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Why we shouldn't write off Samoa against the All Blacks
The All Blacks are at short odds to deliver a big win against Samoa at Eden Park tonight, but history suggests it might not be so straightforward.
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The All Blacks take on Manu Samoa tonight at Eden Park, a mere 24 years after the two teams last played there. It’s overdue, but a good move by NZ Rugby, given that they’re doubling up the fixture with Tonga playing Wales as well. Hopefully these Pacific Island double headers will become a permanent fixture.
The All Blacks, despite missing captain Kieran Read, shouldn’t have too much trouble with Manu Samoa though, right? Maybe, but history suggests that a rusty start to the first test of the season isn’t out of the realms of possibility:
1992 vs World XV: Lost 18-24
The early 90s were a period of flux for the All Blacks. The fallout from the ‘91 World Cup failure carried over to the next season, with new coach Laurie Mains having to deal with a raft of departed players. However, that’s no excuse for losing to a pulled-together World XV as part of the NZRFU’s centenary celebrations. While the All Blacks were a new-look side, it’s doubtful the World XV even trained seriously before the first test.
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1993 vs Lions: Won 20-18
A win, but hardly a good one. Frank Bunce scored a debatable try to open the scoring, but it was the end that Lions fans are still angry about. The All Blacks were awarded an even more debatable penalty, which Grant Fox kicked to win. The Lions turned it round the next weekend at Athletic Park and recorded their biggest ever test victory in New Zealand.
https://youtu.be/MFZfiIusBKY?t=6m44s
1994 vs France: Lost 8-22
While everyone remembers this series for being sealed with the ‘try from the end of the earth’, the first test win in Christchurch by the French is arguably just as impressive. The visitors dominated the game from start to finish, setting up their memorable win a week later to become only the fourth team to win a series in New Zealand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0GUQz56Xvk
2003 vs England: Lost 13-15
No disgrace here, as probably the greatest England side that’s ever taken the field ground out a victory in the cold that evening at Westpac Stadium. Jonny Wilkinson’s boot proved the difference, and the All Blacks were lucky to be awarded the only try of the game as Doug Howlett was well in front of Carlos Spencer when he kicked the ball through for him to dive for over the try line. Just to prove it was no fluke, the English went on to win the World Cup later that year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGDivBtzfMM
2009 vs France: Lost 22-27
Out of nowhere, the French showed up again and iced the All Blacks at a frozen Carisbrook. Francois Trinh-Duc had a sensational game at first five, while the stuttering All Blacks were clearly missing the injured Dan Carter. That made two in a row for France over the All Blacks, with the first being the infamous Rugby World Cup quarter final in Cardiff two seasons before.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSFXxivsoMg
2016 vs Wales: Won 39-21
Yes, that scoreline does look pretty comfortable, but what it doesn’t show that a written-off but fired up Welsh side were winning at halftime. Rhys Webb introduced himself to New Zealand by playing a blinder, but the visitors fell to the All Blacks’ now mandatory 10-minute burst of brilliance.
So there is hope for Manu Samoa, especially given that the last time they played the All Blacks the match ended up being a lot closer than most thought. However, they’ll have to do better than the times they’ve played in New Zealand in the first test of the year: both occasions have ended up in a combined score of 122-23 to the All Blacks.
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets 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?
10 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.
10 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
34 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
34 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 commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments