By James Mortimer -
June 22nd 2009 @ 7:58am
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Loading ...All Blacks France: cheers for a great Test series
Perhaps it is the sight of black garbed men opposite them, but if Les Bleus committed these sorts of performances every test match, they would be a mighty world power. But, it is the lack of consistency that is the marque de fabrique of the Tri colours.
This series could be the critical moment for Coach Marc Lievremont. It is the two best performances his team have strung together under his watch, and not only has this series proven that in 2011 France will mark a considerable assault on the World Cup, but will have other Northern Hemisphere nations on notice.
France on this series must be favourites for the 2010 Six Nations.
While the world’s collective glance may be towards South Africa in the Lions series, these classical test matches have defined international rugby competition at its premium.
A battle of attrition was to be expected, but in poor conditions, with constant rain and a clear southerly chill, the lack of benevolence from the weather would ensure a much fiercer contest.
As expected, a wounded All Black team lifted their performance to the demanded level required as befitting their proud history and lofty public requirements.
In the first half, All Black ball retention was superb. It is difficult to say whether it was the inclusion of a specialist open side, or just a better display all round in the loose, but the contest for the ball and the retention of possession would have done the master Richie McCaw proud.
New Zealand turned over French ball four times in the first half, and conceded no ball themselves.
But as the All Blacks looked a far superior side to the team that lost 22-27 in Carisbrook last week, the French backed up their heroics from their first test win. There was so much heat and focus on the All Blacks in the second test build up, that it was lost whether or not Les Bleus could back up.
France is not a sequential team, as shown in their history of Southern tours.
With the exception of their 36-26 triumph over the Springboks in Cape Town in 2006, this is so far their best tour since the French of the early nineties.
That side from mid 1990 through to 1996 only lost one Southern test match, beating the Wallabies, Springboks, All Blacks twice, and the Puma’s on four occasions.
Since then they have won only seven of 27 matches.
Why would you not want to send a full strength team to the most taxing battlegrounds of world rugby, we ask the North?
One hopes, for the sake of early season All Black and Wallaby comparisons, that the same intense Les Bleus arrive at Stadium Australia. If they do, Robbie Deans convalescing Australian test team will receive a concentrated exam on their new abilities.
The All Blacks went into half time 8-0 ahead, courtesy of a well built try from Ma’a Nonu.
One felt they could have been further ahead, but these were conditions where the scores were only built by a moment of brilliance.
Unfortunately for the All Blacks, that genius would occur after the break.
The required patience seemed to temporarily desert the home team; with a magical try from Cedric Heymans bringing the French back into the match, and in one move of sorcery, undid almost all of the hard work that the All Blacks had done for 40 minutes prior.
The Toulouse veteran danced his way down the touchline, and despite the cover defence of Mils Muliaina, Jimmy Cowan and Joe Rokocoko, he scored in the corner, easily the try of the midyear internationals so far.
The All Blacks came back into the match though, but despite the improved performance, there were still struggles in their tactical control of the match.
While Stephen Donald had a stellar season with the Chiefs, there is still much it seems to be learnt by the young Waikato number ten.
One wonders, are the weaknesses in his game only so apparent for the stunning heights that Dan Carter had set before him?
As the match wore on, the close score line belied the supremacy of the All Blacks team, much as the reverse had applied in Carisbrook for the French.
Tanerau Latimer had a brilliant game at open side, with the balance of the All Black loose forward trio looking more apparent.
The backs had a much improved performance, and even though Donald struggled at times, particularly with his kicking, the impact of the Hurricanes midfield of Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu was almost game breaking. Not only with ball in hand, but on the central channel where many of the All Blacks high balls eventuated.
For France, to be fair, to finish within 4 points when they never really looked in a position to imply their game plan on the All Blacks was a magnificent performance.
By virtue of this, they won the Dave Gallaher Cup for the first time since its inception in 2000.
It has been since been revealed that the All Black coaches purposely did not inform the team regarding the six point margin required for the side to retain the cup, saying that it would have distracted the side from the game at hand.
Earlier in the cups history, it was decided by the winner of the first calendar match between the sides.
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(16)
USRugbyFan said | June 22nd 2009 @ 8:23am | Report comment
I think it was actually Vincent Clerc who scored the French try.
Jerry said | June 22nd 2009 @ 8:30am | Report comment
It was definitely Heymans, but the commentators thought it was Clerc at first.
Knives out said | June 22nd 2009 @ 9:27am | Report comment
‘Why would you not want to send a full strength team to the most taxing battlegrounds of world rugby, we ask the North?’
Is this a serious question?
JamesB said | June 22nd 2009 @ 10:00am | Report comment
The good news for NZ is that they have blooded some players against very good opposition and under immense pressure to perform, and most of them responded well. In Latimar, Read and Ross NZ has some bright stars for the future.
The problem position this year remains No.10, and I can’t help but feel that Donald is slightly out of his depth at this level, and by that I mean playing against top sides under pressure. He’ll probably get one more chance in the Tri-Nations opener. If he fluffs that and NZ lose, he’s gone! The selectors will be tempted to try McCallister at 1st-five, who overall is a classer and better all round footballer.
Regarding Cedric Heymans try, it was wonderful, but only happened because Cory Jane (normally a full-back) was out of position. Had he been in the correct position (i.e. drifted further out) the try would have been snuffed out on the half-way line. But after he beat Jane, it was poetry in motion (I just happened to be sitting where it happened, and it was pretty special to see live before your eyes). As much as I rate Jane as a quality footballer, you do have to wonder what Henry is doing playing him as a winger instead of picking a specialist, though Jane does bring a very good kicking game, and maybe the selectors like this balance at the back. I believe Hosea Gear has been playing very well for Junior AB’s since returning from injury. Maybe he is in the mix?
Amateur Hour said | June 22nd 2009 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
I watched this game with interest and have to say that the ABs just don’t look like themselves without Richie and Dan.
For a few horrifying moments I thought that George Ayoub (the TMO) was going to be man of the match after disallowing what I thought was a certain try – if you have to look at a replay that many times, surely there’s doubt and that doubt should go to the attacking side.
Heymans try will be shown many times over the coming years.
Bob McGregor said | June 22nd 2009 @ 3:41pm | Report comment
This was a great absorbing match with the AB’s worthy winners.
Bet the ARU is cock-a-hoop with the performances of Les Bleus as it should put more bums on seats at ANZ Stadium next Saturday night. I for one am really looking forward to the encounter. Bring it on!
As close as the result was in Wellington, France could have been unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty try when Vincent Clerc’s right arm was pulled back by Thorne’s left arm ‘locking’ Clerc’s right arm and pulling it back right on the try line as he was about to gather, fall over and score. To say he was stripped of the ball – as suggested by Wayne Smith in the OZ is fanciful. At no stage did he have the ball in hand; he was reaching out for it when pulled back. Perhaps this incident could be seen as a trigger for a Captains referral to the TMO – should it exist at some time in the future?
Despite this incident I thought Thorne was best on ground. Perhaps that balances the TMO George Ayoub ‘no’ try decision? But such TMO decisions are always a lottery. How can we be ever certain the ball was always under control of ball carrier and grounded when subjected to all the ‘push-me-pull-me’ going on at such times?
Guess it’s something we will never know.
Mark said | June 22nd 2009 @ 3:48pm | Report comment
JamesB – that try was incredible, yes Jane was out of position but there were 3 cover defenders who he got past all while within a metre or 2 of the sideline. Felt bad forJjane, his first test try disallowed then that but he had a good game. You’re right re:10 but Donald didn’t get any favours last week from his forwards & this week was a lot better except for his kicking. The question is who’s going to be backup when Carter’s back, I’d say McAllister covers more positions & does it better. Masaga must be close to getting a go for Italy.
Good to see the new blood standing up, but what a great contest in both games from the French teams.
BTW, has anyone seen Viscount ? He seems to be MIA………………
Show and Go said | June 22nd 2009 @ 3:54pm | Report comment
The terrible conditions always make these sorts of games a lotery but the fact is the AB pack absolutely dominated the French from start to finish. At no stage were France in control of the game. Monster effort from Thorne.
Jerry said | June 22nd 2009 @ 4:03pm | Report comment
Jane set up a good try in the first test and (probably) scored a try in the second, I think he performed pretty well and I doubt any of the fit specialist wingers would have been an improvement. Gear played well for the JAB’s but I think Henry’s wanting at least one wing with a solid kicking game (eg Wulf or Jane). Not sure I agree with that.
Mark said | June 22nd 2009 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
Jerry,
I was thinking Masaga for Joe until Siv’s fit. Jane’s nailed his chance really well from what I saw.
Acer said | June 22nd 2009 @ 4:46pm | Report comment
Great comeback by the Blacks so what they lost a Trophy most people didn’t even knew existed let alone had.
The Wallabies are going to have to be on their game this weekend. It’s going to be a huge step up in intensity.
The Italians are going to be in for a spanking this Weekend they will certainly feel the Wrath of the Kiwis and will be given a leason in the basics of rugby. As for my boys well lets say I might just have to head down and put a lazy 50 on the……..
ohtani's jacket, said | June 22nd 2009 @ 5:38pm | Report comment
It was a great series, but if I were the French I wouldn’t be in any hurry to come back.
They had bottles thrown at them after the first Test and a player attacked on the weekend. All this from the country hosting the next Rugby World Cuo? That’s a joke.
Bill said | June 22nd 2009 @ 5:59pm | Report comment
Being a kiwi living in aussie, yeah i am disappointed to read about bottle throwing and the bashing on the weekend of french player??? The conditions in wellighton were bad for good rugby but i thought the allblacks played great wet weather rugby, a big improvement on the weekend earlier should have won by more if donald had kicked a couple more goals and the try in the corner by jane had been allowed and to me it was a try, the referee should have over-ruled the video call and given the try in my opinion .. Think italy might be in for a torrid time playing the allblacks though, i expect them to do better than aussie ???
Bill said | June 22nd 2009 @ 6:05pm | Report comment
Mark
I agree bring in Masaga, joe has lost that explosive game he once had he has been out of big rugby to long, or maybe he should try another franchise
ABMAN said | June 22nd 2009 @ 8:27pm | Report comment
The problem being the story from the Frenchman doesn’t add up Police have serious doubts about his story he has refused to lay a formal complaint hmmm if I had been mugged I sure as hell would’ve made a formal complaint. The fact he was suppossedly assaulted outside a hotel with big glass windows and noone seen anything is also a bit odd.
Seems some little frenchman had one to many and has made allegations that even he isn’t so sure of anymore. So before you who are not in the country start jumping to conclusions it would pay to do your homework first. But then again I understand as foreign media would’ve only ran with the sensationalised version.
pothale said | June 23rd 2009 @ 3:51am | Report comment
Why would you not want to send a full strength team to the most taxing battlegrounds of world rugby, we ask the North?
ANSWER: OH GOD. They already do send full-strength teams. And guess what, even when they do, the SH teams generally win. For the moment, anyway.
One more time with feeling:
COULD YOU STOP ADDRESSING THE INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES OF THE NH AS ONE AMORPHOUS GLOB, AND ASSUMING THAT OCCASIONAL BEHAVIOUR BY ONE OR TWO TEAMS CAN BE APPLIED TO ALL?
PLEASE.
WITH SUGAR, CREAM AND A GLACE CHERRY ON TOP.