The New Zealand All Blacks’ Jerome Kaino, right, charges into a group of Australian defnders during their Tri-Nations rugby union match at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010. New Zealand won the match 23-22. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Let’s be honest here, the Wallabies did not lose Saturday night’s Test 23 – 22. The All Blacks won it. They came back from 22 – 6 points down into the second half to pile on 17 points.
Towards the end of the Test the rampaging All Blacks could have scored a couple of more tries.
This comeback by the All Blacks was the rugby equivalent of Kiwi’s famous victory in the Melbourne Cup when the New Zealand-bred horse came from well back and last in the field to mow down the front runners in the straight.
On the train coming back from the ground a very pleasant Maori came up to me. ‘Spiro,’ he said, ‘tell your readers that whatever the NZRU pays Richie McCaw they should double it.’
The message behind this in undoubtedly correct.
McCaw has captained New Zealand 52 times for six losses. He is far more valuable to the All Blacks than Dan Carter, great match-winning player the Crusaders genius may be.
Talk about the power of one.
McCaw scored a try and had the presence of mind to improve where he planted the ball to ensure an easier conversion. He made a linebreak, some eight runs which gained him 49 hard-grunt metres in all, and he made five tackle-busts.
There are no turnovers in these statistics. The point here is that Mark Lawrence the South African referee indicated with the first ruck of the match, where David Pocock was penalised for having his hands in the ruck, that he was going to be strict on allowing the tackled player to release the ball. ‘I want daylight after the tackle,’ he told the players.
McCaw caught on very quickly to this approach where Pocock was penalised quite often for digging the ball after the ruck had been formed. McCaw widened his game to running, passing and making tackles all over the field, and once catching a long lineout throw and belting the ball 30m into touch.
This is the game that Pocock should try to emulate, not the digging for the ball game. For Pocock is quick and tough and could be as useful a runner with the ball for the Wallabies as McCaw is for the All Blacks.
Rocky Elsom could learn, too, from McCaw on how to get on with the referee.
It was noticeable that McCaw did not grumble to Lawrence the way Elsom did. The point here is that the South African referees do not like to be queried. And they dislike most being constantly chirped or grumbled at.
At one point an exasperated Lawrence told Elsom: ‘You concentrate on doing your job, and let me get on with my job.’
Interviewed after the game, Elsom hinted that he believed the All Blacks got away with too many illegalities.
But this is a nonsense approach. It also antagonises the referee. The All Blacks could just as easily complain about a forward pass (which wasn’t) that was ruled against Corey Janes from which the Wallabies scored a try from the ensuing scrum. Or Ma’a Nonu being ruled for a high tackle that wasn’t on Kurtley Beale.
Robbie Deans won’t do this but I think there are enough serious issues with Elsom’s captaincy for thought to be given for someone else (Will Genia, perhaps) to be given the job.
Elsom does not read the referees. He is overly grumpy when players respond best to positive messages from the captain in the manner of John Smit, John Eales and now McCaw. He does not seem to be able to control the end of Tests either, at least against the All Blacks.
The All Blacks have won 10 in a row against the Wallabies. In five of them, the Wallabies were leading at half-time only to be run down in the second half.
On Saturday night the Wallabies started kicking for position in the second half. This was the right thing to do. But there did not seem to be a strategy of, say, setting up for a field goal when a turnover was forced.
I’ve always believed that field goals are most easily kicked earlier rather than later in a Test.
This brings us to Matt Giteau’s kicking.
There seems to be technical faults in his technique. He missed two penalties and two conversions, all of them from sharpish angles but kicks you’d expect to knock over in Tests.
The Wallabies might have to consider Kurtley Beale as the front line kicker, although Beale doesn’t kick for the Waratahs. Another possibility may be bringing in Berrick Barnes into Giteau’s position and as the front line kicker.
Was it a coincidence that the All Blacks started to get on top in the forwards when Mark Chisolm was replaced by Dean Mumm? This change, anyway, was matched with the All Blacks bringing on Jerome Kaino and Colin Slade to replace the two youngsters Victor Vito (disappointing) and Aaaron Cruden (poor with the restarts).
It was an excellent hanging kick-off by Slade that gave possession back to the All Blacks with the scoreline 22 – 6. The All Blacks virtually kept the ball for most of the rest of the twenty minutes in the Test.
Kaino was most impressive in stiffening up the All Blacks’ drives through the middle of the field as the Wallaby pack began to wilt under the continual smashing they were being subjected to.
So at the end of the Tri Nations tournament we have the All Blacks winning all their Tests, the first time this has been done under the current system of three Tests against each side.
This is a tremendous achievement. It confirms the All Blacks as the side that has to be caught next year and for the next few years, presumably.
And the Wallabies?
This season they lost to England, with Giteau missing an easy kick at goal to win the Test. They have defeated the Springboks at home and in Australia, with the win at Blomfontein being their first Test victory at altitude in 47 years.
Most importantly, the Wallabies are establishing a distinctive pattern of play that is capable of ripping sides to shreds, even those as good as the Springboks and All Blacks.
This pattern is based on long, quick passing to the edges of the field with runners like the blind side winger and the fullback Kurtley Beale coming into the line to make the break.
Quade Cooper and Giteau (or Barnes if he moves into the inside centre position) balance the wide game with slick inside passes to runners on the burst.
The scrum is still a weakness but it stabilised long enough in the first half to give Ben McCalman (one of the finds of the season) to burst through Vito to set up James O’Connor for a terrific try.
The Wallabies lineout upset the All Blacks throws, three times in a row early on in the second half.
All this is positive and good news.
The fact is though that this side and its predecessors haven’t beaten the All Blacks in ten Tests.
The law of averages suggests that the Wallabies are nearer to a win than they were ten Tests ago. But as a Roarer has pointed out, Tests are not like tossing coins in a sequence. Each Test is a discrete match. It stands alone. It does not really have a statistical link with the previous Test.
Right now the Wallabies have the record that gives them the confidence they can beat any side in the world, except the All Blacks.
So the honest assessment of where they stand right now is that they are the number two team in the world, with a lot of ground right now between them and the All Blacks.
Can this ground be made up in 2011? Time will tell.
Scotty
Guest
Very True Expat! That would be like the Kiwi Mungoes depending on every world cup final that the Kangaroos mysteriously play like 10 year olds. You Just cant rely on it.
benchsitter
Guest
Iagree with you there on the Maafu not being a T/H, he did good to hold out for as long as he did on Saturday and actualy had some realy stable scrums but it was only a matter of time before the fatigue and power of the AB scrum would take its toll. Slipper as a starter dont know about that suggestion, he came on as a replacment did with his 20 or so min did more damage to the wallabie scrum that Maafu did in his 60. The wallabies don't have that world class T/H anywhere and to think that Alexander is the answer is like spiting in the wind because he dosnt even play tight head for the brumbies so Aussie has just over a year to fiind some one to anchor that right hand side or it will be anoter long year.....
Howi
Roar Rookie
Thanks, Mick. I knew that, only wasn't sure whether it was "permanent" permanent or whether it was more of a "don't call us we'll call you" type of permanent. Henjak seemed to just disappear of the face of the Earth. I thought league had an interest. Maybe he's in Japan. Anyone know?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
George Whitelock played well on Saturday, despite 10 minutes in the bin (but still barking instructions from the bad boy's chair). I like his toughness. Spoilt for choice you blokes - being an ABs selector today is like a kid let loose in the lolly shop with a $20 note!
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Thanks MarkR - quite so, now that you have reminded me. Quite a different type to the reliable uber-locomotive that Jerry Collins became, and to Rodney.
MarkR
Guest
Mick - it wasn't so much dropping the ball, but he had a habit of carrying it into the tackle one handed. Other teams worked this out & double teamed him, first man tackles, second attacks the ball. It was a very effective tactic.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Thanks mate. I saw your post over there with the kiddies arguing like men possessed sans facts and data. It's been fun so far - as client I've briefed some good barristers for some good wins in my time and, in their case, it'd be all over by lunchtime! I can guess you've been around for a bit - perhaps not as long as me, but I am waiting for the moment to throw in Old Man Bob Egerton, just to confuse the debate - 28 and a half when selected, 89% win rate (perverse use of stats - love it) a World Cup and just one embarassing thumping - of 3-6 against the All Blacks in Auckland.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
It's a wonder Mick hasn't got me 'nippin' at ya heels, Ben. Should be about now he's had his warm glass of milk and should be tucked up in bed...wouldn't put it past him having his laptop beside him...oops...you have mail!...lol
Ben S
Roar Guru
'Now back into the ring against Cattledog, with this advice – to preserve your energy it helps to drop your gloves down to waist level (your arms won’t get so tired then) and to stand stationary for long periods. (impudent colonial grin icon)' Quite, and watch those colonial gloves bounce straight back off my stiff upper lip. Tally ho.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Thanks Ben S - we are in fierce agreement about Somerville, a high quality, reliable performer. He and Hayman both showed their mettle in overcoming early setbacks to rebuild and come back as the very best. Now back into the ring against Cattledog, with this advice - to preserve your energy it helps to drop your gloves down to waist level (your arms won't get so tired then) and to stand stationary for long periods. (impudent colonial grin icon)
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
"and forget what they are there for" Eureka! That's one of the central problems to overcome - discipline and focus. I don't have the panacea but it must come from several places - team before me, captain's influence, confidence in each other, hubris absent, fail-reset-start again, patience, the tedium of trudging through the pattern over and over - and the delight when it suddenly succeeds 2, 3 and 4 times consecutively. Further, you say above Cattledog there are three battles in the campaign - I agree. It's nigh impossible to garner a 15% improvement once but if you get 5% three times over you've had better than 15%. We have those three opportunities and I trust Deans, a long term thinker, uses them ruthlessly. The Northern Hemisphere Tour is Step One (I do wish they'd drop HK off it - both sides will be indifferent (travel 10 hours, stop, play, travel 12 hours more) and even the slow ticket sales don't justify it. They'll get more from the challenge of flying in cold to face unfamiliar competition. Deans must be both ruthless and innovative on this one - it should be the last time we see the dead wood and the first step for a settled group to develop a new mindset.
Ben S
Roar Guru
I don't know how he's going, Mick, but I think he'll be an excellent signing. I recall his early Test days getting shunted about with Dave Hewitt, but then he plugged away and came on leaps and bounds. He's got a lot of integrity the guy, and I would wager he's a great squad man. I'll be interested to see how he goes because he did suffer from injuries in England. Maybe the time off will lengthen his career?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I've read the opening flurry in this exchange and want to jump in on the fringe chanting "Fight, fight, fight!" Then I see Cattledog is getting a touch up from a Pom and I change position to "Get that mongrel, Cattledog - lead with the left, score with the right, keep your elbows in, use the ring ... " Then the Pom mentions Yoda in complimentary terms and I develop renewed respect. In between rounds, Ben S, I understand Somerville is playing somewhere over there (same club as Burke's?) - tell me he is impressing the mob. Is he going alright? I was surprised to see he's signed up down here 'cos he's got to be getting near the end. Wait 'til he's responded to me Cattledog, then get out there again and give 'im plenty, keep the left up, look through your gloves, not over 'em. You have a responsibility here, an obligation to your nation. (pulls up chair and coffee - love the sweet science, especially when it's a Pom)
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I saw McCaw play a very different game in the All Blacks first or second outing, Bruce, against RSA. He was doing a lot of running himself out wider for a period in that one, which I had not noted previously. He really has matured and expanded his skills - what you say about adjusting on the run does not surprise me either. The All Blacks employed that in both games against the Springboks. I saw it in the Crusaders perhaps 3 seasons back, swiftly switching from defence to scintillating attack and back to deadly defence again. It's a small step adjustments approach, profitable if you have the discipline to remember it and trust it. On Giteau - I was interested to see your comment from Fitzsimons. The cracks are widening there, it is being spoken of more openly - tonight on The Back Page Greg Martin made telling remarks which included a reference back to the tantrum when he missed out on the captaincy. Then Marto followed up with what Marto does - jumped on a QLD horse (Barnes) and rode it vigorously!
Ben S
Roar Guru
Mick, just for your own interest - Lauaki is now plying his trade in France for Clermont Auvergne. He moved there in the off-season.
Ben S
Roar Guru
Well said.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Lauaki - if I remember correctly, MarkR, he was on the European tour a few years ago and debuted by dropping the pill several times, losing it and missing tackles. He had a woeful start! I saw him since, faring better in Super 14s. With the mark for loosies set so high by Jones, Holah, Randell and those since; and the strong competition by so many for selection one wouldn't get too many chances to not impress. I need to see more of Vito, to make up my mind on him. Thompson is good - I watched him with interest in the Super 14s for the Highlanders this season and I reckon he is very similar to Reid in his pace, strength and continuous involvement. Mind you, I reckon any player surviving rugby in Antartic North deserves special dispensation.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Howi - I think Henjak was sent to a permanent naughty corner a couple of years back for, inter alia, jobbing a team mate.
Ben S
Roar Guru
Alligators! I'm up to my pits in paper clips. A bit less dangerous maybe. Small world, eh. Exactly - if Weeks is starting for the Rebels (a big if with Somerville about) then at least Slipper is getting game time for the Reeds. Plus Weeks has an elder statesman prop to learn off. You may or may not recall Paul Doran-Jones who propped at 3 for the mid-week England side in Australia & NZ. He played with Somerville at Gloucester and couldn't speak highly enough of him as a mentor.
Arky
Roar Rookie
.....from today's Australia...Even former All Blacks hard man Buck Shelford claimed the Wallabies were robbed when South African referee Mark Lawrence failed to penalise New Zealand captain and openside flanker Richie McCaw for early detachment from a scrum which led to him scoring a crucial try in the second half.