James Mortimer - (28/12/2011)
If one had said to any involved with the All Blacks – management, players or fans alike – that the world’s number one ranked team would lose back-to-back test matches leading into the World Cup, one would have wondered if such a prophecy was uttered by the grim reaper himself.
As Suncorp Stadium again proved too daunting a colosseum to win for a New Zealand team in 2011, the All Blacks would have taken little comfort from the fact that winning or losing the Investec Tri Nations was no pointer to success in World Cups.
Never has a Tri Nations winner won the Webb Ellis Cup in the same season.
But an All Blacks team is always expected to win, and while their first failure to win the Southern Hemisphere’s premier tournament in a World Cup year hurt, ultimately their 25-20 loss to the Wallabies would prove to be a good thing.
It took all complacency away from the All Blacks, while ironically perhaps gave the Australians just a little more swagger that may have in the end lulled them into thinking they had their great rivals measure.
However while the loss in the Tri Nations finale, and an 18-5 defeat where an understrength All Blacks touring team lost to a reinforced Springboks (who welcomed back their 21 injured players who could not tour Australasia) – normally unthinkable New Zealand losses would for the first time in history be forgiven if the most famous of 20-year losing droughts was broken.
That would not be the only challenge for the hosts.
The devastating earthquake in Christchurch, that had emotionally and physically drained the Crusaders, would further impact the All Blacks when it was announced that the stricken city would have its World Cup matches reallocated.
While All Blacks past and present would be struck down throughout the tournament.
Legends such as Jock Hobbs and Jonah Lomu would fight their respective battles in 2011 against illness, while on the field the nation recoiled in shock as Dan Carter was ruled out with a groin injury.
This was punctuated by the revelation that Richie McCaw was essentially playing on one foot, while former coach Graham Henry revealed after the tournament that he has seen his captain’s foot while fishing, and despite knowing the extent of the injury, still was stunned at the condition of the most talked about appendage in world rugby.
“I looked at his foot and said, 'Hell, Rich, that bloody foot looks swollen mate, really swollen',” Henry said while fishing.
McCaw simply replied “Yeah, Ted, it is.”
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and while maybe only Clint Eastwood would have been smiling as the twists and plots for another blockbuster rugby movie wrote itself, these factors would ultimately serve to unite the team and allow them to conquer every obstacle and win the Holy Grail, hence confirming their status as the best team in the world in recent years.
The year began with a 60-14 defeat of Fiji, who arrived in Dunedin for the last test at Carisbrook confident; as they had watched their Pacific Island rivals Samoa stun the Wallabies a week earlier.
There were certainly positives for the hosts, as Sitiveni Sivivatu fired the first shots in a mouth-watering battle between the country’s best wings with an excellent performance, while Adam Thomson all but secured his position as the ‘fourth’ loose forward with a monstrous display in his own stomping ground.
Yet a 32-0 halftime score couldn’t gloss over some elementary mistakes from the All Blacks, with the new heir apparent Colin Slade making some unforced errors, while that time honoured ailment of overplaying one’s hand struck the overwhelming favourites throughout the match.
This was encapsulated by a 7-0 third quarter to Fiji, with the Pacific Islanders coming out firing in the second half, although a potential paint stripping post match brief by Henry was averted by the All Blacks reasserting themselves in the final 20 minutes.
As the Tri Nations began, its final year before the formal announcement that Argentina would become part of the new Investec Rugby Championship, the Springboks sent a diluted team to their Antipodean rivals, and lost the opening match of the tournament 39-20 to the Wallabies.
Any concern that the Australians were looking increasingly formidable, clearly building momentum around the Reds Super Rugby win (with the appointment of the Queensland skipper James Horwill to the national post), were soundly diminished by an All Blacks master class the following week.
A complete 40-7 win may have been helped by a strangely lacklustre South African performance, especially up front, but the precision and all-round brilliance of the hosts delighted the fans in Wellington.
The ultimate dress rehearsal for the World Cup followed, as the Wallabies strutted into Eden Park looking to record their first win since 1986, and the oldest starting team in Tri Nations history waited, as Henry rolled out his most powerful starting XV – paying homage to the World Cup decree that experience is one of the great factors.
Eighty minutes later the Wallabies departed Auckland with their tails between their legs, shut down by an All Blacks team that re-affirmed their status as World Cup favourites and the number one team in the world.
While that performance would have given millions of New Zealanders a wonderful night’s sleep, or lack thereof, the next three weeks would prove how long such a period is in sport.
The 13-point loss to South Africa didn’t cause too much angst, as Henry made 12 changes for the match while the Springboks again relied on the boot of Morne Steyn to provide all of their points.
But the loss in Brisbane hurt, especially considering the 20-3 first half where the Wallabies put in arguably the most dominant half of rugby played against the All Blacks in the Henry era.
A half where it all went wrong as Kieran Read and Thomson both left the field with injuries they would carry into the World Cup.
Having announced the World Cup squad in Queensland’s capital that week, any impending kiwi nightmares and a sudden shift in bookmaker’s assertions that the All Blacks were fading, were eased with a 17-5 second half where the visitors showed that when they base their strategy around aggressive forward based play – they are all but impossible to stop.
And so began the World Cup.
The opening match against Tonga gave the All Blacks faithful all the emotions that come with the beauty of our game, as at times the World Cup hosts looked like an unstoppable legion as their backs cut the Pacific Islanders to shreds.
Yet in the second half, it was in many respects a display of wondering concentration, as Tonga began to play like a team while the All Blacks, boasting a huge halftime lead, began to drift away from their structure and commit the ultimate sporting sin – trying to win the match as individuals.
Normal traffic seemed to resume in the next three World Cup matches, where Japan, France and Canada were dispatched with the efficiency that comes with being a global superpower.
The rendezvous against France was going to create some nerves considering their heroics in 1999 and 2007 in knocking the All Blacks out of the World Cup, but this was no elimination match.
What made that 37-17 victory against Les Bleus especially satisfying was that the French did not roll over despite some compelling stanzas of control by the All Blacks.
It would prove somewhat oracular when French lock Lionel Nallet remarked before the match that he wasn’t especially confident, saying that considering France’s goal to reach the final, beating the All Blacks twice at home was impossible.
That loss, and the Tricolours apple cart turning defeat to Tonga, would actually propel France through the other side of the draw to again meet the All Blacks.
The 33-10 quarter-final win over Argentina to be fair flattered New Zealand as the Rugby Championship 2012 debutants were solid and workmanlike in everything they did, but the All Blacks were able to keep piling on the points to move to the semi-final.
The victory over the Wallabies in Eden Park proved that the results earlier in the year could have benefited.
Nothing is as dangerous as a wounded All Blacks team without a hint of self-righteousness, while for Australia nothing is as frustrating as a Wallabies team that talks the talk and prefers to play down the ‘respect’ card – with the annals of time proving that overconfidence has been more than one team’s undoing.
The 8-7 win over France was a triumph of resilience and mental fortitude, with the All Blacks putting in a performance that had Henry more nervous in the final 20 minutes than he had ever been.
McCaw frankly admitted later that the visual calmness as the All Blacks grimly defended their line against the French wasn’t literal, saying that in many respects his team hung on for grim life.
How did the All Blacks win the World Cup?
Certainly they showed any mental frailties that many believed led to their departure from earlier tournaments had been conquered, as the All Blacks stared down the monkey that had turned into some freakishly oversized gorilla.
The doomsday merchants said that without McCaw or Carter the All Blacks would never be a chance, and in here the carefully built depth of the team came to the fore.
Not only was the fourth choice first five-eighth in Stephen Donald able to play his part despite playmakers dropping like flies, but other senior players stood up to support, making a mockery of occasional claims that the All Blacks relied on one or two key planks.
Jerome Kaino was a goliath throughout the season, deservedly claiming the award as New Zealand rugby’s player of the year.
His presence was summed up by the fact that he was missing during the loss in Brisbane, and it was he who manhandled the Wallabies most potent attacking back Digby Ioane to prevent the Reds’ flyer from scoring a try at Eden Park.
The contributions continued throughout the back division and pack.
Israel Dagg gave Henry his most difficult decision as a coach, displacing centurion Mils Muliaina; Cory Jane and Richard Kahui had to cement their places during a season long wingman battle royale; Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu confirmed their status as the world’s best midfield, while Piri Weepu was like a Maori chief as he stood up to support the backup first five-eighths – even if his mum said during the World Cup that Piri was the runt of the clan.
Up front number eight Kieran Read made a mockery of his injury to again prove why he is one of the game’s best eightmen; Thomson supported well with his versatility; the Crusaders firm of Brad Thorn and Sam Whitelock were brilliant; while up front Owen Franks continued to defied convention as a young world class tighthead, Tony Woodcock paid back the selectors faith, and it didn’t hurt to have two grizzled hookers with different but international class skillsets.
McCaw, now the most capped All Black of all time, led his team to glory despite the odds, and capped off a dream year despite the challenges that were presented throughout.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Today in History - 1981 All Blacks v France
James Mortimer - (22/11/2011)
While 1981 may be remembered in New Zealand rugby history for the controversial Springbok tour, that year also saw an intriguing test series in France, where there may have been thoughts of revenge from the All Blacks camp. Only four years earlier the All Blacks had made their first full tour of France, fresh off a 3-1 series success against the British and Irish Lions.
The hosts won the first test 18-13 in Toulouse, but the All Blacks, already with a brilliant record in French territory, were able to square the series with a 15-3 win in Paris.
Over the coming years the All Blacks legacy continued to grow.
In 1978 New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup for the 12th time, a dominating 28-year period of success that still stands as the most successful trans-Tasman run in history.
Later that year All Blacks captain Graham Mourie would lead his team to New Zealand’s first ever touring Grand Slam over the Home Nations.
At the time the achievement was as significant as a World Cup win, so when France arrived in 1979 for their first full tour, New Zealand rugby was in great shape, and this was in evidence as they won the first test 23-9 in Christchurch.
However the second test at Eden Park saw France win 24-19 on Bastille Day, giving Les Bleus their first win on New Zealand soil over the All Blacks.
To put the victory into perspective, only two teams (Australia in 1985 and France again in 1994) have won since at the venue where the All Blacks have won two World Cups.
When the All Blacks left New Zealand for their second tour of France in 1981, not only was their the case of avenging their Eden Park defeat in their most recent clash with Les Bleus – but Mourie’s troops had just lost the Bledisloe Cup.
They were in need of something to revive spirits, but the challenge would be formidable.
France had claimed the 1981 Five Nations title, sweeping all before them to win the Grand Slam.
The late Jacques Fouroux, who in 1977 actually captained France against the All Blacks, became coach of his national team prior to the Five Nations and immediately the “Little Corporal” made an impression on Les Bleus.
Basing their power around a giant pack, yet intertwined with the classical backline brilliance that made France a world power, the All Blacks arrived with an immense challenge.
Mourie would bring Andy Dalton, Murray Mexted and Gary Whetton to combat the French forwards, and would narrowly pip the first contest 13-9 at Stade Toulouse, in a match that would typify the cliché of a rugby arm wrestle.
The second test would see the All Blacks flex their muscles with their prowess out wide, with Stu Wilson crossing for a try, while reliable Lower Hutt born fullback Allan Hewson would kick over two conversions and two penalties as New Zealand won 18-6 in Paris – winning a test series in France for the first time.
Both nations would dominate for the next several years, with the All Blacks regaining the Bledisloe Cup in 1982, beating the Lions 4-0 in 1983, and altogether winning 31 of 40 tests right up till and including the inaugural World Cup.
France would win the Five Nations again in 1983 and 1986 (sharing the title with Ireland and Scotland respectively) and would approach the first World Cup as one of the favourites, not only recording a Grand Slam that year, but beating the All Blacks 16-3 in Nantes prior to the global tournament.
Each side proved their status as the strongest Southern and Northern power of the eighties by meeting in the World Cup final, but the All Blacks would prove too strong, winning 29-9.
While 1981 may be remembered in New Zealand rugby history for the controversial Springbok tour, that year also saw an intriguing test series in France, where there may have been thoughts of revenge from the All Blacks camp. Only four years earlier the All Blacks had made their first full tour of France, fresh off a 3-1 series success against the British and Irish Lions.
The hosts won the first test 18-13 in Toulouse, but the All Blacks, already with a brilliant record in French territory, were able to square the series with a 15-3 win in Paris.
Over the coming years the All Blacks legacy continued to grow.
In 1978 New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup for the 12th time, a dominating 28-year period of success that still stands as the most successful trans-Tasman run in history.
Later that year All Blacks captain Graham Mourie would lead his team to New Zealand’s first ever touring Grand Slam over the Home Nations.
At the time the achievement was as significant as a World Cup win, so when France arrived in 1979 for their first full tour, New Zealand rugby was in great shape, and this was in evidence as they won the first test 23-9 in Christchurch.
However the second test at Eden Park saw France win 24-19 on Bastille Day, giving Les Bleus their first win on New Zealand soil over the All Blacks.
To put the victory into perspective, only two teams (Australia in 1985 and France again in 1994) have won since at the venue where the All Blacks have won two World Cups.
When the All Blacks left New Zealand for their second tour of France in 1981, not only was their the case of avenging their Eden Park defeat in their most recent clash with Les Bleus – but Mourie’s troops had just lost the Bledisloe Cup.
They were in need of something to revive spirits, but the challenge would be formidable.
France had claimed the 1981 Five Nations title, sweeping all before them to win the Grand Slam.
The late Jacques Fouroux, who in 1977 actually captained France against the All Blacks, became coach of his national team prior to the Five Nations and immediately the “Little Corporal” made an impression on Les Bleus.
Basing their power around a giant pack, yet intertwined with the classical backline brilliance that made France a world power, the All Blacks arrived with an immense challenge.
Mourie would bring Andy Dalton, Murray Mexted and Gary Whetton to combat the French forwards, and would narrowly pip the first contest 13-9 at Stade Toulouse, in a match that would typify the cliché of a rugby arm wrestle.
The second test would see the All Blacks flex their muscles with their prowess out wide, with Stu Wilson crossing for a try, while reliable Lower Hutt born fullback Allan Hewson would kick over two conversions and two penalties as New Zealand won 18-6 in Paris – winning a test series in France for the first time.
Both nations would dominate for the next several years, with the All Blacks regaining the Bledisloe Cup in 1982, beating the Lions 4-0 in 1983, and altogether winning 31 of 40 tests right up till and including the inaugural World Cup.
France would win the Five Nations again in 1983 and 1986 (sharing the title with Ireland and Scotland respectively) and would approach the first World Cup as one of the favourites, not only recording a Grand Slam that year, but beating the All Blacks 16-3 in Nantes prior to the global tournament.
Each side proved their status as the strongest Southern and Northern power of the eighties by meeting in the World Cup final, but the All Blacks would prove too strong, winning 29-9.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
True grit wins the day for relieved All Blacks
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE Last updated 23:19 23/10/2011
OPINION: There's no World Cup glory without guts and the All Blacks oozed plenty of that to end 24 years of agony at Eden Park last night.
All Blacks fans always said a one point win would be enough to satisfy them and that's all Richie McCaw's brave men dished up, grinding past France 8-7.
It was an unlikely scoreline but these finals have a habit of dishing those up.
There had been just nine tries in the six finals up till now and only prop Tony Woodcock and French flanker Thierry Dusautoir could get across the line last night.
The All Blacks had to live without the ball for most of the match and they somehow managed to engineer enough tackling and determination to defend that one point.
Anyone foolishly doubting the French would turn up only had to watch their reaction to the haka. Their advance over the halfway line said it all and the All Blacks missed an opportunity of counter-gamesmanship by not pushing forward themselves.
Clearly stung by their criticism, the French produced some real sting with their play. There was a furious edge from their forwards and their skipper Dusautoir was outstanding. His second half try by the posts had a nightmare feel to it.
And as Kiwis celebrate the end of the drought they should pause a moment to remember that France have been in three finals without any joy.
But they were worthy finalists last night, producing a Herculean contest, particularly in the battle up front.
The All Blacks were struggling for the power and perfection they produced in the semifinal win over the Wallabies.
They started well with a dominant first quarter but didn't get the reward apart from Woodcock's cleverly worked try off a lineout move.
And as Piri Weepu's magic boot repeatedly lost its radar the confidence started to sap from the New Zealanders.
Alarm bells were raised when Aaron Cruden was forced off after 33 minutes and you could see the French sense some trepidation creeping into the All Blacks' game.
Those alarms grew louder when Weepu was subbed off after 49 minutes of erratic play. The little magician had lost his powers and it seemed like that guardian angel that has hovered over the French all tournament was working her own magic.
But the new halfback pairing of Andy Ellis and Stephen Donald held their nerve.
To his credit the much-maligned Donald stepped up to land a crucial penalty early in the second half and his general game was more than tidy enough as the plenty of the play was directed his way around the fringes.
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Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read were huge for the All Blacks and skipper Riche McCaw was magnificent.
Though this wasn't the advertisement for running rugby the superbly staged tournament deserved, it was gripping drama the had the packed stadium on the edge of their seats.
It was a great send off for Brad Thorn - it was just his sort of game!
If it was Graham Henry's send-off too, then what a way to go. He's always been a style master, a promoter of running rugby, but he'll gladly take the cup by one point as by 20, by one try as by four.
The 1987 All Blacks heroes wouldn't be worrying either - it's the scoreboard that matters and finally it reflected that the world's No1 ranked team are world champions as well.
All Blacks are Rugby World Cup champions
All Blacks are Rugby World Cup champions
MARC HINTON AND KEVIN NORQUAY Last updated 23:54 23/10/2011
LATEST: After a year of tragedy; lives lost in Christchurch's devastating earthquakes and in the mine at Pike River, the All Blacks have given New Zealanders cause to celebrate.
If followed a nail-biting 80 minute game in which the French challenged the All Blacks at every opportunity, New Zealand's 8-7 victory was hard fought.
"Marvellous," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said shortly after the win.
"The people have been outstanding in support of this team, in support of this Rugby World Cup. I'm so proud to be a New Zealander standing here."
Henry admitted it had been "terrible" up in the coaches' box as they endured a tension-filled second half in which the French threw everything during another one of those famous World Cup upsets they specialise in.
"You just reflect over the last seven weeks and what the people have done throughout the country. It's quite outstanding," added Henry. "Richie and the boys just hanging in there throughout 80 minutes to win this thing, it's just superb."
Henry also had some special praise for fourth-choice No 10 Stephen Donald who played 46 minutes and kept his cool magnificently.
"Didn't he do well - superb.
"This is something we've dreamed of for a while. We can rest in peace now.
"I am [happy]... I've just got so much respect for what the boys have done over eight years. It's been outstanding."
All Black captain Ritchie McCaw said the country should be proud of this group of men. "I'm absolutely shagged...we had to dig as deep as we have ever dug before...[but] we got there in the end."
French captain Thierry Dusautoir said he was very proud of his boys. "It's a pity. We are disappointed. I am really disappointed."
More than 60,000 at Eden Park celebrated as New Zealand regained the Holy Grail of rugby, last claimed 8892 days ago.
It was a night for celebration as all the pain, all the angst, all the national soul searching of the intervening years poured out into a black-clad celebration as the All Blacks swept aside France, as they had in 1987.
It was a night for revenge, for the settling of scores with a side that had bundled New Zealand out of the Cup in 1999, then again in the 2007 quarterfinals, one of the darkest days in the history of the treasured black jersey.
All Blacks Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock and Zac Guildford were not born when New Zealand last won the Cup, and reserve Victor Vito was just three months old.
For McCaw, it was the ultimate prize at the end of a tournament in which he dragged his aching body through ruck after ruck, tackle after tackle, to finally lay to rest the misery of the quarterfinal loss in Cardiff four years ago.
MARC HINTON AND KEVIN NORQUAY Last updated 23:54 23/10/2011
LATEST: After a year of tragedy; lives lost in Christchurch's devastating earthquakes and in the mine at Pike River, the All Blacks have given New Zealanders cause to celebrate.
If followed a nail-biting 80 minute game in which the French challenged the All Blacks at every opportunity, New Zealand's 8-7 victory was hard fought.
"Marvellous," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said shortly after the win.
"The people have been outstanding in support of this team, in support of this Rugby World Cup. I'm so proud to be a New Zealander standing here."
Henry admitted it had been "terrible" up in the coaches' box as they endured a tension-filled second half in which the French threw everything during another one of those famous World Cup upsets they specialise in.
"You just reflect over the last seven weeks and what the people have done throughout the country. It's quite outstanding," added Henry. "Richie and the boys just hanging in there throughout 80 minutes to win this thing, it's just superb."
Henry also had some special praise for fourth-choice No 10 Stephen Donald who played 46 minutes and kept his cool magnificently.
"Didn't he do well - superb.
"This is something we've dreamed of for a while. We can rest in peace now.
"I am [happy]... I've just got so much respect for what the boys have done over eight years. It's been outstanding."
All Black captain Ritchie McCaw said the country should be proud of this group of men. "I'm absolutely shagged...we had to dig as deep as we have ever dug before...[but] we got there in the end."
French captain Thierry Dusautoir said he was very proud of his boys. "It's a pity. We are disappointed. I am really disappointed."
More than 60,000 at Eden Park celebrated as New Zealand regained the Holy Grail of rugby, last claimed 8892 days ago.
It was a night for celebration as all the pain, all the angst, all the national soul searching of the intervening years poured out into a black-clad celebration as the All Blacks swept aside France, as they had in 1987.
It was a night for revenge, for the settling of scores with a side that had bundled New Zealand out of the Cup in 1999, then again in the 2007 quarterfinals, one of the darkest days in the history of the treasured black jersey.
All Blacks Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock and Zac Guildford were not born when New Zealand last won the Cup, and reserve Victor Vito was just three months old.
For McCaw, it was the ultimate prize at the end of a tournament in which he dragged his aching body through ruck after ruck, tackle after tackle, to finally lay to rest the misery of the quarterfinal loss in Cardiff four years ago.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
How they rated: the All Blacks
Paul Cully
October 17, 2011
Cory Jane was the official man of the match.
15. Israel Dagg The most dangerous runner on the field, he killed the Wallabies with his long-kicking game from fullback. Won the territorial battle. 8/10
14. Cory Jane Brilliance under the high ball was the feature of the first half, snuffing out Genia's kicking game. Bright on attack too. 8
13. Conrad Smith Hardly touched the ball as the All Blacks turned the game into a contest between the forwards. But solid in defence. 6
12. Ma'a Nonu A quieter than normal performance, which was to be expected in the absence of Dan Carter. 7
11. Richard Kahui Saw little ball but was solid when called upon. Would have enjoyed last act of game, driving an isolated, backpedalling Cooper over the touchline to the delight of the Eden Park fans. 6
10. Aaron Cruden Incredibly assured performance from the youngster. Ran with purpose and had the ball on a string with his kicking, including one composed drop goal. Opposite of Cooper.7
9. Piri Weepu Not his best game and he had an off night with the boot, missing some very kickable penalties. Pace caught up with him and he was replaced before the hour. 6
8. Kieran Read Running into some strong form after his injury lay-off. The man for the hard yards. 7
7. Richard McCaw Showed the world that he is still the boss, indisputably, even on one foot. One fantastic driving tackle on Genia highlighted his effort. 8
6. Jerome Kaino Used his immense strength to pick up and drive back Ioane when a try looked on the cards. 7
5. Sam Whitelock Busy rather than spectacular, although the lineout operated efficiently. Ali Williams made more of an impact from the bench with his powerful carries. 7
4. Brad Thorn Wallabies fans will find the image of a whooping Thorn after a dominant scrum hard to swallow, but he was a strongman all night. 7
3. Owen Franks Gave Kepu and Slipper real problems in the set pieces and smashed McCabe with one huge tackle that led to an All Blacks penalty. A hard nut from the old school. 8
2. Keven Mealamu His best performance of the tournament. Consistently made metres up the middle with his close-to-the-ground running style. 8
1. Tony Woodcock Part of the brutal forward effort that won the game. All Blacks won the scrum, the collisions and the breakdown. 7
RESERVES
Brainless no-arms tackle by Sonny Bill Williams on Cooper reduced his team to 14 men in the dying minutes and could have been costly at another stage. But Andy Ellis and Ali Williams made important contributions in the last half hour, as did Andrew Hore with his strength at the breakdown. 7
October 17, 2011
Cory Jane was the official man of the match.
15. Israel Dagg The most dangerous runner on the field, he killed the Wallabies with his long-kicking game from fullback. Won the territorial battle. 8/10
14. Cory Jane Brilliance under the high ball was the feature of the first half, snuffing out Genia's kicking game. Bright on attack too. 8
13. Conrad Smith Hardly touched the ball as the All Blacks turned the game into a contest between the forwards. But solid in defence. 6
12. Ma'a Nonu A quieter than normal performance, which was to be expected in the absence of Dan Carter. 7
11. Richard Kahui Saw little ball but was solid when called upon. Would have enjoyed last act of game, driving an isolated, backpedalling Cooper over the touchline to the delight of the Eden Park fans. 6
10. Aaron Cruden Incredibly assured performance from the youngster. Ran with purpose and had the ball on a string with his kicking, including one composed drop goal. Opposite of Cooper.7
9. Piri Weepu Not his best game and he had an off night with the boot, missing some very kickable penalties. Pace caught up with him and he was replaced before the hour. 6
8. Kieran Read Running into some strong form after his injury lay-off. The man for the hard yards. 7
7. Richard McCaw Showed the world that he is still the boss, indisputably, even on one foot. One fantastic driving tackle on Genia highlighted his effort. 8
6. Jerome Kaino Used his immense strength to pick up and drive back Ioane when a try looked on the cards. 7
5. Sam Whitelock Busy rather than spectacular, although the lineout operated efficiently. Ali Williams made more of an impact from the bench with his powerful carries. 7
4. Brad Thorn Wallabies fans will find the image of a whooping Thorn after a dominant scrum hard to swallow, but he was a strongman all night. 7
3. Owen Franks Gave Kepu and Slipper real problems in the set pieces and smashed McCabe with one huge tackle that led to an All Blacks penalty. A hard nut from the old school. 8
2. Keven Mealamu His best performance of the tournament. Consistently made metres up the middle with his close-to-the-ground running style. 8
1. Tony Woodcock Part of the brutal forward effort that won the game. All Blacks won the scrum, the collisions and the breakdown. 7
RESERVES
Brainless no-arms tackle by Sonny Bill Williams on Cooper reduced his team to 14 men in the dying minutes and could have been costly at another stage. But Andy Ellis and Ali Williams made important contributions in the last half hour, as did Andrew Hore with his strength at the breakdown. 7
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Steely All Blacks one match away from immortality
James Mortimer - (17/10/2011)
Earlier in the week the Australian media claimed the All Blacks had played their greatest emotional card, with the 1987 World Cup winning team having a special lunch with their current counterparts.
These All Blacks don’t lack for motivation when considering the factors they could use to drive them on when approaching the Final this weekend against France.
There is the small matter of a 24-year winning drought at this tournament, with this now the sixth World Cup since the All Blacks have hoisted the Webb Ellis trophy in triumph.
Add to this being at home amongst their ‘stadium of four million’, the poignant emotion and feeling that is hammered back home every time we think about Christchurch and the devastating earthquakes, not to mention Jock Hobbs special touch in presenting the new All Blacks centurions their caps, Jonah Lomu being hospitalised during the World Cup – and let us not forget the shock when it was revealed Dan Carter was ruled out.
If anything, there was a risk that there was too much emotion or feeling, something that the All Blacks could have succumbed to.
But with a moment of clarity, I personally knew this was not to be the case.
As I was standing during the New Zealand anthem, I must admit – with no embarrassment - that for the first time I was in tears as I was overcome with emotion prior to arguably the biggest All Blacks test I had ever been privledged to watch.
Then it hit me.
The All Blacks, to a man, looked relaxed and composed, some belting out ‘God Defend New Zealand’, while others, as is their want, stood deep within their own thoughts.
However emotion, nervousness, or even the slightest look of apprehension, was not in sight.
These All Blacks were focused.
This team was calm.
They leaked a steely resolve that coach Graham Henry had said was a consistent theme building into the test.
This All Blacks team was always going to be judged on the World Cup, and while Henry and captain Richie McCaw have cautioned they are still to ‘win the damn thing’, they are now on the precipice of adding the one trophy that has alluded them for two decades.
In 2004, when Henry took over as All Blacks coach, there was a small hint of things to come as England – admittedly understrength – but World Champions, arrived in New Zealand and lost 36-3 and 36-12.
The Springboks may have won the Investec Tri Nations that year, but Henry would add to the All Blacks legacy, a word he has spoken of with hushed tones during his long tenure.
Last night’s victory against the Wallabies was the All Blacks 87th test win in 102 matches under Henry - pushing his statistic to 85.7 percent of games won.
It was also the 192nd win on New Zealand soil, a remarkable ledger from 235 matches that has seen the All Blacks colours lowered just 37 times in their own backyard since 1904 - a home winning record of precisely 81.7 percent.
These All Blacks, led initially by Tana Umaga and now captained by Richie McCaw, has given rise to the most experienced New Zealand test team of all time.
Five of the All Blacks ten Tri Nations titles have been won in this period, including a competition record four straight from 2005 to 2008.
The Bledisloe Cup has not been conceded since 2002, the solitary Grand Slam victory achieved by Graham Mourie in 1978 has had three successes added (2005, 2008 and 2010), while records have been re-written with trans-Tasman streaks, home winning runs, while 50 tests against Northern Hemisphere opposition has resulted in just two losses in eight years.
The one thing to all but confirm this team as one of the great All Blacks sides, and one of the best outfits of all time – is the Webb Ellis Cup.
France and eighty minutes now stand between the All Blacks, as they prepare to pass their final barometer.
Earlier in the week the Australian media claimed the All Blacks had played their greatest emotional card, with the 1987 World Cup winning team having a special lunch with their current counterparts.
These All Blacks don’t lack for motivation when considering the factors they could use to drive them on when approaching the Final this weekend against France.
There is the small matter of a 24-year winning drought at this tournament, with this now the sixth World Cup since the All Blacks have hoisted the Webb Ellis trophy in triumph.
Add to this being at home amongst their ‘stadium of four million’, the poignant emotion and feeling that is hammered back home every time we think about Christchurch and the devastating earthquakes, not to mention Jock Hobbs special touch in presenting the new All Blacks centurions their caps, Jonah Lomu being hospitalised during the World Cup – and let us not forget the shock when it was revealed Dan Carter was ruled out.
If anything, there was a risk that there was too much emotion or feeling, something that the All Blacks could have succumbed to.
But with a moment of clarity, I personally knew this was not to be the case.
As I was standing during the New Zealand anthem, I must admit – with no embarrassment - that for the first time I was in tears as I was overcome with emotion prior to arguably the biggest All Blacks test I had ever been privledged to watch.
Then it hit me.
The All Blacks, to a man, looked relaxed and composed, some belting out ‘God Defend New Zealand’, while others, as is their want, stood deep within their own thoughts.
However emotion, nervousness, or even the slightest look of apprehension, was not in sight.
These All Blacks were focused.
This team was calm.
They leaked a steely resolve that coach Graham Henry had said was a consistent theme building into the test.
This All Blacks team was always going to be judged on the World Cup, and while Henry and captain Richie McCaw have cautioned they are still to ‘win the damn thing’, they are now on the precipice of adding the one trophy that has alluded them for two decades.
In 2004, when Henry took over as All Blacks coach, there was a small hint of things to come as England – admittedly understrength – but World Champions, arrived in New Zealand and lost 36-3 and 36-12.
The Springboks may have won the Investec Tri Nations that year, but Henry would add to the All Blacks legacy, a word he has spoken of with hushed tones during his long tenure.
Last night’s victory against the Wallabies was the All Blacks 87th test win in 102 matches under Henry - pushing his statistic to 85.7 percent of games won.
It was also the 192nd win on New Zealand soil, a remarkable ledger from 235 matches that has seen the All Blacks colours lowered just 37 times in their own backyard since 1904 - a home winning record of precisely 81.7 percent.
These All Blacks, led initially by Tana Umaga and now captained by Richie McCaw, has given rise to the most experienced New Zealand test team of all time.
Five of the All Blacks ten Tri Nations titles have been won in this period, including a competition record four straight from 2005 to 2008.
The Bledisloe Cup has not been conceded since 2002, the solitary Grand Slam victory achieved by Graham Mourie in 1978 has had three successes added (2005, 2008 and 2010), while records have been re-written with trans-Tasman streaks, home winning runs, while 50 tests against Northern Hemisphere opposition has resulted in just two losses in eight years.
The one thing to all but confirm this team as one of the great All Blacks sides, and one of the best outfits of all time – is the Webb Ellis Cup.
France and eighty minutes now stand between the All Blacks, as they prepare to pass their final barometer.
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