The New Zealand All Blacks played outstanding rugby in an outstanding match, before a huge crowd of 94,000 people, to defeat South Africa’s Springboks by 29 points to 22, yesterday in Johannesburg. In doing so, they totally reversed last year’s Tri-Nations series between the two great rugby nations – from 0-3 last year to 3-0 this year.
New Zealand have come a long way in that 12 months. They are leaner, fitter and clearly more agile – and, perhaps most importantly, they are more skilful and more accurate in everything that they do. For me “true champions are usually not the players who do the extraordinary, but players who do the ordinary, extraordinarily well.” On this definition, this is a champion rugby team. I’ll come back to this.
The Springboks were always going to be well primed to strike back, after a series of below-par performances in Australasia in the last few weeks, and they didn’t disappoint. They had made a number of changes – De Villiers was at last back in his true position at inside-centre and a real winger, JP Pietersen, in his right spot. Juan Smith was back after a long injury lay-off and, in general, their team had a more formidable look about them. They had taken on board the lesson in ‘speed of recycle’ that the All Blacks and many commentators – including me – had been delivering for some weeks now. We had all hoped that the referee, Nigel Owens of Wales, had also taken on board the considerable advice offered on various aspects of illegal play – and he did not disappoint either. The game was fast and furious, with massive impact and power mixed with skill and precision and, as lovers of the true game, we could hardly have asked for more.
I thought that New Zealand were always the better team, but the result was in doubt until the last two minutes – and, indeed, South Africa could have won. There were some perilously close calls. A number of passes were borderline calls – some forward passes were allowed and some marginals called back. This is a very tricky area for the referees and their assistants and could maybe stand some clarity from the IRB. At one point, around the 77th minute mark, it looked as though South Africa were to be denied the victory courtesy of a clear forward pass – which went unnoticed –which resulted in the try by Richie McCaw. The actual ruling on the try was itself strange, with the TMO advising the ref that “there is no clear evidence that the ball-carrier is in touch before grounding the ball.” There was no clear evidence either “ that the ball was grounded before his foot was in touch” – indeed the balance of the commentary (NZ) was “no try!” This also needs sorting out. Thankfully, this was not the deciding score. Within two minutes, the All Blacks had stolen a ball at the tackle from the rapidly tiring Springboks; Ma’a Nonu had beaten the tackle and Isaac Dagg scored the winning try – no doubts about this one!
The referee kept a tight rein, undoubtedly conscious of the widespread, recent comment on illegal New Zealand play. There were some “tough” calls and it was clear that he wasn’t too interested in ‘the benefit of the doubt’ on most occasions. This looks to me to be the only viable option for referees in the future – “You got yourself in that position and you’re liable to penalty!” Judging by the frantic waving of arms from the tackler, in an attempt to show the ref that they were not interfering, it was having an effect. There were naturally a few incidents, but, by and large, both teams were able to recycle without delay and the game benefitted enormously.
For successful attacking play, there are three vital ‘ commodities’ – ask questions of the defence, recycle without delay, realign with urgency to capitalise of the resultant space. It was in the third of these that New Zealand excelled and were thus able to establish their superiority. I’m big on “realignment” and I practise it at every session – without fail. I’ve been preaching its importance for a long time also. Indeed, some months back, a senior coach in Sydney told me that the most important message that he had taken from my commentary was that concerning “realignment”. “We’ve forgotten about it”, he said, “and you reminded us of its importance.” True. No good to make space if there is no-one in position to take advantage. I’ve lost track of the numbers of recent times I’ve heard after-game laments, “We made ourselves a number of opportunities, but we couldn’t convert them into points!” Guess why! And it’s easy also. It’s a state of mind, that’s all. And the more you practise it, the closer to ‘front of mind’ it stays.
The All Black management must agree. How often were their team able to expose the Springbok defence ‘ out wide’. There were many such anxious moments for the hosts, but they had the energy and commitment to scramble and save most of them – but not all. On one such occasion, Tony Woodcock strolled down the touch-line with no defence left in place – and he’s not a winger. This took its toll on the Springbok fitness and it was the home team that suffered ‘at altitude’ – looks like superior fitness is a factor also!
At the 67th minute, a fresh CJ van der Linde gave away a stupid penalty for obstruction and it was clear to me that his team-mates were struggling. Fundamental mistakes were mounting. The Boks were looking for the result and losing sight of the process. Hougaard was penalised for a crooked feed under the New Zealand posts. Steyn kicked a penalty ‘dead in goal’, for a scrum back some 60 metres. The “lack of oxygen” was definitely affecting their thought processes.
In the end, the quality of play from the All Blacks was decisive. Their ability to put four or five players down a tight channel was excellent. At the 65th minute, they did just this down the right wing to set up the field position from which van der Linde was penalised to get the All Blacks back to just one score behind. Straight running is an essential aspect – but not a common one – of attacking play. It reminded me of the old Crusaders play – perhaps Wayne Smith had a hand in both. A few weeks back, I was impressed with the “pop-ball” off the ground out of the tackle, which the All Blacks used to great advantage. Excellent technique and application! This week I was enthralled – yes, enthralled – with their execution of the “pass and loop”. They used it frequently, precisely and exquisitely. The great Mark Ella often demanded, “Early pass and back-up! ” The All Blacks did this, and perfectly. The line of the ball-carrier –“ slightly ‘unders’, but not too much; give the tackler the opportunity to turn and take you if he wants to” – and the delay from the looping player – “stay inside the ball-carrier, let him ‘see’ you all the way, don’t force his hand” – are all vital to perfect technique. This was perfect and I loved it.
Support play again was spot on. “Stay tight on the ball carrier and maintain a good depth! Give the ball-carrier the space and the opportunity to play! He’s got the ball; he owns the game!” They are playing well; they’re doing “the ordinary things, extraordinarily well.”
A few final points:
John Smit is way past it –or have I said that before! He’s got his ‘ton’, now it’s time!
How can a 115kg, 35 years old lock make a covering tackle on Gio Aplon? Brad Thorn, take a bow!
If Richie McCaw decides to relinquish his position as the world’s best rugby player, he could make a fortune as the world’s best con-man. How, in an incident under the New Zealand posts immediately after half-time, did he manage to avoid a penalty and a yellow card, when he was massively off-side and prevented quick ball for the Springboks, which would almost certainly resulted in a try – and a 23-14 lead? “Oops! Sorry ref!”?
