France (right) and New Zealand All Blacks scrum during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. AAP Image/AFP, Franck Fife
As the All Blacks are about to make good on 20 years of Rugby World Cup barrenness – and they will – it is not remiss to acknowledge the sheer class and character by which that appeasement is being achieved.
On the paddock, captain Richie McCaw and co. have pursued their goal with such unrelenting intensity, it’s almost psychotic. And there’s absolutely nothing to suggest that the 80 minutes against 22 Frenchmen, is going to be any different.
Let’s be frank. Last weekend’s semi-final against the Wallabies was the Grand Final – a remarkable display of All Black domination and clinical accuracy.
Example: Australia’s first error via Quade Cooper’s overcooked kickoff before a second of rugby had been played.
Conversely, the All Blacks first faux pas occurred around the 25-minute mark. The villain, front-rower Tony Woodcock. Go figure.
James O’Connor said the encounter was the most brutal he’d ever experienced. His teammates rolling blood-bin rotation reinforced that theory.
So victory was particularly sweet for captain McCaw, not just because he’d made Horwill pay for Super Rugby and Tri Nations defeats, but because the result was categorically delivered on the stage that mattered most.
In context, this is the same Australian XV that stonewalled defending champs South Africa in the quarter-finals, which makes the All Blacks statement so much more resounding.
New Zealand comprises half of the nominees for the IRB Player of the Year Award – Piri Weepu, Ma’a Nonu and Jerome Kaino.
None embody the All Blacks approach more completely than King Kaino, who has played in all matches bar 30 odd seconds. Just ask pocket-rocket Digby Ioane, who was monstered by King Kaino en route to the try-line only to head skyline. Legendary stuff.
Looking towards the final, All Black legend Tana Umaga says his countrymen need to open with a decent dose of ‘shock and awe’ to kneecap any semblance of ugly French surprises.
Umaga is right of course. But that’s not entirely in line with the All Blacks’ current approach that appears to measure ‘shock and awe’ in blocks of 80, not 10-20.
Whether Richie’s crook foot is good for that standard remains to be seen. But it wouldn’t really matter. Because even with a third-string first-five calling the shots, it seems anything in a white-tipped, skin-tight All Black jersey, takes on a whole new dimension in Graham Henry’s regime.
To think, four years ago, it would have been considered heresy to suggest Graham Henry should be cemented indefinitely to the helm of the All Blacks ship. But that is the general sentiment across New Zealand’s rugby community on the cusp of World Cup supremacy.
His recipe for this success is a delicate formula in a black bottle, refined on the anvil of good, bad and ugly experience.
I only hope that once the dust has settled on this glorious campaign, we don’t put a lid on it.
Scotty
Guest
Well they certainly were the better team on the day by a point!
The Other White Wendell
Guest
great call there fella ABs were the second best team on the field!
AussieKiwi
Guest
Wouldn't be there if Tonga had beaten Canada!!
mace 22
Guest
Just watched sport news and saw all that and a man wearing a springbok jersey supporting the all blacks. Must admit always support the south against the north.
Sprigs
Guest
Despite the graceless interpretation of the facts by the NZ Herald, look at the support from the Australians: 5.52pm: A rare occurrence has been spotted in the Viaduct with Wallabies supporters wandering about carrying black flags and sporting all blacks facepaint. After Australia ended the tournament with a bronze for finishing third maybe green and gold fans are finally seeing the light in the shape of the All Blacks. Let's hope we get more Aussie fans crossover with an emphatic win from the men in black tonight. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10761177
Sprigs
Guest
Go the ABs.
Sprigs
Guest
That's not true in my experience and watching and reading media reports. Most people in rugby nations throughout the world want the ABs to win because they recognise this team as the best in the world. I suggest an open generosity of spirit and recognition of well wishers worldwide is in order.
AndyS
Guest
It perhaps wasn't part of the original title of the piece, but I hate that phrase - so often when it gets used, it turns into Shock!....and "awwwww..."
Riccardo
Guest
God bless the All Blacks and God bless Richie. AB's by 13+...
Riccardo
Guest
loving it mace...
all7days
Roar Guru
He was the top try scorer in France while being fat...
jeznez
Guest
Awesome player but not much chop once he got fat. The slim line version shares the wing duties with Jonah in my all time 15
all7days
Roar Guru
Turinui didn't have talent. Rupeni, now there's a fat freak.
mace 22
Guest
Agree paul the final is tonight what ever you say about the french they were good enough to beat all of their opponents in the knock out stages to get to the final. It's like saying the real finals for the 1991 and 1999 was between the all blacks and australia. Also thats a load of rubbish.
Jerome
Guest
The media hasn't done the All Blacks any favours by writing the French off. Good chance they'll play their best match of the tournament tonight but it won't matter for this All Blacks team. As for the Wallabies, they would have blitzed the French in their pre-final form, no question. But finals change everything so it's a futile debate.
Tissot Time
Guest
It has dawned a beautiful day in AKL and playing conditions will be perfect. My 88 year old father says the team that plays with accuracy, pace possesion and pressure will win. He taught me plenty about rugby and I dare say his assessment is correct. The excitement is tangible and heading off to have a beer and catch up with friends from all over the world before the game. Great to be back home especially at this time.
Paul_From_Melbourne
Roar Rookie
I know people have been saying AllBlacks vs Wallabies was the grand final. I reckon it is bullock. This French side, if they had played Australia, would have beaten them. 1. The french players are battle hardened, many of them were in the 07 world cup, the Wallabies are pubs by comparision. 2. They have strong scrum, strong lineout and strong back rowers. Wallabies have only Pocock and Stephen Moore 3. They are good under the high ball. 4. They have shown they could pressure the All Blacks for at least 10 minutes in the pool game and probably more. Wallabies have not. Wallabies have better wingers. But they were not used much. On the other hand, the French backs will have plenty of touches. I dont believe what the press is saying, they will be up for it, at least for 40 to 50 minutes. AB shouldl win because we are more desperate, more accurate, more tenacious, more powerful and most of al we are playing at home. We might even win by a higher margin than the semi, not because the French is less of oppenents, because we will kick better and play better. But it will take more from AB than when they played the Aussies.
Nek Minnit
Guest
Everyone is saying how the French are the worst WC finalists but the wouldnt be there if AUS had won all their pool matches! I blame AUS for being terrible! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Pillock
Roar Rookie
If you look at the form and the French win there will have to be a stewards inquiry.
west
Guest
All Blacks will do what it takes to win, if france win then they will have earned it and you will have to respect that. However a team going up against the greatest team of all time in there backyard with a title in there grasp. It would take a mammoth display of some of the best rugby of all time to take this opportunity away from NZ. All Blacks have been there before and I doubt it will happen again.