The great sides in any sport find a way to win when they don’t play their best. And the All Blacks – spoken of during the week by Heyneke Meyer as the best rugby side ever – have done just that, beating the Springboks 20-18 at Twickenham in London.
The New Zealanders did not have it all their own way – this wasn’t the flaccid French – and they were down at halftime. But like they have done so many times before, they did just enough to beat the Boks while preserving themselves for the battle next week.
This week, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and captain Richie McCaw spoke not about losses to Japan, the boot of Handre Pollard or the likelihood of rain. They spoke about game management and the need to control every possible facet of the match.
And if you ever want to see what game management looks like, watch the second forty minutes from Twickenham today.
They may have dropped some balls, splayed some kicks and given away a penalty or two, but they were in complete control from the moment Dan Carter banged over a drop goal just after half time until the moment the full-time whistle was blown.
They are now set to take the field in the second consecutive World Cup final, playing the winner of either Australia or Argentina.
The South Africans roared out of the blocks, throwing the ball wide and getting some great field position through a Jesse Kriel break before accepting their first penalty of the game.
The All Blacks, when given their first half-decent field position of the day, hit back immediately through a slick Jerome Kaino try down the right wing.
There would have been plenty of nervous South Africans who were fearing France 2.0 after that try, but the Springboks’ strength at the breakdown and stifling ability ensured that was the only try of the first half.
Three more penalties to the Boks were converted by Pollard, who despite kicking poorly in general play was perfect from the tee in the opening stanza.
In all, the Kiwis conceded nine penalties in the first half – far too many for a World Cup semi final. They were constantly under pressure at the breakdown and Kaino’s yellow card just prior to halftime – which allowed Pollard to kick the Boks five clear at the break – was a reflection of the referee’s frustration with New Zealand’s tactics.
Steve Hansen normally looks pretty emotionless on the sideline, but his displeasure was evident as the referee blew the pea out of the whistle against his troops throughout the first 40. His halftime spray would have been a sight to behold.
In the second stanza the All Blacks showed little of the nerves which almost cost them against France four years ago, knowing that they had the quality and the time to wrestle this one back.
Just five minutes after the break Carter kicked a 35-metre drop goal after noticing a small knock on by his side in the lead-up. From there the All Blacks gradually gained the ascendancy, scoring a try through Beauden Barrett just minutes later to lead by five.
South Africa tried valiantly from then on, but could barely get the ball anywhere near the All Blacks’ 22. When they did, it was quickly pilfered away.
The sides traded penalties from Pollard, then Carter, then from late replacement Pat Lambie, however two points was as close as the Boks would get as the rain teemed down across the stadium.
The wet weather was supposed to be an advantage for the Boks, but it probably acted as a hindrance as they were even more reluctant to throw the ball around and never looked like crossing the line in the final 40 minutes.
They will have four long years to think about this campaign and the fact they overcame their initial stutters against the Japanese to go within two points of a World Cup final.
But it is the All Blacks who will proceed to next week’s final and they will be surefire favourites to lift the Webb Ellis for a third time.
soapit
Guest
yeah not sure what can be done about it tho, especially for front rowers.
hopalong
Guest
I have been excoriated for saying this before.(Gee!Hasn,t the Roar improved my vocabulary. But please indulge me in my Cassandra moment.) Here we go. Bok rugby as we know it is no longer moribund.It is dead,deceased, has shuffled off its mortal coil etc. As promised by our lords and masters quotas will increase and teams will be representative of our demography.Where over 90% of the population prefers soccer. With the only non whites remotely interested in the game being the priveleged few who have the good fortune to attend private schools having any future in the game,overseas talent scouts will abound and be at every Craven week(School boys) Under 20 and provincial match,. The allure of the mighty buck vs no hope of representing your country will be irresistible and the players with talent will ply their trade overseas. AND ENFIN The worthy foe will have become the almighty woe.Hey Jeremiah.Apologies. Call me racist ,(the battle cry of the libtard).(Lower case intentional) .(I am not,but you do not know me so feel free.) To paraphrase Rhett Butler "Frankly my dear,I dont give a damn" Just feel so sad. And felt only respect for the performances of both th AB,s & SB,s,so none of the aforegoing comments are inspired by bitterness. Just staring reality in the face.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Matfield losing the ball forward as the last movement of the match as the Boks tried to rally on the full time bell reminded a bit of the Smit incident when he tried to tackle Nonu a few years ago in his 100th test but was left holding his boot while Nonu went on to put Dagg in. Two long time greats for the Boks featuring probably longer than they should have. No way Matfield should have even been at this tournament. SA have two very good young locks so could have invested in others. Another sign of Meyer not wanting to select or coach, but rather pick someone that knows their stuff already.
Hamish, thank you for your kind words. Maybe I am a bit despondent about the constant failures of the Springboks, and the fact that nothing changes, I just don't see any value in complaining about the same shortcomings from one coach to the next.
TransplantedKiwi
Roar Rookie
Dear Biltongbek, after reading The Roar for at least five years, I just signed up now as a member (finally) in order to reply to your heartfelt comment above. I don't know whether you "putting your comments across the internet" has made a difference to anyone in SARU or not - but I just want you to know that your comments have made a big difference to me over the years. And I am sure a whole heap of other Roar rugby readers as well. Thanks to your comments, I feel I understand Bok rugby and the thinking and passion behind it infinitely better than I did five years ago. Other SA writers such as Harry stand out as well for excellent perspectives, but you have been the lodestone for me during this time. I often scroll through the comments section of certain articles in order to see if you commented on the topic, because I know it invariably contains a valuable insight. I am not on the Board of SARU, nor do I know any of the Bok coaching team - we can but hope that some of your work has indeed penetrated amongst somebody there at least - but on behalf of all the rugby followers out there who appreciate your work, time and thoughts, a huge "Dankie" to you for doing what you do.
Greco Dominicus
Roar Rookie
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11953306/Could-Richie-McCaw-miss-the-Rugby-World-Cup-final-after-elbowing-Francois-Louw-in-the-head-during-win.html Richie is gonna miss the final. Interesting that busy body George Ayoub missed the one bit of actual foul play. Rugbys TMO are masters of uncompetence, they are everywhere they don't belong and no where where they are supposed to be. I won't complain to much though caus the All Blacks were better than my Springboks.
Harry Jones
Expert
Really. Thanks. Their old guys played better than our old guys, and our younger guys were younger than their young guys, and playing uphill is tough especially when your lineout goes creaky and they play like utter champions. All the Kiwis I've actually met in real like are super classy and friendly.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Only Tahs who don't deserve to be there in the first place. Don't think you'll find any criticism from me about TPN, Kepu, AAC or Folau, even if they have a quiet game. Mumm, Phipps, Douglas, Foley, Skelton all copped it because there were better alternatives who didn't wear sky blue. And poor Poey has to play both 7&8 to allow Hooper a start. If Poey doesn't play we cant win. If Hooper doesn't play we can't notice.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
I was starting to get annoyed with the boks pretending injury and slowing the game down towards the end..
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
And on second review he did not even do that, the contact was with McCaws hip as louw stood up while McCaw was running past.. and Nil injury..
PeterK
Roar Guru
no hatred just honesty
Just_win
Guest
Nigel Owens is set to be the ref in the final. Overall he is a good ref in my book.
Vic
Guest
Hi Hop, my wife has just made me aware that I am now starting to treat the Boks like Bafana - giving praise for poor performance because they are our "special little children", and she's right. Previously I held the Boks to high standards, no excuses. Now I'm making excuses. But I do feel sorry for Meyer.
REAPER
Guest
I fully agree; Meyer was under pressure, but the selection of personnel and tactics showed him as uninspired and stubborn. Matfield had no business being in this team, and as validation of this, cost us the game! Always felt Lambie was a better choice for the BIG matches, and as good as Pollards goal kicking was, his kicks out of hand were aimless, and gave NZ the momentum...Meyer should do the right thing and walk out on his contract!!!
hopalong
Guest
Some of his selections confounded.Morne Steyn,Zane Kirchner and the non selection of Frans Steyn.
hopalong
Guest
Less politics?Was that a flock of pigs flying by my window.? No other coach in world rugby has had to endure the type of crap which he has.. Not a defence of the man who I think is too conservative and unbending.But by far the best we have. He has always had the players to work with. And not using him as an excuse for a loss to a great side.
Scott
Guest
I was not surprised! The Boks are a very good team, even considering some of the results this year. Also the Boks were always going to be up for this game.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Thanks mate
taylorman
Roar Guru
If there's one thing that sides are getting wrong it's how to win must win lineouts. England, Scotland mucked it up under pressure and in this match the Boks lost four of their own throw. And the ABs don't usually disadvantage themselves when they have a man off but find ways to counter it, DCs drop goal an example. So the lineout option was far from certain. ABs Given the challenge of the kick to the line instead of the three points I thinks it's just as likely they would have been denied the Boks the lineout, if even to make a point, so no certainty. An option, but a marginal one.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Well the All Blacks did kick 7 more times than the Boks…..