1
The only test that has taught the All Blacks anything in 2021
Let’s hope Wales hand the All Blacks a lineout bath in Cardiff.
ADVERTISEMENT
New Zealand’s 2021 season is fast amounting to nothing.
It’s not a referendum on the head coaching of Ian Foster anymore, because that decision’s been made. Foster’s earned his two-year contract extension and will be judged on the next Rugby World Cup.
Nor is this campaign about results. If it were, then most of these teams wouldn’t be on the schedule.
Wales won’t beat the All Blacks this week and nor will Italy or Ireland in the fortnight that follows. Tonga and Fiji and Australia and Argentina and the United States were never going to manage an upset either, so it’s essentially a season of three tests.
So far, the All Blacks have a 50-50 record on that score, having shared the spoils in their two Rugby Championship encounters with South Africa.
That just leaves France, on November 21, as the only stern examination to come.
But the All Blacks can learn, they can evolve and that’s where you have your fingers crossed that Wales’ tight five can provide a few set-piece problems.
South Africa put New Zealand’s lineout, but also scrum, under pressure in Australia. In fact Argentina’s lineout wasn’t too shabby either.
ADVERTISEMENT
The All Blacks battled to win a regular supply of clean ball against both the Springboks and Pumas, which ought to shape how they build towards 2023.
Wales are without a host of stars this week – by virtue of this game falling outside the November test window – but they will field a useful tight five, including talisman Alan Wyn Jones.
Now talisman isn’t a word I resort to too regularly, but it is applicable where Jones is concerned.
New Zealand coach Ian Foster believes Wales’ selection issues have been “blown up a little bit” and had no interest in assuaging pessimism surrounding Saturday’s showdown in Cardiff. #WALvNZL #AllBlacks https://t.co/apLxQAaFzd
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 28, 2021
There are those who argued that the All Blacks’ recent 19-17 win over South Africa was a poor advertisement for rugby. That it was stop-start and blighted by kicking and various spoiling tactics and generally not the way the game should be played.
ADVERTISEMENT
Cobblers. That match was a darn sight better than New Zealand’s 104-14 demolition of the Eagles in Washington, DC.
The two-point victory over the Springboks in Townsville taught the All Blacks something. It required them to win by means that they aren’t accustomed to and it tested them in every way.
The USA game, by comparison, was a joke. A game in which the All Blacks got loose and individual and ran rings around a shamefully inept opponent.
As a learning exercise, it was a complete waste of time.
I actually rather like what Australia have been up to and think most New Zealanders should too. After all, our international fortunes – in the short to medium term – are inextricably tied to theirs.
We need the Wallabies, and their five Super franchises to be good, otherwise we’re in danger of treading water.
A bit’s been made of one or two withdrawals from the Wallaby camp, ahead of their clashes with Scotland, England and Wales.
Fair enough, but you could argue Australia head coach Dave Rennie and the players who are available will get far more out of their European tour than the All Blacks are about to.
As they would have from last week’s win over Japan.
“People talk about the length of time since we’ve beaten them but a lot of those guys will have never played New Zealand before, so it’s not a big deal for them.” ???????
Gareth Llewellyn ?? @ajelliottsports ??
? https://t.co/b1FLLNkQf8 pic.twitter.com/N6TPpvhNMZ
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) October 28, 2021
Some have suggested the Wallabies ought to have done better in that game. Really? I’d say a 32-23 win over credible opposition does a lot more for a team than the All Blacks’ 90-point flogging did.
I’ve made this point already this season, but I genuinely believe we’re little the wiser about this New Zealand team.
Beyond Jordie Barrett at fullback and halfback Aaron Smith, the other backline spots remain up for grabs.
The loose forward mix is still a muddle. I mean, we still don’t even know what position Ardie Savea should actually occupy, for example.
We also have the stated captain of the side – Sam Cane – shorn of his leadership role and unable to crack a spot in the best XV. It’s hard to remember any All Blacks captain of consequence being sent back to the ranks to build their confidence.
Thankfully, to take us back to the top of this column, a first-choice tight five is being established and they stand out as the group with the most to gain against Wales.
Let’s hope they are tested and let’s hope the return of men such as now-captain Sam Whitelock brings more clarity and cohesion to the lineout.
Maybe the 19-17 against the Springboks was a poor spectacle. Maybe South Africa should’ve been condemned for their tactics.
It’s just that, as it stands, that match might just be remembered as the one genuine learning experience of the All Blacks’ season.
Comments on RugbyPass
Has virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
4 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
18 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
18 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
18 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
1 Go to commentsGood for him. The ABs were fooling around again with converted fullbacks that had a penetration of a marshmallow. Laumape or as Aki has shown for Ireland, go forward is important in the centres. If it had been DMac - Aki- Aumua - Ioane- Telea- Jordan in France the final result would have been different.
4 Go to commentsDan Carter a apporté son professionnalisme, des méthodes de travail, un esprit qui manquaient à l’USAP. Son influence, même une fois blessé a été énorme. Et pour citer une anecdote, certains soirs il venait de lui-même à l’entraînement des jeunes pour dispenser ses conseils. On ne peut pas compter ce qu’il a apporté au club en heures de jeu sur le terrain. Est-ce que le club en a eu pour son argent ? Avec la publicité sur son nom et le titre, je suppose que oui.
1 Go to commentsThe SA sides are suffering from a bum rap here. There isn’t a side anywhere in the world that would do things differently in their shoes. They’ve been set up to fail in the EPCR comps by vested interests, with last minute intercontinental travel requirements that costs an arm and a leg to book in advance just on the possibility they might be required. And the total nonsense that denies any chance of home venues is entirely biased and absolutely unsporting. Either EPCR, the Top14 & the Gallagher Premiership get it sorted on a fair and equitable sporting basis for ALL participants or expect the ridicule to continue. Right now, these comps are a joke!
18 Go to commentsSA sides should do the right thing and leave the champions cup, they are lowering the standard with completely one sided games, not up to the right level. The greatest club tournament in the world is being banjaxed by the weak SA sides.
18 Go to commentsCouldnt agree more. SA sides need to show more committment and really have a go at the Champions Cup. Its quite possibly the most prestigious title in Europe and SA sides need to respect that prestige and serve up their best. EPCR needs to do more to ensure that sides from South Africa and sides travelling to and from SA have a better chance in this competition. The Bulls were put in a really difficult position of having to travel there and back in one week. One could argue that this is what the SA sides signed up for and that La Rochelle didnt complain or send out weakened sides despite having to travel to SA and back and play on successive weekends but surely the situation is also unfair on La Rochelle as well and so EPCR needs to think about successive gameweeks and the travel effect of the competition
18 Go to commentsI hadn’t watched much Canes this season but sat through a replay of that Chiefs game with no distractions. That pack is beastly. I really like the look of Iose. He loves the tough stuff. The first Quins clip may be the best I have even seen for a TH driving his opposite into oblivion. i need to take your word for the contribution of Walker, but Collier there with a straight back pushing up from under was a lovely thing to see. Have you fallen in love with Baxter also, Nick? I think Stuart Barnes may have written his column about him recently, naked. He positively frothed.
15 Go to comments