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The Springboks’ 18-5 win over the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth last night, has James Horwill perfectly set up to make a statement. Horwill will debut as Wallaby skipper against the men-in-black at Suncorp next Saturday night, with the coveted Tri-Nations trophy up for grabs.
The last time Horwill played at home, he hoisted Queensland’s first Super 15 trophy by defeating the most successful franchise in Super history, the Crusaders, 18-13.
Next Saturday, Horwill faces the most dominant Tri-Nations country with the All Blacks claiming 10 of the 15 tournaments played, the Boks have won three, the Wallabies two.
The All Blacks are the defending champions, but the Wallabies haven’t won the Tri-Nations since 2001.
Horwill has history in his hands.
It will be intriguing to see how All Black coach Graham Henry treats Suncorp.
Last night in Port Elizabeth, he went in with a virtually second string side, leaving frontline selections Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Mils Muliaina, Conrad Smith, Brad Thorn, Kieran Reid, and Owen Franks at home – and paid the price on the scoreboard.
But the stringers created more than enough chances to win, failing to execute at crunch time.
In the wash-up, the All Blacks scored the only try of the game in the first half, from a forward pass, and had another illegally knocked back by the TMO from a blatant forward pass in the second half that was missed by Irish referee George Clancy, and his two touchies.
And the All Blacks had the gall to bitch about it, claiming it wasn’t the TMO’s brief to rule on a forward pass – and they were right.
But it was forward, so the end result was dead right.
What came out of last night?
The Boks are back in business to defend their World Cup in New Zealand.
It was their only win from four in the Tri-Nations, but they played with some long-lost passion, meeting many promising All Blacks raids with crunching defence.
But they had to rely heavily on Morne Steyn’s incredible boot that landed five from five penalties, four of them from long range – and a drop goal from two.
Steyn is vital to the Boks’ chances in the Cup. He’s been out of sorts for sometime, not only with his kicking, but in general play.
He’s back as well.
Sadly for John Smit, the most capped captain in international rugby history with 76, the axe is about to fall with champion lock Victor Matfield installed as Cup skipper.
Matfield led the side superbly last night, Smit came off the bench and was way off the pace. He’s about to feel as gutted as Rocky Elsom who was sacked last Thursday as Wallaby captain.
But Elsom will be in New Zealand – it’s highly unlikely Smit will be joining him.
From the All Blacks point of view, injury-prone full-back Israel Dagg had a blinder. Every time he touched the ball something positive happened, and he must be in the 30-man All Black Cup squad to be named on Tuesday, in Brisbane.
And a special salute to Sonny Bill Williams. For some unfathomable reason, he’s still not recognised for what he is, a world-class centre in attack and defence, who has no peer off-loading under intense pressure.
Eight of his 10 off-loads last night were spectacular, how on earth he was able to slip the pass defied description. He’s a class act alright, and he’s putting enormous pressure on Graham Henry for a permanent starting XV berth, despite the presence of evergreen Ma’a Nono.
So to Saturday, and the block-buster to not only decide the Tri-Nations, but the ultimate confidence booster for the World Cup.
It’s doubtful James O’Connor will be on Wallaby duty, having suffered a brain explosion the night before the team announcement for the Cup, and was too hungover to make an appearance.
By any standards that’s not acceptable. He’s a good kid who should not only know better, but be more committed.
And that’s what will win out on Saturday – commitment.
The All Blacks always have bucket-loads of that commodity with Richie McCaw at the helm.
It’s James Horwill’s turn to see if he can match his opposite number.