The Crusaders' win a disaster for the prematurely picked All Blacks
And there I was thinking Super Rugby Pacific had finished weeks ago.
I can see where I was led astray.
Yes, barely a day seemed to go by without someone telling us the Blues were unbeatable and their coach Leon MacDonald a near genius.
It brought to mind the old Eddie Jones line about fans with typewriters.
Never mind. Super Rugby was far from finished and the right team ended up winning.
But while the Crusaders’ 21-7 victory in Saturday’s final was a triumph for them, it looked a bit of a disaster for the All Blacks.
A week’s always been a long time in politics, but it’s a long time in footy too. And on the strength of Saturday’s decider at Eden Park, it’s a shame the All Blacks were picked so prematurely.
The Crusaders, as they have so often in their storied history, produced a test match-quality performance and, on the strength of that, more than a few Blues appear well short of test status.
I’ll cut almost all of them a break.
I don’t regard Rieko Ioane as a test centre, nor his brother Akira a test blindside flanker. I’d have Rieko on the wing and Akira nowhere near the squad at all.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is so far below David Havili’s class as a second five-eighth it’s not funny, but then we knew that already. Tuivasa-Sheck is good on his feet, but there’s no other strings to the bow.
Dalton Papalii was coming back from appendicitis, so he has an excuse for Saturday. Sadly, Ofa Tuungafasi and France-bound Karl Tu’inukuafe can’t say the same.
I’m on the record as not rating Stephen Perofeta and am pretty lukewarm about Hoskins Sotutu as well.
But these guys didn’t pick themselves in the All Blacks. They merely confirmed how big the gulf is between franchise and test football.
I was actually most disappointed by Beauden Barrett.
Now the Blues’ lineout was bad on Saturday. The scrum too, at least in the final 20 minutes.
But Barrett’s seen that movie before.
He’s been in innumerable finals games for the Hurricanes in which the Crusaders decimated their set piece, to levels even worse than what the Blues endured at Eden Park.
And what’s he learnt from it? Not a lot, judging by Saturday’s evidence.
I try not to be a fan of players, but I am prepared to say that I think Barrett is a good footballer and that I wish him well.
I’ve also argued on this website that he should have a mortgage on New Zealand’s No.10 jersey and be given full licence to try and lead the team to victory at the next World Cup.
I thought he was tactically inept in the final. Shuffled the ball too sideways, kicked too shallow and never allowed the Blues to gain decent field position or exert any pressure.
It was like he’d never played behind a slightly beaten pack before or encountered any defensive line speed.
All of which is a worry for the All Blacks, who’ve picked all sorts of athletes and occasionally explosive performers in their 36-man squad to meet Ireland, but perhaps too few grafters of the Tom Christie and Cullen Grace variety.
I’m not sure Christie will ever be an All Black and am well aware others regard Grace as lucky to have been one a couple of seasons ago. But if the All Blacks were named this Monday, instead of last, the national selectors would have a hard time justifying their exclusion.
New Zealand possesses any number of players who are outstanding on their best day. Who are dominant against bad teams and when they’re on the front foot and the pitch is dry and there’s not a lot of pressure or intensity.
But test rugby’s not like that. It’s not touch footy, there’s not acres of space and plenty of time.
It’s hard and it’s frustrating and chances can often be few. It’s about accuracy and attitude, rather than athleticism.
The Crusaders’ win won’t be lost on Ireland, nor any of our international foes. That was the established blueprint for beating the All Blacks right there.
The crazy thing now is we’re going to take half that Blues side, whack them in the All Blacks and expect a different outcome.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments