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New Zealand have come in for some flack over recent weeks.
The All Blacks were described as “decaying” in sections of the Kiwi press in the build-up to Saturday’s 33-18 win against Wales – a match it was suggested they would benefit from losing – and it would be fair to say that they have not lived up to their impossibly high standards in 2017.
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Steve Hansen’s side have only failed to win three of their 14 matches since the beginning of the year, but that represents their worst record since 2009, when three of their four defeats came at the hands of then world champions South Africa.
Wales coach Warren Gatland is, of course, responsible for some of the damage done to the All Blacks’ all-conquering reputation, having led the British and Irish Lions to a series draw in New Zealand, winning the second Test before achieving a 15-15 result in the decider.
The All Blacks have also been beaten by Australia since their Lions disappointment, albeit after a Rugby Championship campaign in which they won every match and in the final instalment of a Bledisloe Cup series they had already won.
New Zealand headed north without a host of star names, including Dane Coles and Brodie Retallick, and only five of the men who started the deciding Test against the Lions made the XV in Cardiff, with skipper Kieran Read also ruled out by hip and back problems.
Check out all the best moments caught on camera from the the thrilling #AllBlacks v Wales Test in Cardiff.
GALLERY: https://t.co/3qWZRqrU7W
?@GettySport pic.twitter.com/4ju99YtKN5
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 26, 2017
A relatively comfortable victory over France in Paris in the first match of their European tour was followed last weekend by a battling victory over a spirited Scotland side who went on to thump Australia 53-24 a week later.
Stuart Hogg came agonisingly close to snatching a first-ever victory over the All Blacks in a result that seemed to spawn shoots of optimism in Wales that a national team depleted by injury problems of their own could end a 64-year wait for a win against New Zealand.
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And Wales played like a team who genuinely believed they could make history, matching their opponents for long spells and affirming Gatland’s earlier claim that the fear factor of facing the All Blacks had diminished for his side since the Lions series.
But when it came down to it, New Zealand were able to dig deep and – inspired by the frightening ability of wingers Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo, who scored two tries apiece – made the most of their opportunities when they arose.
Leading by just one point at half-time, Hansen’s side showed their class to pull clear after the interval, and in Ioane and Damian McKenzie they have two incredibly bright prospects who can have a key role in the All Blacks’ defence of the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and beyond.
They may not have dominated as they have done in the past, but the All Blacks remain a clinical force who know how to win when it matters, even without some of their biggest names.
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Decaying All Blacks? Don’t count on it.
Comments on RugbyPass
GOTTA MAKE ‘THE GEORGE’ HAPPEN!!!! That’s a great idea! A trans Tasman midget battle on ANZAC Day. I don’t think the ABs Wallabies game should be a one off winner takes all though, just the first match with the other two later in the year with the RC. Reason being, no one will ever shut up about how aussies couldn’t win it when it was a 3 match series.
1 Go to comments@Ben smith. Thats knock out rugby. So honeslty who cares?
150 Go to commentsIt will interesting to know which Irish players said that…
1 Go to commentsNaaaww boys will be boys! Now run along ya wee scamp! Don’t let us catch you at again😏
1 Go to commentsGreat to have Ethan Blackadder back in the Crusaders in the last few weeks. One of the best all round loose forwards around. He played so well last week against the Rebels. Fantastic attitude Ethan has and his comments are spot on.
2 Go to commentsThe author is 100% right. The Springboks know that they don't have near the natural attraction, mana, skill and mystic the All Blacks have. So, Chasing the sun 1 & 2 was concocted to overblow the Boks image on the back of a corruptly obtained “win". It's marketing ploy to force the Boks delusion as the World's Best. I guess World Rugby is also not to be believed when it came out with an apology about how the final was officiated. And if the 2023 final such a superb game by the Boks, then the Boks crying about Referee Bryce Lawrence for decades is also deserves a laugh. Chase the sun and get burned like a moth. A very well written literary piece that tore the Boks and Chasing the sun farce to shreds. 🖤All Blacks🏉
150 Go to commentsI’d say France was far more hard done by in the 2011 final than the All Blacks in this game. Joubert simply refused to call a penalty against the All Blacks in the last quarter even directing an All Black to drop a ball he picked up in an offside position rather than penalizing him. This article also totally discounts the efforts of PSTD. Ask Jordie how well he played. Or the backup flank who played hooker for the entire game. Siya was also a brilliant tackle by Richie from scoring a blinder. Pollard was also fantastic. Look I don’t like the boks style but the only thing more questionable than the content of this article is the timing of it. Get over it already
150 Go to commentsDad Marty was also a handy rugby player for Linwood back in the day. Great bloke. Sensational softball career.
2 Go to commentsWhat ifs are always dangerous. If you look at the game before Sam cane got sent of SA was dominating. You could make the argument the going down to 14 men rallied the troops and made them have to play to win which is always dangerous.
150 Go to commentsOmg… you are bruised And battered Benny. Stop crying … the scoreboard speaks. What a pathetic lover you are.. 🤣🤣🤣
150 Go to commentsPacific Lions, cry me a river
150 Go to commentsThis is the single worst piece of journalism I have ever seen since your last one. As a neutral, who really states that there should be an asterisk next to a win? You are an utter embarrassment to real AB fans, journalism and that joke of a house which pays you for this nonsense. Get a life, Ben.
150 Go to commentsGuys. Cancel the World Cup champions after this analysis. It changes everything. Ben knows. We’ll have to unengrave the Bokke off the trophy and hand it to the ABs, now that I’ve been enlightened about this illegitimate win. This needs to be done. Now!
150 Go to commentsBen is right here though, Springboks were woefully poor with the advantage they had throughout this game. The France match was heroic because that was an even contest this match had it taken place in Rugby Championship would have been an easy win for NZ. If anything this match should tell the Bok coaches that a lot of this team should be changed. They beat this same NZ team by record margin with the same circumstances but with a different core. They bring back the tried and tested guys and they nearly botch this game.
150 Go to commentsI knew who wrote this article from the first few words in the headline…lol. The red card actually did the ABs a favour. It galvanized them, only then did they step up a gear. Before that there was zero momentum.
150 Go to commentsFirstly the foul on Bongi was a planned move just like the NZ master plan with Bryce Lawrence you kiwis are filthy fux perhaps try to play a cleaner game next time I doubt that’s possible tho but don’t worry world rugby is on yr side they trying to take away all the BOKS strengths to help all you weakling as Jeremy Clarkson would say LA OO ZA ERR..🤣
150 Go to commentsAbsolutely spot on Ben. I certainly wouldn't gloat over a win like that. Frustrating as it is it's done and dusted and history will forever show the result.
150 Go to commentsHo hum.
150 Go to commentsNo question they were the better team. But that is the beauty of sport isn’t it!
150 Go to commentsEveryone is into Hurling in Ireland according to Porter, but only 11 of Ireland's 32 counties enter a team into the national competition. Same old blarney.
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