There’s not much I can say about how happy I was to see the All Blacks being pushed and challenged by the Pumas other than ‘I’m a proud full Samoan, half South American right now!’
The Pumas were outstanding for the first 50 minutes of the game! They attacked the ruck and won more turnovers than the All Blacks. They were brave, never sought a kick from their own 22 just running it straight.
When they scored first in the first two minutes, we knew what type of game they were playing, but we also knew this was a game plan that realistically needed to be played for the full eighty minutes if you want to beat the All Blacks.
They showed the world one of the blueprints to beating the All Blacks if only they could sustain it for 80 minutes, which was described by the All Blacks pre-game as ‘organised chaos’.
The Pumas threw everything and did everything they had at the All Blacks. I assumed the Pumas plan was to rack up as much points as they could for the 40-50 minutes, and then protect it the remaining minutes.
What I was impressed with was their decision making, and their ability to keep the ball alive with the offload.
Every player in the Pumas team at least offloaded once or twice, and I don’t remember in the first 50 minutes any of the offloads being dropped. They were pinpoint accurate and it showed with the holes they were breaking in the All Blacks defence.
Though the All Blacks adapted and the Pumas were exhausting from exerting so much energy in the first 40 minutes, they should be proud of how they fronted and the score line didn’t reflect how close the game really was in the first half.
Even though it didn’t turn out the way Los Pumas wanted it to, I commend them for their bravery and my respect for their team grows every time I watch them play. They have made it, having beaten every other tier one nation at least once.
The only scalp left is that of the All Blacks. I have no doubt at all, judging by their growth, courage and skill, that they will some day, even in the foreseeable future, defeat the All Blacks. For now it’s back to the drawing board, to prepare for the Wallabies coming off an impressive win over the Springboks.
During the All Blacks versus Pumas game, I couldn’t help but feel like the MVP of the night was the coaching team. They are just so good at what they do.
Substituting Aaron Smith and Dane Coles out earlier than expected turned out beneficial for the All Blacks.
I also like to point out something Steve Hansen said which rings truer than anything else I’ve heard this past couple of days. He doesn’t believe the gap between the All Blacks and the other three teams is as big as it looks based on the performances or what scribes are making it out to be.
He just thinks ABs have settled into their game plan quicker then the other three teams.
“I don’t think the gap is as big as everyone thinks it is. I know that people are saying the standard of rugby isn’t that great in other teams but I think it is”.
He continues “some teams haven’t got themselves sorted about how they want to play yet. We are really clear on how we want to play and maybe it is forcing other teams to look at how they want to play and they’re trying to change their style a wee bit for what suits them and it is probably not beneficial for them to do that”.
One of those Hansen may have meant was the Springboks, who they face next week. New coach Allister Coetzee has built his team around the Super Rugby team the Lions, and their approach of expansive, ball-in-hand rugby.
Considering a lot of senior players have left, it is a great time to implement this approach and it doesn’t mean the Springboks will lack motivation, they’ll be totally pumped for the game this week.
I think many if not all All Blacks and some Pumas were in contention for MOTM. My two personal choices were Nicolas Sanchez and Jerome Kaino.
Sanchez piled up 17 points and stirred his team courageously and kept them within reach for much of the game.
Jerome Kaino, keeps adding these huge performances to his already bruising legacy. Considering he was one of the oldest on the field and made his debut about a decade ago for the All Blacks, he is still top class.
Obviously MOTM deservedly should be Beau Barrett, who again is exceeding everybody – including All Black coaches – expectations).
Looking to next week against the mighty Springboks, Sam Cane is out for 4-6 weeks and though Ardie Savea is still not at a desired weight, I see him starting next week with Matt Todd on bench.
Would love to see Aaron Cruden start with Lima Sopoaga on bench to give Barrett a breather, lessen the load, but I kind of don’t see that happening ’til later on in the EOYT, against a team like Italy.
And who wouldn’t like to see more of the Ben Smith-Beauden Barrett combo next week?
If Owen Franks plays next week and doesn’t get a try, he’ll hold a new record of most Test games (84) without a try, overtaking Italian prop Salvatore Perugini, which I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.
I know each game presents different challenges but New Zealand are fortunate to have such a wide variety of talent to pick from. Would also love to see Akira and Reiko Ioane come on board and have a shot. I know they’re still young, so just being exposed to the environment will best help them where they are at now. Just thinking about the possible combinations is mouth watering!
For another week though, the All Blacks remain at the top of the rugby world, deservedly so. And I look forward to watching the All Blacks versus Springboks game next week with my Springbok supporter friends. As always, loser buys the drinks, or is it winner buys the drinks? I’ll need to rematch Heyneke Meyer talking about his tradition with Hansen so I can remember who actually buys the drinks after the match.
Ben Benhar
Guest
North an South Island All Blacks is a good idea. A better idea is to have the All Blacks play 2 international teams in one game, one on each half. All Blacks VS Wallabies+Springboks All Blacks VS Pumas+Samoa/Fiji etc.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Ha ha yeah it's how you spin it I guess. Hard to hate the man if you see it that way. Nothing against him really, but he just got to be the symbol that made sure Henry pushed the side to the next level, simply because no one wanted to feel like that again with this side. And so far, we haven't. We've lost but not like that. So I laughed when he got this years wrong, how ironic that this time all these years later we can now absorb the same level of incompetence, even if only for that one match all those years ago.
Jeffrey
Guest
Yeah, Nanai is an awesome prospect and potential AB. I forgot about Piatau as well, could have him at fullback, wing or even 13. I do genuinely believe that if we have all our players from around the world available for selection, NZ would have the top two teams (23 players) in world rugby, with England coming in at three.
Waka2
Guest
I don't think he's that bad a ref as a rule just annoyingly over officious. Even my wife, who is not a rugby fan, but will watch the occasional AB's match, sighs and comments when she sees him standing in the middle before kick off. Interesting point of view though Taylorman - not one I had considered - the taste is still too bitter for me to thank him just yet. Yes - I know 12 years ago and 2 RWC vicotries - get over it!!! I'm trying.
taylorman
Roar Guru
The Barnes factor is quite an interesting one. I don't think kiwis give him as much credit for the ABs improvement since 2007. Everything changed after that. The ABs went on to adopt a methodology that served to remove decisions like that by removing them as deciding factors within the game...by creating a game designed to end the game early so blunders like that don't affect the result. So it was incredibly fitting when Barnes made the second glaring forward pass error when he called the forward pass this year on the ABs when the TMO called it as OK. Our learning from 07 was complete, and fittingly validated by Barnes himself...another shocker of a call, clear for all to see how incompetent he...sometimes...can be... But this time Mr Barnes...we'd already tied the result up, taken you out of the equation, learned from 'your' mistakes. For that, we thank you for your services to NZ rugby.
lassitude
Guest
TIB (The Infant Barnes) is fine until he makes a mistake and then he makes a bundle - it's almost as if it preys on his mind. IMO he's not up to being an international ref. He certainly never should have come close to a knock out game in 2007 - we have Paddy O'Brien to thank for that.
Waka2
Guest
Not sure about that Zack - he referees in the same overbearing and fussy way when at european and english club level as well. @Simoc - It is a tough gig and I respect all referees. At international level and at top domestic level the replays are a tppl for the referees and offer the benefit of a second more accurate go at the decision in a foul play or try scoring situation. I have seen Barnes ignore/overrule a TMO's decision and in one talking over the TMO and not even letting him state his position. I don't have too much problem with the penalties because it takes three to out do a converted try so I think the balance isn't too bad, but yeah - the game would change massively if a penalty was worth 1 point. The line out drive would become a crucial part of any teams arsenal.
Waka2
Guest
Fair comment Timbo - wasn't aware of the ins and outs - I was only looking at the face of it.
Zack
Roar Rookie
NMS won't be back til 2017, SBW unlikely as well. The one at risk if they take only 32 would be Dixon (aged 27) and Luke Romano (aged 30).
Zack
Roar Rookie
I'd have Melani Nanai at 15 with Rieko at 11.
Zack
Roar Rookie
I prefer to think that Barnes (a lawyer) demonstrates the classic example of refereeing one team (All Blacks) because he wants to project an image of vigilance to appeal to the whingers world-wide who keep regurgitating the mantra that the All Blacks play outside the Laws to explain their success.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yep, seems to be a much more robust argument for Englands potential. Not just the results, but the combination of the step up in coaching and his expectations, youth success. The growing number of indicators suggest real rather than flash in the pan growth as opposed to the 2003 side which focussed on a core but very limited number of very good players.
Timbo
Guest
'I’m still a bit unconvinced about the relative quality given the Wallabies of 2016 without their overseas players really were terrible and the 6N wins weren’t exactly flash.' Yeah, I agree Taylorman. The reassuring thing for an England fan is that Jones seems to agree as well. He did an interview yesterday in which he criticised the performance of himself, his coaching staff and the team in Oz. Again, I come back to where England are at in their development. Jones is trying to make a big culture change with relatively young players. He's probably had more success than he thought he would by this stage, but he knows there's a very long way to go. Since 2003 the England hierarchy have always talked about 'developing' and 3, 4, 5 year plans. If England fans are honest only the gullible really thought there was any real substance to this - even when they got to the RWC final in 2007. There seems to be substance to it now, though.
Timbo
Guest
All reasonable points, Waka. I still think, though, that if you look a little deeper there are real differences. They might have finished second in 2008 and 2009, but they lost to NZ 38-3 and 44-28 - that's like me being proud because I came second in a fight with Mike Tyson. It really started to change in 2011. I remember watching that tournament and thinking that England were on a much higher level than previously. It was a close final with NZ with England pushing for a win in the last few minutes before a bit of a breakaway try for NZ at the death. What we didn't know at the time was the quality of that NZ team. It contained Beauden Barrett, Francis Saili, Lima Sopoaga, Charles Piutau, TJ Perenara, Sam Cane, Brodie Rettalick, Steven Luatua, Ben Tameifuna, Codie Taylor with Dominic Bird and Waisake Naholo on the bench. England had Eliott Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Joe Launchbury and Mako Vunipola with Marland Yarde on the bench. Since then there's been a steady stream of 3 or 4 quality players every year feeding into the England squad from the U-20 set-up. I take the point about SR being a perfect preparation for test rugby. However, in the last few years the Heineken/European Cup (in the play-off stages) has provided near the same intensity and physicality as test rugby, if not always the skill level. The English club game hasn't and players could coast. Jones has begun to change that. After the 6 Nations Grand Slam Jones went and watched club rugby every week and took some of the England players aside and roasted them for coasting in club games. I don't think that would have happened before. All these things are small in themselves, but you get the sense that the weaknesses in English rugby are really being addressed for the first time since 2003.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Who, out of the present squad are you going to leave out for the EOYT if one is to select the likes of Damien MacKenzie, perhaps NMS and SBW and both Ioanes?
docrugby
Roar Rookie
I couldn't agree more.I feared that match with SA from the moment i saw we would most likely be playing them in the WC semi and i too was as tight as a drum all the way to the final whistle.The Boks do that to me...they have always done that to me.Saturday's Test against SA is the first time ever and i do not say that lightly that i honestly feel in my heart of hearts that we are going to beat SA.I have never felt that surety previously.I know i shouldn't but i don't feel the tension this time.I believe this All Black team is extraordinary and presently have all the answers.I am aware this cannot last but while it does i am enjoying it immensely.
richard
Guest
Make no bones about it,he is over-officious.This is just a gut feeling based on what I have seen when he refs NZ.
steffie popular
Guest
Absolutely Harry, and that's probably why Shag & Co love the idea so much - have you seen any 15 chaps on the planet not wearing a black pullover "keeping the ball in play as long as possible, keeping the tempo high and doing it for 80' and I'll add "scoring at will from broken play and set pieces a la big Jonah AND having a shedload of unconventional tricks up their jumper " ? I didn't see 15 such chaps last century and haven't so far seen it this. I suppose that from time to time some people like (let's call him the Czar) have mind explosions.
steffie popular
Guest
Yes, possibly, my son you are right : I personally believe that, in his school Barnes was used as the ball - resulted in attitude: and used just as Phil K was, and John E, and Quade...... you need a lot of balls at school to kick around in this game.
Charlie Kimble
Guest
The South Africans will be buying you lots of drinks. Enjoy. The Boks look rudderless.