New Zealand are the shark which has just smelt blood, or the lion mid-hunt.
They’re an apex predator who can be ferocious and brutal at the flick of a switch, but also lethargic and casual when they know a victory is imminent.
It’s a mindset of dominance, and a winning mentality unparalleled in the sporting world. Their record of superiority is hard to match across any code or game on earth.
I, like many punters, agreed New Zealand were underwhelming in the group stage of this tournament. They looked scrappy at times, and conceded too many points to tier two and tier three nations. More than once the final scoreline was not reflective of the contest. They scored most of their points against Georgia and Tonga in the final quarter of the game.
Some pundits mistook these performances as an indication that this is a weaker All Blacks side than we’ve seen in previous years, and in previous tournaments.
Yesterday’s mutilation of Les Bleus flies in the face of that theory, and instead proves this side is one of the greatest rugby teams in the code’s history.
The reason why?
The switch.
New Zealand didn’t perform below par against Tonga, Georgia and Namibia because they weren’t good enough on the day. They played exactly how they wanted to and won with a margin of their choosing.
When you know you’re going to be victorious, you don’t have the same intensity in defence, passing, running and strategy. Of course no side, especially New Zealand, will admit this is the case – but it is.
When New Zealand ran out against the French in their quarter-final, it’s not as if things finally clicked into gear because of effective training this week, or player combinations suddenly synchronised. It’s because they decided to be perfect.
This is what sets them apart from any other side in the game, and arguably any other team in world sport.
They can flick a switch, like a robot or a machine, and become unbeatable. Case in point, the second Bledisloe Test of this year.
New Zealand didn’t like losing to Australia in Sydney. So they flicked the switch, and thrashed the second best team in the world 41-13.
This may be a relatively new ability, acquired after the heartbreak of the 2003 World Cup, but it’s an ability they no doubt possess.
Australia is improving greatly, and along with South Africa pose the greatest threat to New Zealand in the tournament.
But neither the Wallabies nor the Springboks have the ability of deciding when they’ll win and the manner in which they’ll do so.
It takes a perfect performance from any other international side – combined with a lapse in mentality from the All Blacks – for the Kiwis to lose a Test.
Australia never decides when to win a game, or by how much, or how well they’ll do it. We play our best every time, which ends in a myriad of results and performances.
But if we meet New Zealand in this tournament, if we progress so far as to do so, we won’t be up against a side as good as us. We’ll be up against a well-oiled machine who is now, for the second time this year, choosing to play at their best.
Overthehill
Roar Rookie
A very good analysis on a team that by definition has an unique place in the world sporting arena.Like you, I marveled at these armchair critics especially when describing pool matches .......Wobbly All Blacks....Choking under fire,etc.Like the coach said 'there's no cup for winning pool matches'.Now,we come to the business end and everything before (including record margins and close calls)count for bugger all as every team start with a clean slate whilst some seem to cruise there ,with others having to work hard,throw in some luck I think the four teams left are deserving of there positions.Whilst I for one would rather not see blow out scores I suppose that's the beauty of the contest......unpredictability.Whoever loses I expect them to leave nothing in the tank(Not bow out wondering)and the winners ........well you know.
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
I like it !!
CA3ZAR
Roar Pro
Fully loved agree with you. I was one of ppdanatics who felt the All Blacks were being unfairly attacked because of their lapse in performances in the pool matches, but I understood what it is you understand in that they chose how they played and won in a manner of their choosing. And to now see them, as you say, flick the switch, balance in the universe has been restored.
Simeon Mecah
Roar Rookie
Three (3) Frenchmen were run over by a bus on the weekend. Their injuries were Savea..
taylorman
Roar Guru
that's like saying Federer might forget how to serve for a whole match. You might win, if that happens...yeah right.
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
"But neither the Wallabies nor the Springboks have the ability of deciding when they’ll win and the manner in which they’ll do so." Very well said Sir ! The irony of all this is that when all the countries play to there full potential , NZ resemble a Formula One car, Australia a Suped up Holden and the Boks a rally jeep ! New Zealand is the only team which can play any style of rugby when it wishes . This All Blacks team plays infinitely better rugby than anyone else ! They have to have a bad day at the office to beat them.
wardad
Guest
Now that is indeed a cunning plan my lord !
Debz
Guest
Beautiful response. Oh that more people could put aside their parochialism like that.
Ozzie Bob
Guest
Fair play to the All Blacks! As a die hard Wallaby fan i have to say the All Blacks produced one of the best games of rugby i have ever seen on Saturday. I thought Dan Carter was exceptional. Very dominant and took the ball to the line and caused massive headaches! Then you you get to the wingers. These two massive humans do everything right and were unstoppable. As mentioned i'm a Wallabies die hard, but i think the only thing that can beat the All Blacks is themselves. If they dont lift the William Web Ellis trophy i will be shocked!
wardad
Guest
Too true T-Man ,but brother I surely dont wanna invoke any Jinxes or anger the gods of rugby ! Hard to do anything with 2 black cats and waliking around with fingers and toes crossed !
Phantom
Roar Rookie
One game at a time.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
If the All blacks have a lapse of concentration for "80 minutes", they might as well not turn up against any of the remaining contenders
Rugby Tragic
Guest
hahaha!
Buzzard
Guest
Its great to celebrate a mighty win like that against the nemises the French but one game at a time. I can't really remember the last time we actually blitzed & belted the Springboks. We would have to be pretty naïve to think this is going to be a walkover. The Boks are the Boks!!!
Joshua Louder
Guest
I know it's highly unlikely but it only takes the All Blacks to have a lapse of concentration for 80 minutes for someone like Australia to win the World Cup. Unfortunately its unlikely at this stage
Julian King
Roar Guru
Correct Zac. A champion team has many gears. They find a way to win, despite indifferent form (ostensible or real). Winning is about timing your run. The All Blacks look to be doing this perfectly. Having said that, there are no certainties in sport. It is this faint hope that keeps the Wallabies flame alive in the face of the AB's storm.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah I find that harder to do with that sort of win. I just think this is a new plateau for the ABs, the stuff coming out of the AB camp, and the relative abilities of the other sides suggest there's a bit of a gap here. I wouldn't be surprised if we have two more big wins. Only history says we might not, but what's in front of us says we might.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Very true, hadn't thought of that ...three pretty good tactical 10s as well.
Playmaker
Guest
I have a French friend , who watched the game live in Canada. He was expecting a great , but close game. He got the former, but not the later. His reply at the end of the game summed it up " the ABs are the best team ever" and will be supporting them in the semis.
mace 22
Guest
But 62 deffinately tells you summers on the way.