Sonny Bill Williams passed another exam in his Test rugby re-education, but some other backs earned the wrath of the All Blacks coach following the tense defeat of England.
Williams was a standout in attack and defence during the 24-21 comeback win at Twickenham.
The rugby league convert was the most penetrative runner in a Test that lacked the spectacular, while he also performed the basics well.
His front-on tackles regularly jolted English ball-runners as he took a step up from last week’s return to the All Blacks in the thrashing of the United States.
Assistant coach Ian Foster said Williams’ powerful 80 minutes provided further justification of his hasty recall so soon after he completed a two-year NRL tenure.
“It was a taste of the pressure that he’s gong to have to get used to and certainly England cut his time and space down,” Foster said.
“He was patient. He problem-solved his way through and I thought as the game went on, he made more and more of an impact.”
The Test wasn’t as memorable for midfield partner Conrad Smith, who was beaten for pace on the outside by Jonny May when the England wing scorched 55m to score in the third minute.
Coach Steve Hansen was critical of the defensive efforts of Smith and fullback Israel Dagg, who was also left grasping, when he assessed May’s first Test try.
“He’ll bank that one, he won’t get too many more softer ones.”
Smith, 33, was replaced in the 47th minute by Ryan Crotty, the earliest non-injury related exit for the veteran centre in any of the 80 Tests he has started.
WQ
Guest
I think Conrad Smith just got burned for pace on that one ChanWee
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Eastmond has a solid defensive technique. While he was giving size away his technique both in positioning & actual tackling made up for it.
ChanWEE
Guest
@ Rugby Tragic : i just wonder if SBW rushed out of the line , creating space for MAy between him and Conrad... anyways am not going to watch a game i already saw. there are many more to watch that were on last week end :)
ChanWEE
Guest
true he was good but then again it is nothing for this song and dance ( I wonder if fans have songs for rugger players like they do for footy players ? :) ) my grouse is he failed to impose himself on a vastly midget player in Eastmond - who is billed at 5' 8" , 85 kg (depending on where u find these stats). SBW is said to be 6' 4" 115 kg. he shud have steam rolled Kyle , like Savea did to Brad barrit. but this is 2011 over again , but maybe a little fast forwards. SBW did not come good untill he played for Chiefs in 2012. I will wait to see the real SBW stand up and play in super rugger :D
ChanWEE
Guest
wait and see if Charlie Ngatai or Francis Saiili becomes the next 12. DArk horse (very dark) will be robbie Freuen. i wonder if NZ will look to cap the new ITM sensation Seta Tamanivalu if he has a super super season :)
WQ
Guest
Agree Rugby Tragic, I thought his defence was excellent.
WQ
Guest
ChanWEE, I think you might be being a little harsh there, I thought his clean out work at the break down was quite good on attack and he certainly worked hard to get to his feet quickly on defence. Neither of these activities are required in the NRL at all.
ChanWEE
Guest
watch youtube for SBW hits in NRL , nothing new :) ok he uses the arms a little bit more :D only good thing was he adapted to the game; but the galring ommission many make is SBW's influence grew when Eastmond went off. Eastmond did nothing else but shadow SBW . ofcourse he sent a miracle pass to Brown. when Farrell went to 12, SBW found more space. his big breaks come in the second half. according to Lancaster , they needed a kicking option outside the fly half - hence the shift.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
He played well last weekend but butchered a try when he made a clean break, with Aaron Smith and Patrick Tuipoluto unmarked on his left, but that happens, probably a bit of the league background of taking the tackle but hell he has only been back a couple of games and his defence was pretty good, no complaints from this kiddo. He is only going to get better.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Fekitoa will be groomed as a future No 12 so when Nonu goes to Toulon after RWC and if SBW does not stay (meaning if he goes to rugby sevens) there will no be a void. The AB's like their big men at No 12 rather than 13 to drag in the defence closer to the forwards. Crotty will take over from Conrad Smith I would think. Having said that Fekitoa's preferred position, I understand to be No 13
ChrisCrus
Guest
Wrong. He did alot outside his 'NRL stuff' He helped clean out players in the ruck numerous times. Watch the game again
ChanWEE
Guest
maybe in 3 years after Fekitoa learns to deefend at 13. if SBW and Fekitoa play now it will be a defensive disaster. dont forget Nonu and Smith formed thier partnership after both ahd quite a a few super seasons. Fekitoa is a rookie. that is why they carry Crotty , coz nothing can compensate for experience.
ChanWEE
Guest
this NRL he was injured and did not play in all matches. anyway he didnot do anything outside his NRL stuff. he ran straight , he tried to offload and a few times went to ground. it was only in defence he showed some comprehension of rugger as in union. the only time he was out with Conrad, they scored. also, dont forget Eastmond is also a convert so he managed SBW well. of all people SBW will be happy to put in 2, 80 minute shifts after the bit parts he had in the ITM cup and they were something to forget :)
WQ
Guest
I must say I am surprised at how easily he has fit back into the All Blacks, given his two year absence. I suspect he has been working with the All Black coaching staff for a little while this year prior to exiting the NRL?
Play the Game
Guest
Imagine SBW and Fekitoa at centre for a combination.Bloody frightening stuff with BS and Savea flying into the gaps.
RT
Guest
Quality player. Whatever the knockers say he was close to the best player in the world when he left to go to league and if he recaptures that form the All Blacks will be laughing. Just wish he was an Aussie. Quality player, quality bloke.
aussikiwi
Guest
An outstanding achievement for SBW to play successfully at the highest level barely a month after his last League game with only a couple of ITM games under his belt. I would like to see the SBW Fekitoa combo in action. That would be exciting.
James
Guest
I thought he did well considering this is his second test after 2 years out from the game. He didnt over do it. He will only improve as he gets more game time. I say let Fekitoa start this week and let him run in the second half.