The All Blacks are cooking their form
Roar Pro By Paddy Kilmurray, 31 Jul 2010 Paddy Kilmurray is a Roar Pro
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- All Blacks, Bledisloe Cup, David Pocock, Quade Cooper, Richie McCaw, robbie deans, Rugby Union, RWC2011, Tri Nations, wallabies
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They’re doing it again. The All Blacks are peaking too soon before their home World Cup. Why? Well, simple really. New Zealand is a proud rugby nation, who prides itself on a successful rugby team.
It’s their national sport and defines the fabric of a nation. Unfortunately for All Blacks, the one thing they lack is timing.
The problem with having such a rugby rich nation is the weight of expectation. Not only from the public, media and intrinsic pressure that the players place on themselves, but rather the pressure that the hierarchy places on the coach.
Graham Henry has been under the microscope, there’s no doubting that. Although the blowtorch remains firmly on the belly as results are expected all year round. Unfortunately, the human body doesn’t respond all year round.
Henry has no choice but to have his team at their best for each match. One slip up and the flame begins to draw ever so close to his un-tanned flesh.
I’m of the opinion that Australian’s are more patient with their rugby team, content that Robbie Deans has proceedings under control.
Sure, there has been whispers that perhaps he’s not the messiah. However, unless there’s a major catastrophe between now and the World Cup, he’s the man that will remain at the helm.
Australians seem accepting of the fact that we’ve been through a rebuilding phase, lacked depth at times, and struggled with injury and suspension to key players.
The All Blacks have had many successful coaches, but have struggled to win a World Cup since 1987.
The era in which rugby wasn’t really professional, since the introduction of professionalism in rugby the All Blacks have continually stumbled before rugby’s true elixir, the William Webb Ellis trophy.
Money has been their kryptonite, despite arriving to each World Cup with the best coaching staff and team, by the end of the tournament they are too burnt out mentally and physically to hoist the cup.
Tonight is a great litmus test for both sides.
It’s clear the All Blacks form is on point, and the Wallabies are putting together some nice combination’s coupled with a terrific brand of running rugby.
I think it’s fitting Quade Cooper is unavailable. This will allow Deans further time to develop other combinations whilst keeping his trump card firmly placed against his chest.
For me, the biggest battle and perhaps the changing of the guard, will be between David Pocock and Richie McCaw. This Test series will be a pivotal moment in the changing of the mantle for the world’s best flanker.
I’m of the opinion that McCaw still has a few more seasons at the top level. However, his aging body will prove no match for the freakish genetics of Pocock.
Not only is he physically more gifted than McCaw, he has age and a fresh attitude on his side.
As I said earlier, Richie McCaw has been at the peak of his seemingly endless capacity of powers for many years, however, they say age shall not weary them, but the years do condemn, and Richie has been around for a long time now.
This Bledisloe Cup series is merely an appetiser for the big tournament that will hit the shaky isles like an earthquake. The pressure will be on for all, but especially the All Blacks.
Will they handle it? The legendary Australian cricketer Keith Miller, when asked about the pressure of Test cricket famously replied: “Pressure is a Messerschmidt up your backside.”
I wonder how the All Blacks describe pressure?
I predict they will beat the Wallabies. However, they will have cooked their form by the World Cup.
My long range World Cup prediction – the All Blacks will meet the Wallabies in the final, and lose in extra time.
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July 31st 2010 @ 9:29am
ohtani's jacket said | July 31st 2010 @ 9:29am | Report comment
“The era in which rugby wasn’t really professional, since the introduction of professionalism in rugby the All Blacks have continually stumbled before rugby’s true elixir, the William Webb Ellis trophy.”
The only reason you Aussies keep saying this crap is because you never win anything else.
July 31st 2010 @ 9:31am
Daz said | July 31st 2010 @ 9:31am | Report comment
Pocock is a genetic freak.
This time around I expect him to get the goods over the worlds best cheat [joking, but seriously]. The new rule interpretations have gone against McCaw and he is not the dominate force he use to be because of it.
Although last week didn’t work for the Safas’, I liked how they approached their loose forward selection. I think the days of the number 7 being an all-out spoiler is over, yet another advantage for Pocock because he offers more than that.
July 31st 2010 @ 9:35am
Ben S said | July 31st 2010 @ 9:35am | Report comment
I thought that McCaw had developed his all-round game over the past few seasons, and is a much better link man than he used to be. Conversely, I just see Pocock as a snaffler.
July 31st 2010 @ 9:40am
Daz said | July 31st 2010 @ 9:40am | Report comment
Yeah I don’t see that.
He gets involved as a link man though, I’ll pay him that, and he’s still a quality player and will go down as one of the greats. But the new rule interp. has nulled his traditional game, which I think is a good thing for rugby.
If you look at just the Pocock McCaw match-up, Pocock is more damaging in defence and aggressive with the ball. McCaw still gets the job done, but I favour Pocock’s more combative style.
July 31st 2010 @ 11:17am
Colin N said | July 31st 2010 @ 11:17am | Report comment
Regarding the new rule interpretations, the conclusion that many have come to is that it favours a seven who can counterruck effectively: someone who is bigger, stronger and not really a fetcher. But they haven’t taken into account that it usually requires a whole pack effort to do that effectively.
You still can’t doubt that McCaw slowed down the South African ball very well, for example.
Certainly, the current laws have restricted McCaw somewhat but they have surely done so for every openside?
July 31st 2010 @ 9:47am
sixo_clock said | July 31st 2010 @ 9:47am | Report comment
A Snaffler! Is that all he brings to the side, no flat out try saving sideline tackles on one of the fastest men in Rugby, no mid field ‘excuse me while I get my breath back’ tackles, no ‘enforcements’ on Saffa goons? Your days as a selector/Talent Spotter are finished my friend.
Ps: If RM cannot or will not ‘snaffle’ then he should consider changing the number on his back. Get Hoare on the ball!
July 31st 2010 @ 9:56am
Ben S said | July 31st 2010 @ 9:56am | Report comment
It goes without saying that Pocock should be a defensive leader, sixo. He’s a 7. You don’t see him carrying the ball down the wing, popping inside passes for a full back to score or pilfering a lineout ball. You don’t see him involved in re-starts either. Pocock tackles and steals ball. Conversely, McCaw still turns ball over, but he has also turned into a more rounded player. That may come with age for Pocock, but currently his game lacks certain facets, which is not to say that at this stage in his career he needs to add, just that he doesn’t have them, the same as Heinrich Brussow doesn’t yet. I see Pocock as destructive rather than constructive.
July 31st 2010 @ 10:30am
sixo_clock said | July 31st 2010 @ 10:30am | Report comment
Ok, fair enough, but may I say you have an odd way of expressing yourself. I see winning possession multiple times in a game, clearing space for the half, assisting a runner etc, etc are all positive actions for the side as are stopping or slowing the opposition when they have the ball. I could not use the word ‘negative’ within 200 yds of Bam Bam.
July 31st 2010 @ 10:37am
Ben S said | July 31st 2010 @ 10:37am | Report comment
Consider Martyn Williams, for example. He is a positive 7 because he pops up all over the field connecting phases of play, not simply attacking every breakdown. David Wallace, John Barclay and Fulgence Ouedraogo do exactly the same. In contrast Heinrich Brussow and David Pocock, for example, hit rucks and steal ball/slow it down. Obviously that is a positive if they are good at it, but it isn’t positive in that it necessarily starts a positive phase of play. Traditionally the SH has had played snafflers more than European sides have. Think David Wilson and Josh Kronfield and then Neil Back and Olivier Magne.
July 31st 2010 @ 11:12am
sixo_clock said | July 31st 2010 @ 11:12am | Report comment
Ok, we can agree on disagreeing. Fetchers leave nothing on the field, they are exhausted at the end of the game so mayhaps it is horses for courses. If you have a smart first rate scrounger/menace/annoyance then play them in that role releasing others to do the pop up and pass cameos but personally I would prefer denying an opposition fast clean phase ball and actually force them to commit more bodies to the breakdown generating space for the backs. But that is merely a strategic preference (ie: fetchers at 6 and 7). Having bigger forwards operating in the back line has only one real advantage and that is they could bust a tackle but how often do we see them grabbing at what should have been a cut out pass etc. However if they can contribute with the skills and are up to speed with the patterns of the backs then by all means. With Joubert holding the whistle tonight and no committed fetcher in the AB’s then we do have a substantial advantage there.
July 31st 2010 @ 11:02am
Ben S said | July 31st 2010 @ 11:02am | Report comment
Excuse me? I don’t follow what you’re attempting to say. Btw, is there any reason that you’re following me around threads attempting to be rude?
July 31st 2010 @ 11:28am
Colin N said | July 31st 2010 @ 11:28am | Report comment
Actually that video backs up what Ben S is saying. The analysis displayed his ability to get his hands on the ball, counterruck and tackle, but didn’t show much of him carrying or linking play.
July 31st 2010 @ 11:33am
PastHisBest said | July 31st 2010 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Exactly how old are you Ben? Because you’re reading like a tween with your nose out of joint.
July 31st 2010 @ 12:08pm
PastHisBest said | July 31st 2010 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
No thanks.
July 31st 2010 @ 10:00am
charles said | July 31st 2010 @ 10:00am | Report comment
Judging from the photo attached to this article, McCaw at training is a roboy, or Frankenstein! No wonder people can’t work out if he’s a hero or a villain.
July 31st 2010 @ 10:02am
ohtani's jacket said | July 31st 2010 @ 10:02am | Report comment
lol, Henry set him loose on a photographer.
July 31st 2010 @ 9:35am
Moaman said | July 31st 2010 @ 9:35am | Report comment
It strikes me that its always the also-rans of sport who clutch at any available straw they can find.Some Posters profess that as long as they win the World Cup every now&again…they apparently dont mind years of mediocrity in between.I can’t imagine the horror of having to witness the ABs get pants by 50 points yet this is something that Australian,African,English,French fans et al have to contend with fairly regularly.It is undeniable that the NZ side is consistantly either the best or else knocking on the door.Not just this season…or for two ,three seasons….not 2003 then—-nothing!For over 100 years! Since the WWE Trophy was annointed this status quo has continued.Many NZers would like to see the odd World Cup in the cabinet,not only to get that monkey off the back but more so to add the icing to a very big cake.I liken it to a very good batsman who scores a lot of big fifties and averages 55 say for his whole career but doesnt convert many into hundreds.The rest of you can figure out what sort of batsmen you would be!
July 31st 2010 @ 2:41pm
Parrot said | July 31st 2010 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
“… the also-rans of sport who clutch at any available straw they can find.”
Moaman – Is that why Kiwi’s cling so fervently to the All Blacks? They’re all you’ve got?
July 31st 2010 @ 9:36am
Tui said | July 31st 2010 @ 9:36am | Report comment
Daz, just new to Rugby are you?
July 31st 2010 @ 9:41am
Daz said | July 31st 2010 @ 9:41am | Report comment
Haha AB fan Tui?
July 31st 2010 @ 10:05am
Tui said | July 31st 2010 @ 10:05am | Report comment
Its funny the only fans you ever hear go on and on about the WC is the wallaby ones. The Saffas even being world champions still want to win every game and like us would not be the slightest bit content being mud year in year out only to win the WC again. Look at them now they are furious with the last few games but you never hear them desperately trying to tell us all it doesn’t matter. And there in lies the difference for me.
July 31st 2010 @ 2:52pm
Parrot said | July 31st 2010 @ 2:52pm | Report comment
And Kiwi’s are the only one’s who try and suggest the WC doesn’t matter. But you’re right. We Aussie are the only idiots here.
July 31st 2010 @ 10:12am
Chop said | July 31st 2010 @ 10:12am | Report comment
good article paddy – the match up between mccaw and pocock is one of the best in recent memory.
in my view mccaw is the man who owns the worlds best number 7 jersey. mccaws form in his first two matches of the trinations shows he is returning to career best. pocock has also been outstanding but to predict he is ready to take mccaws title.. i dont agree. the strenght of the ab’s tight five and carters kicking game will also be big factors in this battle.
mccaw too old and on his way out? mccaw is only 29. my prediction – mccaws expereince in the most intense battle arena’s will prove to be a more valued asset than pococks youth.
July 31st 2010 @ 10:16am
ohtani's jacket said | July 31st 2010 @ 10:16am | Report comment
All this talk about Pocock vs. McCaw is missing the point that Elsom and Read are the two biggest difference makers on the field. You need more than one loose forward to fire.
July 31st 2010 @ 10:16am
Matthew said | July 31st 2010 @ 10:16am | Report comment
Im sick of hearing about teams ‘peaking’ too early, there is no such thing for #&*$ sakes! Myth dreamt up by some journo. Think about it seriously, why the heck would there be a ‘cycle’ that each team goes through? Utter bollocks. The All Blacks are on the rise at the moment in terms of unearthing new players and forming combinations and I don’t see them getting any worse within the next year. The reason they didnt lift the cup in 2007 was because of luck, dodgy ref calls and their mental state – they panicd too much in that semi final which they should have won. Not because they were on the wrong stage of their ‘cycle’. :S
July 31st 2010 @ 10:18am
ohtani's jacket said | July 31st 2010 @ 10:18am | Report comment
The whole thing is disproved by the fact that the Wallabies never peak.
July 31st 2010 @ 11:36am
PastHisBest said | July 31st 2010 @ 11:36am | Report comment
Gold.
July 31st 2010 @ 2:42pm
Max said | July 31st 2010 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
Love your work OJ
August 1st 2010 @ 10:35am
Smart money said | August 1st 2010 @ 10:35am | Report comment
1991 & 1999
July 31st 2010 @ 11:04am
ben said | July 31st 2010 @ 11:04am | Report comment
Matthew they would not have beaten teh BOKS that year…regardless of France. BTW they were beaten by France as well….non of the players were complaining of ref calls.
July 31st 2010 @ 11:15am
Hayden said | July 31st 2010 @ 11:15am | Report comment
The problem with Paddy’s article is the basic premise that the AB’s have already peaked. This team is still only building, and has a long way to go. Right now they are at the same stage they were in 2004, and next year will be their 05.
Such is the paucity of rugby talent in OZ at the moment, that some of their supporters ( Ben, I’m not referring to you ) confuse a couple of strong S14 games here and their with world dominance.
July 31st 2010 @ 2:23pm
Sam Taulelei said | July 31st 2010 @ 2:23pm | Report comment
The All Blacks peaking too early for the world cup are opposition rugby fans favourite game. If this was 2011 people would still be claiming that we’ve peaked too early, that or we’re due to choke under pressure or weight of expectation.
Even if we do win the world cup next year the taunts will simply change to “All Blacks can only win a home world cup”
It’s all part of the game and fun of supporting your team. It’s a glorious sunny day in Melbourne, a bit on the cool side at the MCG. Hopefully I’ll get a quinella today with wins to the Pies and the Blacks.