'Spineless': When the All Blacks massacred the Boks in 2011
Just before hosting the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks played one of their two home tests in the Tri-Nations against the Springboks in front of a less-than-full Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
South Africa left 21 top line players at home to ready themselves for the Port Elizabeth rematch a few weeks later, sending a ‘B’ side was sent to Wellington to face the All Blacks at near full strength.
In a stiff Wellington southerly the visitors were smite by a sublime performance by Dan Carter, who was just one point shy of breaking Jonny Wilkinson’s record for most test points.
Carter took back the record with an early penalty to open the scoring.
Wyatt Crockett had the All Blacks first try of the night, running over out wide untouched, before Carter pulled off a piece of mesmerising play breaking open the Boks in two phases from inside his own 22-metre line.
The All Blacks first five dropped a perfectly weighted grubber kick in behind South Africa’s defence which was picked up by a flying Ma’a Nonu.
On the next phase, Carter danced with the defence before sending Zac Guildford away with a smart flick of the wrists after turning John Smit inside-out. The left wing scooted 40-metres untouched to finish the play.
Then it was Cory Jane’s turn on the opposite side, taking a floating pass from Jimmy Cowan on the back foot before cutting inside two Springbok forwards.
Jane put a swerve on the fullback Morne Steyn to produce a brilliant solo try in front of his home crowd.
Won't take anything away from Cory Jane that's a great effort but come on SA you got to tackle better. Steyn not a full back
— Alastair Turner (@AlastairGTurner) July 30, 2011
Morne 'tackles' Steyn fluffs the 1 on 1 and Cory Jane goes over. 18-7 NZ
— Ben Karpinski (@followthebounce) July 30, 2011
That was a great solo try to Cory Jane. Beautiful to watch! The pace, the fend, the finish. Love it! #allblacks.
— Warwick Rasmussen (@WasRasMus) July 30, 2011
Carter was at it again just after half-time after fielding a deep kick from Steyn in the backfield.
The All Black No 10 dummied his way through some weak defence to break away down field. Two offloads saw Ma’a Nonu crash over in the tackle of three forwards, but he was held up.
From the scrum, Jane eventually had his second try of the night picking up the pass from Cowan on the bounce in the opposite corner.
Guildford scored his second to match his wing rival and extend the lead out to 33-7.
To finish of the massacre, the All Blacks produced a play out of the top draw which saw Piri Weepu wrap around Dan Carter and some slick passing saw Colin Slade dive over.
The New Zealand Herald labelled the performance ‘spineless’ from South Africa who struggled to offer much resistance in defence or much impetus in attack.
Carter took back the record for most test points, despite only kicking only half of his eight kicks at goal while Jane may secured his spot at that year’s World Cup with his double.
Not only did the Springboks leave their 21 best players at home, but also their pride and backbone. #Rugby #AllBlacks
— Not Sir Graham Henry (@SirGrahamHenry) July 30, 2011
Catching up with the tri-nations, Dan Carter may actually be Moses #rugby
— Mark Machado (@MarkMachado) July 30, 2011
I wonder what the Springboks are thinking as they watch this back in SA #ALLBLACKS
— Peter O'Carroll (@Nakiman) July 30, 2011
Springboks being turned into jerky at the moment. Cory Jane nailing dem Boks
— tiancee (@hartcap) July 30, 2011
All Blacks rout spineless Springboks: All Blacks 40 Springboks 7 A sublime display from first five-eighth Daniel… http://bit.ly/qfYvH8
— nzherald Rugby (@nzheraldrugby) July 30, 2011
Springboks continue mind games for World Cup. Giving impression of weakness until big games. Drunken master style of fighting. #TriNations
— Brendan Jack (@brendanjack) July 30, 2011
Game over in Wellington. Springboks put out of their misery. All Blacks win 40-7 after scoring 6 tries #rugby
— Farayi M (@farayimungazi) July 30, 2011
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments