Up front new chum Tom Donnelly had an excellent debut in the second row, Andrew Hore got his lineout stuff right, Adam Thomson added some much-needed mobility to a loose trio that outplayed their opposites and the set-piece stuff was, by and large, on the money. Richie McCaw was back to his best too as the All Blacks won the tackle ball area comprehensively.
The Wallabies? O'Connor had a match to forget, Giteau was again well contained by the All Blacks and the Australian backline in general found themselves running at a black wall all night.
The Wallaby forwards also could make little or no headway all night, and even failed to procure the supposedly failsafe method of possession via the All Black lineout. Pocock and Smith were non-factors.
For the All Blacks the questions were answered. For the Wallabies they start all over again across the Tasman. Deans should buckle down for another assault.
New Zealand 33 (Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko tries; Daniel Carter 4 pen, 3 con)
Australia 6 (Matt Giteau pen, Berrick Barnes dropped goal).
Halftime: 16-6.
Last updated 19:25 19/09/2009
Emphatic victory to All Blacks
Crisis averted. Jobs safe. Vice-like grip on the Wallabies continued. All in a night's work for the suddenly awesome All Blacks.
But the big question we'll be asking ourselves as we digest this comprehensive 33-6 Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup victory over the Wallabies over our Sunday morning breakfast will be just what value do we place on it? Really, was it any great surprise?
The All Blacks have now won six of their last seven tests against the Wallabies over the last two seasons, since a certain Robbie Deans slunk across the Tasman to take charge of the Men in Gold.
And this latest instalment simply continued that trend. Graham Henry might not be able to buy a win over the Springboks right now; but he owns Deans.
And really as much as the All Blacks are tying themselves in knots over their inability to counter the South African game; they must feel pretty satisfied about the superiority they hold over their trans-Tasman rivals. They've now swept them 3-0 in the Tri-Nations and will surely make it a round four in Japan next month.
Really, if ever the Wallabies were going to redress the imbalance, you would have thought this match would have been it. But they simply weren't good enough as the All Blacks convincingly won the arm-wrestle through the first three quarters and then came home with a wet sail and two late tries to inflate the margin out close to embarrassing territory for the Wobberlies.
This was among the more convincing wins over the Australians over the last couple of years, too, with the All Blacks dominating most aspects of play, including that much talked-about lineout, and successfully suffocating everything and anything the visitors could throw at them on attack.
Yes, it was a performance to be proud of from the All Blacks who avoided the spectre of their first ever three home loss season, and answered their critics in fine style. This was how we expect them to play. This was how they should play.
Their set-piece work was excellent, their breakdown game top drawer and, possibly for the first time this season, the All Blacks got their attacking game going. It was a sweet response, and would have been manna from heaven for the under-siege New Zealand coaches.
Credit to them, too, to rally the troops after the defeat in Hamilton and come up with improvements in areas where they had to be made.
"I'm pretty proud of the guys, it's never easy coming off a loss and the belief among the whole group was outstanding and to put a performance out here tonight... very, very happy," said skipper Richie McCaw afterwards.
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He was rapt with the lineout response that saw the All Blacks hold firm on their own ball and even steal two straight Wallaby throws (both by supersub Jason Eaton) late in the piece.
"We kept the belief in ourselves," said McCaw. "We realised last week it was only minor things that went wrong, the boys worked hard all week and put that together which is vital to get your game going.
"It's great. When you're down it's a real test of what character you've got within the team."
Wow. What a difference a week - and a few harsh words from their critics - made. The All Blacks looked a different side in the first 40 minutes of this contest, playing with a purpose, precision and penetration that had not been there in Hamilton, nor for that matter in any of their opening salvos throughout this competition.
A strong, and accurate, opening half was punctuated by a magical period around the half-hour mark right about when it looked most ominous.
Centre Isaia Toeava had just been despatched to the sin-bin for a high tackle on young Wallaby fullback James O'Connor, and from the same play phase Berrick Barnes had just coolly slotted a dropped goal (under advantage) to close the Wallabies to within three, at 6-9.
Ten minutes, a man up, we all steeled for the Wallaby charge that would surely come.
Instead it was the numerically disadvantaged All Blacks who pounced. During a nice spell where they did extremely well to limit the Australian chances to expose them, wing Cory Jane snatched a try - quite literally - out of thin air.
It had looked distinctly unpromising when fullback Mils Muliaina received backtrack ball his side of halfway and sort of ran out of options for the pass. So instead he hoisted one of those middle-of-the-field high bombs that the Springboks specialise in, but are catching on like wildfire at the moment.
It could have - should have - been diffused with little discomfort by the Wallabies. Could have, schmould have. Instead Jane came flying through the air like, well, Tarzan, plucking the ball from right under the nose of startled Australian wunderkind James O'Connor and then dashing 35 metres or so for a superb try, and a 16-6 lead they would hold till the break.
Where has this man been all season? Oh, that's right, not required.
The Wallabies came out with plenty of purpose after the break, but they could still find no way through an All Black side that remained on its mettle on defence.
Carter slotted an early penalty to extend the margin to 13, the All Blacks battened down the hatches for a period of Wallaby dominance and then straight after Eaton had come in with his lineout thievery they finished with their flourish.
Ma'a Nonu had the second try six minutes from the end, with a trademark bullocking run that left a handful of Wallaby defenders looking like fools; and before it was over the All Blacks worked a couple of quick phases off a scrum before putting Josevata Rokocoko into enough space on the right to unleash one of those swan dives for his 45th test try.
And, with Carter slotting a second goal off the upright, the margin went out to 33-6, and the bleeding was well and truly stopped. The All Blacks were mostly all on top of their games. Jane was superb on the wing, and surely he's earned more starts on the back of this. Toeava had one of those tests that remind you why his coaches covet him so and there was also a much improved showing from Rokocoko. Also, wasn't it good to see Mils Muliaina playing with a lot more confidence?
Up front new chum Tom Donnelly had an excellent debut in the second row, Andrew Hore got his lineout stuff right, Adam Thomson added some much-needed mobility to a loose trio that outplayed their opposites and the set-piece stuff was, by and large, on the money. Richie McCaw was back to his best too as the All Blacks won the tackle ball area comprehensively.
The Wallabies? O'Connor had a match to forget, Giteau was again well contained by the All Blacks and the Australian backline in general found themselves running at a black wall all night.
The Wallaby forwards also could make little or no headway all night, and even failed to procure the supposedly failsafe method of possession via the All Black lineout. Pocock and Smith were non-factors.
For the All Blacks the questions were answered. For the Wallabies they start all over again across the Tasman. Deans should buckle down for another assault.
New Zealand 33 (Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko tries; Daniel Carter 4 pen, 3 con)
Australia 6 (Matt Giteau pen, Berrick Barnes dropped goal).
Halftime: 16-6.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Late flourish not enough for All Blacks
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
The All Blacks were gracious in defeat as they handed the Tri-Nations trophy over to South Africa last night with coach Graham Henry only lamenting a poor opening hour's work that cost his side the Hamilton test and any chance of staying in the title race.
The All Blacks came back strongly but ended up short, losing 29-32 for their third loss of the tournament. That left Henry offering no excuses.
"Congratulations to South Africa. I think they richly deserve to win the Tri-Nations, they have beaten the All Blacks three times ... that's pretty convincing.
"They played structured rugby. We played well for the last 20 minutes and didn't play well the first 60, that's the basic reason we lost the game."
Late tries to Sitiveni Sivivatu and Richie McCaw raised hopes of a win that would have kept the tournament alive.
But in the end there could be little argument with South Africa's stature as the best side in this championship.
The All Blacks play the Wallabies in Wellington next Saturday to wrap up the tournament.
There is nothing but pride to play for now and clearly the Boks dented the All Blacks with this win in New Zealand.
The All Blacks lineout fell apart from the outset and by the time it recovered late in the match it was too late.
"When the game looked lost we could have pulled it out of the fire. But we lacked that consistency. We turned over too much ball, there wasn't the structure in the set pieces," said Henry.
"We started to get that consistency, the lineout got better, we held on to ball and we looked a good side. We got a wee bit more adventurous as the game went on too."
Of the lineout woes specifically, Henry said: "I guess that's confidence. We didn't hit the jumpers early and that confidence waned."
Henry and backs coach Wayne Smith admitted the controversial move to play Dan Carter and Stephen Donald together had failed.
"I don't think it was as good as we hoped," said an honest Henry.
"We thought it was the right selection. But I though Daniel lacked a wee bit in giving the side direction when both were on the field."
He felt things had improved when Donald was subbed in the 50th minute, allowing Carter to concentrate on his No 10 duties after the pair had swapped positions regularly.
Added Smith: "I feel a bit sorry for Stephen because there weren't a lot of opportunities in that first half. It was a scrambling game and not how we wanted to play."
Henry said there were some simple lessons to be learnt from this campaign.
"You need quality first phase ball so that you have a foundation to work from and getting over the advantage line.
"I think it's a basic game --- get go forward ball and when you achieve those things then you are looking likely. We did that but it was too late in the game."
The All Blacks were gracious in defeat as they handed the Tri-Nations trophy over to South Africa last night with coach Graham Henry only lamenting a poor opening hour's work that cost his side the Hamilton test and any chance of staying in the title race.
The All Blacks came back strongly but ended up short, losing 29-32 for their third loss of the tournament. That left Henry offering no excuses.
"Congratulations to South Africa. I think they richly deserve to win the Tri-Nations, they have beaten the All Blacks three times ... that's pretty convincing.
"They played structured rugby. We played well for the last 20 minutes and didn't play well the first 60, that's the basic reason we lost the game."
Late tries to Sitiveni Sivivatu and Richie McCaw raised hopes of a win that would have kept the tournament alive.
But in the end there could be little argument with South Africa's stature as the best side in this championship.
The All Blacks play the Wallabies in Wellington next Saturday to wrap up the tournament.
There is nothing but pride to play for now and clearly the Boks dented the All Blacks with this win in New Zealand.
The All Blacks lineout fell apart from the outset and by the time it recovered late in the match it was too late.
"When the game looked lost we could have pulled it out of the fire. But we lacked that consistency. We turned over too much ball, there wasn't the structure in the set pieces," said Henry.
"We started to get that consistency, the lineout got better, we held on to ball and we looked a good side. We got a wee bit more adventurous as the game went on too."
Of the lineout woes specifically, Henry said: "I guess that's confidence. We didn't hit the jumpers early and that confidence waned."
Henry and backs coach Wayne Smith admitted the controversial move to play Dan Carter and Stephen Donald together had failed.
"I don't think it was as good as we hoped," said an honest Henry.
"We thought it was the right selection. But I though Daniel lacked a wee bit in giving the side direction when both were on the field."
He felt things had improved when Donald was subbed in the 50th minute, allowing Carter to concentrate on his No 10 duties after the pair had swapped positions regularly.
Added Smith: "I feel a bit sorry for Stephen because there weren't a lot of opportunities in that first half. It was a scrambling game and not how we wanted to play."
Henry said there were some simple lessons to be learnt from this campaign.
"You need quality first phase ball so that you have a foundation to work from and getting over the advantage line.
"I think it's a basic game --- get go forward ball and when you achieve those things then you are looking likely. We did that but it was too late in the game."
Tri-Nations analysis: Struggling All Blacks can still retain their crown
An in-depth look at how the times are changing for Graham Henry and his not-so-vintage New Zealand side.
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| by James Mortimer on 31 August 2009
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| The last word that comes to mind when describing the 2009 All Blacks is vintage, but they possess a fighting quality that has ensured they may still defend their Tri-Nations title. New Zealand are looking at recording an unprecedented fifth consecutive trophy that signifies supremacy in the Southern Hemisphere, and their ninth overall. However, back-to-back losses against the Springboks in South Africa have ensured that their destiny is not in their own hands. The All Blacks must rely on the Wallabies to beat the world champions in Brisbane. If this is achieved, then the clash on September 12 in Waikato could still be for the 14th Tri-Nations title. Irrespective of this, there would be a grim satisfaction residing with All Blacks coach Graham Henry, with the fact that he is now 5-1 against his Wallabies rival and fellow Kiwi Robbie Deans, well and truly putting to bed any concerns over whether or not the NZRU made the right decision in their then controversial decision to re-appoint the former headmaster of Kelston Boys. While there are still concerns moving forward for this All Blacks team, there are plenty of foundations to w |
As the Springboks themselves have proven in this year’s competition, you do not need the complete game plan, as long as the established pillars of your technique are strong enough to win matches.
In this we can sum up the All Black issues this year. Unlike the South Africans, they have not been clearly dominant in one aspect that has allowed them to build into match-winning control. But the manifesto laid in Sydney, if built upon, could well change this.
The most fundamental appears to be there, the bedrock on which All Blacks teams throughout history have relied on, an unwillingness to accept defeat and a pride in the silver fern embossed on their left chest.
Even in the face of a Springboks onslaught, this All Blacks team has not folded.
The second elementary aspect is there, even if it is evident against the Wallabies far more than against the South Africans.
Their pack is strong, with a solid scrum, but in Sydney they showed one of the most desired aspects of a forward platform; the ability to evolve. Their lineout improved and their tactical approach in the loose was alternated when it was required, vastly increasing their pick and drives and running off the pillars when evident that the Wallabies were struggling.
The challenge will be to achieve this against the Springboks. Against both the World Cup holders and France this year, New Zealand have laboured at times to dominate in the tackle area.
The cattle and technique are there but, as with their basic skills in all facets, it is more a question of accuracy and patience. This could sum up their attack, with the All Blacks showing neither quality in spades.
In this, the All Blacks are very much a diamond in the rough. They are showing a willingness to run with the ball and employ an offensive stratagem, far more than their opponents, but the execution is not there.
While the desire is clearly evident, the tenets of such attack are missing, which also form the backbone of historic All Black rugby. Hard direct running, close lines of support and exquisite short off-loading are just not coming together for Henry’s men.
In many respects, heaven help the opposition when they slot the final pieces of the grand jigsaw, for against both South Africa and Australia they have made numerous breaks and running metres (almost double that of their opponents in the competition so far) but unforced errors have derailed their phases.
In this the men on the pitch must be responsible, but here a recent strength of New Zealand rugby, already seen under Henry, needs to again come to the fore. Depth of players, and the resulting competition for places it ensures.
This was evidenced through the performances by both Ma’a Nonu and Rodney So’oialo in Sydney when coming off the bench. With the All Blacks having other options in their positions (Luke McAlister and Kieran Read), the two Hurricanes came on to the park and played as if their very lives depended on it.
Contrast this to Mils Muliaina, who despite being an excellent player, hasn’t quite delivered to his very high standards in 2009. Is he a little more relaxed knowing a certain Leon Macdonald isn’t challenging for his position?
This is where New Zealand’s jewel in the crown – the Air New Zealand Cup – is crucial. This year we have seen All Blacks filtering back into the competition, but non-performing Test players should be put on notice. Equally strong domestic performers should be rewarded.
Joe Rokocoko re-earned his Test spot with a winger’s master-class performance for Auckland at Kerikeri domain, but still his position should be on notice. Otherwise it is an affront to the battalions of New Zealand wingers, such as Hosea Gear, Rudi Wulf, Rene Ranger and Fetu’u Vainikolo who perform week in and week out.
Still, if anything the frustration felt by the All Blacks' public is symptomatic of their demands for success and reflective of the usual high standards of the most successful Test team (World Cups aside) in the modern game.
And beyond the above mentioned “platforms” to work with, 2009 has unveiled many positives.
Isaac Ross and Owen Franks have been unearthed as long-term options, crucial considering Ali Williams' absence and the struggle to fill the immense shoes of Carl Hayman.
The defensive ethos of the All Blacks is strong, employing a mixed strategy of rush, swarm and umbrella tackle systems.
But for all the lack of crispness in New Zealand’s game, it is clear beyond any pessimism that they are - despite struggling to implement – looking at an innovative attacking match-day strategy that could pay dividends come 2011.
As it was when they introduced a Randwick-style attack to their arsenal in 2004, the reality is that these new approaches take time.
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This was evidenced through the performances by both Ma’a Nonu and Rodney So’oialo in Sydney when coming off the bench. With the All Blacks having other options in their positions (Luke McAlister and Kieran Read), the two Hurricanes came on to the park and played as if their very lives depended on it.
Contrast this to Mils Muliaina, who despite being an excellent player, hasn’t quite delivered to his very high standards in 2009. Is he a little more relaxed knowing a certain Leon Macdonald isn’t challenging for his position?
This is where New Zealand’s jewel in the crown – the Air New Zealand Cup – is crucial. This year we have seen All Blacks filtering back into the competition, but non-performing Test players should be put on notice. Equally strong domestic performers should be rewarded.
Joe Rokocoko re-earned his Test spot with a winger’s master-class performance for Auckland at Kerikeri domain, but still his position should be on notice. Otherwise it is an affront to the battalions of New Zealand wingers, such as Hosea Gear, Rudi Wulf, Rene Ranger and Fetu’u Vainikolo who perform week in and week out.
Still, if anything the frustration felt by the All Blacks' public is symptomatic of their demands for success and reflective of the usual high standards of the most successful Test team (World Cups aside) in the modern game.
And beyond the above mentioned “platforms” to work with, 2009 has unveiled many positives.
Isaac Ross and Owen Franks have been unearthed as long-term options, crucial considering Ali Williams' absence and the struggle to fill the immense shoes of Carl Hayman.
The defensive ethos of the All Blacks is strong, employing a mixed strategy of rush, swarm and umbrella tackle systems.
But for all the lack of crispness in New Zealand’s game, it is clear beyond any pessimism that they are - despite struggling to implement – looking at an innovative attacking match-day strategy that could pay dividends come 2011.
As it was when they introduced a Randwick-style attack to their arsenal in 2004, the reality is that these new approaches take time.
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