Steve Hansen rates Rieko Ioane among the finest young talents he’s seen after his All Blacks ended the year on a winning note against Wales in Cardiff.
The 20-year-old winger was heralded a “phenomenon” by Hansen after his injury-ravaged team saw off the belligerent hosts 33-18 on Saturday, scoring five tries to two.
Ioane had a hand in four of them, including scoring the last two, continuing his game-breaking form from last week’s gripping defeat of Scotland.
Hansen was thankful his young star — who is nominated in two categories at Sunday’s World Rugby awards — had shaken off an injury that looked set to rule him out of year’s final Test.
“Thank goodness his shoulder came right, that’s all I can say,” Hansen said.
“He’s phenomenal. If we can keep his feet on the floor he can go anywhere, that kid.
“Every time he gets the ball, you think ‘wow, what’s going to happen?’.”
A New Zealand team missing more than half of their first-choice lineup were outplayed for lengthy periods but resilience in defence and classy finishing proved the difference.
They completed their European tour with a perfect five-from-five record, with Test wins also coming over France and Scotland.
All were challenging games, with the Welsh proving physically the equal of the All Blacks, who were flattered to lead 13-12 at halftime.
The world champions looked vulnerable entering the last 10 minutes just eight points up and missing stand-in captain Sam Whitelock, who was shown a yellow card.
Rather than succumb to the fatigue of a long season, the All Blacks finished stronger, consigning Wales to a 30th successive defeat dating back to 1953.
It left the All Blacks with a record of 11 wins, one draw and two losses in a year notable for the forced development of fresh face as injuries and unavailability struck Hansen’s side.
By the half-hour mark, New Zealand had made 81 tackles to Wales’ 11.
Despite that, they created two tries to winger Waisake Naholo in the right-hand corner and then had too much class when the game opened up in the second spell.
Ioane’s offload set up Anton Lienert-Brown before the young winger’s brilliant late double, the first from an intercept and the second via his footwork and raw speed.
Wales scored through centre Scott Williams and halfback Gareth Davies but lacked the panache and clinical finishing needed to bust open a defence that rarely buckled.
“You can put the best systems in the world in place but If they’re not followed through with energy and enthusiasm and accuracy then they’re not gong to work,” Hansen said.
“We didn’t miss too many opportunities and that kept us well in the game.”
zhenry
Guest
Aye
zhenry
Guest
Should be 2007. I’d like to give him a barrage of words then I might end up punching him, best keep away.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Its also that he got held up as a worst case scenario for every potential referee performance, and they extended that scenario to other areas... injury, luck etc. cover all bases, not just the opposition
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes sums up the best of both attack and defence providing the overal solution together.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I think there is a little too much arrogance in your condescension. Also, *Admirers *subtleties *Your analysis, though large in quantity, is very often...
Paulo
Roar Rookie
"Bit of an average year..." Some of the wins weren't classic 30 point hidings, but 13 - 2 - 1 is a season anyone else would be proud of. Win rate of 81% isn't really 'average'. But I get where you are coming from, a lot of wins were ugly; but I will take an ugly win over a beautiful loss any day. These times of the rush defense and lax offside officiating, we are going to get some ugly and messy games as teams are cramped for space and time. At least until the 9s and 10s start to read space better and start putting the ball beyond the D line. With better chasers than we currently have too (the first 15-20mins against Wales was shocking. Looked like Dmac couldn't catch a cold.
Highlander
Guest
The voting criteria doesn’t mention only tests, just performance in 2017
Machpants
Roar Guru
Hansen's ABs have a tougher and longer session than Henry's. And improved NH opposition. "The days of the ABs putting a second string side versus Wales or Scotland are over"
Machpants
Roar Guru
Not in the test team and only tests count
Machpants
Roar Guru
Cane stopped Wales from winning and Ioane made sure the ABs won.
Bahaha
Guest
Recent admires like yourself of the great game often miss the subtles of a truly great forwards performance and get a little carried away with what wingers do. You’ll get there, maybe have a go at playing and coaching too. Your analysis large in quantity is very often short on true quality and comprehension. But glad you are enjoying the game.
Cuw
Guest
you will find that the other Sam - Underhill from England - is also of the same type. a lot of talk was about his ability to carry the ball or act as a link. but i'm sure Eddie will pick him every time as long as fit.
Shooter McGavin
Guest
Savea is a flash in the pan, when solid test rugby is required Todd is the man for the job. Don't know how you could think anything else after watching the ABs, the lions tour would probably have tipped the abs way if Todd was fit...
Cuw
Guest
NO Old Bugger i think he plays a lot like Hooper , which is not what NZ want him to do. with the Laws as they are the flankers have to be tight. i still think he could have learnt a bit in the 7S team - like Messam and SBW and Ioanes.
lassitude
Guest
With the Blacks down to 14 I'd have thought Cane and Todd should have swapped sides for packing down at the scrum. Todd had to double guess which side to cover and got it wrong. I think the Welsh scrum half was quite smart though.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Good point Taylorman. The All Blacks have to play with immaculate action and discipline when he’s there.
Cuw
Guest
@ rebel dude if u wish , have a look at the first try by Naholo - then tell me if the Welsh tackler uses his arms. this is one huge issue i have with officiating once a try is scored. all else is ignored !! i said this before in another thread - the try scored by Barrett v Ireland , which was looked at from every angle - but the head tackle on Barrett by Sexton was not even mentioned. it is as if if there is a score then foul play is not considered. but if there is no score then foul play is punished. DUH
tamaolevao
Roar Rookie
Great win for the boys........ Although sam canes performance was mercurial i would of still went for ioane for MOTM..... I see it as Sam's efforts allowed the ABs to stay in the game for long periods which contributed to the ABs not losing..... Ioanes linebreaks , tries help change the flow of the game , you could see the fight drain from the Welsh boys as they changed tactics pushing passes ,playing fast and so on ..... So yes well deserved MOTM as good as defence was we had to be in front as leaving 50/50 penalties out there with this ref ? No thanks
Old Bugger
Guest
Yep TM and I think the common voice, is "to take the referee out of the match". Play your game so that referee makes very little impact on your performance.......in 2007, the best performance on the paddock, was Barnes' and the remaining 30 performers, were just the extras.
Old Bugger
Guest
I'm sure Ardie will get his mojo back in SR but, that isn't the game where his presence, is waning. That game is test rugby and sadly, Ardie has failed to bring his SR mojo, to the test arena.