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There have been some Kiwi moans from various Roarers wondering about a possible All Black failure in the home Tri Nations games, as well as the rugby World Cup pool game against the French. So let me make something perfectly clear: as a Kiwi, I’m naturally hoping that my team creams everybody in those matches.
However, as a realist, I know that were the ABs to lose those three games, there would be a large loss of confidence across the board.
So I think it can be argued that the three games in question are very important ones, and that it would be preferable if the ABs could start each of those games firing on all cylinders.
But that brings up something that Stu Wilson said some time back. And for those non-Kiwi Roarers who may not know Stu, he’s a valued commentator of Kiwi rugby, and was a cherished, wonderful winger who captained the All Blacks in the 80s, scoring some memorable Test tries. He had great pace and terrific moves.
Stu said that the ABs were and are often slow starters because they get drained by the haka. He said that it was so emotional it takes a while for the team to concentrate on the opponents and the game plan.
Many rugby folk in New Zealand feel the same way. They envy the French and the Welsh, for example, for having such stirring national anthems while the NZ anthem is, unfortunately, an unmelodious dirge with prosaic lyrics.
A lot of Aussies I talk to feel that their anthem is pretty ordinary too – witness how half-heartedly they sing it as the camera pans along the players.
As dull as it is, the NZ anthem doesn’t slow the ABs down. But the haka can be a drag on initial performance.
Stu Wilson is a huge fan of the haka; rightfully so. However, he feels the team needs to be able to see the haka challenge and the game itself as two separate events. It needs to find a way to throw down the gauntlet then switch off and concentrate on the game from the kickoff.
Will they be able to do that in the RWC on their home turf? Here’s hoping.
Incidentally, Stu Wilson is a big fan of the new boy Sonny Bill Williams, and would like to see him at 12 with Smith at 13 in the important Tests. So would I.
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.