As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the best and worst moments of a solid year of rugby. Not a great year, but an enthralling one nonetheless, where we saw seven of the top eight nations operate under new coaching regimes.
Post World Cup, we were allowed to see all of our top players in action, and as a consequence, all competitions were richer for it.
Team of the year goes to the All Blacks.
Down on the ropes after losses in Dunedin and Sydney, Graham Henry’s team came back to win the Tri Nations, Bledisloe, Grand Slam and all associated plaudits. It was a perfect riposte for a team that not only had to answer for World Cup failures, but had a point to prove after having the heart of the team ripped out by the European Dollar.
Domestic team of the year goes to Canterbury, narrowly pipping the Munster men.
Again the men from the south, like their representatives in black, were weaker in personal this year, and faced credible challenges from a usual strong Super 14 season. As Robbie Deans completed his swansong, Canterbury then defeated a fabulously strong Wellington team to take the Super 14/ANZAC double.
Player of the year goes to Richie McCaw.
When scared flightless birds masqueraded as All Blacks in Sydney, it took the presence of a special man to turn his team back to a 44 point turnaround. McCaw’s face in the stands at Sydney was the expression of pain – and he is developing the mana to lead the All Blacks to World Cup glory.
His presence is worth at least 10 points to the team. But is he too valuable?
Game of the year goes to South Africa and New Zealand.
1-1 all, and the All Blacks come down to the Cape and hold the Springboks scoreless, winning 19-0. At this point the All Blacks began to believe they were the best in the world.
Special note goes to the Springboks for putting exclamation marks on the year with record beating wins over Wallabies and England.
Transformer of the year goes to Ma’a Nonu.
12-18 months ago, Nonu was still a ball running destructor, but threw wild passes, knocked on and was a defensive liability. Come to the end of 2008, he is arguably the best inside centre in world rugby, and twice the player.
Further transformation has also been seen by the Wallabies, who now appear to have the ability to win away from home.
Deans would love a win in New Zealand, though.
Newcomer of the year goes to Euan Murray and Luke Fitzgerald.
Scottish prop Murray came of age this year and ensured Scottish scrums were equal to Puma, Springbok and All Black packs. In Fitzgerald both Leinster and Ireland have unearthed the heir apparent to Brian O’Driscoll.
Coach of the year just goes to Graham Henry, who won based on his decision to dump policies that clearly hadn’t worked in 2007, and to redevelop a team that had lost many key players.
Deans deserves a mention, but you can’t help but mention a 1-3 Wallaby and All Black 2008 match ledger.
Coaching moment of the year goes to the RFU’s unceremonious dumping of Brian Ashton from the England post after somehow taking them to the World Cup rugby final and the runner’s up position of the 2008 RBS Tri Nations.
He wasn’t doing brilliantly, but he was improving, and England has shown that Martin Johnson will be performing no miracle.
Coaching lesson of the year goes to Tana Umaga.
Great players and captains will not translate into great coaches. Maybe England should have watched Tana longer to see how he went. Jake White’s influence has done Umaga wonders since his arrival, thus the lessons are being paved for Johnson.
Best foreign signing would have to be coming close to Harlequins signing of Nick Evans, the man who deserved to be at least Dan Carters equal at the end of 2007.
His recent form has been match winning – he is far outperforming the retirement planners of the Toulon players.
Biggest confusions of the year go to our friends at the IRB, releasing two different sets of ELV’s, trialling them, bringing back the old laws, bringing back hybrid laws, bringing back global laws and the like.
This is attracting the consternation of many elite coaches around the world, most regularly Ewen McKenzie.
Let’s all be on the same page – fans, players, unions, and most importantly, referees. And yes, he had a great season, but Shane Williams as the IRB player of the year?
Comment of the year goes of course to Springbok coach Peter De Villiers after the Springboks beat the Wallabies 53-8 in Durban.
“The same people who threw their robes on the ground when Jesus rode on a donkey were the same people who crowned him and hit him with sticks and stuff like that, and were the same people who said afterwards how we shouldn’t have done that, he’s the son of God,” de Villiers said.
“So that’s exactly what we do. You have to look at history is repeating itself, and I’m not saying that I’m God.”
Then on that note Jesus, we look forward to another great year of rugby in 2009.
Nick (KIA)
Guest
Greg Smith = PDV on acid I say...
Central North
Guest
Greg Smith=Peter De Villiers???
Greg Smith
Guest
James Mortimer - Announcing 2008's GREATEST Kiwi Supporter ---- and somewhere (near the mountains of the moon) in Africa rugby EVOLUTIONS and tiny matters of universal significance transpired WITHOUT adieu. Revolutions aren't specially momentous if you're NOT at the wheel...but HERE (in South Africa) the huge shifts HIDDEN from plain view ARE the TRUE winners of 2008.......................and if I were an AB or Wallaby supporter, I'd be afraid, I'd be very, very afraid.... wooOOOooo...2009, 2010 ??? 2011 green-green-green-green...green-green-green-green----->'HELLO ! This is Webby Number 3 speaking...'
James Mortimer
Guest
Very good point about the lineout - I concede the issue. Thorn doesn't need to be jumping if the line is working efficiently, and having a 115kg bruiser like him hitting the rucks just before McCaw or So'oialo come in to "tactically" put their hands everwhere did see the AB's ruck control be without peer especially in the second half of the season.
Sam Taulelei
Guest
Van der Merwe raised a good point. At the same time that Australia announced they were removing their "A" team from the Pacific Nations Cup tournament, NZ announced that they were reinstating their "A" team to the comp. Some of the players promoted to the Wallabies this year was based presumably on their Super 14 form and performances during the "A" team's campaign eg. Timana Tahu, Quade Cooper and David Pocock. So unless more than one Australian side qualifies for the Super 14 playoffs next year that leaves an awful lot of players unemployed and inactive during the international season. Or will Robbie Deans implement a rotation squad system to compensate?
Ben C
Guest
The Golden Lavatory award for flushing one career down the toilet goes to Luke Watson who manfully repressed his desire to vomit over the Springbok emblem but this so drained his willpower that he couldn't hold down the desire to tell people about it.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The All Blacks' lineout improved tremendously under the new laws and to say Thorn's workrate wasn't up to it on the NH tour is ludcrious. They could'be played another five Tests and Thorn would've been up for it. There's no stopping that fella. He had one or two indiscretions this year, so what? So'oialo is forever getting into punch ups. Williams loves the odd altercation. If you didn't have guys like Thorn and So'oialo doing the dirty work, opposition packs would have a field day. We're not that skilled from 1-15 that we don't need hardmen. Agree that the All Blacks' best performance was Eden Park. The best game was against Munster. We would've beaten the Boks by more in SA if Carter had been on song with the boot.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Appreciate your view James Mortimer - Keith Robinson in the World Cup was a suprise selection if I recall correctly, because he had been out with a long term injury? I agree he wasn't at this best in that tournament, and believe his best work was in the year or two prior to being injured. I couldn't possibly exaggerate like this though - "the most overrated NZ lock in modern history"!! I agree with Jerry about Thorn - the other bloke is a top class jumper and you don't need two jumping locks in my opinion, when you have good options at the back in So'oialo and McCaw - and a highly intelligent loose head (as they invariably are) at the front in Woodcock who demonstrated this year that he can catch, break through the line out, sprint - ummm - 50 or so yards, step, fend, dummy, chip over the top, regather and score. I believe he did that - ummm - 7 or 8 times this season alone!
Jerry
Guest
Thorn not taking more lineout ball would be a problem if the AB lineout weren't functioning. In fact, it's been the best AB lineout in years. Add to that the fact there's been less lineouts this year and that Thorn is often stationed at first receiver from short lineouts and I don't think his low take average is particularly relevant. He's generally in the top 2 or 3 in terms of the "first 3 players to ruck" which is a pretty good gauge of how involved and effective a forward is at securing ball. None of the other lock options are anywhere near as effective as Williams or Thorn IMO.
van der Merwe
Guest
Agree that the 19-0 win was not a great performance from the All Blacks. Basically, Snorrrr's team played like demented Frenchmen with zero game plan, ignoring the fundamentals of rugby. At one stage, the forwards were running in the backline while the backs were hitting the rucks. Crazy. Henry's team played a structured conservative game, having to only defend (which they did very well) and capitalize on the idiocy when it came. "JON is back and in charge. ARU is safe again. He is already taking the tough decisions that will benefit the game long term." Ja, canceling the Australian equivalent of the Currie Cup/NPC and then taking Australia A out of the Asia Pacific Cup is sure to benefit future generations of Australian rugby players...
James Mortimer
Guest
True, Brad has been a great lock this year, but as the only All Black over 30 - 2009 must be spent bringing up the next generation of All Black locks. I think the best indicator of this is that he averaged 2 takes per game in internationals. Shouldn't locks be taking more lineout ball? And I think the work of the AB loose forwards flattered the tight five at stages of field play. NZ were the picture of discipline this season, but Thorn could have cost the AB's much more. Such mongrel is not needed if it comes at sacrafice of the bigger picture. Nonu was a mongrel, but how much better has he become by actually playing rugby. I think fellow roarer's should watch a game of the AB's this year and watch Thorn closely - you might be dissapointed. But I think that mongrel is a bit overrated in a wider AB picture, just as I thought Keith Robinson was. Thorn in the later stages in the season spent more time off the ball (a la botha) than actually working on the game. Keith Robinson for mine was the most overrated NZ lock in modern history - he was appalling in the WC QF against France (while Jack was on the bench, but that's another story). Others might not be chasing for a lock position, but this is due more to lack of international game time than talent itself. I believe that Williams has enough mongrol for our second row, and would like to see a classic jumping lock, such as Wellingtons Jeremy Thrush (who had a great ANZC) or Taranaki's Eaton. LAS, did I ever mention it was a great year?
Sam Taulelei
Guest
I agree with you Frank, it wasn't the best game played by either team this year and perhaps it is given greater status given NZ's circumstances at the time, SA being held scoreless for the first time at home and the ability of NZ to withstand intense pressure from the Boks. This was the beginning of their pattern of victories in the latter half of their season when they conceded advantage in the first half and fought back in the second for victory. Our best performance of the year was undoubtedly against Australia at Eden Park. In cricketing terms it was a "chanceless innings" Australia were shut out everywhere and while they closed the gap before halftime with a well taken try, they didn't create any further clearcut scoring opportunities. As Richie McCaw stated afterwards they set the benchmark with that performance and know what standards they have to aspire to. My most pleasing thing to see in 2008 - consistent team selection in the All Blacks What I don't want to see in 2009 - more kicking
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
Am I the only one who throught New Zealand keeping South Africa scoreless was a pretty poor game. I'm not trying to start something or take anything away from the All Blacks achievement, but if I recall that was an error filled game. It wasn't until the 65th minute that South Africa were out of the game, so it wasn't like they were badly outplayed. A cock-up in their own 22 resulted in a scoreline that flattered New Zealand. I recall both sides playing below themselves. I thought New Zealand played better against Australia at Eden Park. That was the best All Black performance of the year. In South Africa both sides looked like they were going through the motions. I actually thought Australia would win the tri nations watching that game. South Africa's best performance of the year was against Australia... but I prefer the Dunedin Test since both teams played tremendously well.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I am surprised at the criticism of Brad Thorn because I thought he had an excellent year in Super 14s and internationals. Someone here likened his contribution to Keith Robinson's - a very good comparison, I say. I particularly watched him in the 2nd half of the 2nd half throughout the European tour and in the internationals (a Jack Gibson measure from back in the 70s) and he was strong, enthusiastic and looking for forwards work on each occasion. I reckon he is a one of the real successes as a player making the conversion (like Peter Ryan with the Brumbies years ago). He has formed a very good combination with Williams and their scrum technique is a big contributor to that fine All Blacks unit. I am not that much enamoured of the increased importance of the World Cup (some would have him replaced by 2011) - the great contests to me are the Bledisloe, the games against South Africa and a jolly good thumping of England each couple of years. If you are planning to best your closest competitors each year, and planning your player succession around that, the exhibition contest should take care of itself. The only real importance of the 2011 World Cup to me is the long planned tour with my 34yo son, that he suggested - how good is that!!
ohtani's jacket
Guest
He may have an outside chance of making the World Cup, albeit as a reserve lock.
Jerry
Guest
OJ - I agree. Despite his showing a bit too much of a mongrel streak this year, his work in the tight and on defence has been great this year. None of those guys James mentioned are close to being as effective as him at the moment. His age probably means he won't be in the 2011 picture, but I don't see why he should be dumped right now.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Why would we get rid of Thorn? He's a workhorse and played hard all year.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
James, not a great Year. Please. Give me a break. It was as good as one can expect, Tahs got to final, and eventually played exciting rugby getting there. The Wallabies began to bring in the next generation and it looks good, very good and certainly better than the previous mob. A truly world class coach helps!!! JON is back and in charge. ARU is safe again. He is already taking the tough decisions that will benefit the game long term. Lote wins hands down. He got a 6 week, all expenses paid holiday to Asia and Europe, because he couldn’t be trusted to train on his own. Please!!!!! How much training do you need to run cross field?? I thought the brutality of the 3N was another step up to what I was used to. Congrats to all three countries and players for a great exhibition. Generally, I really enjoyed, like other Roarers, the youngsters that have come through. Hynes, Burgess, Cooper, O’Connor (if he can stay sober) and others like Kimlin and Horwill, Pocock, Brown etc. Mick Gold Coast. I fully agree with you and enjoy your entertaining words about O'Connor. I am not surprised by the talk. he is only 18, and clearly not a debating team member. Its the behaviour that I question. Drop him now and quickly or it will spiral. JON will handle it by taking no rubbish. Hayden, I like the salary packaging, but probably only 30% at risk, but then follow through on it if one thing happens!! By the way, who is the strength and conditioning coach who allowed Beale to balloon so much in rehab????? Is he the same guy who couldnt get the Tahs fit enough to win the S14. Lets hope he has been put out with the council cleanup, along with the others of Link's Team.
Jerry
Guest
Game of the year - TN decider in Brisbane. Over-reaction of the year - Matta on Brad Thorn. You reckon he should have been suspended for 6 months? Grow a pair.
hayden
Guest
Oh, and Mick, I fully agree with your sentiments. Maybe the solution is to withhold half of their salary until the end of each year, and they get it if they stay out of the headlines.