The All Blacks and Springboks put on a masterclass, the Roosters mastered the Sea Eagles and the Little Master announced his retirement…
All Blacks, Springboks, daylight… Australia?
After watching arguably the best game of rugby of the last 10 years, one thing is clear: The Wallabies are way off the pace – physically, mentally and skill-wise.
The Springboks and All Blacks put on a master class of Test rugby. What was most impressive is that the intensity level didn’t drop from go to whoa.
To be able to execute the way they did while under pressure from enormous opposition was testament to both sides.
The All Blacks deservedly won a classic. It was great to see everyone from the players to the coaching box so emotionally invested, I could watch an entire 80 minutes of Heineke Meyer and be entertained.
The Wallabies too seemed to have found their stride, but it still was a long way from what was offered up in South Africa.
Zeroes to heroes
What a season from the Sydney Roosters. Dominant throughout most of the regular season, they claimed the NRL’s most coveted prize.
It was a blueprint for any team on how not to panic. Early in the second half Manly scored two wonderful tries that would have seen a less confident team looking at the clock, possibly thinking “there just isn’t enough time to claw that back.”
Not the Roosters though.
Several of their leaders stepped up. Sonny Bill Williams awoke, Michael Jennings showed exactly what a grand final mentality is, chasing to the final six centimeters of the field of play everything and Jared Wareara-Hargreaves started attracting more and more defenders as he charged forward.
In the end the Roosters clawed back the margin and then some.
But a championship ring? Spare me.
It’s not child’s play
The Sonny Bill Williams-Toho Harris affair need not be one. This is the New Zealand national rugby league team; not under 8s, where everyone gets a go.
Harris has every right to be disappointed, but not to feel hard done by. This is the Rugby League World Cup where, if available, every country’s best should be on show.
With his decision to stay in rugby league for a further season, SBW became available and should have been immediately on the team sheet.
It was disappointing decision for Harris, but the right one for tournament.
Speaking of the Rugby League World Cup…
It’s a farce
This is not written as a rugby guy looking for a cheap shot at League, however, the rugby league World Cup does more harm than good for the game’s international credibility.
Rugby league should be content with what is has, one of the best club competitions in the world and the pinnacle that is State of Origin.
The league World Cup can only be won by two teams, New Zealand and Australia. Only one other team has any hope of coming within 30 points of these two teams and that is Great Burgess… I mean Britain. Farcical.
The eligibility rules are farcical. Visited Vegas? Here’s an American Jersey. Drunk a Guinness? Congratulations, you’ve made the Irish Team. Like Spaghetti? You know where I’m going with this.
Junior Paulo is a featured player of the American team on the RLWC website, despite being born in New Zealand and playing for Samoa last tournament.
If even the players treat the World Cup as a farce, choosing surgery to be ready for the upcoming club season ahead of representing their country at a World Cup, then you reap what you sow.
Rugby league, your international game has become a laughing stock.
Sachin ‘the Hitman’ Tendulkar
The best there is. The best there was. The best there ever will be.
BrisbaneBhoy
Guest
There has been... •19 FIFA World Cup's •8 Winners •12 different teams qualifying for the Final •24 different teams qualifying for the Semi-Finals Just thought I'd post some useful/useless stats (depends on ones point of view) for one and all :)
frisky
Guest
Great analysis Mr Allen. I was wondering why Nonu was so badly exposed in the SB game. I hope that my beloved AB see your article.
frisky
Guest
Well 4 countries have won the RWC. France made the final 3 times and will be the 5th team to win it sooner or later. Wales used to be the dominant side in the 1970s and probably would have made the final last time in 2011 except for the red carding of their captain. They would have won it then if it had existed then. Argentina gives all the sides a fright at times - they will eventually learn to play for 80 minutes. That makes 7 teams with a chance to win in a 2 horse race. How many teams have a realistic chance in the Football WC? Probably not more than 7. Germany, France,Brazil, Italy, Spain, After them, there is daylight, followed by England, Argentin and dreamers. The fact that the “invincible” All Blacks had to wait 20 years to win the RXC for the second time says something about the spred of talent, does it not? After the publicity of the 7s in the Olympics, the 7s vesion will become increasingly popular. NZ is the most consistently sucessful side but they have been beaten by a large variety of teams as have all the other sides. It s a natural game for the African+ Pacific teams. Asia is the next stop.
atlas
Guest
won't ask where you pulled that stat from. Half? The Kiwis squad named for this World Cup has four from 24 who were not born in NZ. Four. If players choose to represent a country via parents/heritage, all power to them.
chann wee
Guest
Pool draw for Dubai Sevens Pool A: New Zealand, Kenya, France, Portugal Pool B: Australia, Wales, Scotland, Spain Pool C: England, Fiji, Canada, USA Pool D: South Africa, Samoa, Argentina, Russia
USrugger
Guest
Simple proof. RWC third most watched international sporting spectacle (multi day; Soccer World Cup, Summer Olympics, RWC). Soccer World Cup, followed by Super Bowl...followed by RWC Final...most watched SINGLE sporting events... Don't think RLWC registers, not that I don't enjoy a good game of League...
Tane Mahuta
Guest
There are many better batsmen over history than Tendulkar. He is one of the best of our era. As far as cricket players go there are dozens of players over the history of the game I would consider better. Kalis, Sobers, Bradman, Khan, Barrington. Sachin gets a lot of credit for playing so many tests but other players in history whos careers spanned similar time played far less tests. That doesnt make Tendulkar better.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
For a nerd your not very good with stats. His record is nowhere near the best of his era let alone history. The only thing in his favour is longevity. Sangakara and Kalis have higher averages of active batsmen and he is 16th highest of all time.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Man I cant believe all the negative comments from rugby w@*kers towards league. Makes me ashamed. I hate the people who support league that always put down rugby and I hate the people who support rugby that always put down league. What a bunch of insecure so and sos.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Kuruki you are kidding. Poaching!??? Half of NZs league team over the last 4 years had never lived in NZ and was born in Aus.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Fairdinkum he was flat out like a lizard drinking MATE.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Are you trying to tell me that Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, French and PNG league players dont exist? Hmmmm on my planet they do. Why use that anology? Umm because he said the league WC can only be won by 2 teams perhaps? As if putting down league is needed to keep your veiw that rugby is superior intact. Grow up and stop being threatened by league. You dont need to put it down mate. Especially when in union NZ only loses to 4 other teams on the planet.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
The best there has ever been? Rubbish. Hes not even close.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
South Africans hate the FACT that NZ Aus and Eng play another form of rugby, lose a lot of our players to it and STILL beat SA. It annoys them a little bit doesnt it CK.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Higher batting Average and a better bowler. No Im not kidding. Imo he is almost as good at batting, some could argue better and his bowling adds to his game. Sachin is extremely overrated.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
The selfishness of ARL can take credit for the poor nature of the International game. They unashamedly do everything they can to make sure State of Origin remains the pinnacle of League. Everything from, preparation time, release of players from clubs, dubious judiciary rulings on Kiwi players leading into international matches, absolutely disgusting home advantage for Australian tests vs Nz, huge match payments for SOO vs Internationals, shameless poaching and luring of NZ talent to commit to Queensland and NSW over NZ. Biased reffing, and Australian refs not reffing International matches to the same standards as SOO. The officials allow SOO to be more of a spectacle because of the standard of play they allow.
Aussie Rugby
Guest
Sweet as bro
dc-nz
Guest
What about Del Potro beating Rafa?
alex
Guest
are u serious??? kallis better than tendulkar i don't think so mate, i rate kallis highly probably second best ever, but not better than tendulkar...
Bazza
Guest
nice piece - I particularly respect your words on Sachin.