The New Zealand All Blacks yet again secured their spot at the top of world rugby and most probably their third Rugby Championship title, against their traditional rivals the South African Springboks in Wellington.
The All Blacks just love that winning feeling.
Richie McCaw and his men are moving at a pace that the rest of the world can’t keep up with.
Both the Wallabies and the Springboks pushed them hard in the games at Sydney and Wellington, and a lot of people across the world dismissed these games as a lucky save. But the All Blacks were not lucky in these games, they were clinical, composed and patient.
The Springboks kept them honest last weekend and the All Blacks strive on those types of games. They don’t want every single game to be easy because if it was then they would get comfortable and slip in a crucial game.
It was strange to see the All Blacks make silly little errors in their game against the Boks. Their kicking game was not up to their usual standards, and the defensive pressure the Boks applied forced them into uncommon mistakes.
The All Blacks employed a creative tactic by sending two players off their fly-half. Brodie Retallick received the ball primarily with either Kieran Read, Steven Luatua or Richie McCaw running off him. Prior to contact he would apply a short pass to his loose forwards and more often than not in the first half this made plenty of meters over the advantage line.
But to the Springboks’ credit they regrouped at half time and devised a plan against this tactic, making sure that a forward cover defender would stop this runner and then Duane Vermeulen, who was my man of the match, competed for the ball on the ground and on most occasions get a turnover.
The All Blacks did not adapt to this change particularly well. The Boks started negating this momentum and stole All Black ball, but it wasn’t until the final 20 minutes that the Blacks moved away from this tactic.
Again this was a good thing for the All Blacks, and the win – albeit by only four points on home soil – tastes all the sweeter knowing that they overcame a tremendous obstacle to achieve it. It’s games like these that define a world champion side.
Over the past three years several teams have pushed the All Blacks. The Wallabies did it twice. Both ended up in draws. England obliterated them in 2012 and pushed them hard in 2013 before taking them on at Eden Park this year. France had a highly competitive game in the 2013 incoming tour and again in the end of year tour, so did Ireland in 2012 and 2013.
The Springboks pushed them hard at Dunedin in 2012, where if Morne Steyn had kicked all his goals the Boks would have won by 15 points, and again at Ellis Park they were right in toward the end, and now in 2014 as well.
A lot of people see these games as indicative of a progressive fall of All Black rugby but I don’t think that is true.
With the way the All Blacks are moving we might see a day where they beat every single nation by 30-plus points. It’s highly unlikely though and that’s why it’s unfair to expect a big victory from them every single game they play.
The All Blacks are only concerned with winning and that’s what they’re doing, these tough games are just preparation for the big time.
But when you look at the massive talent pool that they have you have to wonder how strong this team would be if every single player were available, Sonny Bill Williams being one of them.
And so the question remains. Can anyone possibly stop this All Black team?
StrYdeR
Roar Rookie
Harry, you describe the required outcome perfectly. But let's forget about Ellis Park and the ABs for a little while, the Wallabies need subduing at Newlands first can't contemplate 2 losses to them this year nor sure I can handle the build up for both matches simultaneously :-) You just get that fickle Cape Town weather on our side and make sure it's a sell out!!
StrYdeR
Roar Rookie
Mostly fair points Nick. Yip the Boks should have the forwards and in particular the loose forwards to set a good platform and deny the Wallabies possession, but as the Aussies have shown through the ages their backs don't need much possession to make the Boks pay, Wallaby backs proved their potency again in Perth... It's all down to who performs on the day, if the Boks can maintain the defensive effort they produced against the All Blacks then the Wallabies are in for a long game camped in their half. But then when last have the Boks strung 2 good performances together never mind the 3 we're all desperate for? Still like you I call a Bok win with home ground advantage and Boks strengths just being too much for Wallaby wizardry, however HM showed last year he wants to win the RC and since the Boks go into this match with a chance if they get a win plus try bonus point don't be surprised to see him go for that. Hope the press ask the question of him soon because apparently he will tell it straight up, we all thought it was mind games last year when he said he'd go for the bonus point win against the ABs... ABs should beat Los Pumas, but we can always hope... ;-)
Firstxv
Guest
funny, that what Oz said after wanting a dry eden park...
woodart
Guest
yes, calm experienced group leadership is one of the biggest reasons that The All Blacks can play for 83 minutes to get a win(ireland)
Digby
Roar Guru
Also close to remortgaging and going to Ellis Park too!! Might be divorce material but I dont care!
Digby
Roar Guru
Loved it Harry!! Perhaps I am going overboard for my praise of the match but I was totally engrossed by proceedings. I was fortunate to sit next to a farmer from Rustenberg and we engaged in quite 'vigorous' discussions before during and after the match (and drank many beers as my bank account later revealed) which added to the occassion. Unfortunately my 'work/life' balance is suffering at the moment so I have not been able to watch a replay as yet to confirm some thoughts I had on the match (or with a clear head) Easy to say I guess when your team wins but it was a great night and Vermuelen is a favourite player right now!
Digby
Roar Guru
:D
wardad
Guest
One more reason to like OB then !
Brendan Hope
Roar Guru
If we injure their entire starting 15 and a few of their reserves then we may be able to say we'll win it, otherwise, ABs are favorites every time.
wardad
Guest
Absolutely ! How many ABS over the years have said their first emotion on winning is relief ? Then comes the joy at the win ! And its not so much NZ fans are harsh on our team its just more the ABS fear of disappointing their fans and country.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
England will be a bigger threat than both Australia and South Africa.
Harry Jones
Expert
We need a win over NZ Don't need style points I just want a non controversial win Full of tackles that hurt And nothing easy at all In which NZ scores 1 try or less And we score 2 or more
Harry Jones
Expert
Digger cane How was it watching the crunching tackles live? I cant believe McCaw got up from that thump by Vermeulen
Nicksa
Guest
Hi Stryder Ofcourse anything can happen, I just think the boks at home will have to much fire power. Im not saying it will be a 50 point flogging but they should win it with out being to troubled. Boks are a better team. If I was Heyneke Meyer I would just go for the win, the championship is lost. ABS will beat argentina...
Harry Jones
Expert
I'll take a 10-9 win.
Harry Jones
Expert
England has depth and they'll be playing every match at their home ground so of course they'll be tough, as the world number 3 or 4. But if they tour any of the top 3 nations on a 3 test tour, they'd be underdogs in all 9 tests. In contrast, NZ/SA public expects (and usually receives) wins in England on EOYT.
Harry Jones
Expert
I agree Wee JdV knew if he let Read hold him up that ball was going to support player at speed It was time for Judo throw
Harry Jones
Expert
The How to Beat NZ Puzzle continues I think it includes (INCLUDES BUT THERE MUST BE MORE) robbing NZ of NZ's favourite things. For a while, in the test, I felt like SA made BZ play how SA wanted That one moment of brilliance by Read, assisted by fecklessness by JDV (that is the time to pull Read's pants down or something!!!) and that's all NZ needed to just go into goal line defence and deservedly win
Jerry
Guest
To be fair, 2003 was more than 10 years ago.
dsat24
Guest
so... its all to do with the opposition and not what the ABs bring in strategy...hmmm. As an interwebs rugby strategist I think youve found your calling...what took you so long to get here???