The rain finally arrived during the second half of England’s tussle with the All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday, after an ominous black cloud had been steadily building all week.
Flowers can’t live without sunshine and it was no different at Twickenham as the black storm suffocated the life out of the red rose.
Things started brightly for the English, a brilliant Johnny May try within the first five minutes and an 11-8 half time lead causing more than a few Kiwi fans to no doubt spend the interval pondering whether this was going to be a repeat of 2012 all over again.
How things changed in the second half however as the All Black machine clicked into gear and took control of the game.
By the time the All Blacks had taken a 24-14 lead heading into the final 10 minutes, it was hard to recall a time during the second half when the English had even remotely threatened to breach the All Black defence.
Ultimately the final 24-21 score line flattered the English, and if it wasn’t for the truly woeful goal kicking of first Aaron Cruden and then Beauden Barrett, the All Blacks would have been up by 20 points or so. It was one of the most abject goal-kicking performance from any professional side and surely this just adds to the prospect of seeing the return of one of NZ’s favourite sons into the black number 10 jersey. Time to put those water bottles away Mr Carter.
Charlie Faumuina’s try was one for the purists. In driving rain, the All Blacks strung together 15 or more phases, choosing to either pick and go, go one off the ruck, or transfer the ball through several hands until finally Faumuina dotted down. Poetry in motion.
If the rain hadn’t kicked in like it did, the All Blacks would probably have ended up even further in front.
This is not to take anything away from the English. They again showed that they are a side capable of winning the World Cup on home soil next year. Much was made of their injury absences and it shows the depth in English rugby that even shorn of five or six frontline players, they were still extremely competitive.
There were some fine individual performances from both sides but a special mention must go to Richie McCaw, the official man of the match. What a warrior – still influencing matches like he does after 135 Tests and approaching his 34th birthday. It is something to behold. Rugby fans, and not just New Zealand fans, need to enjoy it while it lasts as in McCaw we are witnessing a true great in every sense of the world. It makes a mockery of those calling for his head after Round 2 of Super Rugby this year.
Where to from here for both sides? The All Blacks will be looking to build and finish off their season with a bang, starting first with a resurgent Scotland before finishing with a surely demoralised Wales. As for England, they remain a dangerous beast and will continue to build experience and cohesion. A great deal of interest will be paid by the rugby world to how they perform in their remaining autumn internationals.
What does this all mean for the World Cup? In the words of William Shakespeare – it’s much ado about nothing. Come this time next year, once the knock-out phases arrive, and in a one-off fixture, absolutely anything can happen. As the All Blacks will be the first to admit, during World Cups the form book goes out the window.
But for now, perhaps symbolically as Europe heads into the depths of winter, a black cloud will be remaining over England – at least for the next couple of weeks.
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