As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Okay, so the All Blacks have just lost at home.
Matt Porter
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Cantabrian Kiwi living on the glorious Central Coast of New South Wales. Am most happy when the Crusaders and All Blacks are sweeping all before them. I can resist anything but temptation.
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I sent a text to my Auckland-based Eden Park season-ticket-holding brother on the Saturday afternoon prior to that epic All Blacks vs Lions second Test saying.
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Ha ha Chook
It was certainly a Test that every man and his dog needed to see…
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Cheers mzilikazi
Return match will be enormous, as will the Spring tour that includes Eng and Ire. Interesting weeks ahead with World Cup now less than a year away…
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Thanks Muzzo. For me last night’s Test right up there with Ellis Park 2013 for sheer drama, but nowhere near it for the end result!
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Thanks Lindsay. Am glad your trip to the shed was so well intentioned! And yes, maybe there is a novelty aspect to this new zen we’re all feeling post AB loss?
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
And that next game is against the Pumas in their backyard Kirky, who will be full of confidence after last night’s win and the fact they blitzed the Boks last time they played them and seem to know how to score tries against the ABs. Time for Hansen and co to adopt a slightly more defensive mindset I think.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Good points Rich. The problems facing Aussie rugby are many and complex and all have been well documented on this site. In the most crowded footballing market in the world, rugby need its act together more in Oz than in any other top tier nation but sadly the opposite is the case. Even great positives, like Sydney club finals attracting 15,000-strong crowds, only serve to highlight dwindling crowds at Super Rugby and Wallaby level. And the anonymity of the NRC. On a very superficial level, a good start would be to build some momentum into the Wallaby RC season and the way not to do that is with the opening 2 matches against the ABs. The Wallabies started with a hiss and a roar against the Pumas last night but fell away badly as the Argies maintained the rage. It might have been a different story had they still been in contention for the comp But there appear no quick fixes in Oz rugby at the moment and it’s a big worry,
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Good point Highlander. I guess a mitigating factor is he doesn’t have a 35,000 to 60,000 gallery in attendance and millions watching all over the world every time he takes a swing on a golf course.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Agree Hayden. If the ABs had jagged a win those cracks would not as exposed as they are now.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Good thoughts CUW. The thing about JB at fullback is that it shifts the best, and best thinking fullback in the world onto the wing. Admittedly Ben Smith then goes on to become virtually the best right wing in the world, but the ABs lose his crucial ability to orchestrate from the back. And it means he’s involved less and more dependent on play going his way than he is on his roving fullback commission. Evidence of that on Sat against the Boks when his involvements dropped off markedly when the ABs needed him most in the 2nd half.
Smith’s the vice captain of the team but he’s the general of the backs and there’s just so much more than he can see and act upon at FB than he can on the wing. For all his undoubted ability, Jordie is not in the same planet as an organiser. And with brother Beauden operating in much reduced time and space than he’s used to, a man with a plan from the back was sorely missed last night. Still, Hansen puts these blokes into these situations to see how they cope. So many learnings from last night, it will be fascinating to see how they are applied in coming weeks.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Dead right Taylorman. Reality check all round.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Will it what BF. On the high veldt into the bargin.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Good points Peter
I think BB was a bit in shock and awe about the lack of space and time the Boks’ defence was affording him to operate in. The scrum had parity at best, certainly not the launch pad the ABs have been able to strike from in the past. Dead right about respect, or lack thereof. Big wake up call.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Yes Neutral. Defensive effort world class and they nailed their opportunities on attack. Totally deserved the win.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Thanks BogBaz.
That was about as undead a rubber as we are ever likely to see.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Well said Corne
I hope it’s the start of something big for the Boks.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Yes Paulo
Hard to escape feeling the, at some level, maybe even sub consciously, the ABs had bought into the hype about themselves and were a tiny bit complacent. As level headed as Hansen tries to keep everything, it’s probably just human nature that dictates this will happen. Doubt it will be an issue going forward though!
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Ha Danny, great minds eh?!
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?
Nice wrap Geoff.
Yes, Crusaderland is a place where players, coaches and their talent are nurtured off the field to optimise performance on it. It’s such a virtuous loop that leads to great succession planning and execution. It’s an environment that gets the best out of the best players and coaches who almost never want to leave in their prime. And it attracts those with the potential to be the best because they know they’ll realise their potential in such a set up. And on the juggernaut goes. You only have to look at the Barrett brothers. No coincidence that the one firing at the business end is wearing red and black.
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Cracking read Nick
I really did think the ‘landers were set to land the knockout blow until that big “trigger” moment at 50 mins. The Southern men just appeared so much more potent in the scoring stakes, and then that confluence of events happened. It will give the Tahs much needed confidence for their tough assignment this week, as will the fact the Jags offloading game caused a bit of trouble for the Lions in the opening exchanges of their Q final last week.
On a personal note I have a Tah supporting mate’s buck’s night Sat week in Syd and, as the sole Cantab present, would love nothing more than a Saders v Tahs final to kick proceedings off. Caaaarn the Tahs.
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Cracking game. Brilliance, brutal efforts and blunders. It had it all. Huge amount of sting in defence. Especially from Laumape. What a difference a week makes. BB and TJP stepping up as they usually do at business ends and look to have their mojo back for the finals. Gareth Evans immense. Chiefs made it a significant contest. Retallic had off the planet workrate and execution again, Messan and Cane were warriors. Charles Ngatai was Walter Little and Tim Horan. Laser vision for the gap and the fast feet to scuttle through it. I hope there’s a Bunce-like late AB bloom for Ngatai after he gets back from his French sabbatical. If he’s back in 3 years he’ll still only be the age Bunce was when he made his AB debut, the start of a mostly excellent 55-match Test career. DMac unfortunately tonight was more Carlos Spencer 2003 Rugby World Cup than Dan Carter 2005 Lions Tour, which you can’t help but think he’s got the talent to be. Now all the ‘Canes need is for the Sharks to get over the Saders tonight and they have a home semi. Unfortunately for the Canes that’s more of a Tui beer billboard that a realistic chance. At this stage. They’ll be plotting to raid the citadel!
Hurricanes vs Chiefs: Super Rugby quarter-finals live scores, blog
Yet another excellent wrap GP. No argument from me about that ‘Saders are near unbackable favourites to go back to back.
On other matters, as we head closer to the teeth of the international season, I’m concerned about how out of form the Hurricanes’ AB halves are at the minute. Very average display by both Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara against the Chiefs on Friday night.
This no doubt stems partly from the poor service they received from the big boys up front, but players of their sort of calibre should be able to rise above prevailing conditions to stamp their class.
TJP effected a number of bounce passes to Mr. Nobody while BB was lethargic and flat footed. When he’s not brilliantly taking the game by the scruff of the neck, BB can have a tendency to be a bit of a ball shoveller.
Am sure these 2 will step up to the plate, otherwise it will be a short-lived finals campaign for the ‘Canes who are in danger of being picked apart by the far more in-form halves combo of Brad Weber and Damian McKenzie in the re-match this weekend.
The Wrap: I’m calling it - Super Rugby is already over
Thanks Carlos, and well done to your boys.
All eyes on Buenos Aires Saturday week, sure to be another belter.
As a rabid All Blacks fan, why was I okay with this shocking loss?