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Opinion
When I was a nipper at the age of 8 years old, I watched my first All Blacks game live in England.
Bleary-eyed in the early hours with my hot chocolate and four pieces of toast, I was wondering what style the men in black would produce.
They rucked the English back onside and came out with a close win. Being young and naïve I ran and woke my mother, saying, “We won, mum!”
Her reply: “Good, now good to bed and talk to me later.”
Since then I have watched every game when the All Blacks have played in the north, with appreciation of many players and tactics that the Northern Hemisphere have produced.
Many are saying that the Northern Hemisphere have overtaken the the teams in the the Southern Hemisphere, and the question comes up that the teams from the south are not at the same standard of the past.
I would say that it is a case of the North having closed the gap with a change of game style, and forward thinking.
Northern Hemisphere
England came to Australia under a lot of pressure after another average Six Nations tournament. Eddie Jones was under the normal level of scrutiny.
After the Wallabies came away with a deserved win with a good game plan in the first Test, England tinkered with their point of focus.
They put pressure on in the next two Tests and the Wallabies’ discipline fell apart, for England to take the series 2-1.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
It was similar with Ireland versus the All Blacks, the Irish could see the weaknesses in the All Blacks’ play and took full advantage to deservedly win the series 2-1.
Wales had the unenviable task of playing the Springboks in South Africa with an injury-hit team. To their credit, they hung tough but the outcome was still what many expected! A series win to South Africa, but respect was earned.
Wales won the Six Nations and then injuries hit them hard, they cannot be disregarded for the Rugby World Cup next year.
France are playing a Kiwi style of game, with focus on the forwards, while having great hands including interlinking with the backline.
Ireland’s strength is the forwards and set pieces, but they also have a backline that can punish the opposition.
Both of those sides are deservedly the best two in the north currently, and they have built genuine squad depth.
Southern Hemisphere
Australia, who broke the run of loses to England in the first Test, just could not back it up but were still very much in the game in the next two Tests.
Discipline again cost them dearly and their game plan was not evident. It is difficult when you are struggling with no real leadership, to bring the players together.
Injuries affected them similar to how this affected Wales. When your playmaker is out and your leadership in the forwards is not there, it makes it extremely difficult.
Australia will have most players back next year which will add much-needed cohesion.
The Wallabies have a good draw and will be in the conversation come Rugby World Cup time, and the squad will be better for their experience from this season.
South Africa – write them off at your peril.
They have used this season to build depth and have now got a gun in Damian Willemse. He will be one of the stars in the World Cup.
Malcom Marx! What can one say? He just never relents and he does not have a bad game in him, he would the first pick for most if not all other teams.
South Africa are the defending world champions, and will be primed by the time the Rugby World Cup comes around.
New Zealand are just starting to build with more consistency in selections and a game plan that suits the players and their strengths. With Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga having built a strong relationship and understanding things are looking on the up.
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Against Ireland one can only guess whether the series would have turned out differently if the right players were picked and played in their preferred positions. Also, the game plan that is working well now, one wonders how Ireland would have played against it.
The Southern Hemisphere sides are now building to next year with the End of Year Tours very close.
This will give us more answers while being aware that the teams will still experiment, I see that there is very little between both hemispheres.
Let’s just hope that it does not come down to the officials and TMOs to determine results come World Cup time, otherwise I will be eating more than just toast.
Roarers, who do you think is the favourite?
And a harder one: who will make the last four?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.