As the Crusaders prepare to mount New Zealand’s only tilt on the Super 14 title, the mixed form of the kiwi teams have many believing that the All Blacks could be in poor shape leading into the most crucial year in their history, trying to break a 20 year World Cup drought in 2011.
Make no mistake, if there was a sole kiwi hope that we would want to be placing our totes on down at the TAB, it would be the Crusaders, seven time champions and featuring the two New Zealand modern wonders of the world, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.
But it is the first time since 2002 there hasn’t been at least two kiwi outfits in the top four, and unfortunately for me and my brothers, we are used to a certain degree of success.
And even the Crusaders had their wobbles this season.
Normally when a kiwi walks into an Australian colosseum such Suncorp Stadium to watch the might of the red and blacks against the “hapless Queenslanders”, the pocket book of taunts is ready to be whipped out post match. But imagine my surprise when the Reds not only turned in a 14-6 halftime lead, but went on to smash the Crusaders 41-20.
All of the Australian journalists kept jumping up and down in the media box as if they were on some form of madman’s drug experiment, and I could only stare blankly at my free but now stone cold meat pie pondering why Quade Cooper (with a 31 point haul that night) had left Tokoroa and wasn’t performing such audacious antics for the Chiefs.
There was one cold comfort I took from that Round two thrashing.
Our main man, the All Black chieftain himself, Richie McCaw, was not part of the Crusaders outfit, being re-charged in the top secret NZRU cryostasis centre deep in the heart of Aoraki (that’s Mount Cook to the rest of you).
The Crusaders did recover from that round two shock and thanks to the return of Captain Fantastic embarked on a eight week unbeaten run.
But then despite McCaw being the kiwi incarnation of Obi-Wan Kenobi, he and his Crusaders were overrun with and by the Force in a shock 24-16 result that sparked a three match losing streak.
That nearly saw New Zealand’s most decorated team crash out breaking an eight year sequence of qualifying for the semi finals.
Thankfully (well really, thank fuck) the Crusaders did a number on the Brumbies to earn themselves quite possibly the world’s most unromantic date, a clash with the Bulls in the Republic.
Since then the post-mortems have been mediocre at best.
Sure, we can be typically kiwi and say that the Blues and Hurricanes were but one win from gaining top four status themselves. We don’t really have a problem in saying this, as the Australians have been none too happy to claim that if 2010 didn’t exist and it was 2011 and the Super 15, they would have three teams in the finals.
NOTE – the finals format changes to six teams next year, with the conference winner and the highest runners up regardless of country qualifying.
But for the sake of keeping a formidable All Blacks legacy strong, we need to be honest.
Lack of consistency, a mixed skill set and a curious lack of ability to adjust to the new law interpretations (NLI’s) cost the kiwi teams. The latter was most surprising, as I honestly thought that the speeding up of the ruck area and giving certain gratis to the attacking team would give the pro-offensive kiwi teams an edge.
But amongst all of the finger pointing, it was lack of leadership when compared with the Australian and South African teams that hurt kiwi sides.
In this McCaw’s worth to the All Blacks is immense, especially with a World Cup imminent.
The 80 test veteran will likely overtake Sean Fitzpatrick as the most capped New Zealand test player in history by the time the biggest rugby tournament in the world rolls by.
But a catalogue of injuries, including knee, rib and numerous head injuries and concussions mean that with approximately 20 test matches between now and the seventh World Championship, one must wonder how much Graham Henry must lament lack of depth at open side, but also in the leadership stakes.
McCaw is needed with test matches against Ireland and Wales kicking off the All Blacks stacked 2010 campaign – especially without the services of incumbents Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Ali Williams and perhaps Mils Muliaina.
The All Blacks medical team rated that McCaw is arguably the most punished player in New Zealand rugby based on work rate and stress endured at the collision area.
With the changes at the ruck now confirmed for the Southern International season via the NLI’s, McCaw and his leadership will be more vital to the All Blacks, possibly making him the single most valuable player to any one team in world rugby.
The question is will his body and shoulders be able to handle the load?
Look for candidates for the Wallabies captaincy, and there are options below Rocky Elsom, including Will Genia, Stephen Hoiles, Nathan Shapes or Stirling Mortlock. The Springboks are even more blessed with John Smit having lieutenants such as Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Fourie Du Preez and countless others.
But no name jumps to mind when considering the All Blacks, further stressing the importance of McCaw in the coming months.
James is a Kiwi who writes for All Blacks.com and his own site RugbyCountry
