Believe me there has never been a statement, nor sentiment of my own design that I want not to materialise more than this one.
I am a South African and I am about as Springbok crazy as you could get and I want my team to lift the Webb Ellis next year more than anything in the world.
But I cannot ignore the force of reason spiraling within my cerebral cortex. I must say it, I must admit it.
Richie McCaw, the greatest player of all time, will lift the World Cup in London next year with his excellent All Black teammates.
This is, of course, just an opinion and not a fact. I’m not forcing this down anyone’s throat and I’m not kissing up to either McCaw or the All Blacks, but I find it very hard to believe that anyone could usurp the All Blacks to the throne next year.
I mentioned in my opening paragraph that I wholeheartedly yearn to see my beloved Springboks be the first team to win the title thrice and I meant it. I would feel nothing other than utter jubilation should this happen, and I will, admittedly, drink like there is no tomorrow should that happen.
Let it be clear that I have not lost faith in the green and gold. I have not forsaken my team. I remain steadfast and strong in my support of my men. They can win, I know that and you know that too.
But still the land of the long white cloud seem destined to triumph and I can’t think of a team that deserves it more. Now that I have claimed my allegiance without doubt I’ll explain why I have made this ill-boding prophecy.
I have made it clear since my virtual birth on The Roar that I regard Richie McCaw as the greatest ever. Yes I, a South African, have claimed this. Richie McCaw is the inspiration that drove me to watch rugby, to immerse it, be moulded by it and ultimately to play it. He remains the world’s premier captain, its greatest ambassador and I, his biggest fan.
He and his team have only lost twice since the last global showpiece. Once convincingly beaten by England in 2012 and once controversially beaten in South Africa a few months ago.
The All Blacks have come a long way since their magical moment in 2011 and they have unearthed several fantastic players since then. I think of Julian Savea who burst onto the scene in 2012.
The 193-centimetre mammoth of a winger didn’t catch my attention in his first two years. I confess that I thought of him as just another Matt Banahan or another George North, JP Pietersen, Tommy Bowe or an Alex Cuthbert. He was just another winger 190-centimetres tall and 100-kilograms big, give or take.
Basically,a big guy who just runs into people, relies on his size.
To be fair, two of the wingers I have mentioned aside from Banahan, North and Cuthbert actually have more to their games than just smash and bash – but neither of the two combine size, style and speed quite like Savea does.
I can honestly say that if he were just a battering ram, I’d have less fear for Savea than to my mother’s homemade tuna salad. Against smaller backs he looks unstoppable, against Etzebeth not so much, as we saw at Ellis Park.
What makes Savea so dangerous is that he can actually kick, pass, tackle and most importantly, he understands the concept of space and exploitation.
The All Blacks are blessed with the best winger on earth in him.
The All Blacks also have Kieran Read who is currently the second best Number 8 in the world behind Duane Vermeulen. Currently is the key word.
To be honest I had never been a fan of Read, I simply can’t stand the guy. And I didn’t care what others had to say about that, still don’t. But I don’t let bias – and what I feel for Read is simply bias in the first degree, don’t be deceived – cloud my judgement.
Read is a special player. A number 8 with okayish physicality, good pace, awe-inspiring distribution and a great rugby brain.
And then they have a personal favourite of mine by the name of Sam Whitelock. Regardless of Brodie Retallick’s award I feel that Whitelock is the real diamond in the rough and I truly can’t understand his lack of recognition.
In my mind Whitelock is the best lock in world rugby. The reason is because he plays numbers 4 and 5 in one.
Mostly you would see one lock dedicated to the enforcer role and another as the Victor Matfield type of role. Whitelock acts as both almost faultlessly. He is the All Black lineout kingpin.
We then arrive at the fly-half state of affairs and I can’t believe it when I say it but herein potentially lies the All Black weakness.
It isn’t that their players are no good, but circumstances have given me reason to doubt this usual area of strength.
Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett are world class. Both of them. Both have great rugby brains and both have excellent recognition of space, opportunity and numbers. Both of them are also calm and collected.
But both of them suck at goalkicking.
The All Blacks may get into the pickle of having their World Cup dreams hanging in the balance of one simple kick at the posts. Will these two young pivots convert these shots? Of course they can, but will they?
When in form, Daniel Carter makes me feel like I have the skillset of an eight year old tighthead prop. He is Black Magic, but can he hold out for one more year without injury?
,
However, let us get real for a minute. The real reason why the All Blacks will win this tournament is because they kick. And by gum they kick magnificently!
The All Blacks are the only team in world rugby that understands that every type of kick can be used to aid an attacking game plan. We often see the men in black launching an up and under.
But they’re smart about it. Unlike South Africa, Ireland, England and Wales, the All Blacks only ever send one up in their half of the field. You would never see them performing it right on the halfway line.
Their primary, secondary and tertiary objective with this kick is to win the ball back in order to score tries. They don’t do it to win penalties which is exactly what the aforementioned teams do.
The All Blacks also enjoy dabbling in the art of the little chip and the little grubber kicks. Julian Savea again does this extremely well. But what has become a team favourite for these men has become the all important cross kick. They have employed this neat little trick for the past two years now.
Their secret to success is simple. They kick to regain possession of the ball with the intention to score tries and nothing else.
If they receive a penalty because of that then it’s all fine and dandy but the aim is to score a try because seven is better than three, or at least that’s what my math teacher taught me.
The tactical kicking game will be one of the most important facets of play during the World Cup because of northern hemisphere conditions. And it is here where the All Blacks have the clear edge on every other team in the world.
Australia can match the All Blacks in the running game, but they lose thoroughly in the kicking game stakes.
South Africa outgunned them in the running game the last time round in Johannesburg, but for the past three years they too have been hopelessly outgunned in the kicking game.
That’s the beauty of New Zealand. After 2011 they have invested in both the boot and the ball, neglecting neither.
This means that they can adapt as the game changes. When the running game just won’t work they will kick and visa-versa with the kicking game.
The shadow of death looms over the rugby world, Darkness has come for us all. Count McCaw reigns supreme in this cataclysmic setting.
Can anyone stop the All Blacks before it’s too late?
splits
Guest
the only thing that will influence the All Blacks winning the next WC will be the media. Australia are shocking for it, Influencing the refs through the media about cheating at the break down...LOL...look at Australias record on home soil, Ill never forget the 19 all draw .Nau was allowed to tackle Piri Weepu offside at the back of the scrum while the ball wasnt even out. It was so bad Piri started throwing punches. Australia claimed Mccaw is a cheat playing at the edge. Yet every 7 they produced copy cats McCaws play or tries too. Pocock was a seagull entering over and after a tackled player too big up stairs while an absent all rounder. Hooper is of the same mould. He may prove to be a better all rounder than Pocock but I doubt he will reach McCaws level of excellence over the same period. even as a captain. Smith for Australia was always the better deal he was always ruthless at the breakdown. yet with Kaino and Read keeping any other 6 or 7 busy . McCaw gets to roam more. McCaw attributes his success to his fellow players. Quade Cooper complained because he never got the space or time Dan Carter gets from his fowards and I agree with him, Cooper should not be defending against fowards at that level on so many occasions. He believed it was lazy defence by his fowards and he is spot on.His coach and team didnt like home truths. It was toxic yet true Kearns said on national tv that Auckland were cheats and McCaw deserves to be eye gouged..lol real sour grapes right there Australia has accused the All Blacks of giving away countless penalties rather than a 7 pointer close to their line LOL... Laughable when you consider the stats with Australia using that as a defence on their home soil .Yet through the media they claim it as great defence. look up their stats between the ABs and Wallabies in Australia they dont lie Australia well go to the media and ref about these concerns again at the WC....Thats what I call CHEATING. England will be the biggest threat on home soil to the ABs believe it. ..
jemainok
Guest
AvZ I do hope your premonition comes to fruition, But to be honest, their are 2 teams I believe are better suited to the WC format, they as long as I have watched, have played a slow forward oriented grind style of rugby. which the AB's can do, but it doesn't seem as natural as it does to these other 2 teams. So I wouldn't put my house on my Ab's, but under Hanson I trust he is preparing to be a serious threat. But I can see who the competitor's are, and we all know how these games go most times and it usually ends in a battle of attrition. Good luck to your Boks AvZ they have the pieces to beat of us. It is just about them formulating the right game plan on the day. I just hope we make it past the quarters then take it one game at a time. Last thing AvZ next year for me, is about enjoying a group of great AB's. Who will say there last hurrah win all lose and I for one am happy I can witness the last of their achievements.
richard
Guest
Relatively speaking,and by their standards,the ABs are hardly setting the world on fire.That's what I mean by OK,capiche!
jemainok
Guest
My thoughts exactly.
Dittohead
Guest
"Looking Ok?" If the AB's are looking just 'ok', how the hell are the others looking?
Sean T
Guest
It will be interesting to see how blackadder plays slade this year. One would think DC would be the first choice first five for the saders, slade may end up slipping in at 15 if dagg again fails to fire and carter is not played at 12.
MARTO
Guest
Armand Mate, the KIWI`S cant win WORLD CUPS on foreign soil .. They are NO CHANCE !! Stop giving them false hope ..
Gilbert
Guest
Read and Vermeulen are both great players in their own right. Both play vital roles in their team. But for me, the judgement of who's best falls on who has the trophies. All the accolades we heap on Vermeulen are meaningless if he hasn't won anything on international stage. Sure he was tremendous against the all blacks at ellis park this year, but that was it. Read, in my honest humble opinion, still edges him if he steps up to full potential.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Haha! ... yep I'm with you! .. I have quite a few Aussie mates (close mates) and they used to give me heaps whenever the AB's lost ... and you know what?... I just laughed along with the, agreed with them. It takes the wind out of their sails, drives them insane and I love it!
firstxv
Guest
agree wardad, found that an astounding comment. If anything he's even more sickeningly humble han McCaw if thats possible...said in a good way of course. Have never heard that view of Read before by anyone so I thnk its more Armand getting a thought stuck in his mind and adding fuel to something that doesn't exist.
sesenta y cuatro
Roar Pro
I have always said that while NZ had been doing what they needed to do in order put themselves in a position to win the World Cup, so have the Springboks. The Springboks physicality, defence and strong set pieces are a trademark. Selections and rugby culture ensure these will never be missed in any Springboks outfit. What I like about what Heyneke Meyer has done with this Springboks side is that he has tried to add to these strengths. People like Le Roux, Pollard, Goosen, they add new strings to the Springboks bow, and the way they have played in the last two Springboks-All Blacks games in Jo'burg tells me they are now more dangerous and might be in the perfect course to win the World Cup. As I have said, for me the key to win the World Cups is to turn great young players into decissive players. For that, Vermeulen, Etzebeth, Pollard, Le Roux will have to step up and be so dominant that they can turn games around like Wilkinson, Campese, Larkham, McCaw have got to do in winning championships. But hey, that goes the same for the Wallabies, the All Blacks, England or Ireland. Whoever wants to win will have to impose to the best teams in the World when they have all timed up for this event and planned for it for 4 years. And to do that you need the young players to step up. Of all the World Cup contenders, I have seen Ireland, England, the Boks and the All Blacks improve. Therefore I think whoever of the Boks and the All Blacks play wiser (or is luckier) will win the World Cup.
Good Game
Guest
Two poor games due to old tired legs not keeping up with the modern game. They also had less travel time so no travel excuses please. It's all getting a bit old.
Paul from Melbourne
Guest
We should wear that choker tag with pride. We want to be the first choker to win another world cup.
frisky
Guest
Why the gloom? SAfrica are co-favourites in my mind. The Boks now have effective backs to match their usually dominant forwards. The backs performed very well in the defeat of teh AB. They have just trounced Australia in the sevens. Their play is becoming more expansive. In the end it will come down to teh grace of God, the bounce of teh ball and most importantly, the NH ref.
wardad
Guest
Yes I am really at a loss as to where this bias against Reid comes from ? Certainly cant say I have seen him celebrating a try more than anyone else .By all accounts hes a pretty humble sorta feller.
frisky
Guest
The biggest threat to the All Blacks will be the referees again. The ref probably favoured the AB last time. Some degree of compensation for the blatant bias or incompetence in previous WCs.
firstxv
Guest
agree as well. Possibly the biggest point Hansen will be considering. But for me Hansen hasn't so far been one to let sleeping dogs lie and I think has a bigger picture than what happened this year.
tinman
Guest
Well said Kia!
Harry Jones
Expert
+ 100 Kia Read's personality is probably grating on non-NZ fans But he is a once-in-a-generation player like McCaw and Vermeulen.
firstxv
Guest
well we've won our only two finals against France where they have won none so we have had some luck...just providing perspectjive...