So the northern hemisphere is shrouded in gloom once more, its rugby inferiority being confirmed last weekend, with pace, power and intensity among the attributes identified as being lacking.
It’s not that simple, of course, with a reaction of some sort from Ireland, Wales or England being almost guaranteed over the next fortnight.
Those who dabble in the short-term investment markets, for example, might like to consider the odds on a Welsh win this weekend.
But what opinions can be formed about the southern hemisphere sides? Careful ones, given the limited evidence. But there was still enough to produce some tentative conclusions. Here are a few: New Zealand remain the benchmark; Australia and South Africa are hard to split; and tread carefully in Argentina – they beat Italy without a host of their top-line performers.
The difficulty in separating the Wallabies and Springboks is a result of the contrasting impulses that their performances provoked.
Australia were superior in their work on the ground, with Heinrich Brussow’s omission remaining a mystery, and wonderfully clinical at times.
A review of the tape slightly downgraded the huge influence of Will Genia on the result and upgraded that of David Pocock.
The Wallabies captain was not that far off the destructive presence that undid South Africa at the World Cup in Wellington, with the Welsh implying afterwards he was allowed similar leeway.
A hunger to feast on mistakes also ran through Australia’s performance, and was not solely restricted to their tries. Tatafu Polota-Nau’s piece of skill in the 20th minute – scooping up the ball from a Benn Robinson turnover with one hand and finding Genia with a weighted pass – was the sort of invention rarely seen in South Africa midfields, never mind front rows.
And which Wallabies fan did not take immense pleasure in Pat McCabe’s angled run to scythe through a defence put in four minds by the options contained in Genia’s rugby brain?
Throw in a determined kick-chase, speed to the breakdown and an improved kicking game to add to that ample list of positives.
But in Durban the Springboks were building a win on very solid foundations, even if creativity was a stranger.
At first glance a 22-17 victory against England might seem like uninspiring fare, but there was a quality about their set-piece work and a 20-minute spell of torrid forward intensity in the second half that hinted at their huge potential.
As usual, their lineout was strong, but it was their scrum superiority that raised eyebrows. Quite simply, England struggled to win any of their own ball and started to fall apart towards the end.
By contrast, a grain of salt must be taken with praise heaped on the Wallabies’ set-piece today. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/deans-is-delighted-with-pack-mentality-20120612-2083e.html
There was an unconvincing note to the Wallabies’ work, especially on the Welsh put-in, where the visitors won two penalties and Sekope Kepu appeared to struggle against Gethin Jenkins. It is an area to watch on Saturday.
At the lineout, six throws were won, one was lost, one was not straight and one resulted in a free-kick to Wales. All sides have elements to work on, but for the Wallabies the set-piece remains pressing. Achilles is still flashing his heel.
The All Blacks were operating on a different planet to the Irish in Auckland, who had clearly decided a containment policy would be the greater of two evils and tried to play the Kiwis at their own up-tempo game.
While the result of that scheme was predictable, it did offer a look at the New Zealand game plan underpinning some of their bolder selections. It appears that sheer pace is the weapon selected by Steve Hansen to take the side forward, and it is not just restricted to foot speed.
At times lineout throws had been lobbed in while the television director was still admiring a replay, and new halfback Aaron Smith’s bullet passes created all manner of headaches for the Irish defence.
The new personnel have created more options at the lineout too – with four genuine jumpers in 2012 instead of two last year – although the jury remains out on whether they can compensate for the loss of Brad Thorn at scrum time.
Sean Fitzpatrick said of his 1995 side that there were the fastest and fittest but ultimately not the strongest. The Tests of that nature for the 2012 model are later in the calendar.
Original Ben S
Roar Rookie
It's not just criticism of Bok rugby, I feel the same about all nations bar basically NZ. I don't think Test rugby is of a great standard ATM, with all of SA, England, Wales, Ireland, Australia and France all seriously inconsistent with major flaws to their games. Like I say, SA might go on to smash all comers, but before every game we here about another new amazing talent who never really does anything, and then when nothing comes of this player there's a shedload of excuses. We all love our national sides, but a bit of objectivity never killed anybody. Despite the last Test being a poor (ish) spectacle I still can't wait for the next Test on Saturday.
So I guess you won't be watching many springbok games this year then, eh?
mania
Guest
your a tough critic ben bt u have very valid points. time will tell who is closer to being right in this huge grey area that is boks rugby what i saw thats been absence for 4-5 years is enthusiasm and passion. the players wanted to play. that is worth a lot in being a winning team. the team has veteran players but the team it self under meyer isnt. compared to last year this boks squad is light years ahead in spirit and mentality. from here they can only get better.
Original Ben S
Roar Rookie
any one saying the beast cant scrum is mad. he’s a …well a best in srum. stable on their own ball is the first goal of your scrum. 'tight 5 should be invisible, they need to concentrate on the clearing rucks and the ‘the dark arts tight 5 should have their heads buried in every contestable ruck and counter mauling first and foremost.' Maybe in the amateur era, but much more is demanded from tight five players now. Mtawarira is neither a premier scrummager or a big contributor in the loose. He is athletic and powerful but does not have the mentality of a front rower, nor does he have the technical scrummaging ability to compare with the best props. He has been routed by Murray, Mas and Jones, and despite claims to the contrary, the scrum battle on the weekend was clearly quite even. 'Kurger and Estebeth took all their own lineout balls that is an awesome start' If you are being constantly and consistently described as being a world class player (without the credentials to back it up) then simply securing a few lineout balls isn't much of a return for said praise. Anyway, SA lost two on their own throw. One was a crooked throw, but I don't think the other was. 'i for one am totally impresserd with this new bok side. sure they made rookie mistakes and handling errors but your measuring them as a hardened veteran test squad. all the errors i saw are fixable. gameplan and strategy were awesomely simple and difficult to counter if they execute well.' I'm not at all, even though it was actually a hardened Test squad.. I'm measuring them by the standards of their supporters and the fact they were at home against one of the least inexperienced sides in English history. That's pretty fair IMO. SA did some good things, but in parts they were also very ordinary. A lack of preparation time doesn't cut it for me because lots of sides have had the same problem in the past. Allied to the fact that so many players are depicted as world class it was a pretty average performance. The Boks may well go on to be world beaters over the next few seasons, but on that single performance there shouldn't be so much hyperbole.
mania
Guest
any one saying the beast cant scrum is mad. he's a ...well a best in srum. stable on their own ball is the first goal of your scrum. tight 5 should be invisible, they need to concentrate on the clearing rucks and the 'the dark arts' tight 5 should have their heads buried in every contestable ruck and counter mauling first and foremost. Kurger and Estebeth took all their own lineout balls that is an awesome start i for one am totally impresserd with this new bok side. sure they made rookie mistakes and handling errors but your measuring them as a hardened veteran test squad. all the errors i saw are fixable. gameplan and strategy were awesomely simple and difficult to counter if they execute well. i like the fact that they rumbled it up in the forwards before sending it wide as. if holes are going to appear they need to be opened in close first.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
biltong it's a different animal here with each post often more of a mini-essay and each article long considered and carefully written, but the plus side is that means there is more detail and extended thought put in. I remembered your name because you were one of the most insightful posters all those years ago so it's nice you've made it out here.
Will try my best king, as long as the talk is interesting and the debate is good I'll be here often, if you remember I enjoy talking rugby.
Original Ben S
Roar Rookie
I also noted that I thought Alberts and Frans Steyn were excellent... numerous times on numerous theads. No other Springbok particularly excelled, so what else is there to say? It was a mediocre game with mediocre performances. Re: the lineout and Mtawarira I don't see how it is a negative to point out a fact? The England lineout was clearly superior, and the scrum was basically even until Doran-Jones came on. Mtawarira had very little impact in the loose too.
Original Ben S
Roar Rookie
'Given that Hansen is largely a forwards coach I wonder in what way he is responsible for how SBW is used.' Steve Hansen is a former back. He also spent a period coaching the backs under Henry too.
MR
Guest
Wow OJ & KPM agree, is this a set up or will all future post be signed 'OK' Ps agree re SBW starting next test, change for change sake is simply rotation by another name, give Carter, SBW & Smith a chance to develop combo
Is there any Bok that yoy can actually say something positive about? You have gone through the whole team virtually and only conceded Habana was good. You seem to be extremely Anti Springbok.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
biltong I'm not sure if you'll read this: it would be good to see more of you here as I have very good memories from a few years ago.
Original Ben S
Roar Rookie
They lost two throws. I'm confused? What exactly did Mtawarira do on Saturday? He was basically invisible.
James
Guest
good game by the ABs, certainly looked the better of the 3 however its only the first game. ABs were also rusty in parts and I expect them to improve as the season goes by. Also people tend to forget that Ireland are ranked 8th so the margin is no surprise.
Joshy
Guest
The Bok lineout was fine when you consider du Plessis, Kurger and Estebeth have never played with each other before. They didn't lose any of their own ball. Hopefully this puts to rest the silly myth that Beast can't scrum. He is clearly a world class prop and not some novelty that many fans view him as.
Joshy
Guest
Young Bulls side. The Bulls side this year have done far better than expected - purely because of the structures put in place. Any other team that lost the amount of experience and talent would be far lower on the table.
dcnz
Guest
yeah no yeah no no no...wrong about SBW. He is not just bash and crash and lucky offloads. For one of the Savea tries, Conrad Smith snaked his way through a gap then passed a cut in to SBW who off-loaded to Carter, who slid the ball to Savea. Thats what you call a worked move, and SBW was creatively involved, so to say the ABs don't know how to use Sonny Bill is complete and utter tosh...in my ever so humble opinion....
Original Ben S
Roar Rookie
'As usual, their lineout was strong, but it was their scrum superiority that raised eyebrows. Quite simply, England struggled to win any of their own ball and started to fall apart towards the end.' The Bok lineout was unusually inconsistent, not strong, and the alleged scrum superiority didn't raise eyebrows either. Highlight reel analysis? The Boks gained at least two penalties due to early engagements from England, and SA only gained ascendancy when England took off Marler, a loosehead, for their 3rd/4th choice tighthead, Doran-Jones.
They do get alot of tries, but teams with stroong defensive organisation they don't. Chiefs and Stormers have been by far the best defensive sides, and that is exactly where the Bulls failed.
Harry
Guest
The number 9 for Australia had more to do with Australia winning the last test than Palu and TPN. Anyway we'll agree to disagree re Timani. SHould add that I very much hope to be proven wrong and he becomes the consistent imposing physical presence for the Wallabies that we'd all love to see.