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Put the All Blacks in perspective and of course the Wallabies lost

Roar Guru
19th August, 2015
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The All Blacks' haka is one of the most famous in the world. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Roar Guru
19th August, 2015
28
1452 Reads

At the top of their game, the current All Blacks play an ensemble brand of rugby that is intense, physical, fast paced, relentless and suffocating to their opposition.

There are moments when it is breath-taking to watch. It’s like a tidal wave of psychic energy that builds to sweep all before it, as it did starting about the 21st minute last Saturday.

You can feel the force of it watching the TV, so goodness knows what it must be like facing it on the field.

For any rugby purist, regardless of who they support, it’s beautiful to watch.

The All Blacks are the only team who can play like this with any regularity or length of time. It is rare when a combination of players, attitude, skills, planning, focus and application come together like this.

For the opposition and their supporters it must be frustrating, but there is no shame in losing to a team when playing in such a way, especially if you fronted on the day.

Perhaps perspective doesn’t heal disappointment but, this might be the greatest rugby team ever assembled. It is certainly somewhere in history’s top three; knowing that such things can never really be measured beyond a beer and a debate. And such teams don’t appear very often, we may never see it again in our lifetime.

It is possible this year could be it for these All Blacks, with so many retirements looming. Sure, New Zealand will still be super competitive, but will they play like this team can? I am not sure.

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In historical terms, you and I might be the rugby supporters’ one per cent, giving endless repetitions of “Ah, if only you’d seen them play” speeches to our grandchildren. On sites like this the next generations might make ‘best ever’ lists and roll their eyes at us popping up the same old names and the same old comments.

In no way am I suggesting a mythical status, or suggesting any team is not beatable. What I am saying is, don’t lament too much when you lose to such a team in an away game when they have their backs to wall with the Bledisloe Cup on the line. This constant testing is finally paying off for the Wallabies and they are building something really good. Being an Cantabrian I have to be a Robbie Deans supporter, but for whatever reason, Michael Cheika is the right man at the right time.

As an All Blacks supporter I hope we fire our shots at the Rugby World Cup. I hope the world gets to see the very pinnacle of what this game can be from its top team. I hope the opposition takes the opportunity to rise on wings like eagles, because we can only be as good as the competition pushes us to be. I hope we can bring the cup home. I hope we make history.

But just as much I hope to see the Springboks finally click together and show case their enormous ensemble potential. Just as much I hope to see the Wallabies finally get back the swagger they seem to need to succeed. I even hope the English have at least one pearler in front of their home crowd at Twickenham. I hope injuries are low and the big guns of the game fire for all to see.

I hope. Just for the love of the game.

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