The All Blacks go all the way with SBW
Columnist By David Lord, 10 Sep 2011 David Lord is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- All Blacks, Rugby Union, Sonny Bill Williams, Tonga rugby
Sonny Bill Williams has booked an All Black inside-centre World Cup berth against all odds. Selected in the New Zealand squad as the back-up for Ma’a Nonu, last night SBW turned in a blinder.
So SBW has given All Black coach Graham Henry a thumping selection headache, made worse by two other back-ups – Richard Kahui for Conrad Smith, and Israel Dagg for Mils Muliaina – turning up the heat as well.
The three supposedly lesser lights lit up Eden Park in the 41-10 win over Tonga, to kick off the seventh Rugby World Cup.
SBW set up four of the six tries scored by the men-in-black, Kahui scored two tries and was instrumental in another, Dagg touched down twice and set up one.
Heavy duty ammunition to remain in the starting lineup.
Henry opened a tin of worms when he selected SBW at inside-centre last night, pushing Nonu to outside-centre, Kahui to play a rare game on the wing, and Dagg custodian.
But it was SBW’s night.
He capitalised on the Kahui mid-field bust that led to Dagg finishing off the first try of the tournament, flicked a behind the back pass to Isaia Toeava that put him in the clear for Kahui’s first try, and as he was going down in a tackle SBW delivered a perfect one-handed pass for Dagg’s second try – all in the first half.
Brilliant.
In the second half, SBW repeated his falling in a tackle one-handed pass that ended with Nonu scoring.
The All Blacks are slowly coming to grips with SBW’s uncanny ability to unload under pressure. The Wallabies had the same problem with Mark Ella and David Campese.
The Wallabies eventually worked out if they trailled the super talented twosome, expect the unexpected. Many a try came from the realisation.
As it will with SBW strutting his own spectacular stuff.
But SBW wasn’t all attack last night. His defence was just as emphatic with six crunching tackles that stopped the Tongans in their tracks, and he didn’t miss a tackle all game.
SBW had enterprising team-mates.
Kahui’s chip kick to regather on the first bounce and deliver a snappy pass gave Jerome Kaino a clear run to the line, while Dagg’s flick pass sent Kahui in for his second try.
The trio provided the highlights, with flanker Kaino the pick of the pack, lock Ali Williams had better watch himself he’s getting a tad toey, and skipper-flanker Richie McCaw had an uncharacteristic quiet game.
So the All Blacks won ugly against pretty ordinary, but willing, opposition.
The downside, despite an easy 29-3 half-time lead, the All Blacks were kept scoreless for the first 20 minutes of the second half. Few teams ever accomplish that feat.
Tonga enjoyed 54% of territory, 51% possession, and spent 13 minutes in the All Black’s 22, the All Blacks nine in return.
Defence was the men-in-black’s only plus stat, having given away 13 penalties to six.
That was Graham Henry’s first point.
“We gave away too many penalties, made too many errors, and the Tongan side played with a lot of spirit.
“Not a great game of football, but we’re underway with a win”.
More accurately, just a pass mark with the exception of Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui, and Israel Dagg, and right behind them Jerome Kaino.
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- Explore:
- All Blacks, Rugby Union, Sonny Bill Williams, Tonga rugby
September 10th 2011 @ 8:00am
Sylvester said | September 10th 2011 @ 8:00am | Report comment
By no means a perfect match for SBW, but a timely return to form. No selection headache for Henry though, Smith is still very much the key to this backline.
Kahui has booked one wing spot, not because he suceeded against lesser competition, but skills and vision he showed.
I’d like to see he and Jane as starting wingers, but both look naturally like right wingers. So does Toeava which explains why he wasn’t as effective.
Henry’s probably lost faith in Guildford which possibly means Dagg to play left wing. Despite his “flat” form, I’m not convinced Mils is a lost cause just yet.
September 10th 2011 @ 5:36pm
jokerman said | September 10th 2011 @ 5:36pm | Report comment
David, you backed SBW early on, and continued. I actually thought you continued to back him, to support your origin article that he will be dynamic at the RWC…but to your credit SBW comes alive and shows his magic! And saves you!
He was impressive and had that star factor man. I was really happy to see him play so well, he has had his knockers just like Jonah Lomu did back in his prime. It’s just human judgement. SBW was sublime last night.
September 10th 2011 @ 8:13am
oikee said | September 10th 2011 @ 8:13am | Report comment
Carved them up, was like watching a pratice drill at the bronx. He touched the ball and it danced, danced all over those tongoans. He turned up to a opening world cup match of rugby, and turned it into his own personal tea party.
September 10th 2011 @ 5:37pm
jokerman said | September 10th 2011 @ 5:37pm | Report comment
Haha nice cuz
September 10th 2011 @ 6:01pm
Gumboot said | September 10th 2011 @ 6:01pm | Report comment
Like sand through the hour glass, yet the flame dances with majic, for where art thou Sonny Bill. It was truely a majical game of two halves.
What’s it like on earth I hear you say? Such is life.
September 10th 2011 @ 8:41am
trakl said | September 10th 2011 @ 8:41am | Report comment
This can’t be right!
On another thread we are told that SBW’s performance was “mixed.”
In other words, unlike other living, breathing rugby union footballers Williams is not allowed ever to drop the ball, give away a penalty, take the wrong option, throw a a less than perfect pass..
He doesn’t, we are told, have the innate “intelligence” of born and bred rugby union players such as the rather good but rather over-rated Conrad Smith.
I’m with you, David Lord.
Williams is a genius. His sheer natural skill with the football is a thing of beauty and wonder. He is exciting to watch. His athletic prowess is manifest. His tackling today was better and harder than that of any other player on the pitch.
He might be a humble man but he will know deep down that he has nothing to fear either from his team-mates or his opponents.
Only Graham Henry’s conservatism in terms of team selection might defeat him.
September 10th 2011 @ 9:00am
AussieKiwi said | September 10th 2011 @ 9:00am | Report comment
Agree with all you say. If Deans was the ABs coach, I reckon SBW would be guaranteed a start. As for his performance last night, it is a high risk game he plays (a bit like QC), and there are bound to be errors. He tried too hard to score himself too. But overall awesome.
September 10th 2011 @ 5:45pm
jokerman said | September 10th 2011 @ 5:45pm | Report comment
Indeed, it’s like Benji Marshall, there will be some errors when you play that high octane, magic play. The world loves it.
Ex NRL 6’3, 110kg star forward carving up the mid field at a Rugby World cup….Too Much!!!!
September 10th 2011 @ 9:16am
Matt in Norway said | September 10th 2011 @ 9:16am | Report comment
Totally agree trakl, looks like we all saw the same game here! Good article Lordy, SBW in my view had a blinder, his defence was very solid, Kahui and Dagg, well sir if GH doesn’t take notice I will be forced to go back to NZ and kick him in the d%#k.
Let’s hope Paddy reads Spiro’s rant as well, for the most part spot on, I am terrified this cup will be decided by referee with a complex.
Good luck to the Argies and our Wallaby mates this weekend, give them hell lads.
September 10th 2011 @ 10:18am
Antony said | September 10th 2011 @ 10:18am | Report comment
I totally disagree, it’s the complete opposite effect.
SBW’s offload before Nonu’s try (I think terms like ‘set-up’ are extremely generous) would almost be put down as an error if it had been any other player. But because it’s Williams, we all just note it as an ‘SBW off-load’ and assume that it was pin-point.
If that game had been against the Wallabies instead of Tonga, Sonny’s one-off running and poor option taking (like when he straightened and went inside for Nonu instead of utilising a THREE MAN overlap in the second half) would have had very little impact.
However, I concede that some of the stuff he does is awesome: like his grubber for Toeava (who shanked it) and his long-range offload for Dagg. It’s just not coupled with the fundamentals.
And finally, he’s a second five-eighth who can’t pass left to right.
September 10th 2011 @ 1:37pm
jack said | September 10th 2011 @ 1:37pm | Report comment
totally agree. people always expect so much from sbw. he is not perfect. but if he can iron out his game to a more consistent level he will be a major rugby force of the future.
September 10th 2011 @ 9:13am
AdamS said | September 10th 2011 @ 9:13am | Report comment
Lol at you. Sonny did what Sonny does best, look very good against mediocre to poor opposition.
Nothing more,nothing less.
September 10th 2011 @ 6:17pm
Gumboot said | September 10th 2011 @ 6:17pm | Report comment
How dare you speak of our beloved Sonny Bill with those words of contempt Adam? Away with you, go hither
September 11th 2011 @ 9:13am
AdamS said | September 11th 2011 @ 9:13am | Report comment
he is the mike hussey of rugby, learn to live with it.
September 10th 2011 @ 9:25am
Uncle Argyle said | September 10th 2011 @ 9:25am | Report comment
David,
I simply do not agree. SBW for all his moments of brilliance, and there were many, still showed he could still yet be a liability to the All Black cause when facing tougher opposition. He gave away 2 penalties, one in the tackle zone when Tonga was on the attack. Moreth went on to miss the kick but against a team with a better place kicker that 3 free points at the opening stages of a test. Criminal! Against a more quality opposition than Tonga 3 points can decide a test. In attack did he not butcher a try when he had Toeava outside him but went for the line himself? I don’t think the ‘messiah’ has arrived in SBW.
He did make 8 tackles of high quality, but they were against one out runners. He should expected to make those tackles at this level, none of them were try savers or match winners. Get some perspective man. Get a patterned attack running at him and if he stands up to that I’ll get on the SBW band wagon. SBW ability’s to offload after contact is second to none. He simly is the best at this in the rugby world, but didn’t A. Faingaa in Super rugby show just commit to tackling SBW low with one defender and mark up on his support? Somthing the Tongans did not do.
With respect to Tonga and SBW I don’t think it fair on Conrad Smith who has already proven how many times at test level he and Nonu can do the job against tougher opposition. If I were GH or a Kiwi I would not be putting all my eggs into the SBW baskett.
September 10th 2011 @ 9:49am
ohtani's jacket said | September 10th 2011 @ 9:49am | Report comment
I think you’re quibbling over the penalties. Any one of the All Blacks is capable of giving away a penalty shot at goal. I think you also missed the point that SBW was instructed to roam in this match and looked to go wide of the defenders instead of running straight lines and trying to offload in the tackle.
September 10th 2011 @ 1:43pm
Uncle Argyle said | September 10th 2011 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
Hi OJ,
mate sorry for the late reply but the Mrs blah blah blah. Anyhow back onto the rugby; Should one quibble over penalties as they can be costly buggers? I say yes. Even GH post match said there were too many of them. In the AB backline 3 penalties were given away by 2 players those being SBW (2) and Jimmy (1). The rest remained nude on the penalty count as you would hope. So there is a list he should not be topping if your looking to win a RWC. I think now is the time to quibble OJ becuase RWC has started, when would you prefer to delay the quibbling to, after the cup?OJ I was not aware he was instructed to roam but thankyou for letting me know. However I am sure GH did not give him the instructions to bomb a try when it was just begging. That is very un All Black like really.
OJ of interest one D. Carter had on off night with the boot also. Is he carrying an injury of sorts becuase as we discussed in Auckland Bledisloe he made 11 or 12 tackles and missed 2, so it would be fair to say he was looking to get involved in the contact zone. However in Brisbane he made 1 tackle and missed 2 and against Tonga he made 3 tackles and missed one. So in the past two games he had made 4 tackles and missed 3, less than the Auckland test combined. It could be interpreted that he in avoiding the contact zone and missing tackles which is not his regular go which begs the question why? Is he carrying an injury or just an anomily?
September 10th 2011 @ 5:09pm
ohtani's jacket said | September 10th 2011 @ 5:09pm | Report comment
The penalty count for the All Blacks was high, but any player can give away a kickable penalty. Nonu gave one away in Brisbane. It was a phantom call in my opinion, but three points all the same. From memory, SBW’s penalties were for not releasing and attempting a turnover. Not a big deal. As for the bombed try, there were a few of them in the second half, why single out Sonny Bill?
I thought Carter was fine. I’m not sure what people expect of him to be honest. He took some hits from the Tongans and was probably sore this morning, but I thought he attacked well. His tackle stats were not particularly relevant in this match. He made as many tackles as the other backs. Kahui didn’t make a single tackle and he was man of the match. I wouldn’t say Carter was avoiding contact. He made a huge tackle that had him clutching his wrist afterwards.
September 10th 2011 @ 5:53pm
Uncle Argyle said | September 10th 2011 @ 5:53pm | Report comment
Sorry again OJ,
I was just watching that Japanese/French game, a cracker! Its your team so if your happy with the penalities so be it. Mate I am not singleing SBW out I am just making comment in context to David’s article. I just don’t concur that SBW is the be-all and end-all as David appeared to be aluding to in his article and pointed out some of shortcommings. Anyhow mate as always you present a good chat, hope your enjoying the cup and I am on Argentina against the Pom’s. I would love to see the upset.
September 10th 2011 @ 5:57pm
ohtani's jacket said | September 10th 2011 @ 5:57pm | Report comment
He’s not the be all and end all, but he went from a bunch of copy about how he wasn’t going to get a bench spot to people thinking he should start the rest of the way in the space of a single game. On some level, that has to be impressive.
September 10th 2011 @ 9:58am
David Lord said | September 10th 2011 @ 9:58am | Report comment
Get ready to get on the SBW band wagon Uncle Argyle, and enjoy the ride. Two-three months ago I was the SBW wagon master with no believers. But the SBW ranks are growing rapidly by the day, and when he’s named Player of the Tournament, the whole rugby world will make it the biggest wagon train on the planet.
September 10th 2011 @ 1:31pm
Uncle Argyle said | September 10th 2011 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
Hi David
please excuse my tardiness but darling just dragged me off to some expo however it has ensured brownie points to be used for watching rugby. I am sure you understand. However, David first; mate I will keep my powder dry come SBW. I do not doubt his talent but I doubt his over all game and how its fits into the team environment. If SBW is named player of the tournament that does not necesserily equate to All Black World Cup success as per one Jonah Lomu in 1995. Lomu as we all new tore the RWC a knew one but history shows the AB’s came second. I for one would prefer a Mr Dependable at 12/13 not Mr Brilliant occaisonl penalty and missed try as the former wins you world cups, the latter can loose you one. (Pay attention R. Deans re QC). If any All Black deserves a mention for their game last night I think it should be Israel Dagg, Andrew Hore and Jerome Kaino who I thought were strong performers. In finishing if a New Zealander is too be named player of the tournament my money is on I.Dagg.! Enjoy your rugby David and go the Wallabies.!
September 10th 2011 @ 5:55pm
jokerman said | September 10th 2011 @ 5:55pm | Report comment
SBW was brilliant in this match. You knock him back because that is the position you hold against him… so when he proves you wrong…it would appear you can’t handle it, and protect your stance and react, put down…
He had a blinder especially considering the lead up he had to endure.
September 11th 2011 @ 12:09pm
Uncle Argyle said | September 11th 2011 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
What crap! ‘The position I hold against him.” What exact position was that Jokerman? Please tell me becuase you appear to be claiming you know my mind prior to the game. My opinion is based upon fact, check the match stats of this game and others. As you are such an expert of what my stance is please tell what my stance is on the following;
The All Blacks, The Wallabies, The Welsh….should I go on? Perhaps I shouldn’t becuase you already know.
Jokerman I am happy to debate anytime but what i do take offence to is people who claim to know what I think and when.
In my experience giving away two penalties and bombing a certain try and having a very good game against a second rate team like Tonga does not consititute ‘A Blinder’. Sorry I don’t subscrine to SBW worship but I acknowledge his strengths and weeknesses if you care to read my response…but there was no need to do that becuase you already knew my stance apparently?
September 11th 2011 @ 5:55pm
jokerman said | September 11th 2011 @ 5:55pm | Report comment
Uncle Argyel, sorry to upset you..but of course I knew I would.
The human mind can be full of mayhem and doubt and an ever ending state of analyst and angst. My view is, that deep down it doesn’t feel adequate, complete, it’s the insecure self so it defends…often at all costs.
I feel you set a position in your mind, that SBW is limited in some way. When he has an amazing game, you stay in your mind and defend your minds position, which is, SBW is flawed. A more open prospective would perhaps go something like…. SBW is showing me something I didn’t see, maybe he is great after all. But you stay closed and zoom in on any negative he did on the field and quietly ignore the bigger picture…that at times he is sublime. Why do you do this Uncle Argyel? The mind cannot stand being wrong so it defends and reacts, attacks, and that is the position the mind holds, this is your mind.
The soul is another place, I will let you know if you ever derive from there, I have my doubts though, but I would be happy if you stepped up and made me wrong. As I am not in my head, I would have no issue with that.
September 10th 2011 @ 9:34am
kingplaymaker said | September 10th 2011 @ 9:34am | Report comment
Spot on, and Smith must go. What frankly, has Smith done at any point THIS SEASON, and I will repeat THIS SEASON, to justify his place? Nothing in comparison to SBW.
Totally agree on standouts David although I would add Toeava to the list, he is very much a link man as well as a linebreaker and on close inspection it’s suprising how many of the tries he had a hand in too. He also has a superb attacking relationship to Dagg.
In the Brisbane match, New Zealand had ONE linebreaker, Ma Nonu. The rest of the backline were incapable of many breaks.
In this match they have added FOUR linebreakers, making a grand total of FIVE, every man on the field in their position, that is.
Aside from the disastrously performing Cowan who must be replaced by Weepu, this is the top All Black backline, and they can win the world cup with it.
September 10th 2011 @ 10:09am
Nick_KIA said | September 10th 2011 @ 10:09am | Report comment
Jeez it’s alright to be the biggest fan ever of SBW but to suggest Smith hasn’t been any good this season is pretty blinkered.
I’m waiting for SBW to perform against some quality opposition before I get on the bandwagon. So far his best games in Black jersey are vs Tonga and Scotland. His offloading is undeniable but this is the only facit of his game where he is superior to Nonu (who he is competing with for a start).
September 10th 2011 @ 11:18am
kingplaymaker said | September 10th 2011 @ 11:18am | Report comment
Smith hasn’t been any good in attack, in defence fine.
But he hasn’t been any good in attack. It’s the truth.
I think if you consider that they moved out Nonu, then it is Smith with whom he is competing, not Nonu.
It’s Smith who is weakest of the three.
September 10th 2011 @ 11:37am
Jerry said | September 10th 2011 @ 11:37am | Report comment
“But he hasn’t been any good in attack. It’s the truth.”
Except for having scored a try and set up two others in his last two tests (against top opposition). Smith is the best player of the 3.
September 10th 2011 @ 11:48am
kingplaymaker said | September 10th 2011 @ 11:48am | Report comment
He just had to catch the ball to score the first, set up in the case of those tries simply means handled the ball, and he was sometimes playing a B team.
He comes a lowly third. behind the other two.
He seems to have lost his attacking fire this year. He’s used to shred defences but perhaps he is too old.
He must go where he now belongs: to the bench!
September 10th 2011 @ 11:54am
Jerry said | September 10th 2011 @ 11:54am | Report comment
“He just had to catch the ball to score the first” – after antipicating the pass and running a good support line.
“set up in the case of those tries simply means handled the ball” Er..no. It means:
a) scooping up a loose ball and running about 40 odd metres and before passing; or
b) taking a low pass, getting up off his knees to keep the ball alive and passing with a player wrapped around his legs.
“he was sometimes playing a B team.” No, he was playing Australia in both those matches.
September 10th 2011 @ 1:49pm
Uncle Argyle said | September 10th 2011 @ 1:49pm | Report comment
Jerry/KP,
from this Australians point of view I only hope you play SBW over Smith. Does that say enough for you?
September 10th 2011 @ 2:38pm
kingplaymaker said | September 10th 2011 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
Well, setting up four tries is something I haven’t seen from Smith ever, despite having ten million more opportunities in the last few years to do it than SBW.
If SBW had stayed relaxed he could have set up another two near the line in the second half. Smith setting up six? In a parallel universe perhaps.
September 10th 2011 @ 2:50pm
Jerry said | September 10th 2011 @ 2:50pm | Report comment
So you have very high standards as to what constitutes setting up a try for Smith but if SBW has touched the ball at any point prior to a try it counts as setting it up? Ok.
September 10th 2011 @ 6:02pm
jokerman said | September 10th 2011 @ 6:02pm | Report comment
Jerry, don’t argue with Kingplaymaker…he said it’s the truth!
He’s probably stumbling along Kings Cross, with his lap top, and bible.
September 10th 2011 @ 3:16pm
dc said | September 10th 2011 @ 3:16pm | Report comment
KPM, well he snaffled the ball from the kickoff, left AAC flat-footed, tore off down the sideline and set up Sivi for the try in the AB demolition of the Wallabies at Eden Park, which clinched the Bledisloe….
September 10th 2011 @ 10:08am
jus de couchon said | September 10th 2011 @ 10:08am | Report comment
The All Blacks were ordinary in the second half and a team like France will punish them again.
September 10th 2011 @ 10:12am
Nick_KIA said | September 10th 2011 @ 10:12am | Report comment
Well, in 2007 we smashed everyone in the pool and couldn’t manage a QF so I think not putting a complete performance on the park now isn’t such a bad thing. Also France are unlikey to punish too many in consecutive games so I’m hoping they save their powder for the QF or SF.
September 10th 2011 @ 10:25am
Jay said | September 10th 2011 @ 10:25am | Report comment
SBW could have set up a few more tries, if not for his own hunger in crossing the line.
September 10th 2011 @ 10:58am
Tonto said | September 10th 2011 @ 10:58am | Report comment
I wasn’t really sold on SBW before this game but I’m starting to finally get it, we need to see him next game vs Japan at 2nd 5 with Smith out side him and then make a call if he can make the starting 22. As for starting 15 I don’t see it happening, he is something different in case there is a stale mate, he make space for those outside him – if he makes the Japan game he has to realise that and not get greedy, then the ball will come back his way too.
September 10th 2011 @ 11:29am
Peter Marks said | September 10th 2011 @ 11:29am | Report comment
The ABs were kept scoreless for the first 18 minutes of the second half, but they had several opportunities in that time that they might have expected to score from: Sonny Bill almost scored in the 41st minute; Toeava seemed destined to score from a deft SBW kick before being poleaxed by a desperate tackle (50th minute), and Sonny Bill was himself brought down by tough goalline tackling at the end of the same move (50th minute); Kahui dropped a catchable pass in the Tongan 22 with Dagg looming up unmarked outside him (52nd minute) and Toeava crossed the line but was judged to be out (54th minute). Kaino score in the 58th minute. So there was plenty of quality enterprise in that first 18 minutes. At the level time, you need to salute the Tongan defensive commitment. And they held the ball for 10 minutes in attack (from the 62nd to the 72nd minute) in creating their try. The momentum of games changes regularly, as last night proved.