Connor. Happy to see the back of Jane. Thought he went missing for extended patches for the last 2 years. I will say he is an honest player and has always shown a good head when he got touches. But I think it is the role of the “new winger” to find the ball if it’s not finding them. And Jane wasn’t doing that.

For the Wallabies, I think the Pool of Death is a good thing.

Realistically you only have to beat Wales or England to go through to the knock-outs. But you get to have 2 licks of the lolly pop.

As a Darkness supporter, I would love for the ABs to be in this pool.

IF the Wallabies get up on both of those teams, then it’s pleasant sailing to the fInals. Nice. If not, and that only win one, then if they do go all the way. Kudos to them.

For the 9-10 axis. Genia and Cooper are the only ones that are capable of inducing any type of fear. AND only if they are on form. I don’t like Cooper at all – but when they fire they can be something else. From a coaching perspective, it seems they are all suggesting that safe doesn’t work, and there has to be some risk in selection. Hansen deployed his risk by taking 2 wingers with 3 caps between them. That borders on outrageous. BUT if those 2 newbies do what they are capable of, they could make a real impact.

The same applies to Genia Cooper. I would play them in all matches. They need the game time. Perhaps just the first Half for the softer matches (as long as Fiji is in the bag).

The French League has around 26 games per season – so Carter is going to be making NZD92K a match.

Not too shabby.

He’s given his best years to New Zealand – so good on him. Paris for 3 years… that’s not too shabby either. I’m sure the wife won’t be complaining.

Plus a new club stadium seating 32,000 in Paris.

Being a tall poppy in New Zealand has its perks – but it must also be a bit exhausting after 14 years. Everywhere you go…. everyday…every person on the street, cafe, bar, restaurant.

The Telegraph is saying he will earn Euro1.5 Million per year which is around NZD2.4 Million. While Carter is getting the biggest paycheck yet for a rugby player…. no one is disclosing how much of that amount is tie-ins or sponsor dollars. So maybe the “official salary” is not as high… otherwise the salary cap budget would be impacted.

Really,

1 out of 6 against the ABs and the only victory since the last world cup. Dismal Nov. tour.

How can that even be logical.

Ellis Park was the best Bok game. And not a great performance from NZ. But last second win (with certainly a great kick), under odd circumstances, re: Burger falling downwards into a shoulder (hardly a planned move) and a lot of lobbying from TV execs., should hardly install the Boks as Favorites.

Second on the IRB ranking is a tick in their favor – but the ABs have headed the list for 10 years. Those below the Boks are chopping and changing between each other – keeping the Boks in the 2nd position.

They’re welcome to the mantle if they want it. I think the Boks are a tough team to play, and are excellent on their day. I just haven’t seen any consistency in winning for them to be warranted as favs.

Swamp,

Actually, the average age of the All Blacks is going down since the Henry Era. So Dads Army is a myth. It’s around 27 years dependent on who runs on. So, that’s the same as the Boks and France and less than Ireland and 1 year older the Wallabies.

With an average cap rate of 49 – the experience might give the illusion that experience equals age. While this is true for Front Row, where in certain positions, age/experience is preferred, the speedsters are the youthful squad members which suits their position.

Richie, Mealamu and Conrad Smith collectively push the average age up. But all had a good season – though Smith seemed a bit off.

Anyway, you shouldn’t lose any sleep worrying about the ABs being a bit old.

Hmmm…there you go Scott. I rest my case.

Scott,

While you may be retiring your pen to pursue coaching.

I would not be surprised if your writings end up in the hands of the players and coaches that you have been basing your article upon.

So perhaps, just perhaps, you have added to the rugby quality more in the virtual than you have in the physical.

Spot on dsat. That was a great try.

I think most rugby fans can appreciate the typical All Blacks flying backs getting the pies. But that Charlie try was excellent.

The All Blacks have some real skill in the tight and pick and goes. I, for one, would like to see them use it more strategically throughout their games. Keeps the opposition defence wary – and more openings when it does go wide.

I think Hansen will be pretty happy with that win.

The game was gone before the penalty try. England’s shoulder’s slumped and the crowd went quiet after the last NZ try.

The 24 phase try in the 72nd minute to seal the deal in those conditions was sublime and superbly controlled. After an ambitious first half, NZ played to the conditions, took it in tight when needed, had all of the territory – and were the more aggressive in defense and attack.

Only the goal kicking was a disappointment – and guarantees Carter a run-on next week. And the final scrums.

One undeniable and very valuable thing we learnt from the Eagles Test is that if the US DO host a RWC. Import in cameraman who know how to shoot a Rugby match.

That would be a tragedy if they used those blokes from Sunday.

It will be a crime if Richie McCaw ever has to buy a beer again.

Currently McCaw is at 63 tackles for the RC. 2 behind Marcel Coetzee who is first at 65. (Hooper is third). Plus 3 tries. So those that say he has lost his bite are delusional (though he does occupy top spot for the most penalties).

The scary thing is, as far as McCaw is concerned, he still isn’t finished yet. He’ll be looking at another 10 internationals, capped off by, hopefully 8 more games at the WC.

If his last act is hoisting the World Cup, who could begrudge him (presuming that a final was between England – otherwise this entire forum will begrudge him).

Meyer’s going to have at least 2 licks of the lollipop before the World Cup.

The All Blacks are scheduled for one game against the Boks for 2015. Guess where…?

That’s right, Ellis Park.

Guess that throws out the ole, “The ABs always have scheduling advantages”. Can’t expect more than 2 home games in SA – when there are only 2.

I hardly think TJ is going to play. He’s not even on the bench.

There is no such thing as a dead rubber between the Boks and All Blacks. Just because the RC is done, doesn’t mean the ABs lack motivation.

Saying that, I think 3 tests at home against England was the biggest challenge of the year. Winning away is always glorious – but the pressure of winning at home against England for the first tests of the year was pretty evident.

More skillful. Right.

Sure, we were all impressed that the Boks put together 20+ phases from their first touch of the ball last weekend. But does anyone truly believe that “all of a sudden” the Boks have developed a new game plan AND with newly found skill sets? And certainly not the same silky skills we witnessed with the Dagg/B Smith combination tries last week. Or which Savea has naturally flowing in his DNA.

Burger, Lambie and Vermeluen were excellent.

Strong and Powerful. Always a given. More skillful – that’s a bit wishful.

Fekitoa over Crotty is the right call. ABs need the strike weapons to keep the Boks honest. B. Smith, Fekitoa and Savea will keep the defense cautious. Actually the whole back line is pretty dangerous.

Thrush has been surprisingly good – in fact I think he is probably surprised himself.

No Retallick is a blow, but if he’s not 100%, fair call. The question is….is Vermeluen really 100% fit. Would he be there if the Boks were playing Aussie?

John Smit was a great Springbok player – but it was a mistake to bring him back to captain the side. At the time (2010-2011) the Wallabies were 5 wins to 6!!

The All Blacks – undefeated – apart from a game Smit missed in 2011.

But the pivotal moment was Tri Nations 2010 in Johannesburg – the All Blacks scoring 2 tries in the final 3 minutes to take the Cup (with a game to spare). Nonu broke the line, through Smit…. running downfield for 25 metres with one boot and one sock, then passing out to Dagg to take the game 29-22. Amazing game. There is a shot of John Smit – down on one knee, holding Nonu’s boot. Devastated.

Don’t believe me? Well here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_ICjgWaUXU

Well it couldn’t have worked out better for Steve Hansen.

Get’s to see if Barrett is capable of running the show at 10. check
Getting a good game in for Barrett before the Boks. check
Perhaps seeing if Slade has got over his deer in the headlights state when playing Internationals. Yep. That could be a good one to tick off the list.
Seeing if Fekitoa is really the goods and possible cover for 12,13. check

Though not having Coles in for the SA test is a worry.

Nonu, after breaking his arm made one catch and a pass to the right – couldn’t pass left so made a chip kick, joined a breakdown and made a decent, and required tackle.

My favorite bit…Nonu telling Conrad Smith that he had broken his arm and Conrad replying,” You’ll be alright.”

Watching a replay, and aside from a few occasions when both teams played around the midway mark, I counted 2 excursions by South Africa into NZ territory in the first half. They certainly weren’t dominating territory.

I broke down the first half to 5 minute segments for attack – and NZ won 7 of the 8 segments.

They were getting a lot of forward go from midway and breaking the advantage line continuously – but unable to finish once in the 22. Mainly due to the pod defense (which was excellent).

Yes – the occasional ball missed the man when passed back – and Dagg threw shocking passes behind his support runners. But there was a lot of fine interplay with passes going just in front of the runner.

I don’t wish to take anything away from a tough, determined South Africa. But to suggest that they dominated territory and attacking play in the first half is plain wrong.

I think the Wallabies should be very happy with the win – that could have very easily been a draw. But it was, at one point, threatening to blow out. A lot of teams drop off when the game appears in the bag (ie New Zealand against England second test)

I don’t think Hooper’s victory speech will generate very many new fans.

The Puma’s didn’t commit very many players to the breakdown – opting instead to have a stretched defensive line. They obviously viewed the backs as the larger threat. And it worked – case in point being Folau shut down yet again. The downside being there was no real litmus test on the Wallaby forwards.

The scrums. Who knows.

Puma’s biggest flaw in the RC. They panic when opportunity opens for them.

Beale – consistently inconsistent seems to be the problem. Impact player seems the best use of him.

Can’t wait for the The Cape Town test!

I don’t think the All Blacks were at their clinical best. But they were when they played the Wallabies in NZ. But this was a great test and a treat for fans.

14 kicks in the first half by the ABs vs 15 kicks SA. The Kiwis kicking much more accurate with them spending almost the entire first half in Springbok territory with the only one period of time the Boks visited the AB territory resulting in a try.

The Bok defense was excellent – and it needed to be. Aaron Smith almost grabbed 2 tries, one ball slipping off Habana’s back and Smith was unable to catch the ball over the line – the second slowing him done as he chipped it forward twice with his boot and lost the foot race.

Luatua, who is potentially a good player, went AWOL for long periods. Thrush was excellent for his in-experience at this level – but he’s no Sam Whitelock who was missed at the line-out.

Corey Jane must be on his last get out of jail free card.

The Boks have not beaten the All Blacks since before the last World Cup – and they won’t play them again on foreign territory until the next World Cup. And that’s unbelievable.

Looks like Nonu may have a broken arm.

Here’s what Hansen said when asked if Ben Smith will be considered at 12:

“No,” Hansen said, then paused. “No, I should really say no.

“Not unless we had a while lot of circumstances that dictated that we had to, like Ryan (Crotty) not being available, Malakai (Fekitoa) not been available. Ian not being available, me not being available, and Richie (McCaw) not being available.”

I thought the Wallabies were very good for the first 60 minutes. Pinning Argentina in their half. Making them tackle all throughout.Particularly with the high number of handling errors (if you have all the ball in hand, then you’re going to end up with more handling errors).

2 tries to Hooper. That’s not to be sneezed at. His speech was sad guy and miserable.

Foley was very sharp.

Folau – looks like everybody has been watching his videos. Is he getting shut down more than he use to?

I thought Glen Jackson was actually pretty good. But I think he was going to avoid giving a penalty try at the death regardless – after all the recent games when the refs have decided the outcome,

Great respect given to JDV from the ABs. Comes across as really genuine.

NZ even made him a little cap. With his own colors. Very few ABs have one of those.

JDV, ever the diplomat, didn’t even gringe – even when we all know those caps look bl**dy awful. They look like someones mad uncle makes them out the back of his shed.