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Let’s face it, the All Blacks aren’t very good. Whether that’s because of Henry, rebuilding or papering the cracks, they haven’t been this bad in a while.
I don’t expect much of a turnaround, but we can at least stop the bleeding.
If McCaw plays, we can’t expect him to be any more match fit than Daniel Braid was.
If Henry is belligerent, he’ll play So’oialo at blindside and Kaino at Number Eight. How about admitting the right and left flanker combination is a mistake and reverting to the traditional set-up?
These weren’t the positions So’oialo and Kaino played in this year’s Super 14.
We’re playing for pride, not to judge whether it was McCaw holding things together in the earlier Tests. McCaw will have enough on his plate trying to organise the defence.
In the backs, MacDonald and Muliaina simply have to play together. One of them needs to switch to the right wing. It’s a specialist Test position and we need a stop gap measure. If Nonu is the second five, then MacDonald should start at fullback.
Nonu and Smith need to play as the midfield combination, no ifs and buts. It’s the only option we have. Without Luke McAlister or Nick Evans, there’s no way we can switch Daniel Carter to second five.
Whoever plays at halfback, we simply have to persevere and give him better support at the breakdown.
There will be all sorts of talk about the All Blacks re-gathering this week, but they want this Test match about as much as Roger Federer wants to play Nadal in a Grand Slam final.
Henry will talk about the need for structure and spending time in the opposition 22, but he actually needs to do some coaching this week.
By all means look at the tactics and where the game plan went wrong, but the wolves are at the door and they’re ready and waiting to rip this team to shreds.
Saturday’s Test isn’t about McCaw and whether he’s the difference maker. It’s not about his ability to lead from the front. It’s about everyone stepping up.
It starts in defence and in the commitment to the tackle. It’s about hitting the breakdown, cleaning out the rucks and driving hard on the pick and go. It’s about timing in the scrum and clearing the ball from your own 22.
These are simple, basic things that the All Blacks have been doing well for years. It’s about building a platform and controlling the tempo.
The passes stick better when you’re on the front foot.
Henry was a kingmaker. Now it’s time to convince these boys that they can still win a Test match.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.