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When Dan Carter called halt to his superb All Black career as the code’s highest points scorer with 1598, there were concerns from the faithful across the ditch how the men in black would perform.
Those fears were totally unfounded.
Beauden Barrett took over as conductor of the All Black orchestra with such ease that there are many who rate him even better than the maestro.
And when Barrett hangs up his boots, there’s Damian McKenzie and Richie Mo’unga, raring to go.
That’s what happens when rugby is a religion in New Zealand, not a sport.
Depth.
Last night at Eden Park it was all about Barrett in black, and yet again David Pocock in gold.
Barrett crossed for four tries and converted five for 30 points, eclipsing Andrew Mehrtens’ record 29 points against the Wallabies.
Only Wallaby number eight Greg Cornelsen has managed four tries in a Bledisloe clash, and that was 40 years ago at the same venue.
In his stellar 25-cap career, those were the only tries “Corny” scored, but what a performance to remember that sunny Auckland afternoon with a 30-16 victory.
While Barrett is the conductor of the All Blacks orchestra, Pocock is the Lone Ranger for the Wallabies.
For the second week in a row, the Wallabies have copped floggings of 38-13 and 40-12, with Pocock the sole Wallaby standout cleaning up the mess, pilfering, making tackles and looming in support, while being deliberately strangled at ruck-maul time.
Simply he’s just a damn good footballer with tons of rugby nous – the best in the team by the length of the straight.
(AAP Image/David Moir)
How can the Wallabies make such a mess of 62 per cent possession and 62 per cent territory in the first half, and be held to 7-all?
How can the Wallabies let in a try in the five minutes before the break, just as they did in Sydney last week, and let more in the first five of the second half, just as they did last week?
Are they brain dead, or just plain lazy?
Last week the Wallabies missed 40 tackles, last night 42 – and the same question has to be asked?
Commentators keep questioning coach Michael Cheika’s future. Last night was his 50th international at the helm.
But he’s not missing 42 tackles, he’s not turning over possession 21 times, he’s not snatching at passes and knocking on in an all-out attack or over-running in support.
That’s just dumb rugby.
Sure the Wallaby lineouts and scrums were better last night, but the basics were again MIA.
How can you become a Wallaby when the basics are missing?
You expect ten-year-olds to have the basics tagged. Don’t hang it on Cheika to teach his troops how to suck eggs.
To be fair, just about every Wallaby last night had a moment or two when they did something worthwhile.
But it’s an 80-minute game – just look at the scoreboard with 78 All Black points to just 25 in a week.
And to rub salt into gaping wounds, the All Blacks last night ran 866 metres to 542 despite a deficit in possession and territory.
Two home and away clashes each with the Boks and the Pumas are coming up to complete the Rugby Championship.
Nothing short of four wins will be acceptable.