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Sonny Bill Williams is being punished by Graham Henry. There was no other explanation for the pounding that man took against Tonga.
Henry knew the Tongans needed a sacrificial lamb to run nice and upright into their midst, and he didn’t want to risk his precious Nonu, so he moved him out wide.
To Williams’ credit, he took it like a man, and some of his moments were made in rugby heaven.
My favorite was actually his ‘super flick’ (what else do you call it?) out of the side of his hand, halfway across the field, to Israel Dagg for his second try.
No-one else can create opportunities like that. Unfortunately for Sonny (and us, the spectators), I don’t think he fits into the real All Black game-plan.
But onto weightier matters. This All Blacks team looks like 2007 all over again.
There is a simple truth that the Springboks have known for years, which a few other sides have cottoned on to – under sustained pressure, this All Black team falls apart.
Tonga was nowhere in the first half – they were a nervous, confused rabble, who gave the Kiwis far too much respect and never threatened the gainline.
As a result, the All Blacks looked like magic.
Carter merely had to swing it wide and huge swaths of field were consumed. Coach Isitolo Maka called it ‘stage fright’, and no doubt whatever he said (or beat into them? the man is giant!) at half-time did the trick.
They came out and played simple, direct rugby – kind of like the Boks – based on brutal defense and forward drives.
The result: Carter and co. were nowhere to be found. My favorite moment of all was Taumalolo charging at Carter, causing him to drop the ball and disappear from the game – being subbed shortly afterwards.
He reminded me of a Dan Carter way back in Cape Town 2003 – hammered by Matfield and a shadow of a man thereafter.
What did we learn from this opening fixture?
This All Blacks side is imminently beatable (even Tonga kept the second half to 12-7), but only if you keep it simple and win the collisions.
The All Blacks gave up 13 penalties. That’s a potential 39 points for someone like Wilkinson or Steyn! (Realistically about 20, as not all were kick-able – but still, that’s gifting victory to a better team).
Point is, Henry has learnt nothing, his team has learnt nothing.
They are magnificent to watch, but the template to beat them remains simple. It just takes mountains of mongrel, which is admittedly in short supply around the world.
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.