Halfway through this years Super 14 competition, I was not the only Kiwi worried about how our beloved All Blacks may fare in 2010, and indeed beyond. However, things have changed in the passing months.
With three solid victories over northern hemisphere tourists behind us, there is a feeling of excitement and anticipation heading into this Tri-Nations campaign.
Perhaps the most profound reason for this change of mindset is the form of a number of senior players. Not the least of these is mercurial number 10 Daniel Carter. Mercurial would’ve been a word far from the mouth when discussing this chap a few months ago, but in the back end of the Super 14 and into these June internationals, Carter has found a gear – or two.
One gear the All Blacks will be without, for some reason beyond me, is that of Hosea. That is another issue for another day.
Carter isn’t the only one to have grown immensely over the ensuing months, Richie McCaw appears to have lifted his game, and the Blues trio of Jerome Kaino, Tony Woodcock and Kevin Mealamu have all recovered from form slides.
Those latter weeks of the Super 14 also ruled out a number of high profile All Blacks for the June Test matches, but these injuries have been seen as a blessing in disguise for many.
Graeme Henry can be satisfied with the talent he’s unearthed. Young fullback Israel Dagg impressed many with his solidity and awareness, the Franks brothers – Owen and Ben – have been established in the Test match frame whilst others such as Victor Vito, Aaron Cruden, Rene Ranger and Sam Whitelock have had a good first taste of Test match rugby.
Another player who has emerged with vigour after a testing domestic season is Chiefs utility Richard Kahui, who was given a lifeline with other absences and grasped his opportunity.
I am one of many who believe the Tri-Nations will be all but decided in the first two weeks of the competition. A fit and firing and simply monstrous Springbok side come to town looking to maintain the formula that overwhelmed the All Blacks last season. Henry, however, has had much time to ponder what went wrong and believes he has picked a team that can beat the South Africans.
As opposed to last year, the Kiwis appear to be planning to overcome the Springbok high-ball game with counter attacking specialists. Morne Steyn will look to pepper the New Zealand back three. Henry has bemused me with his persistence of Joe Rokocoko on the wing; he will play alongside Cory Jane, and veteran Malili Muliaina with back up from Dagg and Rene Ranger.
The South African forwards present quite some challenge for a fairly youthful New Zealand pack. The Springboks retain a number of forwards from the Bulls team that dominated the Super 14, and Pierre Spies is looking unstoppable off the back of the scrum. The tight five regain the beastly figure of Tendai Mtawarira after his citizenship struggles, and he will form part of a good front row. Once again they should dominate at line-out time with Andries Bekker joining stalwarts Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.
Typically, with sides of recent years they possess pace to burn out wide. They will look to expose any defensive faults and pounce on the scraps the forwards present. Man for man, this is a titanic struggle. Both sides want the psychological ascendancy as New Zealand 2011 nears. It’s a two Test series this one, if New Zealand win both, they will go some way to regaining the crown. If South Africa keeps the ledger square they will be confident of their position and leave New Zealand an enormous task. If the Boks win both, it’s all but over.
One notices from this article the glaring omission of the Wallabies. Well, I don’t give them a chance. Flat footed on attack because of the 9-10-12 struggles, and without any muscle whatsoever up-front, I will be surprised if they get more than one win in the series.
These will be two bone-shattering Test matches. Richie McCaws men seek ‘revenge’ from last year as the Boks plan to make a statement on the turf they seek to conquer in 16 months time. The world’s undisputed two best teams will go hammer and tongs for a victory they greatly desire.
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.
He was born 1905, 1904 or 1908 according to various reports, in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay, and is remembered as one of the great Māori players.
I don’t really get the comparisons between Joey Manu and Sonny Bill Williams. I realise they have the Roosters in common, along with a…
All Blacks star Jordie Barrett has announced a sabbatical to play with Irish club Leinster at year's end, while committing his future to New…
There are those who will forever play the man - and not the ball - where TJ Perenara is concerned. The All Blacks and…
I well remember the day a New Zealand Rugby staffer put their hands on me. It seems I’d made them angry.The Wellington Sevens was…
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) have described the players' union call for the board to step down while governance reforms are carried out as a…
