Make no mistake, it is a war. The resumption of an ancient rivalry, hopefully signalled by the Springboks’ shock win in Wellington, was confirmed at Loftus Versveld in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.
66-66 in points over two games, and ten tries to eight do not lie. The devil in South African rugby is back, and there is every sign it is here to stay.
There was a primeval feeling in the air as Springbok supporters rose from their sky-blue seats – the debentures of the die blou bulle – and all but drowned out ‘Kapa O Pango’ just before kick-off. This was a true clash of rugby steel, of nation against nation, blood against blood.
For an hour or so, it looked like South Africa could do the unthinkable, and achieve a seasonal double over the All Blacks, winning games back-to-back.
Again their big men dominated, the Eben Etzebeths, Malcolm Marxes and Pieter-Steph du Toits so prized in this corner of the rugby world, held sway. The waves of sheer physicality felt irresistible.
Under a real threat to their supremacy in the Rugby Championship, New Zealand did what they do best – staying blue head cool and finding a way to solve the puzzle in the one quarter of the game they could control.
They achieved an unlikely comeback with the power of their bench and by shifting the pieces of their backline into a new shape which may well prove to be the pathway to the future, long term.
In the 51st minute, Richie Mo’unga came on to the field to replace not Beauden Barrett – as might have been expected – but winger Waisake Naholo. This meant Barrett dropped to fullback and Ben Smith shifted over to the right wing, with Mo’unga playing the pivotal role at 10.
It is the arrangement I first suggested in this article at the start of August. With the All Blacks under the pump and experiencing more pressure than at any time since the series against the British and Irish Lions back in 2017, the new backline came through with flying colours.
Within one minute of Mo’unga’s arrival on the field, South Africa had extended their lead to 23-6 and the All Blacks had a big mountain to climb. Their ability to make the ascent was largely determined by a second monumental contribution in two weeks by Ardie Savea in the back row, and by the new structure at 10 and 15 behind him.
New Zealand’s route back into the game opened up from a kick return following on directly from South Africa’s second try. The try itself can be seen here (at 2:25 on the reel):
The missing part is also the most essential piece in the jigsaw, and that is Beauden Barrett’s positioning at fullback to receive the box-kick off Faf de Klerk. Put the two together, and you have the true story of the Kiwi try:
Barrett sidesteps both of the main kick chasers, winger Aphiwe Dyantyi and Siya Kolisi, and the extra metres he makes on the return are critical to the success of the pickup by Codie Taylor afterwards. Kolisi is still trying to recover from his miss on Barrett, and is five metres behind the play when Taylor goes through the space (at shortside guard) that Kolisi would have been defending.
After Mo’unga came on, Barrett looked very comfortable in the increased space and time afforded by his backfield duties. He kicked better from there than he did from first receiver:
In the first example, after taking the ball at fullback Barrett has the time to measure a superb 50-metre touch-finder, end over end, from a very narrow angle.
In the second, he is playing at first receiver and the Bokke frontline defence is that much closer to him. The result is a clear win for South Africa, with Barrett lobbing the ball gently down Damian Willemse’s throat, and the latter’s electric feet do the rest on the return.
Barrett’s move to fullback was also an undoubted plus in frontline defence. His speed from a standing start on the end of the line saved one try-scoring situation and could easily have saved another:
When he receives the ball near the left sideline, all the cards are stacked in favour of the new Springboks wunderkind Aphiwe Dyantyi. He has the momentum to kick through into an empty backfield and runs past the starting New Zealand fullback, Ben Smith, as if he isn’t there at all.
Despite having to stop, turn and spot the South African flyer a two- or three-metre start, Barrett gets back to overhaul him and prevent the try.
It is a remarkable piece of defensive recovery work, and only Barrett could have done it. Damian McKenzie? Forget it.
Barrett almost repeated the same trick to stop Cheslin Kolbe scoring in the 59th minute (at 2:55 on the reel). He gets off the line incredibly quickly to hit Kolbe before he reaches the goalline, but the referee and TMO between them awarded a score that was, I believe, never proven beyond reasonable doubt.
In attack, the combination of Mo’unga and Barrett at second and third receiver worked smoothly to create a try for Rieko Ioane in the 62nd minute (at 4:00 on the reel).
It is worth examining the score in detail, from the best view behind the posts:
After Ryan Crotty swings the ball onto Mo’unga, the true value of the Crusaders number 10 to New Zealand’s attack is distilled in the face of the Springboks’ fierce rush defence.
Mo’unga takes all the pressure coming from different directions – Jesse Kriel driving up square on and Kolbe jamming in hard from the outside – onto his own shoulders, while remaining square to the defence. He takes all the pressure off of Barrett, allowing him to make a beautiful long delivery to Ioane out on the left:
Mo’unga’s ability to run straight and square at the defence and force tacklers to ‘plant’, while holding the ball in two hands and therefore able to pass it across his body, made a big difference to the New Zealand attack:
The All Blacks scrum is being shunted and they have lost the battle on the loosehead side of the set-piece, but Mo’unga rescues the situation with the angle of his run right on the gain-line. It takes him past the inside shoulder of Handre Pollard and through Embrose Papier and restores the advantage in favour of the offence.
There is a lot to like about Richie Mo’unga’s blue-collar work ethic too. There is little of the prima donna in him.
After instigating a counter-attack from the All Blacks goalline, he follows the ball and cleans out breakdown beast Malcolm Marx, who caused New Zealand so many problems over the course of the game:
Mo’unga knows his own limitations and after Marx gets to the tackle first, he peels him away with a perfectly executed roll cleanout to the side. He gets my vote just because of that one play!
Above all else, Richie Mo’unga was not afraid to take command as the tide of affairs in the match rose to point break. It was his penalty kick, unseen by the cameraman, which landed infield and rolled into touch only a few metres from the South African goalline:
We can see only the back of Ardie Savea’s curly mop, but it is Richie Mo’unga who has driven the All Blacks forward into the game-winning position which had seemed so unlikely only 20 minutes before.
Summary
South Africa are back, there can be no doubt about it. The physicality of their big men up front and their tactical control in the halves were the dominant features which ‘won’ the first hour of the match and helped them to what should have been a winning 17-point lead.
But New Zealand won the last quarter – and it was those last 20-25 minutes that mattered the most. It was no coincidence that the All Blacks’ reorganised backline was on the field during that period of game. With Richie Mo’unga at 10, Beauden Barrett dropping to fullback and Ben Smith on the right wing, the All Blacks were at their most cohesive in the backs, both with and without the ball.
Mo’unga has now shown that he can be effective at Test level in one of the most hostile rugby environments in the world. He has also shown a glimpse of the future – and that future is not Barrett and McKenzie, it is Mo’unga and Barrett.
Steve Hansen and his coaches have broken the mould by selecting Mo’unga ahead of Damian McKenzie on the bench. With the European tour to come, and two momentous matches on successive weekends against England and Ireland on the horizon, will they go one step further and make Richie the main man right from the start?
Neil McCallum
Guest
Hi Nick, a bit late but for what it's worth I agree 100%, I don't understand why the AB's coaching 'guru's' have not further developed this obvious combination of putting the best players on the paddock at the same time. Straight running Richie is clearly the best skilled Kiwi #10 for countering the rush defence that the northern hemisphere teams in particular used so effectively to nullified the once feared AB's attacking prowess. Beaudy appears uncomfortable dealing with the rush defence but he is arguably the most skilful counter attacker in the game when given the time & space, something the #15 position provides - paving the way for an endless line up of dangerous finishers. If developed, I believe this combo could be be the key to the AB's lifting the W.E. trophy for a third time. However, I doubt the AB's coaching staff will wake from their coma in time, & it will be same old. Cheers Macca
T Bradley
Roar Rookie
Hey nick, great article. If you had all wallabies forwards available (incl tui, McMahon, Dempsey, uelese, valetini, naisarani), who would your wallabies forward pack be?
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
That just might keep Jacko happy...
Fox
Roar Guru
Yes I read that article - but it wasn't just B. Barrett alone Hansen he was referring but also his brother gifting tries with stupid quick throws under pressure - and no one calling for the drop goal - neither Barrett - D Mac who was right behind the ruck and in front and the captain for not making the call and Perenara who came under scrutiny because he was scrum half with 15 to go and should have worked with Barrett and DMac but apparently he was calling the forwards to keep the pick and go going. Mo'unga still has to prove he can handle the pressure of big match test starting which I am sure he will and get better and better but still he has to prove it. Sacrificing Neholo is a big call - he had the second highest run metres in RC ( and didn't start every game either) and he is a good poacher. NMS will take a contract in Europe sooner rather than later I imagine - hasn't been the same since his injuries IMO. But Dane Coles looked bloody good in first game back this weekend for Wellington - shade of the old Coles back and looking sharp long last. On side note Cheika keeping his job is stupid IMO and he has just announced he won't be changing his coaching staff before the WC is dumbfounding. He has 42% winning record since the 2015 WC which seriously is crap by any definition. And Erasmus has done more in a few months than Cheika has done in few years. I have never rated him as an international coach and he has done nothing to change that opinion. Enjoy the Northern tours Nick - they will reveal more about all sides involved.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
...oh and DMac for the bench with both RM and BB starting... :)
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
I think the ABs have struggled to replace Ma'a Nonu who was an exceptional 12 and could do a bit of everything. SBW doesn't have Nonu's kicking or long passing game, he's a short space offloader.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
DC sounds pretty jolly doesn't he? - and esp gleeful about Mounga's progress while toeing the party line! https://www.rugbypass.com/news/hansen-our-game-management-was-next-to-zero/ is much more important. Steve H. obv realizes the problems with game management...
Jacko
Guest
However from a fly half perspective there is no doubt that RM had a better year ....RM is only a flyhalf...DM played 5 matches at FB this season...Dm has played 9, 10, 14 and 15 at TEST LEVEL...WUy does DMAC not deserve the same chances as the 3 times SR player of the year that RM does because he was a part of the comp winning team....As i have said...give them both a chance Also the "he is more consistant and has less errors....Well he is also a Safer player too but safe consistant players too scared to take risks dont win you many matches ....Look at what the ABs play...its high tempo rugby...invites errors but scores more points than the opposition 9 out of 10 tests
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
It is a difficult one, how to fit them all in, and game plans and strategies, Hansen et al must be having quite a few discussions.
Keilidh
Roar Rookie
Excellent article Nicholas, has the playmaking moved from 10/12 to 10/15? Would the Wallabies be wise to emulate this with Foley and Beale? Also, what style of play would you suggest for the bench 10, Mounga’s or Barrett’s?
Fox
Roar Guru
Well Nick, Dan Carter who knows more about playing at 10 than just about anyone in the history of the game would respectfully disagree with you https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/107757254/dan-carter-backs-barrett-as-abs-first-choice-over-mounga
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
You could have Mounga starting, BB full back, Smith at 14 and DMAC on the bench. I think that would be the most balanced.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
gosh, you must hate the Crusaders. I bet Carter is not even in your top ten fly halves.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
DMAC is a walking "intercept try" machine and wants the glory cake when he can. That doesn't work at test level.
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
Shane is now an assistant coach at the Mako
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
Interesting. Makes sense re the currency. I asked my wife too who is a Porteña and she reckons there is or was a TV programme in Argentina set in Istanbul which may have been an influence.
J rad
Guest
Man I wish all rugby articles were as good as this. So much better than boring recaps of the game - true analysis that allows us lay people to truly understand how good these rugby gods are.
ChrisG
Roar Rookie
Facts. All the players who featured in the player of the year for each position mostly played a lot of games. Its a popularity contest and points accrue for each game played. Mounga missed 6 games with a broken jaw so really no competition there. So lets talk about average stats per game ans see what that shows. Average points: RM 12.5 v DM 11.8 Runs: RM 8.8 v DM 7.9 Offloads: RM 1.2 v DM 1.1 Handling errors: RM 0.8 v DM 1.9 Missed tackles: RM 1.8 v DM 1.9 Regarding your other points. There is no doubt that DM has been an excellent player and that has been rewarded by playing for the AB's over the last couple of years. That doesn't mean he has a mortgage on the jersey. As you point out both are young with plenty of development potential ahead of him. However from a fly half perspective there is no doubt that RM had a better year and deserves his shot. He is also more consistent and not prone to the random errors that DM exhibits.
thebleedingobvious
Roar Rookie
The Boks are back. Given AB’s appeared so dominant and supposedly continually are looking to improve to stay ahead, I don’t get how Boks could so quickly be matching them. Well, I don’t think the AB’s have been improving. The Lions showed how to neuter their game. Given Lions are a composite side best of British, give them credit for coming together and playing so well but they won’t be a WC team. Truth is, we aren’t in fact innovating or growing our game but keep on doing the same as we have. Its worked great but defences are much better than they were after Lions showed the way plus Boks scored 30+ points 2 games in a row against us. Leaves me wondering about Scott Mcleod’s defence nous, who is he as a coach? no overseas experience? What’s he done to suddenly be an AB assistant coach, when so many other kiwis all round the world are better known for their coaching creds. I feel more disquieted by the AB’s win in Loftus than any other AB game since last WC because the Boks matched and beat us in so many ways and we basically led that game only at the final whistle. Marvel at the fight they showed but can’t keep going back to well of the miraculous, it didn’t work in Wgtn. There’s something not right about the way they are playing. Firstly I think they are probing and playing too wide too early and putting needless pressure on themselves. Starting from cold as it were, without working their way up to speed. That’s fine against lesser teams but not against their close peers, it’s getting predictable, and fresh, fast up defences are expecting it and ready for it. Moreover, they are getting no better at it, lots of handling errors and unrealistic passes - used to be called passing to a man in a worse position than you ie there is no extra time and space advantage getting it wide against flat, fast up defences where the tackler is in the ball receivers face. They are asking more of themselves than they are capable of executing because their error rate is still what it was. Then come the penalties when they are forced to defend the mistakes They need to drop the early in the game, wide ambition, in favour of building a platform, based on respect for territory ie actually kicking for touch! more bodies at breakdowns and playing more up the middle to build phase pressure, muscling up to stretch and tire them and deny them less ball. We have the best offence going, we are just forcing it too much, usually impatiently and too soon in games which actually puts pressure on us. We are the most opportunistic team around, we don’t need to force the play. Knock out games at WC tend towards games of attrition, we need to be grounded in playing that way too. It’s almost a blinkered, stubborn adherence to wide game first and foremost, bit like Ted saying he never wanted to see AB’s win a WC with a drop goal. I don’t see enough platform setting - territory kicking, playing up the middle, commitment to rucks and getting bodies over our ball/blowing off the tacklers. I think some of the sometimes frantic AB passing, is fear of being isolated because they will be, when too many forwards are fanning all over the field for link play. We’ll always be the best at counter attack and feeding off errors, so put some defensive and tactical pressure on them by committing to phase play, at least to begin with and see if we get to feed off their mistakes, build some scoreboard pressure, rather than give them a chance to knock us over early for cheap points through us trying to play too fast. Anyway, speed and accuracy come later, when guys have played their way into the game more. We need to keep it tight and build a platform of some control and structure to begin with. That puts more pressure on opponents, than does us trying to run it out of our 22/ half against fresh, determined, flat defence. We’ve been starting so many games with a succession of errors. It’s not like we lose the physical upfront, only occasionally when a little complacent. So where’s the plan B, to play it tighter and enforce control? Maybe when Retallick and Squire get back? I wish Squire can stay injury free for a decent time Beauden doesn’t help with his game management. IMO he does not have a good kicking game, his kick option taking is often poor, he doesn’t kick enough for territory, I suspect he’s not looking for it or not seeing the opportunities to do so. His wide kick is mostly a waste of time, high kicks not contestable often enough, midfield kicks often aimless. He is not controlling the game from 10, he reacts, play it as you see it style, need more than that from a 10, more commanding and directing the play. He just tries lots of different things, some seem pre determined. He lacks astute and lacks accuracy in execution. Not saying he’s bad or poor, may be the most dangerous runner in the world but I think he’s not the director either. I don’t believe in his goalkicking, goes from hero to zero in accuracy at important times like V Lions last year and Boks this, dont care so much if he only kicks 65% but must be consistent with it and flubbing the easy ones. Nor does he run straight enough, tries to gas them on the outside break, great from broken play but nowhere to go against set, well structured defences. I think he goes to 15, great in the air, more space and time for his running. I wouldn’t have said that when it was Sopoanga, nor Mckenzie as 10’s but albiet he needs more time to prove himself, this is about the class of Mounga who looks to me, like he may be a more complete player, more arsenal at 10 than BB because he reads the space better, kicks more astutely, makes better decisions and has a very good BBish like running game himself. Richie very confident, like Beauden and DMac, it’s really admirable in those guys. Glad that Ardie Savea gets to be starting now, he’s grown in the arcane 7 art of being in the right place at the right time to make a nuisance of himself, more McCaw/ Todd like than he was showing. He’s got the pace, rangyness and ball skills you want in a 7 and don’t get so much with Same Cane but also works hard and increasingly more productive ways now, a ball strip is just as good as ruck turnover to me and he’s kind of making that a speciality. Cane gets through a power of defensive work but I thought that was a more what you’d see from a 6? He’s bulked up like a 6 but not as fast nor mobile as Liam Squire I’d say. I think he’s a good, grafting 6 myself and the loose trio is more balanced with Ardie in and i believe he’ll come to own 7, if he keeps the form and keeps growing his effectiveness like he has been. Waisake Naholo lacks a little confidence for an AB, I don’t think he quite makes the grade - BB to 15, Ben Smith to wing, Crots and Goodhue centres, SBW a bench player and that’s bit hard on ALB, who’s a better rugby brain than Sonny Bill. Codie Taylor has been phenomenal, huge work rate game after game, and durable, lucky for us. Was looking like we had no one when Colsey went down, hope he hasn’t lost pace and can come back as good as he was, add in Retallick and Squire and there’s more staunch in the pack.
Fin
Guest
Hi Nick, How are you today? What are your thoughts on these comments from Michael Cheika? “It’s about... making sure that physically you’re ready, you’ve done the work and you’re ready and — I know this sounds crazy — but you’re ready to fail,” Cheika said. “You’ve prepared so well that if failure happens there’s nothing you can do about it. “So you’re not worried about it, you’re not scared of it.”