Classic All Blacks triumph over Spain in front of bumper crowd in Madrid
The Classic All Blacks have triumphed over Spain by 33-26 in an entertaining showcase at Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.
There may have been a few seats empty at the home of European football titans Atletico Madrid but between the cheers of a passionate Spanish crowd and the roar of thunderclaps that heralded a monstrous downpour right on kick-off, you could not have asked for a better atmosphere for a fixture that it is hoped will further grow the sport in Spain.
Los Leones struck first after a prolonged period of build-up but it didn’t take long for the Classic All Blacks to respond, with fullback Andre Taylor slipping through a gap near the Spanish line to even up the scores 5-all.
At the 20-minute mark, the game came to life when prop Census Johnstone put through an audacious kick ahead after scooping up a loose ball and the Classic All Blacks were shortly rewarded with a penalty five metres out from the goal-line.
Luke McAlister went close to barreling over from the ensuing scrum but came up just short and when the ball was spilt by Johnstone, Spain kicked down the line and had the ball not serendipitously bounced into touch, Los Leones right wing Jordi Jorba likely would have smoked the cover to score Spain’s second.
Instead, the All Blacks attacked from a quick lineout and again found themselves within touching distance of the try-line. Flanker Tim Boys almost scored from a grubber into the in-goal but with the pitch now waterlogged, the ball slid dead – and so did Boys, right into the hoarding.
Still, Spain couldn’t hold out for much longer and Alex Tulou – in his swansong match – dived over moments later to give the Classic All Blacks the lead, with Stephen Donald converting.
A nice offload from Daniel Ramsay at the 33-minute mark sent Donald on a long run down the field but his support couldn’t quite match his pace and the ball was eventually knocked on from the ensuing play.
When the All Blacks earned themselves a scrum on the 22, Spain couldn’t resist the unrelenting attack and halfback Isaac Boss eventually dived over for a well-taken try after an excellent crash ball by Chris Masoe in the lead-up.
Spain came close to grabbing another try of their own just moments later when fullback Charly Malie and left wing John-Wessell Bell combined down the flank but an excellent cover tackle by Andre Taylor shut down the attack and the teams went into the sheds with the Classic All Blacks holding a 19-5 lead – and the rain starting to fade.
Compounding errors from the Spanish early in the second half eventually saw the Classic All Blacks score from a five-metre scrum, with Alby Mathewson eventually driving over with the support of four of his teammates.
Spain came close to striking back almost from the very next play but couldn’t quite outflank their opposition and eventually lost the ball forward just metres from the Classic All Blacks’ line. From the ensuing scrum, a magic offload from Rico Gear – who had shifted intot6g the centre role – eventually set Rudi Wulf on a good run down the right. The ball was then swung left where Jarred Hoeata threw a fine dummy and cantered away.
Spain secured the ball but it was back in the hands of the Classic All Blacks again quickly and it was Gear who eventually scored, showing great pace and pose to pick up the ball and dive over the line from a well-weighted kick through from Mike Delany.
It appeared that Los Leones had fallen into the trap of playing like they were in an exhibition match but with the scoreline 33-5 in favour of the Classic All Blacks, Spain started to operate with a bit more patience and a nice looping backline move from close range saw centre Alvar Gimeno grab the home team’s second try of the match.
With 15 minutes left to play, Spain constructed another great try up the middle of the park with some solid interplay eventually resulting in number 8 Afa Tauli getting the score.
It was then that Los Leones finally started to roar – and the crowd gave their biggest cheers of the night when Bell capped off an incredible long-range effort that started inside Spain’s 22. With the conversion, the Classic All Blacks held just a seven-point lead with 11 minutes left to play.
It may have been a small buffer, but it’s all the Classic All Blacks needed and despite various attacking launches, neither side could score any further points.
It may be a cliche but rugby was the winner on the night. With over 40,000 fans flocking to Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, a new Spanish record was set for an international match and although the accuracy wasn’t always there, the rugby at times made for sublime viewing.
Los Leones may no longer be destined for the World Cup next year, but the game of rugby will undoubtedly continue to grow in the Iberian nation if similar exhibitions of the game become the norm.
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to comments