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For the All Blacks, life goes on

4th November, 2015
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Ma'a Nonu's try put the All Blacks firmly in the pole position to win the World Cup. (Photo: Paul Barkley/LookPro)
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4th November, 2015
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Many an All Black fan – and non-fans or neutrals – would have been excused for thinking Ma’a Nonu’s post-match comment on Saturday that “life goes on” was a rather nonchalant or dull response in light of his team’s achievement.

Of course we the fans are all glowing and basking in the victory of our favourite rugby team and a job well done indeed to have won the Webb Ellis trophy a record third time.

Supporters of the Silver Ferns are in their element. We could have asked for no better from the All Blacks, who are always under the pump from die-hard fans to come out on top every time they don the jersey.

The All Blacks did in fact respond to the call from fans in the most emphatic way by achieving their crowning glory at Twickenham – especially now that some of the old guard of arguably the greatest All Black team yet are retiring from international rugby.

Nonu’s comment can be seen as one of being humble in victory, or reference to the fact that there are in fact, more important things in life than a game of rugby. But definitely, his was not a too-hasty response not given much thought, in the wake of victory.

I can understand what Nonu meant.

Despite having earned the ultimate prize in his chosen sport, there are new rugby horizons to conquer. A new team to embrace and what looks like a new culture in Europe, with Toulon.

New beginnings are beckoning in the cauldron of his chosen career. Job done with the All Blacks – it is time to move on! Indeed, you are so right Mr Nonu. In no shape or form were you dumbing down your team’s historic moment, but just making a point that, in the bigger scheme of things, life does go on.

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World Cup 2015 is firmly etched in the memory.

The tournament was one for the ages. The tournament swansong between the Trans-Tasman foes was befitting of a final, that promised and delivered in terms of entertainment. The All Blacks’ victory and record are there etched in the history books.

So too is Japan’s shock opening victory against the Springboks that set the tournament into a frenzy. So too Adam Ashley Cooper’s outstanding performance against Argentina in the semifinal and Bernard Foley’s penalty in the dying minutes in driving rain to sneak the quarter-final against Scotland.

So too Georgia overcoming Tonga in Gloucester in their opening match.

Many moments to savour. But yes ‘life goes on’.

The life of the core All Black group will go on. The winning culture, despite looming retirements will continue.

Kiwi fans will have it no other way, they would want the success to assume an upward trend.

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So, life will go on. There will be another Everest to climb for the All Blacks. Some have already asked on this forum if the All Blacks can win Japan 2019. There will be a new group of players to welcome into the fold.

The succession plan will be an interesting facet to observe. Whether Sam Cane will fit comfortably into the role Richie McCaw made his own is a big question, but we don’t yet know if Richie will retire.

Will Dan Carter’s replacement even come close to replacing him? Who will be filling Nonu’s sizeable boots? And who will replace Mr dependable, Keven Mealamu – even though he has come off the bench of late? Yes, life will go on indeed in another shape or form for the All Blacks.

We often say that ‘the more things change, the more they stay the same’. I hope this will be the case for the All Blacks, in terms of the winning culture and keeping the legacy going in the light of pending retirements.

Here’s wishing Ma’a Nonu the best in his new endeavours.

Another All Black that will go down, in my book anyway, as one of the best ever to don the jersey!

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