It’s hard to find a way to blame the All Blacks most successful coach to date. Steve Hansen took over from Sir Graham Henry after a successful 2011 World Cup campaign – and has continued the culture that Henry once worked so hard on.
Basing the culture around honesty, perfection and consistency within the performances, he has a 90 per cent winning rate. He has only tasted defeat twice in 36 Tests!
Extraordinary numbers. How do you possibly ridicule the guy?
Last night I watched a very strong and determined Springboks outfit outplay the black jersey of New Zealand, and they did so thoroughly. They were exuberant in all fields of play, and dominated the All Blacks in every way possible. But what stood out the most, were some iffy selections made by that man, coach Hansen.
All year, Ben Smith has been our best option at fullback. Not only does he play consistenly well, but he is always a safe bet at the custodian role. Why try revive someone like Dagg, when he clearly isn’t in form?
Israel Dagg has clearly lost form, yet Hansen still selects him? When the All Blacks were at their deadly best this year against the Wallabies in the second Test, Ben Smith was at the back.
Why change a winning formula for a ‘favoured’ player? Dagg simply isn’t up to Test football anymore and that was obvious last night.
I watched Hansen’s press conference from his team selection, noticed he stated “Malakai Fekitoa was too good against Argentina, to not start again”.
Why would you warrant someone’s selection in the biggest Test of the year, against a woeful Argentinian outfit?
Ryan Crotty has proved himself constantly over the past two years, as a safe back up option for Ma’a Nonu.
When he’s available, why go for the riskier option of selection Fekitoa, when you have the safe option with Crotty to start? Fekitoa playing well against Argentina, doesn’t and shouldn’t warrant a selection against our biggest foes in their playground.
Barring injuries, I believe the right selections were made with starting Joe Moody, and bringing on Ben Franks off the bench. They both played well and did their job.
Jeremy Thrush has proved himself reliable back-up for any injuries we have in the lock department, and I believe he has earned his selection immensely. But again, Hansen’s selections still have caused fans to scratch their heads.
What about Keven Mealamu?
Again, Hansen justified his selection on a good performance in Argentina. Warranted, incumbent Dane Coles had flown over the world in the past 10 days to cater to his pregnant wife, you still can’t rely on a performance against over Argentina for the likes of the Springboks.
This is professional football. This is All Black Rugby. There should be no excuses in selecting or starting a Test match, especially jetlag.
Why not select Dane Coles (who has grew in leaps and bounds this Test season), in the biggest Test of the season, over an ageing Mealamu who isn’t always trustworthy with his line out throwing? Again, why change a winning formula?
Hansen and his staff really need to take this loss on the chin as their fault. Their selection basis was very negative in regards to particular selections, and it ultimately cost us a big loss at the hands of our rivalled foes of South Africa.
Please stop selecting players who aren’t on form, and think before you start sub-par players in the biggest Test of our calendar year.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
If you are referring to Roussow it was in the first 5 minutes of the game - Roussow flew into the top of a ruck like a horizontal flying missile using his head to assault Reads unprotected head - following which Read was lying on the ground for about 3 -4 minutes semi conscious; went off then came back on with commentators saying saying it was a neck injury ??? .
Jibba Jabba
Guest
JPP is playing abit dirty these days with late hits etc - he must be slowing down speedwise???
Karl K
Guest
Sorry Jibba Jabba I haven't seen the incident you're referring to? And Kez I don't think you can justify it because a shoulder has come into contact with and other players head. It's the same as when Hooper got carded to flying into that charge down. Just reckless and so it was with the Messam incident as well.
Jonathan
Guest
Stopped reading when you were Dagg was out of form.
allblackfan
Guest
Etienne, the author speaks only for himself. 99.9% of Kiwis have taken this loss on the chin -- we recognise how well the Boks played, how well the ABs did to come back and what a tight game it was. Full credit to the Boks -- that Pollard fellow is awesome!!And I was also impressed by the Boks No 7! No team wins forever; I imagine Boks supporters can relate to what Kiwi fans are going through -- that a team that has been so dominant against everyone for so long finally lost a game! (The ABs lost a game!! Stop the planet, I want to get off!! :-) :-)That's a joke BTW!!)
mactheblack
Guest
The Boks played a better first half; and forced the usually reliable All Blacks into mistakes. However the Boks' old habit of switching off the after-burners surfaced again - and the Kiwis started making inroads, as is their style in the second half. That the Boks could only muster a measly three points (Lambie's kick) in the second half proves a point. I see Heineke and staff are agog over the Boks' conditioning. Really, I ask? It's one aspect of their game that needs addressing - the ABs are fitter and better conditioned by far. The writer of this article is of course angered by the loss; I do feel Dagg was not up to the game; Barret due to him not getting game-time, not applying himself and making incorrect decision. Nonu's influenced in midfield sorely missed. However that comeback in the second half was stirring indeed. Had the ABs won, serious questions would still have been posed about the Boks' inability to close out games, their conditioning, fitness etc. It didn't turn out that way - and there are positives for them moving forward, in terms of trying to unseat the ABs from their throne. The All Blacks in their defence, had won the championship, travelled from Argentina, playing at altitude in front of a huge Ellis Park faithful and two weeks on the road. They really showed their class in coming back the way they did. In fact every AB fan should be proud of their way they performed. However, the faster Hansen realises thatt the Boks are in fact narrowing the gap on them, and dispense with the hallowed praise of his counterpart, Meyer and as is reported being involved in barbecue sorties before matches at his (Meyer's) home the better it would be for his team!
Not sure which game will be remembered the longest, in my mind the last three or four matches between the Boks and All Blacks have all been epic battles, that is really all I can ask for from these matches, and of course a few more wins. ;) I might be imagining things but it seems as if the pace and intensity whenever these two teams meet has been elevated.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Killzone, I'll go one better than that. IMO it was a better game than 2013, the result was in doubt and the intensity was immense. It ranks as one of the best games I have watched ... Of course I wanted the MIB to win but it wasn't to be but the contest was great. Ultimately I think watching the game again the difference was two players, Pollard and Vermeulen.
Lassitude
Guest
I watched Tasman smoke Canterbury on saturday night. Jimmy the bogan was in very good nick - right in amongst everything. He doesn't back down to any. I can see why tight forwards have a real hankering to snot him though - and then get carded :-)
eminel
Guest
I disagree with this article. These are the two best sides on the planet. AB's were playing in SA's back yard they had the home advantage. Instead of whinging about who's to blame we should be standing behind our AB's. Well done to SA for a game well played.
Old Bugger
Guest
Nobrain RM made the call and IMO, there was nothing wrong with it. This is Ellis Park where even an average goal kicker can become the most prodigous kicker in the game. A penalty kick can be so easily countered with a penalty kick reply at Ellis Park no matter where the penalty spot within a 60m radius. My guess is the AB leadership picked a drop in the SB intensity possibly due to up tempo game being applied from the 50min mark of the game. I didn't have a problem with that especially after the 1st half where the SB intensity was at its maximum. IMO, I think the ABs HT chit chat called for the tempo to be lifted and challenge the SBs aerobic abilities - kicking penalties wont do that - and it proved this tactic had its required result because I thought the tempo really started to impact upon the SBs staying with the ABs. Unfortunately for the ABs and sadly for TKB, his injury provided the SBs with down-time to compose themselves and come-back at the ABs. It worked - the SBs regained composure, the ABs lost theirs and time that was favouring the ABs suddenly did a u-turn with Lambie belting a magnificent penalty to favour the SBs. Heck, thats rugby and in this instance, the ABs luck ran out. But I'm not disappointed - they will retreat to review and revisit the what, where, when, why and how impacts of the game; they will revisit their structures for review; and they will review their roster to see who's still standing, who's returning and sadly, who will be out of action...then they will hopefully, look at and plan for the next game in a couple of weeks. If there is any solace from this result, it will simply be that its a while since the ABs have lost 2, on the trot.
tinman
Guest
I normally enjoy reading your articles Willie. However this one has left me dumbfounded!? It's taken a couple of days to recover & read anything about the game. Firstly full credit to SB I take nothing away. Take a bow HM & JDV what a game!! Really pleased with Fekatoa progress. I must admit I was concerned his running style seemed eratic but I think we have another multi positional player almost Ben Smith-esk! Hansen take a bow too 22 undefeated is record for the ages. He has certainly stamped his mark in the AB legacy!! Just a bit miffed that we have to wait another year to play the SB before we can restore world order.
norpus
Guest
Sad but true Do you see the way he walks around on his tip toes? in a bygone era, we would have called it poncing.
norpus
Guest
Yeh, why Woodward abandoned Melbourne is beyond me. He had a great future there and is back in the pack in NZ at Wellington. Some talent but needs strong coaching and mentoring on the head end. GL
norpus
Guest
Well said Garth Two fabulous contests on the weekend, and I am happy for both the winners I am only sad it has all ended.... what will we watch next weekend???? Well, I'll be at Bathurst watching that and the GC sevens :)
The Twins
Roar Rookie
Willie that is why you are a sold called 'scribe/journo/hack' and not a rugby selector - Hansen has taken the loss on the chin - so I am not sure what you are harping on about....please do give credit to the Boks and then give extra credit to the AB's who came back big time in the second half - just like the old saying goes - a game of two halves - in the end it was a penalty which Hansen said was fair...and if the Boks played as well as you opined, wouldn't the score be bigger than it was....we only lost by 2points....no shame in that...not sure what you mean by a BIG LOSS...I think you need to cultivate your analysis and offer something better than the rubbish you have offered here....
s.t.rine
Guest
Mark Disagree that Barnes screwed you.....long memory, huh? But he is woeful as a ref to both sides, being more interested in his 'Poster-Boy' image than knuckling down & keeping his eyes sharp. But, Poms seem to love him, so he'll have BIG games at RWC, Be warned! S T
Kavvy
Guest
Geez there's some hard to please ABs fans out there. You need quality opposition for the sport to be considered truly international and NZ dominance to really mean something globally such just be happy a true rival is emerging with this Boks side in time for wc15
Bobbo7
Guest
Agree, was not the biggest game of the year. It was effectively a dead rubber, albeit that SA and AB games are always crackers. SA played really well at home and just wanted it more in the first 40. SA's best is very good and that is that. No point in blaming selections or whatever.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Here I thought it was the Boks who beat the All Blacks and not Hansen's selections. How was it the biggest game of the year? It was the return game from Wellington, that's what it was. Dagg has played well since his recall and Fekitoa did nothing at Ellis Park to suggest he was a risk. It's amusing that you think Moody played well when he got the hook. Coles probably should have started, I'll give you that, but it wasn't a big loss and the Pumas aren't exactly woeful.