By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 16:25 18/12/2009
JOHN SELKIRK
SELLOUT PREDICTION: Scattering teams across the country should ensure packed houses at matches, says Rugby World Cup New Zealand boss Martin Snedden
Rugby World Cup team hosting announcement
1 of 5
JOHN SELKIRK Zoom
Rugby World Cup's New Zealand boss Martin Snedden is predicting plenty of sellouts after the tournament's tentacles stretched even further through the country on Friday.
With hosting cities being added to the match venues to total 23 centres across the two islands, Snedden believed New Zealanders were set to embrace the teams and the tournament.
He said he had no fears that the smaller cities and towns would take up the "once in a lifetime opportunity" to get involved and that included filling seats at their stadiums.
"I reckon just about every match outside of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will be sellouts or close to," Snedden, RNZ 2011 chief executive, said.
"The local communities will just climb into it and they are not big stadiums. I'm not worried about those ones at all. And I'm not worried about the big finals. It's just big pool matches in big stadia that don't involve All Blacks ... the ones we need to get New Zealand to buy into."
He said marketing would step up from March to increase public consciousness.
For now there was plenty to enthuse as the tournament operated from the Bay of Islands to Invercargill.
There were more winners than losers with Timaru and Whakatane the two cities to miss out because of accommodation problems.
Hamilton gets to see the All Blacks as well as Wales, Fiji, Samoa and probably Japan.
New Plymouth hosts Ireland, the United States, Wales, Namibia and another European side.
Wanganui and Masterton are part of the action as well as Kerikeri and Ashburton.
All have come through a stringent process and won approval after first-hand visits by management from the bulk of the 20 teams.
The All Blacks will hit the road from Auckland to Hamilton and on to Wellington.
"They said to us we just want to keep moving from community to community and that sounds fine to us. As long as it goes according to plan they'll be in Christchurch a bit later on," Snedden said.
But they won't match the Irish who will spread their popularity wide. They will start in Queenstown and then go to New Plymouth, Auckland, Taupo, Rotorua and Dunedin.
Even non-rugby venues were included in the training areas to be used - cricket grounds in Dunedin and Nelson and the famous Cooks Gardens in Wanganui.
Ticket revenue is Snedden's only income so he needs the feelgood factor to turn into cash, hoping to offset the government's $39.3m grants. But he classes that as "an investment not a loss".
Gerry Brownlee, Associate Minister World Cup minister noted that when he said: "The underwrite is of some concern but the spinoff benefits could be enormous."
As the World Cup machine starts to gather momentum the next phase will be travel packages released in January followed by corporate hospitality in February. Ticket sales will open in March and April.
The host cities with the number of nights teams will stay in them - and the training venues - are:
BAY OF ISLANDS
Asia1 (like to be Japan) 4, Canada 6, Tonga 4
WHANGAREI
Asia1 2, Canada 3, Tonga 10
RODNEY
Asia1 11 Namibia 3, Samoa 5
NORTH SHORE
France 5 + 10, South Africa 2 + 2
AUCKLAND
Australia 4, England 7, Fiji 8, Ireland 6, New Zealand 7 + 8, Samoa 7, Scotland 5, Tonga 5
HAMILTON
Asia1 3, Fiji 2, New Zealand 7, Samoa 2, Wales 7 + 6
TAUPO
Ireland 4, South Africa 3 + 6, Wales 5
ROTORUA
Europe2 2, Fiji 2, Ireland 4, Namibia 7, Samoa 6
TAURANGA / Mt MAUNGANUI
Europe2 3, Fiji 4+ 5, Samoa 4
GISBORNE
Namibia 7 + 5
NAPIER
Asia1 6, Canada 15, France 3
NEW PLYMOUTH
Europe2 3, Ireland 4, Namibia 4, USA 10, Wales 3
WANGANUI
USA 6
PALMERSTON NORTH
Argentina 7, Europe1 7, Playoff winner 3
MASTERTON
Europe1 7
WELLINGTON
Australia 6, Canada 3, Fiji 7, France 3, New Zealand 8, South Africa 17, Tonga 6, USA 5, Wales 9
BLENHEIM
Europe2 10
NELSON
Europe2 2, Italy 7 + 14, USA 4
CHRISTCHURCH
Argentina 15 + 8, Australia 8 + 8, England 19, Europe1 3, Europe2 6, Italy 7, Scotland 11
ASHBURTON
Playoff winner 6
DUNEDIN
England 3, Europe1 11, Ireland 7, Italy 3, Playoff winner 8, Scotland 5
QUEENSTOWN
England 3, Ireland 6, Playoff winner 4
INVERCARGILL
Argentina 3, Playoff winner 4 + 3, Scotland 4
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
All Blacks dominate decade, sans World Cups
By DANIEL GILHOOLY - NZPA
Last updated 19:04 20/12/2009
One hundred tests won in a decade of rugby, yet still the long faces from All Blacks supporters.
The past 10 years has seen one team dominate the international landscape more than any team in the game's history.
An 82 percent win ratio since 2000 is a triumphant feat in a professional age which was supposed to bring all the top nations closer together. All of New Zealand's nearest rivals have winning percentages in the low 60s over the same period.
Two of them, however, have held aloft the Webb Ellis Cup.
It's a matter of conjecture whether New Zealand, England or South Africa should feel most satisfied as the "noughties" draw to a close. The latter teams have endured their fair share of slumps but have claimed rugby's holy grail - England in 2003 and the Springboks four years later.
Perhaps most galling for New Zealand is that they fell short in three World Cups through the 1990s as well. Their quarterfinal and semifinal meltdowns are well entrenched as a subject of international mirth and are an elephant in the room for those who try to portray the All Blacks as the world's premier team and rugby brand.
The 2003 semifinal loss to Australia in Sydney stung. They were opponents the All Blacks under John Mitchell had thrashed earlier in the year but it took just one early intercept try by Stirling Mortlock to usher the big freeze.
But for sheer shock value, look no further than the 2007 calamity in Cardiff.
Coach Graham Henry had moulded an experienced team of genuine quality. The middle years of the decade had been New Zealand's finest - they won 15 consecutive tests at one point and notched a world record 30 straight wins at home.
The team who ran onto Millennium Stadium would supply a large chunk of any All Blacks team of this decade. Against them was a limited French outfit who had been New Zealand's bunny in prior seasons.
Yet the tournament hosts tackled themselves to a standstill in the most remarkable of tests. New Zealand's players, who had been controversially placed in cotton wool by Henry for much of the year, dominated the 80 minutes yet were unable to conjure a try or dropped goal in the frantic dying minutes, nor earn a penalty from controversial English ref Wayne Barnes.
The fallout supplied the story of the decade as Henry went against the prevailing public mood by reapplying for his job, winning it despite the excellent credentials of Crusaders supremo Robbie Deans - who then threw his lot in with the Wallabies.
The records of Mitchell, who succeeded an uncertain Wayne Smith in late 2001, and Henry can't be denied.
Between them they snaffled six of the 10 Tri-Nations titles on offer while Henry's teams have dominated northern hemisphere opponents both home and away.
Both coaches also stuck by a maxim that New Zealand play an attractive style.
There have been 526 All Blacks test tries in a decade that began with a 102-0 thumping of Tonga at Albany and ended with the dashing 39-12 defeat of France at Marseille.
But those expansive efforts seem more admired beyond these shores, with the typical New Zealand supporter prone to putting analysis on the 21 losses rather than 100 wins.
Many outstanding players have graced the black jersey since 2000.
Tana Umaga proved a popular captain after replacing the successful but maligned skipper Reuben Thorne in 2004.
Flanker Richie McCaw claimed the leadership in 2006 and, with another unassuming Cantabrian in first five-eighth Daniel Carter, two genuinely great All Blacks are still plying their trade.
McCaw, Carter and Henry will shoulder a massive burden when New Zealand hosts the World Cup in 2011.
Win there and they - and a nation - can actually enjoy the rest of the decade.
NZPA'S DANIEL GILHOOLY'S TEST RUGBY TEAM OF THE DECADE
FULLBACK: Mils Muliaina (New Zealand)
Not a vintage decade for fullbacks but few could quibble with the safe-as-houses All Blacks custodian, who mixed enduring reliability with a timely sense of adventure.
Hard-running Wallaby Chris Latham eclipsed Muliaina as an attacking force, league convert Jason Robinson was dynamic in a too-short career for England and Percy Montgomery piled on the points for South Africa.
RIGHT WING: Doug Howlett (New Zealand)
Quite sparse in world class options, with the sharp Howlett's consistent form easily winning the nod.
Next best was Springbok livewire Breyton Paulse, with the rest of the world's premier wingers preferring the left flank.
LEFT WING: Bryan Habana (South Africa)
The Springbok with jet shoes beats off a strong field through his ability to create tries from nothing, allied with tough defence and leaping skills.
Somewhat unlucky are diminutive Welsh wizard Shane Williams, whose 50 test tries are the most in any decade of the sport, Wallabies powerhouse Lote Tuqiri and All Blacks flyer Joe Rokocoko.
CENTRE: Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
You have to be pretty good to shut out Australasian greats Tana Umaga and Stirling Mortlock but Irish star O'Driscoll has shone brightly from decade's start to finish. The lynchpin of a golden era by Ireland standards, he is the rare exception - a modern-day British or Irish back packing pace and attacking instinct.
Others to feature were Springboks bruiser Jaque Fourie and clever yet underrated Englishman Will Greenwood.
SECOND FIVE-EIGHTH: Yannick Jauzion (France)
Again, Umaga and Mortlock miss out through lack of tests in the No 12 jersey. The hulking Jauzion brings a physical element mixed with some typically unexpected French touches, including a mean offload.
Classy perfomers included Springbok Jean de Villiers and All Black Aaron Mauger.
FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH: Daniel Carter (New Zealand)
Superboot Jonny Wilkinson had the decade's No 10 jersey to himself until Carter announced his genius from 2004 - about the time England started to crumble. A tough call due to Wilkinson's massive role in the 2003 World Cup triumph but Carter provided an extra dimension to better all but a select few playmakers in rugby history. His 994 points eclipse the 936 of Welsh marksman Neil Jenkins last decade but Carter's influence is so much more than pointscoring.
Gifted Wallaby Stephen Larkham was replaced by another brilliant Brumby, Matt Giteau, while Frederic Michalak was French flair personified and Juan Martin Hernandez was the decade's most exciting Puma. Ireland's Ronan O'Gara and Welshman Stephen Jones served their nations admirably.
HALFBACK: Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
A class above any other No 9 in terms of game management. Taunted New Zealand teams this year with his kicking for the Boks and Bulls, yet has vision and a running game suited for any occasion.
George Gregan's marathon career only faded a little at the end and Ireland's Peter Stringer provided yeoman service. Matt Dawson was a snappy English schemer while Justin Marshall and Byron Kelleher brought physicalty to the New Zealand scrum base.
NO 8: Lawrence Dallaglio (England)
Tough call ahead of athletic Italian Sergio Parisse but Dallaglio's muscular influence can't be played down in an English pack that bulldozed their way to a 2003 climax.
Rodney So'oialo was a non-stop All Blacks workhorse, Imanol Harinordoquy a spring-heeled Frenchman and Simon Taylor promised plenty for Scotland but progress was foiled too often by injury.
OPENSIDE FLANKER: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Seemingly plenty left in the tank yet McCaw has already forged his name as one of the All Blacks' greatest. Enormous heart, strength and a ruthless streak when it comes to the game's laws. McCaw's importance is emphasised every time he doesn't play.
Perhaps the unluckiest player to miss selection in this team is Wallabies scavenger George Smith, whose lofty standards rarely slipped in 110 tests. A case could be made to include him and shift McCaw to another loose forward role.
Among the better opensides were Springbok Schalk Burger, Aussie Phil Waugh, France's Olivier Magne and Martyn Williams of Wales.
BLINDSIDE FLANKER: Juan Smith (South Africa)
Smith emerges from a clutch of quality options courtesy of his lineout prowess and allround attributes. All Black Jerry Collins and Wallaby Rocky Elsom were hard nuts while Richard Hill was the glue in England's early-decade forward dominance.
LOCKS: Victor Matfield (South Africa) and Martin Johnson (England)
Perhaps the position with more world class options than any over the past 10 years.
Lineout lord Matfield gave nightmares to nearly every pack he encountered, most notably the English eight in the 2007 World Cup final. His lineout preparation and execution were exemplary, allowing him to cast a giant shadow over a crucial element of the game.
Johnson was one of the great leaders of men and massive presence in the giant white pack.
Among a coterie of standout locks were Frenchman Fabien Pelous, Ireland's Paul O'Connell, Springbok Bakkies Botha, All Blacks Chris Jack and Ali Williams and Wallabies Nathan Sharpe and Daniel Vickerman.
TIGHTHEAD PROP: Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
The scourge of opposition scrums through the middle of the decade, All Blacks fans are desperate he return home from England ahead of the 2011 World Cup.
Leading a decent chasing pack is English nugget Phil Vickery while Frenchman Peter de Villiers, Wales' Adam Jones, Italian Martin Castrogiovanni and All Black Greg Somerville all stood strong.
LOOSEHEAD PROP: Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
The loosehead side isn't as flush with options. Woodcock's work around the field helps pip other noted scrummagers such as France's Sylvain Marconnet, Argentine Rodrigo Roncero and England's Andy Sheridan. Welshman Gethin Jenkins had his moments and it was hard not to admire the second coming of Bok favourite Os du Randt.
HOOKER: John Smit (South Africa)
Unchallenged in this position, Smit would also captain this side in a tight call over Johnson. A strong enough scrummager to start big tests at prop and forged an enviable lineout combination with Matfield, Botha and Juan Smith.
Keven Mealamu was brilliant at times for New Zealand while England's Steve Thompson and French rake Raphael Ibanez excelled in the tight.
PLAYER OF THE DECADE:
A shortlist of three would probably comprise O'Driscoll, Matfield and McCaw. All are proven matchwinners, carry enormous influence in their teams and rarely play a bad game.
The nod goes to McCaw for an equally dominant career at the next level down with the Crusaders, the rugged No 7 somehow powering on in rugby's most demanding position.
Last updated 19:04 20/12/2009
One hundred tests won in a decade of rugby, yet still the long faces from All Blacks supporters.
The past 10 years has seen one team dominate the international landscape more than any team in the game's history.
An 82 percent win ratio since 2000 is a triumphant feat in a professional age which was supposed to bring all the top nations closer together. All of New Zealand's nearest rivals have winning percentages in the low 60s over the same period.
Two of them, however, have held aloft the Webb Ellis Cup.
It's a matter of conjecture whether New Zealand, England or South Africa should feel most satisfied as the "noughties" draw to a close. The latter teams have endured their fair share of slumps but have claimed rugby's holy grail - England in 2003 and the Springboks four years later.
Perhaps most galling for New Zealand is that they fell short in three World Cups through the 1990s as well. Their quarterfinal and semifinal meltdowns are well entrenched as a subject of international mirth and are an elephant in the room for those who try to portray the All Blacks as the world's premier team and rugby brand.
The 2003 semifinal loss to Australia in Sydney stung. They were opponents the All Blacks under John Mitchell had thrashed earlier in the year but it took just one early intercept try by Stirling Mortlock to usher the big freeze.
But for sheer shock value, look no further than the 2007 calamity in Cardiff.
Coach Graham Henry had moulded an experienced team of genuine quality. The middle years of the decade had been New Zealand's finest - they won 15 consecutive tests at one point and notched a world record 30 straight wins at home.
The team who ran onto Millennium Stadium would supply a large chunk of any All Blacks team of this decade. Against them was a limited French outfit who had been New Zealand's bunny in prior seasons.
Yet the tournament hosts tackled themselves to a standstill in the most remarkable of tests. New Zealand's players, who had been controversially placed in cotton wool by Henry for much of the year, dominated the 80 minutes yet were unable to conjure a try or dropped goal in the frantic dying minutes, nor earn a penalty from controversial English ref Wayne Barnes.
The fallout supplied the story of the decade as Henry went against the prevailing public mood by reapplying for his job, winning it despite the excellent credentials of Crusaders supremo Robbie Deans - who then threw his lot in with the Wallabies.
The records of Mitchell, who succeeded an uncertain Wayne Smith in late 2001, and Henry can't be denied.
Between them they snaffled six of the 10 Tri-Nations titles on offer while Henry's teams have dominated northern hemisphere opponents both home and away.
Both coaches also stuck by a maxim that New Zealand play an attractive style.
There have been 526 All Blacks test tries in a decade that began with a 102-0 thumping of Tonga at Albany and ended with the dashing 39-12 defeat of France at Marseille.
But those expansive efforts seem more admired beyond these shores, with the typical New Zealand supporter prone to putting analysis on the 21 losses rather than 100 wins.
Many outstanding players have graced the black jersey since 2000.
Tana Umaga proved a popular captain after replacing the successful but maligned skipper Reuben Thorne in 2004.
Flanker Richie McCaw claimed the leadership in 2006 and, with another unassuming Cantabrian in first five-eighth Daniel Carter, two genuinely great All Blacks are still plying their trade.
McCaw, Carter and Henry will shoulder a massive burden when New Zealand hosts the World Cup in 2011.
Win there and they - and a nation - can actually enjoy the rest of the decade.
NZPA'S DANIEL GILHOOLY'S TEST RUGBY TEAM OF THE DECADE
FULLBACK: Mils Muliaina (New Zealand)
Not a vintage decade for fullbacks but few could quibble with the safe-as-houses All Blacks custodian, who mixed enduring reliability with a timely sense of adventure.
Hard-running Wallaby Chris Latham eclipsed Muliaina as an attacking force, league convert Jason Robinson was dynamic in a too-short career for England and Percy Montgomery piled on the points for South Africa.
RIGHT WING: Doug Howlett (New Zealand)
Quite sparse in world class options, with the sharp Howlett's consistent form easily winning the nod.
Next best was Springbok livewire Breyton Paulse, with the rest of the world's premier wingers preferring the left flank.
LEFT WING: Bryan Habana (South Africa)
The Springbok with jet shoes beats off a strong field through his ability to create tries from nothing, allied with tough defence and leaping skills.
Somewhat unlucky are diminutive Welsh wizard Shane Williams, whose 50 test tries are the most in any decade of the sport, Wallabies powerhouse Lote Tuqiri and All Blacks flyer Joe Rokocoko.
CENTRE: Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
You have to be pretty good to shut out Australasian greats Tana Umaga and Stirling Mortlock but Irish star O'Driscoll has shone brightly from decade's start to finish. The lynchpin of a golden era by Ireland standards, he is the rare exception - a modern-day British or Irish back packing pace and attacking instinct.
Others to feature were Springboks bruiser Jaque Fourie and clever yet underrated Englishman Will Greenwood.
SECOND FIVE-EIGHTH: Yannick Jauzion (France)
Again, Umaga and Mortlock miss out through lack of tests in the No 12 jersey. The hulking Jauzion brings a physical element mixed with some typically unexpected French touches, including a mean offload.
Classy perfomers included Springbok Jean de Villiers and All Black Aaron Mauger.
FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH: Daniel Carter (New Zealand)
Superboot Jonny Wilkinson had the decade's No 10 jersey to himself until Carter announced his genius from 2004 - about the time England started to crumble. A tough call due to Wilkinson's massive role in the 2003 World Cup triumph but Carter provided an extra dimension to better all but a select few playmakers in rugby history. His 994 points eclipse the 936 of Welsh marksman Neil Jenkins last decade but Carter's influence is so much more than pointscoring.
Gifted Wallaby Stephen Larkham was replaced by another brilliant Brumby, Matt Giteau, while Frederic Michalak was French flair personified and Juan Martin Hernandez was the decade's most exciting Puma. Ireland's Ronan O'Gara and Welshman Stephen Jones served their nations admirably.
HALFBACK: Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
A class above any other No 9 in terms of game management. Taunted New Zealand teams this year with his kicking for the Boks and Bulls, yet has vision and a running game suited for any occasion.
George Gregan's marathon career only faded a little at the end and Ireland's Peter Stringer provided yeoman service. Matt Dawson was a snappy English schemer while Justin Marshall and Byron Kelleher brought physicalty to the New Zealand scrum base.
NO 8: Lawrence Dallaglio (England)
Tough call ahead of athletic Italian Sergio Parisse but Dallaglio's muscular influence can't be played down in an English pack that bulldozed their way to a 2003 climax.
Rodney So'oialo was a non-stop All Blacks workhorse, Imanol Harinordoquy a spring-heeled Frenchman and Simon Taylor promised plenty for Scotland but progress was foiled too often by injury.
OPENSIDE FLANKER: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Seemingly plenty left in the tank yet McCaw has already forged his name as one of the All Blacks' greatest. Enormous heart, strength and a ruthless streak when it comes to the game's laws. McCaw's importance is emphasised every time he doesn't play.
Perhaps the unluckiest player to miss selection in this team is Wallabies scavenger George Smith, whose lofty standards rarely slipped in 110 tests. A case could be made to include him and shift McCaw to another loose forward role.
Among the better opensides were Springbok Schalk Burger, Aussie Phil Waugh, France's Olivier Magne and Martyn Williams of Wales.
BLINDSIDE FLANKER: Juan Smith (South Africa)
Smith emerges from a clutch of quality options courtesy of his lineout prowess and allround attributes. All Black Jerry Collins and Wallaby Rocky Elsom were hard nuts while Richard Hill was the glue in England's early-decade forward dominance.
LOCKS: Victor Matfield (South Africa) and Martin Johnson (England)
Perhaps the position with more world class options than any over the past 10 years.
Lineout lord Matfield gave nightmares to nearly every pack he encountered, most notably the English eight in the 2007 World Cup final. His lineout preparation and execution were exemplary, allowing him to cast a giant shadow over a crucial element of the game.
Johnson was one of the great leaders of men and massive presence in the giant white pack.
Among a coterie of standout locks were Frenchman Fabien Pelous, Ireland's Paul O'Connell, Springbok Bakkies Botha, All Blacks Chris Jack and Ali Williams and Wallabies Nathan Sharpe and Daniel Vickerman.
TIGHTHEAD PROP: Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
The scourge of opposition scrums through the middle of the decade, All Blacks fans are desperate he return home from England ahead of the 2011 World Cup.
Leading a decent chasing pack is English nugget Phil Vickery while Frenchman Peter de Villiers, Wales' Adam Jones, Italian Martin Castrogiovanni and All Black Greg Somerville all stood strong.
LOOSEHEAD PROP: Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
The loosehead side isn't as flush with options. Woodcock's work around the field helps pip other noted scrummagers such as France's Sylvain Marconnet, Argentine Rodrigo Roncero and England's Andy Sheridan. Welshman Gethin Jenkins had his moments and it was hard not to admire the second coming of Bok favourite Os du Randt.
HOOKER: John Smit (South Africa)
Unchallenged in this position, Smit would also captain this side in a tight call over Johnson. A strong enough scrummager to start big tests at prop and forged an enviable lineout combination with Matfield, Botha and Juan Smith.
Keven Mealamu was brilliant at times for New Zealand while England's Steve Thompson and French rake Raphael Ibanez excelled in the tight.
PLAYER OF THE DECADE:
A shortlist of three would probably comprise O'Driscoll, Matfield and McCaw. All are proven matchwinners, carry enormous influence in their teams and rarely play a bad game.
The nod goes to McCaw for an equally dominant career at the next level down with the Crusaders, the rugged No 7 somehow powering on in rugby's most demanding position.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Martin Snedden predicts RWC sellouts
Martin Snedden predicts RWC sellouts
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 16:25 18/12/2009
JOHN SELKIRK
SELLOUT PREDICTION: Scattering teams across the country should ensure packed houses at matches, says Rugby World Cup New Zealand boss Martin Snedden
Rugby World Cup team hosting announcement
1 of 5
JOHN SELKIRK Zoom
Rugby World Cup's New Zealand boss Martin Snedden is predicting plenty of sellouts after the tournament's tentacles stretched even further through the country on Friday.
With hosting cities being added to the match venues to total 23 centres across the two islands, Snedden believed New Zealanders were set to embrace the teams and the tournament.
He said he had no fears that the smaller cities and towns would take up the "once in a lifetime opportunity" to get involved and that included filling seats at their stadiums.
"I reckon just about every match outside of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will be sellouts or close to," Snedden, RNZ 2011 chief executive, said.
"The local communities will just climb into it and they are not big stadiums. I'm not worried about those ones at all. And I'm not worried about the big finals. It's just big pool matches in big stadia that don't involve All Blacks ... the ones we need to get New Zealand to buy into."
He said marketing would step up from March to increase public consciousness.
For now there was plenty to enthuse as the tournament operated from the Bay of Islands to Invercargill.
There were more winners than losers with Timaru and Whakatane the two cities to miss out because of accommodation problems.
Hamilton gets to see the All Blacks as well as Wales, Fiji, Samoa and probably Japan.
New Plymouth hosts Ireland, the United States, Wales, Namibia and another European side.
Wanganui and Masterton are part of the action as well as Kerikeri and Ashburton.
All have come through a stringent process and won approval after first-hand visits by management from the bulk of the 20 teams.
The All Blacks will hit the road from Auckland to Hamilton and on to Wellington.
"They said to us we just want to keep moving from community to community and that sounds fine to us. As long as it goes according to plan they'll be in Christchurch a bit later on," Snedden said.
But they won't match the Irish who will spread their popularity wide. They will start in Queenstown and then go to New Plymouth, Auckland, Taupo, Rotorua and Dunedin.
Even non-rugby venues were included in the training areas to be used - cricket grounds in Dunedin and Nelson and the famous Cooks Gardens in Wanganui.
Ticket revenue is Snedden's only income so he needs the feelgood factor to turn into cash, hoping to offset the government's $39.3m grants. But he classes that as "an investment not a loss".
Gerry Brownlee, Associate Minister World Cup minister noted that when he said: "The underwrite is of some concern but the spinoff benefits could be enormous."
As the World Cup machine starts to gather momentum the next phase will be travel packages released in January followed by corporate hospitality in February. Ticket sales will open in March and April.
The host cities with the number of nights teams will stay in them - and the training venues - are:
BAY OF ISLANDS
Asia1 (like to be Japan) 4, Canada 6, Tonga 4
WHANGAREI
Asia1 2, Canada 3, Tonga 10
RODNEY
Asia1 11 Namibia 3, Samoa 5
NORTH SHORE
France 5 + 10, South Africa 2 + 2
AUCKLAND
Australia 4, England 7, Fiji 8, Ireland 6, New Zealand 7 + 8, Samoa 7, Scotland 5, Tonga 5
HAMILTON
Asia1 3, Fiji 2, New Zealand 7, Samoa 2, Wales 7 + 6
TAUPO
Ireland 4, South Africa 3 + 6, Wales 5
ROTORUA
Europe2 2, Fiji 2, Ireland 4, Namibia 7, Samoa 6
TAURANGA / Mt MAUNGANUI
Europe2 3, Fiji 4+ 5, Samoa 4
GISBORNE
Namibia 7 + 5
NAPIER
Asia1 6, Canada 15, France 3
NEW PLYMOUTH
Europe2 3, Ireland 4, Namibia 4, USA 10, Wales 3
WANGANUI
USA 6
PALMERSTON NORTH
Argentina 7, Europe1 7, Playoff winner 3
MASTERTON
Europe1 7
WELLINGTON
Australia 6, Canada 3, Fiji 7, France 3, New Zealand 8, South Africa 17, Tonga 6, USA 5, Wales 9
BLENHEIM
Europe2 10
NELSON
Europe2 2, Italy 7 + 14, USA 4
CHRISTCHURCH
Argentina 15 + 8, Australia 8 + 8, England 19, Europe1 3, Europe2 6, Italy 7, Scotland 11
ASHBURTON
Playoff winner 6
DUNEDIN
England 3, Europe1 11, Ireland 7, Italy 3, Playoff winner 8, Scotland 5
QUEENSTOWN
England 3, Ireland 6, Playoff winner 4
INVERCARGILL
Argentina 3, Playoff winner 4 + 3, Scotland 4
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 16:25 18/12/2009
JOHN SELKIRK
SELLOUT PREDICTION: Scattering teams across the country should ensure packed houses at matches, says Rugby World Cup New Zealand boss Martin Snedden
Rugby World Cup team hosting announcement
1 of 5
JOHN SELKIRK Zoom
Rugby World Cup's New Zealand boss Martin Snedden is predicting plenty of sellouts after the tournament's tentacles stretched even further through the country on Friday.
With hosting cities being added to the match venues to total 23 centres across the two islands, Snedden believed New Zealanders were set to embrace the teams and the tournament.
He said he had no fears that the smaller cities and towns would take up the "once in a lifetime opportunity" to get involved and that included filling seats at their stadiums.
"I reckon just about every match outside of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will be sellouts or close to," Snedden, RNZ 2011 chief executive, said.
"The local communities will just climb into it and they are not big stadiums. I'm not worried about those ones at all. And I'm not worried about the big finals. It's just big pool matches in big stadia that don't involve All Blacks ... the ones we need to get New Zealand to buy into."
He said marketing would step up from March to increase public consciousness.
For now there was plenty to enthuse as the tournament operated from the Bay of Islands to Invercargill.
There were more winners than losers with Timaru and Whakatane the two cities to miss out because of accommodation problems.
Hamilton gets to see the All Blacks as well as Wales, Fiji, Samoa and probably Japan.
New Plymouth hosts Ireland, the United States, Wales, Namibia and another European side.
Wanganui and Masterton are part of the action as well as Kerikeri and Ashburton.
All have come through a stringent process and won approval after first-hand visits by management from the bulk of the 20 teams.
The All Blacks will hit the road from Auckland to Hamilton and on to Wellington.
"They said to us we just want to keep moving from community to community and that sounds fine to us. As long as it goes according to plan they'll be in Christchurch a bit later on," Snedden said.
But they won't match the Irish who will spread their popularity wide. They will start in Queenstown and then go to New Plymouth, Auckland, Taupo, Rotorua and Dunedin.
Even non-rugby venues were included in the training areas to be used - cricket grounds in Dunedin and Nelson and the famous Cooks Gardens in Wanganui.
Ticket revenue is Snedden's only income so he needs the feelgood factor to turn into cash, hoping to offset the government's $39.3m grants. But he classes that as "an investment not a loss".
Gerry Brownlee, Associate Minister World Cup minister noted that when he said: "The underwrite is of some concern but the spinoff benefits could be enormous."
As the World Cup machine starts to gather momentum the next phase will be travel packages released in January followed by corporate hospitality in February. Ticket sales will open in March and April.
The host cities with the number of nights teams will stay in them - and the training venues - are:
BAY OF ISLANDS
Asia1 (like to be Japan) 4, Canada 6, Tonga 4
WHANGAREI
Asia1 2, Canada 3, Tonga 10
RODNEY
Asia1 11 Namibia 3, Samoa 5
NORTH SHORE
France 5 + 10, South Africa 2 + 2
AUCKLAND
Australia 4, England 7, Fiji 8, Ireland 6, New Zealand 7 + 8, Samoa 7, Scotland 5, Tonga 5
HAMILTON
Asia1 3, Fiji 2, New Zealand 7, Samoa 2, Wales 7 + 6
TAUPO
Ireland 4, South Africa 3 + 6, Wales 5
ROTORUA
Europe2 2, Fiji 2, Ireland 4, Namibia 7, Samoa 6
TAURANGA / Mt MAUNGANUI
Europe2 3, Fiji 4+ 5, Samoa 4
GISBORNE
Namibia 7 + 5
NAPIER
Asia1 6, Canada 15, France 3
NEW PLYMOUTH
Europe2 3, Ireland 4, Namibia 4, USA 10, Wales 3
WANGANUI
USA 6
PALMERSTON NORTH
Argentina 7, Europe1 7, Playoff winner 3
MASTERTON
Europe1 7
WELLINGTON
Australia 6, Canada 3, Fiji 7, France 3, New Zealand 8, South Africa 17, Tonga 6, USA 5, Wales 9
BLENHEIM
Europe2 10
NELSON
Europe2 2, Italy 7 + 14, USA 4
CHRISTCHURCH
Argentina 15 + 8, Australia 8 + 8, England 19, Europe1 3, Europe2 6, Italy 7, Scotland 11
ASHBURTON
Playoff winner 6
DUNEDIN
England 3, Europe1 11, Ireland 7, Italy 3, Playoff winner 8, Scotland 5
QUEENSTOWN
England 3, Ireland 6, Playoff winner 4
INVERCARGILL
Argentina 3, Playoff winner 4 + 3, Scotland 4
All Blacks seeking ring-ins for Carter, McCaw
By TOBY ROBSON - The Press
Last updated 05:00 08/12/2009
Sunday Star-Times
WILY VETERAN: The return of experienced prop Carl Hayman would be a welcome addition to the All Blacks front row as the World Cup approaches in 2011.
Headaches for Graham Henry
Dear Santa, please send us a first five and openside flanker capable of filling the boots of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.
Oh, and can you also throw in Carl Hayman.
The All Blacks coaches' Christmas wishlist isn't as long as it could be as the tricky pre-World Cup year approaches.
There is acceptable depth in most positions, the aforementioned areas aside. At lock, the midfield and the outside backs in particular things are rosy.
Make no mistake, 2009 was no oil painting. Five losses, whether tests or otherwise, isn't flash by All Blacks standards.
But it was tough, too. Injuries created a vacuum at the start of the season and young men were thrust forward beyond their means.
Isaac Ross was suddenly a test lock. Liam Messam was the starting No8, Adam Thomson the openside and Mils Muliaina the captain.
And Stephen Donald was shoved on to the stage as the starting first-five and told to try on a pair of boots about 20 sizes too big.
It made for a delicate situation and as the new men struggled, their coaches grappled with the game's laws and a South African side at the top of their game.
It's no guarantee of World Cup success to be team of the year two years out.
Henry knows looking back won't help New Zealand end their World Cup drought.
Adversity often builds character.
It cruelly claims its victims, but it also sorts the wheat from the chaff.
Think Kieran Read and Cory Jane for the former. Throw Thomson and Tom Donnelly into the mix too and hand Owen Franks a voucher.
A pat on the back to the three wise men for adapting to the new laws and forging ahead, their efforts rewarded in Marseille.
The most glaring failure of 2009 is the failure to develop creditable backups to Carter and McCaw.
It is like watching a train wreck approach. World Cup knockout match, one or both injured, tournament over.
In 2005, Henry toured the north with two teams worth of players that were the envy of world rugby.
Five years later he did not have that luxury. The reality is that if Henry doesn't test his next tier they will fall further behind their peers and further down towards their international rivals.
The challenge now for the All Blacks is twofold.
They must maintain the standards set in Marseille and they must find some insurance policies for Carter and McCaw.
Fullback A
Mils Muliaina is back to his best. Cory Jane's a more than worthy backup. Ben Smith has come on albeit on the wing. Israel Dagg is nipping at their heels.
Wings B +
Sitiveni Sivivatu was brilliant, Jane not far behind. Zac Guildford has potential and Smith had his moments. Hosea Gear was unlucky, Sean Maitland looks the goods.
Midfield B +
Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith continue to improve. Luke McAlister is heading in the right direction and Tamati Ellison made strides in Europe. Richard Kahui and Isaia Toeava await their chance.
Five eighths C
Still no backup to Dan Carter. Stephen Donald's on thin ice. Mike Delany's yet to convince. Aaron Cruden is on everyone's lips. Does Stephen Brett have what it takes?
Halfbacks B-
Jimmy Cowan is entrenched, but not complete. Andy Ellis is a competitor. Brendon Leonard almost disappeared but finished with a bang. Piri Weepu and Alby Mathewson stayed home.
No 8 B
Kieran Read has come on in leaps and bounds.
The position is his to lose. Rodney So'oialo remains a good bad backup and Richie McCaw provides legitimate cover too.
Could Sione Lauaki rise again?
Blindside B
Liam Messam is still too light for test rugby. Adam Thomson and Jerome Kaino provide a nice balance of styles. Read can play six too.
Openside C+
Richie McCaw, then daylight. Tanerau Latimer holds his own, but only just at test level. Karl Lowe still appeals.
Lock A
What a turnaround. Tom Donnelly has established himself at test level, Anthony Boric looks promising, Ali Williams will be back and Brad Thorn is keen to go through till the World Cup. Isaac Ross only just gets a mention and there's a guy called Bryn Evans too.
Props B-
Wyatt Crockett's a mixed bag. John Afoa's there or thereabouts. Neemia Tialata's back. Tony Woodcock was quiet. Owen Franks is a comer. Carl Hayman would fit in nicely.
Hooker B
Andrew Hore is streets ahead. Corey Flynn's solid, but still injury prone. Aled de Malmanche must learn to throw to the lineout. Hika Elliott's lurking and Keven Mealamu is sure to return.
Last updated 05:00 08/12/2009
Sunday Star-Times
WILY VETERAN: The return of experienced prop Carl Hayman would be a welcome addition to the All Blacks front row as the World Cup approaches in 2011.
Headaches for Graham Henry
Dear Santa, please send us a first five and openside flanker capable of filling the boots of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.
Oh, and can you also throw in Carl Hayman.
The All Blacks coaches' Christmas wishlist isn't as long as it could be as the tricky pre-World Cup year approaches.
There is acceptable depth in most positions, the aforementioned areas aside. At lock, the midfield and the outside backs in particular things are rosy.
Make no mistake, 2009 was no oil painting. Five losses, whether tests or otherwise, isn't flash by All Blacks standards.
But it was tough, too. Injuries created a vacuum at the start of the season and young men were thrust forward beyond their means.
Isaac Ross was suddenly a test lock. Liam Messam was the starting No8, Adam Thomson the openside and Mils Muliaina the captain.
And Stephen Donald was shoved on to the stage as the starting first-five and told to try on a pair of boots about 20 sizes too big.
It made for a delicate situation and as the new men struggled, their coaches grappled with the game's laws and a South African side at the top of their game.
It's no guarantee of World Cup success to be team of the year two years out.
Henry knows looking back won't help New Zealand end their World Cup drought.
Adversity often builds character.
It cruelly claims its victims, but it also sorts the wheat from the chaff.
Think Kieran Read and Cory Jane for the former. Throw Thomson and Tom Donnelly into the mix too and hand Owen Franks a voucher.
A pat on the back to the three wise men for adapting to the new laws and forging ahead, their efforts rewarded in Marseille.
The most glaring failure of 2009 is the failure to develop creditable backups to Carter and McCaw.
It is like watching a train wreck approach. World Cup knockout match, one or both injured, tournament over.
In 2005, Henry toured the north with two teams worth of players that were the envy of world rugby.
Five years later he did not have that luxury. The reality is that if Henry doesn't test his next tier they will fall further behind their peers and further down towards their international rivals.
The challenge now for the All Blacks is twofold.
They must maintain the standards set in Marseille and they must find some insurance policies for Carter and McCaw.
Fullback A
Mils Muliaina is back to his best. Cory Jane's a more than worthy backup. Ben Smith has come on albeit on the wing. Israel Dagg is nipping at their heels.
Wings B +
Sitiveni Sivivatu was brilliant, Jane not far behind. Zac Guildford has potential and Smith had his moments. Hosea Gear was unlucky, Sean Maitland looks the goods.
Midfield B +
Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith continue to improve. Luke McAlister is heading in the right direction and Tamati Ellison made strides in Europe. Richard Kahui and Isaia Toeava await their chance.
Five eighths C
Still no backup to Dan Carter. Stephen Donald's on thin ice. Mike Delany's yet to convince. Aaron Cruden is on everyone's lips. Does Stephen Brett have what it takes?
Halfbacks B-
Jimmy Cowan is entrenched, but not complete. Andy Ellis is a competitor. Brendon Leonard almost disappeared but finished with a bang. Piri Weepu and Alby Mathewson stayed home.
No 8 B
Kieran Read has come on in leaps and bounds.
The position is his to lose. Rodney So'oialo remains a good bad backup and Richie McCaw provides legitimate cover too.
Could Sione Lauaki rise again?
Blindside B
Liam Messam is still too light for test rugby. Adam Thomson and Jerome Kaino provide a nice balance of styles. Read can play six too.
Openside C+
Richie McCaw, then daylight. Tanerau Latimer holds his own, but only just at test level. Karl Lowe still appeals.
Lock A
What a turnaround. Tom Donnelly has established himself at test level, Anthony Boric looks promising, Ali Williams will be back and Brad Thorn is keen to go through till the World Cup. Isaac Ross only just gets a mention and there's a guy called Bryn Evans too.
Props B-
Wyatt Crockett's a mixed bag. John Afoa's there or thereabouts. Neemia Tialata's back. Tony Woodcock was quiet. Owen Franks is a comer. Carl Hayman would fit in nicely.
Hooker B
Andrew Hore is streets ahead. Corey Flynn's solid, but still injury prone. Aled de Malmanche must learn to throw to the lineout. Hika Elliott's lurking and Keven Mealamu is sure to return.
Friday, December 4, 2009
All Blacks sting the blues on a grey day for French rugby Graham Henry's fine tuning to New Zealand's World Cup squad seems to be nearing perfection.
Graham Henry's fine tuning to New Zealand's World Cup squad seems to be nearing perfection.
The All Black volcano that slowly bubbled earlier in the season, suddenly erupted to stunning effect - and softened the pride and arrogance of the French with a devastating 39-12 win.
Buy Barbarians v New Zealand tickets
In a somewhat forgetful trip down memory lane, France did all in their power to agitate the New Zealanders in an unashamed attempt at a ‘Part II’ synopsis of the fateful grey World Cup 2007 strip saga.
Unfortunately for the Paris faithful, and the fact that Les Bleus cheekily reverted to their original lighter shade at the last minute, this time their act of desperation didn’t work.
The All Blacks jogged out in their white jerseys feeling 10ft tall - and it was plain for all to see that a ruthless ‘spirit’ lurking beneath was ready to rumble.
Once again, two-time IRB Player of the Year Richie McCaw led irresistibly from the front as he so often does.
He started by leading another typically passionate rendition of the Haka and with the alternate strip standing out like powerful white tigers, the French knew they were inescapably in for fiery treatment.
They bravely took on the strength of the New Zealand scrum and from the very first engagement took the honours – being awarded a remarkable penalty from the All Blacks scrum feed.
You could understand the pure excitement of burly props Fabien Barcella and Sylvain Marconnet clashing their own heads to celebrate the miracle of a personal victory over the much-vaunted pairing of Tony Woodcock and Neemia Tialata.
Little did they know that Woodcock and Tialata were merely warming up and quietly had a chuckle with a wink of the eye in the background.
The beasts of the All Blacks scrum machine suddenly came alive as the sorry Les Tricolores were taken back to school and had no idea what had hit them.
Blindside flanker Jerome Kaino, who had a sensational game, ignited the demolition with an All Blacks try just before half-time.
It was like a rampaging herd of elephants scattering startled roosters and continued as the renowned natural flair of the New Zealand game finally arrived with exceptionally pleasing results.
Yet, as much as the French are renowned for their flamboyance, they often squandered possession and inexplicably wasted golden opportunities to crack the white line code. Not to mention some big hits that were felt in the stands.
On top of the All Black scrum dominance, France also had no answer to the brilliance of the multi-talented New Zealand backline, standing back in awe as an unbelievable exhibition unfolded before their eyes.
Dan Carter had an excellent game and Conrad Smith, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu were all heavily involved with able support from Ma’a Nonu and Jimmy Cowan.
Cory Jane could be excused for not seeing much ball, but with limited chances he made the most of an awkward pass and set sail for the line and a spectacular individual try.
The ‘fine-tuning’ of the All Blacks’ all-round display was an understatement, as this polished performance will go down as one of the best during Graham Henry’s tenure.
Unfortunately, when tempers boil and frustrations become apparent, France - along with South Africa - are the worst teams in terms of sportsmanship and restraint on the field.
When things don’t go their way, they will bring out the ugliness and thuggery of their game in order to get their own back if they cannot match the scoreboard and that is very disappointing.
Dirty tactics have no place in the game and it is so not surprising that an alleged eye-gouging committed from a French player marred a fantastic physical contest.
It is a brutal reminder that when the All Blacks are on song, no other team can produce the same sublime razzle-dazzle, helter-skelter rugby that we have seen so many times from the world’s most famous sports team.
There are at least half a dozen All Blacks who could arguably be rated as the best in the world in their given positions - openside McCaw and five-eighths Carter, loosehead prop Woodcock, fullback Muliaina, winger Sivivatu, and also perhaps injured lock Ali Williams and hooker Keven Mealamu.
A further frightening aspect for any opponent is the potentially world-class credentials of other players such as centre Conrad Smith, Cowan, Nonu, Luke McAlister, Andrew Hore, veteran lock Brad Thorn, prop Tialata, impressive No.6 Kaino and even forgotten halfback Piri Weepu and another injured player, Richard Kahui.
I still rate powerhouse Sione Lauaki and hope he finds his rhythm to be considered again for the top squad.
Then you have a scary collection of future stars reigned in by future captain Kieran Read, the explosive Jane, excitement machine Zac Guildford, strong-man Owen Franks, sniping Brendon Leonard, elusive Tamati Ellison, the fearless Liam Messam and workaholic Tanerau Latimer.
Most, if not all of these players are in the reckoning for Graham Henry’s World Cup camp, given the fact he had already declared that this was a crucial tour to find out who has what it takes to handle the cauldron of the main event in two years’ time.
For their efforts against England, my own 3-2-1 points system gave the honours to McCaw, Muliaina and Sivivatu respectively
It’s a close call this time after a great team performance, with the points going to Carter (3), McCaw (2), Smith and Muliaina (1 each).
Bring on the Barbarians!
The All Black volcano that slowly bubbled earlier in the season, suddenly erupted to stunning effect - and softened the pride and arrogance of the French with a devastating 39-12 win.
Buy Barbarians v New Zealand tickets
In a somewhat forgetful trip down memory lane, France did all in their power to agitate the New Zealanders in an unashamed attempt at a ‘Part II’ synopsis of the fateful grey World Cup 2007 strip saga.
Unfortunately for the Paris faithful, and the fact that Les Bleus cheekily reverted to their original lighter shade at the last minute, this time their act of desperation didn’t work.
The All Blacks jogged out in their white jerseys feeling 10ft tall - and it was plain for all to see that a ruthless ‘spirit’ lurking beneath was ready to rumble.
Once again, two-time IRB Player of the Year Richie McCaw led irresistibly from the front as he so often does.
He started by leading another typically passionate rendition of the Haka and with the alternate strip standing out like powerful white tigers, the French knew they were inescapably in for fiery treatment.
They bravely took on the strength of the New Zealand scrum and from the very first engagement took the honours – being awarded a remarkable penalty from the All Blacks scrum feed.
You could understand the pure excitement of burly props Fabien Barcella and Sylvain Marconnet clashing their own heads to celebrate the miracle of a personal victory over the much-vaunted pairing of Tony Woodcock and Neemia Tialata.
Little did they know that Woodcock and Tialata were merely warming up and quietly had a chuckle with a wink of the eye in the background.
The beasts of the All Blacks scrum machine suddenly came alive as the sorry Les Tricolores were taken back to school and had no idea what had hit them.
Blindside flanker Jerome Kaino, who had a sensational game, ignited the demolition with an All Blacks try just before half-time.
It was like a rampaging herd of elephants scattering startled roosters and continued as the renowned natural flair of the New Zealand game finally arrived with exceptionally pleasing results.
Yet, as much as the French are renowned for their flamboyance, they often squandered possession and inexplicably wasted golden opportunities to crack the white line code. Not to mention some big hits that were felt in the stands.
On top of the All Black scrum dominance, France also had no answer to the brilliance of the multi-talented New Zealand backline, standing back in awe as an unbelievable exhibition unfolded before their eyes.
Dan Carter had an excellent game and Conrad Smith, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu were all heavily involved with able support from Ma’a Nonu and Jimmy Cowan.
Cory Jane could be excused for not seeing much ball, but with limited chances he made the most of an awkward pass and set sail for the line and a spectacular individual try.
The ‘fine-tuning’ of the All Blacks’ all-round display was an understatement, as this polished performance will go down as one of the best during Graham Henry’s tenure.
Unfortunately, when tempers boil and frustrations become apparent, France - along with South Africa - are the worst teams in terms of sportsmanship and restraint on the field.
When things don’t go their way, they will bring out the ugliness and thuggery of their game in order to get their own back if they cannot match the scoreboard and that is very disappointing.
Dirty tactics have no place in the game and it is so not surprising that an alleged eye-gouging committed from a French player marred a fantastic physical contest.
It is a brutal reminder that when the All Blacks are on song, no other team can produce the same sublime razzle-dazzle, helter-skelter rugby that we have seen so many times from the world’s most famous sports team.
There are at least half a dozen All Blacks who could arguably be rated as the best in the world in their given positions - openside McCaw and five-eighths Carter, loosehead prop Woodcock, fullback Muliaina, winger Sivivatu, and also perhaps injured lock Ali Williams and hooker Keven Mealamu.
A further frightening aspect for any opponent is the potentially world-class credentials of other players such as centre Conrad Smith, Cowan, Nonu, Luke McAlister, Andrew Hore, veteran lock Brad Thorn, prop Tialata, impressive No.6 Kaino and even forgotten halfback Piri Weepu and another injured player, Richard Kahui.
I still rate powerhouse Sione Lauaki and hope he finds his rhythm to be considered again for the top squad.
Then you have a scary collection of future stars reigned in by future captain Kieran Read, the explosive Jane, excitement machine Zac Guildford, strong-man Owen Franks, sniping Brendon Leonard, elusive Tamati Ellison, the fearless Liam Messam and workaholic Tanerau Latimer.
Most, if not all of these players are in the reckoning for Graham Henry’s World Cup camp, given the fact he had already declared that this was a crucial tour to find out who has what it takes to handle the cauldron of the main event in two years’ time.
For their efforts against England, my own 3-2-1 points system gave the honours to McCaw, Muliaina and Sivivatu respectively
It’s a close call this time after a great team performance, with the points going to Carter (3), McCaw (2), Smith and Muliaina (1 each).
Bring on the Barbarians!
All Blacks restore the faith
LAWRENCE SMITH/Fairfax Media
THANKS BOYS: The All Blacks prepare to face France at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille.
All Black v France
Test rugby has the smile back on its face, and it has the All Blacks to thank for that.
As Graham Henry's New Zealand side ran in five tries to finally unleash its attacking arsenal at the Stade Velodrome yesterday, the stunning 39-12 victory over France not only rounded off the autumn test programme in style, but made an emphatic statement about the quality of the fare being served up in the international arena.
Yes, the laws of the game may be deeply flawed, and the match officials given way too much leeway to stamp their mark on proceedings. And, yes, it's deeply ironic that northern hemisphere unions now appear to be backtracking on the much-maligned ELVs, many of which they gave short shift to without even bothering to trial them.
But the All Blacks showed yesterday, with a little help from the French, that if your intent is positive, your skills are at the sharp end of the spectrum and the opposition plays ball, then test rugby can still be a beautiful thing to watch.
The All Blacks were at times poetry in motion as they mercilessly punished les Bleus for their failings. At a juncture when the test game has come under the microscope for its one dimensional and - frankly - boring style, and pundits in this part of the world have been wringing their hands in angst over the diminishing entertainment value, this was just what the doctor ordered.
It's too early to tell whether it's an elixir, or just a temporary tonic, but there was a hefty element of the altruistic about an All Black performance that put the ultimate exclamation point on their season. They finished with six straight test victories, another unbeaten run through the north and their tryline intact for the second straight sweep through Europe.
The All Blacks touched perfection as their forwards laid on a splendid platform up front -- once their scrum steadied from an early French onslaught -- owned the breakdown with the world's best player Richie McCaw in imperious form, and finally unleashed the backline's full fury. Some of their handling was simply sublime.
By the end even the passionate French had been won over, the capacity crowd at the Stade Velodrome rising as one to applaud the white-shirted All Blacks as they trudged off the field. Was it possible rugby was an even bigger winner than les Blacks?
When even a born optimist like Graham Henry admits "there's been some pretty boring stuff over the last year", you know the game has an issue. "It was just good to see two teams wanting to play some attacking rugby," noted the All Blacks coach in a fairly unsubtle dig at what many of his side's opponents brought to the table in 2009.
"I think everyone needed that performance," added standout All Black wing Cory Jane who scored a fine individual try in the second half. "The rugby was pretty flat all year, with not many tries. Everyone loves to see tries, and I guess it was getting pretty boring and everyone was commenting on it.
"To go out there and put in that kind of display, hopefully that's put the spirits up in the rugby world."
Fullback Mils Muliaina, who with his 82nd test cap passed Justin Marshall as second on the all-time appearance list, reckoned it was a sort of rugby perfect storm.
"Everything was just perfect -- the weather, the field, the occasion and leaving the changing-room you just knew something was going to happen tonight. You could see it on the boys' faces.
"We pride ourselves as New Zealanders in ensuring the rugby is healthy, and there had been a little negativity about the whole thing. Hopefully we erased that for the year."
Added the maestro Dan Carter, whose vivacious touches in the pivot contributed mightily to the spectacle: "There's been a lot of tough rugby this year, some reasonably low scores and not many tries, and we've been part of that. As a player it's very satisfying to back yourself that you can play that style of rugby, and for it to come off, we're very pleased.
"It just shows it's possible to go out and score tries which we've been trying to do for a while now."
Ironically the French may have contributed to the comprehensive nature of the defeat by buying into the open style. It is probably not the best way to play the All Blacks. But maybe this was one of those times when there was a greater cause to consider.
The All Blacks' testing tour:
Played 5, won 5, scored 129 points, conceded 55; 10 tries scored; 1 conceded
Best performance: Marseille, by a country mile. The best came last as the balls stuck, the holes were hit and the opposition played their part with some pretty positive intent. A treat to watch.
Best player: Richie McCaw. Nonpareil. Dan Carter may be the most stylish player on the planet, but the All Black No 7 is the most valuable. Never lowered his standards from go to whoa. A living legend.
Biggest improver: Kieran Read. If there was doubt before this trip, there can be none now. Rodney So'oialo's time is over and this skilful Cantab has assumed the No 8 mantle. Seems to be growing with every test and a fine complement to McCaw.
Best stat: Nil. As in tries conceded, for a second straight four-test swing through the north. It may have taken till the very end for the attack to be unshackled, but these guys defended as though their lives depended on it the whole trip. Gutsy.
Best young prospect: Cory Jane. Never has a bad game, has a great attitude and always gets the best out of whatever situation he finds himself in. A modern day Jeff Wilson.
Braveheart: Big Brad Thorn. Before Italy had played every minute of every test. Worn out by tour's end, but kept going till he was finally subbed late against France. There's talk he may retire. Let's hope not.
Best try: No contest. Mils Muliaina's against France. Started from deep. Great hands, vision and pace put Sitiveni Sivivatu away on the left and his inpass found the fullback for the perfect finish. Exhilarating.
Coachwatch: A triumph on several fronts. The job reshuffle worked a treat. The forwards thrived under Henry's old-school approach, Hansen found his calling with the backs and the professor kept the defensive standards sky high. Maybe now they can relax and enjoy themselves a bit more.
THANKS BOYS: The All Blacks prepare to face France at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille.
All Black v France
Test rugby has the smile back on its face, and it has the All Blacks to thank for that.
As Graham Henry's New Zealand side ran in five tries to finally unleash its attacking arsenal at the Stade Velodrome yesterday, the stunning 39-12 victory over France not only rounded off the autumn test programme in style, but made an emphatic statement about the quality of the fare being served up in the international arena.
Yes, the laws of the game may be deeply flawed, and the match officials given way too much leeway to stamp their mark on proceedings. And, yes, it's deeply ironic that northern hemisphere unions now appear to be backtracking on the much-maligned ELVs, many of which they gave short shift to without even bothering to trial them.
But the All Blacks showed yesterday, with a little help from the French, that if your intent is positive, your skills are at the sharp end of the spectrum and the opposition plays ball, then test rugby can still be a beautiful thing to watch.
The All Blacks were at times poetry in motion as they mercilessly punished les Bleus for their failings. At a juncture when the test game has come under the microscope for its one dimensional and - frankly - boring style, and pundits in this part of the world have been wringing their hands in angst over the diminishing entertainment value, this was just what the doctor ordered.
It's too early to tell whether it's an elixir, or just a temporary tonic, but there was a hefty element of the altruistic about an All Black performance that put the ultimate exclamation point on their season. They finished with six straight test victories, another unbeaten run through the north and their tryline intact for the second straight sweep through Europe.
The All Blacks touched perfection as their forwards laid on a splendid platform up front -- once their scrum steadied from an early French onslaught -- owned the breakdown with the world's best player Richie McCaw in imperious form, and finally unleashed the backline's full fury. Some of their handling was simply sublime.
By the end even the passionate French had been won over, the capacity crowd at the Stade Velodrome rising as one to applaud the white-shirted All Blacks as they trudged off the field. Was it possible rugby was an even bigger winner than les Blacks?
When even a born optimist like Graham Henry admits "there's been some pretty boring stuff over the last year", you know the game has an issue. "It was just good to see two teams wanting to play some attacking rugby," noted the All Blacks coach in a fairly unsubtle dig at what many of his side's opponents brought to the table in 2009.
"I think everyone needed that performance," added standout All Black wing Cory Jane who scored a fine individual try in the second half. "The rugby was pretty flat all year, with not many tries. Everyone loves to see tries, and I guess it was getting pretty boring and everyone was commenting on it.
"To go out there and put in that kind of display, hopefully that's put the spirits up in the rugby world."
Fullback Mils Muliaina, who with his 82nd test cap passed Justin Marshall as second on the all-time appearance list, reckoned it was a sort of rugby perfect storm.
"Everything was just perfect -- the weather, the field, the occasion and leaving the changing-room you just knew something was going to happen tonight. You could see it on the boys' faces.
"We pride ourselves as New Zealanders in ensuring the rugby is healthy, and there had been a little negativity about the whole thing. Hopefully we erased that for the year."
Added the maestro Dan Carter, whose vivacious touches in the pivot contributed mightily to the spectacle: "There's been a lot of tough rugby this year, some reasonably low scores and not many tries, and we've been part of that. As a player it's very satisfying to back yourself that you can play that style of rugby, and for it to come off, we're very pleased.
"It just shows it's possible to go out and score tries which we've been trying to do for a while now."
Ironically the French may have contributed to the comprehensive nature of the defeat by buying into the open style. It is probably not the best way to play the All Blacks. But maybe this was one of those times when there was a greater cause to consider.
The All Blacks' testing tour:
Played 5, won 5, scored 129 points, conceded 55; 10 tries scored; 1 conceded
Best performance: Marseille, by a country mile. The best came last as the balls stuck, the holes were hit and the opposition played their part with some pretty positive intent. A treat to watch.
Best player: Richie McCaw. Nonpareil. Dan Carter may be the most stylish player on the planet, but the All Black No 7 is the most valuable. Never lowered his standards from go to whoa. A living legend.
Biggest improver: Kieran Read. If there was doubt before this trip, there can be none now. Rodney So'oialo's time is over and this skilful Cantab has assumed the No 8 mantle. Seems to be growing with every test and a fine complement to McCaw.
Best stat: Nil. As in tries conceded, for a second straight four-test swing through the north. It may have taken till the very end for the attack to be unshackled, but these guys defended as though their lives depended on it the whole trip. Gutsy.
Best young prospect: Cory Jane. Never has a bad game, has a great attitude and always gets the best out of whatever situation he finds himself in. A modern day Jeff Wilson.
Braveheart: Big Brad Thorn. Before Italy had played every minute of every test. Worn out by tour's end, but kept going till he was finally subbed late against France. There's talk he may retire. Let's hope not.
Best try: No contest. Mils Muliaina's against France. Started from deep. Great hands, vision and pace put Sitiveni Sivivatu away on the left and his inpass found the fullback for the perfect finish. Exhilarating.
Coachwatch: A triumph on several fronts. The job reshuffle worked a treat. The forwards thrived under Henry's old-school approach, Hansen found his calling with the backs and the professor kept the defensive standards sky high. Maybe now they can relax and enjoy themselves a bit more.
Performance of the year from All Blacks
By TOBY ROBSON at Stade Velodrome - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 10:41 29/11/2009
Stripped in white, the men in black lifted the darkness that has cast a shadow over rugby union this season with a 39-12 win against France at Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Just when we thought the brilliance of yesteryear had been lost in a sea of rule changes and negative play, along comes the performance of the year.
This was the All Blacks as they sit in our collective memories, their imperious best.
The pace of the ball, the angle of the runners and the speed of the support play had France grasping for breath from the kickoff.
It is hard to remember the last time the All Blacks produced such a complete performance. They didn't drop a ball in the warm ups and it was hard to remember an unforced fumble in the match.
France were reduced to spectators as Richie McCaw and his men thumbed their noses at those who say rugby can no longer be won with ball in hand.
They had spoken of their tiredness before the match, but with the knowledge that the beach towels are a week away they cranked up a gear and surged to the finish line.
If there were two keys to this effort it was first-five Dan Carter's vision and the urgency of the All Blacks attack.
They had talked about their slow reload, the speed with which they set up their next attack, after the England match.
Against France it would have made Billy the Kid proud as players queued up to carry the ball like impatient commuters.
There were four All Blacks lurking as Cory Jane scored their fourth try, the first time they have crossed so many times in a test this season.
Confidence soared as the passes stuck.
Mils Muliaina scored the try of the tour on 24 minutes when France first-five Francois Trinh-Duc's grubber was swept wide by halfback Jimmy Cowan.
Conrad Smith surged, Sitiveni Sivivatu skipped outside David Marty and Muliaina trailed up on the inside to run to the line.
The doubt that blunted Muliaina's instincts earlier in the season was gone, replaced by the certainty of a man who knows where he is going and how he will get there.
The shackles that had gripped the All Blacks all year had been gloriously cast aside.
As his opposite struggled, Carter upped his game to freakish levels. His peripheral vision was putting his teammates into holes.
It was going to take a comeback of 1999 semifinal proportions for the French to escape this vice.
Richie McCaw was immense, Kieran Read was not far behind.
Smith's defensive decision making was impeccable as he came off his line time and again to snuff out the French backs. It was fitting that he scored the final try.
Lock Tom Donnelly must be close to the find of the season, a provincial battler who has more than meets the eye.
If this test was about how far the All Blacks have come this season the first try was a prime example of their progress.
The previously skittery lineout had the faith to throw long to Jerome Kaino and it set up Ma'a Nonu's break and then Sivivatu's try.
The All Blacks were being given yet another stern examination at scrum time, but even there the All Blacks struck the biggest blow.
Kaino got the second try, but Tony Woodcock would have got equal satisfaction after wheeling the French scrum off their own ball.
Random trumpets were blowing from all corners and drum kits were as common as a scarf. The All Blacks all but silenced them all.
France were fishing for a spark, emptying the substitutions with 25 minutes to play.
But today it was no use. Twenty Frenchman would have been powerless to stop this All Blacks side.
By shear will, skill and excellence they breathed life into the international game with a performance that will have restored the faith of even the most jaded New Zealand rugby fan...
Last updated 10:41 29/11/2009
Stripped in white, the men in black lifted the darkness that has cast a shadow over rugby union this season with a 39-12 win against France at Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Just when we thought the brilliance of yesteryear had been lost in a sea of rule changes and negative play, along comes the performance of the year.
This was the All Blacks as they sit in our collective memories, their imperious best.
The pace of the ball, the angle of the runners and the speed of the support play had France grasping for breath from the kickoff.
It is hard to remember the last time the All Blacks produced such a complete performance. They didn't drop a ball in the warm ups and it was hard to remember an unforced fumble in the match.
France were reduced to spectators as Richie McCaw and his men thumbed their noses at those who say rugby can no longer be won with ball in hand.
They had spoken of their tiredness before the match, but with the knowledge that the beach towels are a week away they cranked up a gear and surged to the finish line.
If there were two keys to this effort it was first-five Dan Carter's vision and the urgency of the All Blacks attack.
They had talked about their slow reload, the speed with which they set up their next attack, after the England match.
Against France it would have made Billy the Kid proud as players queued up to carry the ball like impatient commuters.
There were four All Blacks lurking as Cory Jane scored their fourth try, the first time they have crossed so many times in a test this season.
Confidence soared as the passes stuck.
Mils Muliaina scored the try of the tour on 24 minutes when France first-five Francois Trinh-Duc's grubber was swept wide by halfback Jimmy Cowan.
Conrad Smith surged, Sitiveni Sivivatu skipped outside David Marty and Muliaina trailed up on the inside to run to the line.
The doubt that blunted Muliaina's instincts earlier in the season was gone, replaced by the certainty of a man who knows where he is going and how he will get there.
The shackles that had gripped the All Blacks all year had been gloriously cast aside.
As his opposite struggled, Carter upped his game to freakish levels. His peripheral vision was putting his teammates into holes.
It was going to take a comeback of 1999 semifinal proportions for the French to escape this vice.
Richie McCaw was immense, Kieran Read was not far behind.
Smith's defensive decision making was impeccable as he came off his line time and again to snuff out the French backs. It was fitting that he scored the final try.
Lock Tom Donnelly must be close to the find of the season, a provincial battler who has more than meets the eye.
If this test was about how far the All Blacks have come this season the first try was a prime example of their progress.
The previously skittery lineout had the faith to throw long to Jerome Kaino and it set up Ma'a Nonu's break and then Sivivatu's try.
The All Blacks were being given yet another stern examination at scrum time, but even there the All Blacks struck the biggest blow.
Kaino got the second try, but Tony Woodcock would have got equal satisfaction after wheeling the French scrum off their own ball.
Random trumpets were blowing from all corners and drum kits were as common as a scarf. The All Blacks all but silenced them all.
France were fishing for a spark, emptying the substitutions with 25 minutes to play.
But today it was no use. Twenty Frenchman would have been powerless to stop this All Blacks side.
By shear will, skill and excellence they breathed life into the international game with a performance that will have restored the faith of even the most jaded New Zealand rugby fan...
France not a grudge match say All Blacks
By MARC HINTON in Marseille - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 13:44 23/11/2009
All Blacks trounce England
LAWRENCE SMITH/Fairfax Media
NO GRUDGE: Assistant coach Steve Hansen says there is no extra edge to Saturday night's final test of the year.
Related Links
Slideshow: All Blacks v England All Blacks not yet complete package
The All Blacks have arrived in Marseille and have immediately hosed down talk of Saturday's test at the Stade Velodrome being a "grudge match".
Assistant coach Steve Hansen spoke to the New Zealand media shortly after arriving at their hotel on Sunday evening (local time) and told us there was no extra edge to Saturday night's final test of the year, despite the rather compelling storylines.
"They're one of the top sides in the world, and anybody involved in the game likes to play the top teams. But, no [it's not a grudge match], it's just another good side to play. The venues you normally play them in are outstanding, and it's just an enjoyable occasion."
But Hansen is probably just looking to avoid hyping the clash any more than it already will be, with media billing it the "Battle of the Hemispheres" as the form - and unbeaten -- teams from north and south clash on the final weekend of the autumn test series.
Key senior All Blacks Dan Carter and Mils Muliaina have both labelled the showdown the side's "defining" test of the year. In other words, win and the New Zealanders can reflect on a pretty satisfying conclusion to a tough year. Lose, and a fifth defeat for the annum doesn't bear thinking about.
Let's face it, when the All Blacks meet the French there's always a bit on it. They were, after all, the team who sent them crashing out of the World Cup in 1999 and 2007.
Marc Lievremont's side also split a highly competitive June series with the All Blacks, inflicting a rare home defeat in Dunedin.
Hansen said that June stalemate, rather that fanciful notions of World Cup revenge, were the main motivating factors for the All Blacks this weekend.
"We see it as we've played them twice already this year and it's one-all," said the All Blacks backs coach. "We know it's going to be a big occasion, they're playing well, they beat South Africa a couple of weeks ago and now it's our turn to front up. Marseille will be pumping and hopefully so will we."
But Hansen hinted at the excitement in the camp when he said it wouldn't be difficult to cajole one last big effort in their final test of the year.
"There are not too many times you get the opportunity to play an opponent that's beaten you during the year... it is the last test match of what's been a long year, but we've got the opportunity to do something other southern hemisphere teams haven't done, and try to go undefeated."
In terms of the twin June matchups, Hansen said: "They put a lot of pressure on us. Their line speed was very good and they were very physical in Dunedin. But as you remember we probably had about eight or nine leaders out that game, and it was a shock for some of the guys coming out of Super 14 into test rugby.
"Those guys have gone away and learnt, and they're more experienced now. Plus, we've got a lot of the leaders back, so it will be a different kettle of fish here."
It was also interesting to hear Hansen's theory on the All Blacks' continuing attacking struggles, and whether they had to lift their game there. They've managed just one try in each of their last three tests.
"I don't know if we have to lift it, we've just got to get more reward from it," he said, very much adopting the glass half-full view. "Our attacking game at the weekend was as good as it's been for a long time, we just didn't get any reward, and we haven't had many rewards the whole tour.
"I don't know how many times they've gone upstairs and we've not been given the nod there or we've just been one pass short of scoring. That will come though. If you keep knocking on the door somebody's going to eventually let you in."
There was also a not so subtle attempt to put some pressure on the French when Hansen was asked whether he though Lievremont was building something special.
"They've certainly got some quality players, but as we've found out it's not about building something, it's about what you've got right at the moment. So the expectation is we play well, and I guess the same is on them now."
The All Blacks arrived into Marseille with a fully fit squad, with no major strains picked up out of the bruising encounter against England, won 19-6.
Selection wise it will be the strongest possible team sent out on Saturday, befitting the test's billing. That will see Neemia Tialata return at tighthead prop and possibly Cory Jane for Zac Guildford on the right wing.
But as Hansen spoke about the "experienced" guys getting another run and not dismissing "one or two changes" he indicated that the wing was one of their chief puzzlers. "
"Who's our top two wingers?" he asked. "The two boys on Saturday played really well, and there have been guys who played well prior to that. There are some headaches there selection wise but they're good headaches."
Last updated 13:44 23/11/2009
All Blacks trounce England
LAWRENCE SMITH/Fairfax Media
NO GRUDGE: Assistant coach Steve Hansen says there is no extra edge to Saturday night's final test of the year.
Related Links
Slideshow: All Blacks v England All Blacks not yet complete package
The All Blacks have arrived in Marseille and have immediately hosed down talk of Saturday's test at the Stade Velodrome being a "grudge match".
Assistant coach Steve Hansen spoke to the New Zealand media shortly after arriving at their hotel on Sunday evening (local time) and told us there was no extra edge to Saturday night's final test of the year, despite the rather compelling storylines.
"They're one of the top sides in the world, and anybody involved in the game likes to play the top teams. But, no [it's not a grudge match], it's just another good side to play. The venues you normally play them in are outstanding, and it's just an enjoyable occasion."
But Hansen is probably just looking to avoid hyping the clash any more than it already will be, with media billing it the "Battle of the Hemispheres" as the form - and unbeaten -- teams from north and south clash on the final weekend of the autumn test series.
Key senior All Blacks Dan Carter and Mils Muliaina have both labelled the showdown the side's "defining" test of the year. In other words, win and the New Zealanders can reflect on a pretty satisfying conclusion to a tough year. Lose, and a fifth defeat for the annum doesn't bear thinking about.
Let's face it, when the All Blacks meet the French there's always a bit on it. They were, after all, the team who sent them crashing out of the World Cup in 1999 and 2007.
Marc Lievremont's side also split a highly competitive June series with the All Blacks, inflicting a rare home defeat in Dunedin.
Hansen said that June stalemate, rather that fanciful notions of World Cup revenge, were the main motivating factors for the All Blacks this weekend.
"We see it as we've played them twice already this year and it's one-all," said the All Blacks backs coach. "We know it's going to be a big occasion, they're playing well, they beat South Africa a couple of weeks ago and now it's our turn to front up. Marseille will be pumping and hopefully so will we."
But Hansen hinted at the excitement in the camp when he said it wouldn't be difficult to cajole one last big effort in their final test of the year.
"There are not too many times you get the opportunity to play an opponent that's beaten you during the year... it is the last test match of what's been a long year, but we've got the opportunity to do something other southern hemisphere teams haven't done, and try to go undefeated."
In terms of the twin June matchups, Hansen said: "They put a lot of pressure on us. Their line speed was very good and they were very physical in Dunedin. But as you remember we probably had about eight or nine leaders out that game, and it was a shock for some of the guys coming out of Super 14 into test rugby.
"Those guys have gone away and learnt, and they're more experienced now. Plus, we've got a lot of the leaders back, so it will be a different kettle of fish here."
It was also interesting to hear Hansen's theory on the All Blacks' continuing attacking struggles, and whether they had to lift their game there. They've managed just one try in each of their last three tests.
"I don't know if we have to lift it, we've just got to get more reward from it," he said, very much adopting the glass half-full view. "Our attacking game at the weekend was as good as it's been for a long time, we just didn't get any reward, and we haven't had many rewards the whole tour.
"I don't know how many times they've gone upstairs and we've not been given the nod there or we've just been one pass short of scoring. That will come though. If you keep knocking on the door somebody's going to eventually let you in."
There was also a not so subtle attempt to put some pressure on the French when Hansen was asked whether he though Lievremont was building something special.
"They've certainly got some quality players, but as we've found out it's not about building something, it's about what you've got right at the moment. So the expectation is we play well, and I guess the same is on them now."
The All Blacks arrived into Marseille with a fully fit squad, with no major strains picked up out of the bruising encounter against England, won 19-6.
Selection wise it will be the strongest possible team sent out on Saturday, befitting the test's billing. That will see Neemia Tialata return at tighthead prop and possibly Cory Jane for Zac Guildford on the right wing.
But as Hansen spoke about the "experienced" guys getting another run and not dismissing "one or two changes" he indicated that the wing was one of their chief puzzlers. "
"Who's our top two wingers?" he asked. "The two boys on Saturday played really well, and there have been guys who played well prior to that. There are some headaches there selection wise but they're good headaches."
All Blacks not yet complete package
By TOBY ROBSON in London - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 05:00 23/11/2009
LAWRENCE SMITH/Stuff.co.nz
DOTTING DOWN: The All Blacks created several try-scoring chances but halfback Jimmy Cowan was the only one to touch down against England.
At last the All Blacks are creating tries, but in order to gain the redemption they crave, the class of 2009 must start scoring them.
They have become a very good team. They have a great defence. Yet as they trudged off Twickenham yesterday they reflected again on the missing link.
This side lacks the killer blow of a truly world-class side and it knows it. It is why a subdued mood prevailed in the team changing room after its 19-6 win over England.
"We're not far away. We're not quite over the hump, but we can feel it coming," halfback Jimmy Cowan said before succumbing to one of his brutally honest appraisals.
"It's not a happy changing-room at the moment. We thought we could play a lot better. We'll move forward and put this behind us and look forward to Marseille.
"But I tend to be saying the same thing week-in week-out to you guys, saying we are close but not quite reaching it."
It was another solid effort, perhaps a step up from Wales, but All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and his men know they again failed to deliver the killer blow.
Great sides go for the jugular when they sense they are on top. Tries are scored when on offer, line breaks are turned into tries.
England, like Wales in Cardiff, should have been put away.
Mils Muliaina should have finished in the corner. Zac Guildford should have turned the pass inside after catching Carter's crosskick and Conrad Smith likewise, after Muliaina's electric second-half break.
The All Blacks will not be considered, or consider themselves, a complete team till they convert their opportunities.
There were positives and negatives to come out of their latest effort. Most encouraging was a renewed confidence to counter-attack.
The back three of Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Guildford had their best tests of the year. Kick high and hope was replaced by a willingness to move the ball to the space and back up, and it blunted the effectiveness of England's kicking game.
This test was no thrill-fest, but it boded well for the future of the game as a spectacle. There were also signs the All Blacks have the ability to change their game plan within a test match.
Against England they did it several times. The attack was widened after an early assault round the fringes failed, and in the second half they went to the pick and go when England fanned their defence against their width.
The negatives were the inability to get clean ball. Cowan often had unwanted attention from the English pack as he tried to pass and too much ball continues to bobble from the back of rucks.
It should be noted that England fronted physically to their challenge and even attempted to play some rugby in the first half.
But ultimately, they simply lacked the creativity to threaten the All Blacks line and never looked like winning.
France will not carry such lowly ambition this weekend in Marseille. Nor will the All Blacks.
For them it will be the last chance to put their frustrations to rest.
They can gain revenge for the early season loss in Christchurch and keep their unbeaten tour record intact.
More importantly though, they might walk off the field without the nagging feeling they have played well, but not to their true potential.
The Big Questions
WHERE WAS IT WON? The All Blacks simply shut England out of the match, while they had more imagination on attack. Only one try, but plenty of chances created meant it never really felt like England were a chance.
WHERE WAS IT LOST? England lacked ideas on attack. For all their bulk they had the subtlety of a sledgehammer and were easy pickings for the All Blacks defensive line. Kiwi hooker Dylan Hartley didn't help his side with lineout throwing that would have made a pretzel look straight.
WHO PLAYED WELL? The All Blacks' back three of Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford and Sitiveni Sivivatu were a constant threat and made England reluctant to kick. Richie McCaw had a big match at the breakdown, No8 Kieran Read was heavily involved early in the match and Brad Thorn tackled his heart out. Special mention for referee Jonathan Kaplan, who controlled the match with aplomb. Hardly a scrum was reset.
WHO NEEDS TO IMPROVE? Loosehead prop Tony Woodcock had a quiet match round the field and there were also a couple of shaky scrums from the All Blacks. Jimmy Cowan scored the only try of the match, but will be disappointed he got caught with the ball around the rucks at times and with some of his clearing kicks.
Last updated 05:00 23/11/2009
LAWRENCE SMITH/Stuff.co.nz
DOTTING DOWN: The All Blacks created several try-scoring chances but halfback Jimmy Cowan was the only one to touch down against England.
At last the All Blacks are creating tries, but in order to gain the redemption they crave, the class of 2009 must start scoring them.
They have become a very good team. They have a great defence. Yet as they trudged off Twickenham yesterday they reflected again on the missing link.
This side lacks the killer blow of a truly world-class side and it knows it. It is why a subdued mood prevailed in the team changing room after its 19-6 win over England.
"We're not far away. We're not quite over the hump, but we can feel it coming," halfback Jimmy Cowan said before succumbing to one of his brutally honest appraisals.
"It's not a happy changing-room at the moment. We thought we could play a lot better. We'll move forward and put this behind us and look forward to Marseille.
"But I tend to be saying the same thing week-in week-out to you guys, saying we are close but not quite reaching it."
It was another solid effort, perhaps a step up from Wales, but All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and his men know they again failed to deliver the killer blow.
Great sides go for the jugular when they sense they are on top. Tries are scored when on offer, line breaks are turned into tries.
England, like Wales in Cardiff, should have been put away.
Mils Muliaina should have finished in the corner. Zac Guildford should have turned the pass inside after catching Carter's crosskick and Conrad Smith likewise, after Muliaina's electric second-half break.
The All Blacks will not be considered, or consider themselves, a complete team till they convert their opportunities.
There were positives and negatives to come out of their latest effort. Most encouraging was a renewed confidence to counter-attack.
The back three of Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Guildford had their best tests of the year. Kick high and hope was replaced by a willingness to move the ball to the space and back up, and it blunted the effectiveness of England's kicking game.
This test was no thrill-fest, but it boded well for the future of the game as a spectacle. There were also signs the All Blacks have the ability to change their game plan within a test match.
Against England they did it several times. The attack was widened after an early assault round the fringes failed, and in the second half they went to the pick and go when England fanned their defence against their width.
The negatives were the inability to get clean ball. Cowan often had unwanted attention from the English pack as he tried to pass and too much ball continues to bobble from the back of rucks.
It should be noted that England fronted physically to their challenge and even attempted to play some rugby in the first half.
But ultimately, they simply lacked the creativity to threaten the All Blacks line and never looked like winning.
France will not carry such lowly ambition this weekend in Marseille. Nor will the All Blacks.
For them it will be the last chance to put their frustrations to rest.
They can gain revenge for the early season loss in Christchurch and keep their unbeaten tour record intact.
More importantly though, they might walk off the field without the nagging feeling they have played well, but not to their true potential.
The Big Questions
WHERE WAS IT WON? The All Blacks simply shut England out of the match, while they had more imagination on attack. Only one try, but plenty of chances created meant it never really felt like England were a chance.
WHERE WAS IT LOST? England lacked ideas on attack. For all their bulk they had the subtlety of a sledgehammer and were easy pickings for the All Blacks defensive line. Kiwi hooker Dylan Hartley didn't help his side with lineout throwing that would have made a pretzel look straight.
WHO PLAYED WELL? The All Blacks' back three of Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford and Sitiveni Sivivatu were a constant threat and made England reluctant to kick. Richie McCaw had a big match at the breakdown, No8 Kieran Read was heavily involved early in the match and Brad Thorn tackled his heart out. Special mention for referee Jonathan Kaplan, who controlled the match with aplomb. Hardly a scrum was reset.
WHO NEEDS TO IMPROVE? Loosehead prop Tony Woodcock had a quiet match round the field and there were also a couple of shaky scrums from the All Blacks. Jimmy Cowan scored the only try of the match, but will be disappointed he got caught with the ball around the rucks at times and with some of his clearing kicks.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sloppy All Blacks struggle past Italy
By MARC HINTON in Milan - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 05:12 15/11/2009
The occasion was delicious, the rugby atrocious as the All Blacks – very much playing second fiddle to their round-ball cousins this weekend – completed another less than satisfying test victory over Italy today at the San Siro.
The 80,000 fans who packed this wonderful stadium deserved a spectacle, but unfortunately Graham Henry's second-string All Blacks couldn't deliver one as they muddled their way to a 20-6 victory. It was, in many ways, the horror show of Christchurch revisited as the New Zealanders won the second half just 6-3, and could manage just one try in 80 minutes of rugby.
What is it about the Azzurri that seems to upset the rhythm of these All Blacks? There was a day when the New Zealanders only had to see the blue jersey of Italy and 70 points were raised on the scoreboard. This year it's been like wading through mud playing them.
Still, given that the All Blacks made 12 changes and a positional switch to their top lineup, and that most of these boys hadn't played in close to a month, maybe the disjointed performance should not have surprised.
But the performance would certainly have disappointed the coaches who put the acid on some of these fringe All Blacks to deliver. Collectively they patently failed to meet that challenge.
You have to say that if these are the guys supposedly pushing the top lineup, then there's not a heck of a lot of pressure on the big boys. It's hard to think of an All Blacks who advanced his cause on the basis of this.
The New Zealand scrum was monstered – and that's probably being kind to the backtracking black eight – and their work at the breakdown and in clearing what little ball they could get their hands on was sloppy.
Halfback Andy Ellis had a nightmare dealing with an arriving troupe of Italians about the same time as he received ball most of the game. Mike Delany had an inauspicious debut, and it was not a day for the outside backs to shine with such limited possession.
It was fitting really that the All Blacks ended the match pinned on their own line with the Azzurri camped in their red zone as they attacked from a series of scrums. Prop Neemia Tialata had been sinbinned for one to many infringements at the set piece and all you could say on the positive side was that the black defence held out under all kinds of pressure.
Still, maybe it was right that the Azzurri made the All Blacks look like plodders. The world's turned on its head, after all.
The All Whites climb their football Everest at a rugby stadium in Wellington a world away, and here are the All Blacks carving their own slice of rugby history at one of the world's great football stadiums in Milan.
It was the biggest crowd, by nearly double, to ever have watched a rugby match in this country and it was, we were told, a record attendance for the San Siro which had sold out every one of its 80,000-plus seats long ago.
The All Blacks led 14-3 at the end of a fairly undistinguished first half that featured just one try and little in the way of free-flowing, constructive rugby.
The Italians, well organised and committed on defence, didn't give much away but there was a distinct second-rate look about the second-string All Blacks through the first 40. They struggled for fluency off the set phases – especially at scrum where Wyatt Crockett had his moments – and looked like a combination that had never played together before.
Their best moment came around the 26-minute mark, soon after Sitiveni Sivivatu, Luke McAlister and Corey Flynn had featured in a promising sort of breakout from deep.
Off a handily placed scrum the All Blacks probed right, then won quick phase ball off a McAlister dab and good hands from Sivivatu saw Flynn over in the left corner for just his second test try to mark his first start at this level since 2003.
But that was pretty much that for the half. McAlister added a late penalty to go with his two earlier three-pointers, and the All Blacks went into the sheds with a buffer, but no sort of comfort zone. Like Christchurch in June, some stern words surely awaited them from the coaching staff.
The Italians were committed and aggressive on defence, but they continue to show such a lack of adventure when they do secure ball that you wonder about their mindset. They must surely know to ever win these big tests they are going to have to score more than a handful of points.
For these guys, though, it's clearly about respectability against a foe like the All Blacks, and their second-half effort, when they limited the New Zealanders to one or two half-chances, and precious little else, certainly did that.
No 8 Sergio Parisse led the Italians magnificently and the big front row won their battle hands down. Their defence was excellent too as the home side revelled in the arm-wrestle nature of this contest.
No All Blacks should be happy with their efforts. Ben Smith shook off a handling error with his first touch to come through a tough debut well and Sivivatu and McAlister showed glimpses of their class.
But it was a real struggle for the All Blacks up front, and as such their game never got out of second gear. It's one of those matches, from a New Zealand perspective, best filed in the ''never-to-be-watched-again'' basket.
Not so for the hosts. It was a day of celebration for Italian rugby as it drew the biggest attendance ever to a rugby match. And it ended with the applause very much ringing for a gallant, if limited, Azzurri side.
Italy 6 (Craig Gower 2 pens), New Zealand 20 (Corey Flynn try; Luke McAlister 5 pens). Ht: 3-14.
Last updated 05:12 15/11/2009
The occasion was delicious, the rugby atrocious as the All Blacks – very much playing second fiddle to their round-ball cousins this weekend – completed another less than satisfying test victory over Italy today at the San Siro.
The 80,000 fans who packed this wonderful stadium deserved a spectacle, but unfortunately Graham Henry's second-string All Blacks couldn't deliver one as they muddled their way to a 20-6 victory. It was, in many ways, the horror show of Christchurch revisited as the New Zealanders won the second half just 6-3, and could manage just one try in 80 minutes of rugby.
What is it about the Azzurri that seems to upset the rhythm of these All Blacks? There was a day when the New Zealanders only had to see the blue jersey of Italy and 70 points were raised on the scoreboard. This year it's been like wading through mud playing them.
Still, given that the All Blacks made 12 changes and a positional switch to their top lineup, and that most of these boys hadn't played in close to a month, maybe the disjointed performance should not have surprised.
But the performance would certainly have disappointed the coaches who put the acid on some of these fringe All Blacks to deliver. Collectively they patently failed to meet that challenge.
You have to say that if these are the guys supposedly pushing the top lineup, then there's not a heck of a lot of pressure on the big boys. It's hard to think of an All Blacks who advanced his cause on the basis of this.
The New Zealand scrum was monstered – and that's probably being kind to the backtracking black eight – and their work at the breakdown and in clearing what little ball they could get their hands on was sloppy.
Halfback Andy Ellis had a nightmare dealing with an arriving troupe of Italians about the same time as he received ball most of the game. Mike Delany had an inauspicious debut, and it was not a day for the outside backs to shine with such limited possession.
It was fitting really that the All Blacks ended the match pinned on their own line with the Azzurri camped in their red zone as they attacked from a series of scrums. Prop Neemia Tialata had been sinbinned for one to many infringements at the set piece and all you could say on the positive side was that the black defence held out under all kinds of pressure.
Still, maybe it was right that the Azzurri made the All Blacks look like plodders. The world's turned on its head, after all.
The All Whites climb their football Everest at a rugby stadium in Wellington a world away, and here are the All Blacks carving their own slice of rugby history at one of the world's great football stadiums in Milan.
It was the biggest crowd, by nearly double, to ever have watched a rugby match in this country and it was, we were told, a record attendance for the San Siro which had sold out every one of its 80,000-plus seats long ago.
The All Blacks led 14-3 at the end of a fairly undistinguished first half that featured just one try and little in the way of free-flowing, constructive rugby.
The Italians, well organised and committed on defence, didn't give much away but there was a distinct second-rate look about the second-string All Blacks through the first 40. They struggled for fluency off the set phases – especially at scrum where Wyatt Crockett had his moments – and looked like a combination that had never played together before.
Their best moment came around the 26-minute mark, soon after Sitiveni Sivivatu, Luke McAlister and Corey Flynn had featured in a promising sort of breakout from deep.
Off a handily placed scrum the All Blacks probed right, then won quick phase ball off a McAlister dab and good hands from Sivivatu saw Flynn over in the left corner for just his second test try to mark his first start at this level since 2003.
But that was pretty much that for the half. McAlister added a late penalty to go with his two earlier three-pointers, and the All Blacks went into the sheds with a buffer, but no sort of comfort zone. Like Christchurch in June, some stern words surely awaited them from the coaching staff.
The Italians were committed and aggressive on defence, but they continue to show such a lack of adventure when they do secure ball that you wonder about their mindset. They must surely know to ever win these big tests they are going to have to score more than a handful of points.
For these guys, though, it's clearly about respectability against a foe like the All Blacks, and their second-half effort, when they limited the New Zealanders to one or two half-chances, and precious little else, certainly did that.
No 8 Sergio Parisse led the Italians magnificently and the big front row won their battle hands down. Their defence was excellent too as the home side revelled in the arm-wrestle nature of this contest.
No All Blacks should be happy with their efforts. Ben Smith shook off a handling error with his first touch to come through a tough debut well and Sivivatu and McAlister showed glimpses of their class.
But it was a real struggle for the All Blacks up front, and as such their game never got out of second gear. It's one of those matches, from a New Zealand perspective, best filed in the ''never-to-be-watched-again'' basket.
Not so for the hosts. It was a day of celebration for Italian rugby as it drew the biggest attendance ever to a rugby match. And it ended with the applause very much ringing for a gallant, if limited, Azzurri side.
Italy 6 (Craig Gower 2 pens), New Zealand 20 (Corey Flynn try; Luke McAlister 5 pens). Ht: 3-14.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
All Blacks call-up gun rookie
Marc Hinton, www.stuff.co.nz | November 5, 2009 - 11:13AM
All Blacks coach Graham Henry says he means "no disrespect" to Wales with his experimental lineup named today featuring six changes to the XV that started the last test in Tokyo.
There's a Test debut for Zac Guildford, a surprise promotion for Jason Eaton and a reprieve for Jerome Kaino among Henry's surprisingly new-look lineup to meet a buoyant Welsh outfit here at the Millennium Stadium.
There's also a chance for Brendon Leonard at halfback, a second test cap for Canterbury prop Wyatt Crockett and a return to No 8 for Kieran Read.
Also the injured Dan Carter, who sat out the All Blacks' first full training run in Neath, has been included subject to his calf haematoma healing in time. The classy five-eighth will be given as long as he needs to prove his fitness.
Henry and his fellow coaches have been consistent on this trip preaching a line that they aim to find out if certain players are good enough to remain on the test scene - and to that end they need to play them to discover the hard truth.
In that respect the coaches have been true to their word.
Two of the changes, of course, were forced by the suspensions of wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Tony Woodcock, but four aren't, and considering that this is just second game in and the All Blacks are coming off an accomplished performance against Australia, that's an uncharacteristically high number.
"We've selected a strong side," said Henry. "The policy on this tour is to give everybody an opportunity. We need to know if all these players are up to international standard and they get opportunities to prove that.
"We're using this game for one or two of those question marks. We know we're in for a big game. It was a big game last year and it's the same this year.
"It is no disrespect to Wales... let's try to make that very clear. It's a very strong side.
"It's a selection going forward and it gives this group of players an opportunity to say 'I'm an international footballer of quality'. We can't judge them unless they play."
Starting up front, towering Canterbury loosehead prop Crockett will earn just his second test cap in the absence of Woodcock, where he'll get a crack at Welsh "bolter" Paul James at scrum time. "He's done a huge apprenticeship, he's played very well at the level below, and is a senior player in the Crusaders pack which is pretty dominant," said Henry.
Perhaps the surprise choice of the lot is in the second row where Tom Donnelly's impressive start in test rugby hits a speed bump, and he swaps places with hirsute Taranaki lock Jason Eaton who gets his first test start since August 19, 2006.
All four of Eaton's test appearances this year have been off the bench and the Welsh test will represent just a fifth start in 15 international appearances.
Donnelly could be considered unlucky after two impressive tests in which he played a major part in addressing the team's lineout problems, but Eaton very much comes into the category of "player on trial" as the coaches put the pressure on him to match the Otago lock's efforts.
"Jason's been on the fringe of international rugby for a long time," added Henry. "He needs an opportunity to prove to us he's a top quality international player."
There are two changes in the loose trio, and neither of them are massive surprises. Jerome Kaino replaces Otago's Adam Thomson on the blindside flank, with this selection also about giving a seasoned player his chance to impress, while Kieran Read is back at No 8 after veteran Rodney So'oialo got the nod in Tokyo.
The versatile Thomson has very much usurped Kaino as the first-choice No 6, but this represents Kaino's chance to shout out "don't forget me" among the cacophony at the Millennium.
Read is restored to the position he held for the second half of the Tri-Nations and the solid Cantab has a further chance to underline his status as the squad's top back-of-the-scrum man.
At halfback Brendon Leonard takes over from Jimmy Cowan in another of those selections aimed squarely at giving a down-on-form player a chance to remind the coaches of his class. No pressure, Brendon.
Perhaps the most predictable change of all is also the most exciting one out on the left wing, where gifted young Magpies flyer Zac Guildford earns what should be a memorable, and emotional, test debut at the tender age of 20.
He will go head to head against Welsh 20-year-old marvel Leigh Halfpenny, the player who said this week the time when players were in awe of the All Blacks "has gone".
Henry said Guildford was "pretty excited" by the opportunity to crown his dramatic rugby year with his first test cap.
"He's had his challenges during the year, he's met them well, he's used them as motivation and he's achieved a goals earlier than he'd expecyed I'd imagine," said Henry.
Otago's Ben Smith will also make his test debut if he's required off the bench.
NEW ZEALAND: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Brendon Leonard; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Jason Eaton, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Tom Donnelly, Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Ben Smith.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry says he means "no disrespect" to Wales with his experimental lineup named today featuring six changes to the XV that started the last test in Tokyo.
There's a Test debut for Zac Guildford, a surprise promotion for Jason Eaton and a reprieve for Jerome Kaino among Henry's surprisingly new-look lineup to meet a buoyant Welsh outfit here at the Millennium Stadium.
There's also a chance for Brendon Leonard at halfback, a second test cap for Canterbury prop Wyatt Crockett and a return to No 8 for Kieran Read.
Also the injured Dan Carter, who sat out the All Blacks' first full training run in Neath, has been included subject to his calf haematoma healing in time. The classy five-eighth will be given as long as he needs to prove his fitness.
Henry and his fellow coaches have been consistent on this trip preaching a line that they aim to find out if certain players are good enough to remain on the test scene - and to that end they need to play them to discover the hard truth.
In that respect the coaches have been true to their word.
Two of the changes, of course, were forced by the suspensions of wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Tony Woodcock, but four aren't, and considering that this is just second game in and the All Blacks are coming off an accomplished performance against Australia, that's an uncharacteristically high number.
"We've selected a strong side," said Henry. "The policy on this tour is to give everybody an opportunity. We need to know if all these players are up to international standard and they get opportunities to prove that.
"We're using this game for one or two of those question marks. We know we're in for a big game. It was a big game last year and it's the same this year.
"It is no disrespect to Wales... let's try to make that very clear. It's a very strong side.
"It's a selection going forward and it gives this group of players an opportunity to say 'I'm an international footballer of quality'. We can't judge them unless they play."
Starting up front, towering Canterbury loosehead prop Crockett will earn just his second test cap in the absence of Woodcock, where he'll get a crack at Welsh "bolter" Paul James at scrum time. "He's done a huge apprenticeship, he's played very well at the level below, and is a senior player in the Crusaders pack which is pretty dominant," said Henry.
Perhaps the surprise choice of the lot is in the second row where Tom Donnelly's impressive start in test rugby hits a speed bump, and he swaps places with hirsute Taranaki lock Jason Eaton who gets his first test start since August 19, 2006.
All four of Eaton's test appearances this year have been off the bench and the Welsh test will represent just a fifth start in 15 international appearances.
Donnelly could be considered unlucky after two impressive tests in which he played a major part in addressing the team's lineout problems, but Eaton very much comes into the category of "player on trial" as the coaches put the pressure on him to match the Otago lock's efforts.
"Jason's been on the fringe of international rugby for a long time," added Henry. "He needs an opportunity to prove to us he's a top quality international player."
There are two changes in the loose trio, and neither of them are massive surprises. Jerome Kaino replaces Otago's Adam Thomson on the blindside flank, with this selection also about giving a seasoned player his chance to impress, while Kieran Read is back at No 8 after veteran Rodney So'oialo got the nod in Tokyo.
The versatile Thomson has very much usurped Kaino as the first-choice No 6, but this represents Kaino's chance to shout out "don't forget me" among the cacophony at the Millennium.
Read is restored to the position he held for the second half of the Tri-Nations and the solid Cantab has a further chance to underline his status as the squad's top back-of-the-scrum man.
At halfback Brendon Leonard takes over from Jimmy Cowan in another of those selections aimed squarely at giving a down-on-form player a chance to remind the coaches of his class. No pressure, Brendon.
Perhaps the most predictable change of all is also the most exciting one out on the left wing, where gifted young Magpies flyer Zac Guildford earns what should be a memorable, and emotional, test debut at the tender age of 20.
He will go head to head against Welsh 20-year-old marvel Leigh Halfpenny, the player who said this week the time when players were in awe of the All Blacks "has gone".
Henry said Guildford was "pretty excited" by the opportunity to crown his dramatic rugby year with his first test cap.
"He's had his challenges during the year, he's met them well, he's used them as motivation and he's achieved a goals earlier than he'd expecyed I'd imagine," said Henry.
Otago's Ben Smith will also make his test debut if he's required off the bench.
NEW ZEALAND: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Zac Guildford, Dan Carter, Brendon Leonard; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Jason Eaton, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Tom Donnelly, Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Ben Smith.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
4th Bledisloe Test in Japan
All Blacks
Story by: ARU
Graham Henry expects strong performances from both sides
15. Mils Muliaina
14. Cory Jane
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Dan Carter
9. Jimmy Cowan
8. Rodney So’oialo
7. Richie McCaw – Captain
6. Adam Thomson
5. Tom Donnelly
4. Brad Thorn
3. Neemia Tialata
2. Andrew Hore
1. Tony Woodcock
16. Corey Flynn
17. John Afoa
18. Jason Eaton
19. Kieran Read
20. Brendon Leonard
21. Stephen Donald
22. Tamati Ellison
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has made three changes to the starting XV from the side which beat Australia in Wellington last month.
60-Test All Blacks veteran Rodney So’oialo returns to the number eight spot, with Kieran Read moving onto the bench, while in the backs Sitiveni Sivivatu and Conrad Smith have returned from injury to take their positions on the left wing and centre respectively. On the bench, Corey Flynn comes in as reserve hooker, with the uncapped Tamati Ellison covering the outside backs.
The team will again be captained by Richie McCaw, who will be playing in his 77th Test.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said the side’s historic first-ever Bledisloe Cup Test in Japan would be another massive challenge between two great rugby rivals.
“Both sides will be looking to kick off their respective tours with a strong performance so, as always, we are expecting there to be a lot of intensity and a real edge to this Test,” he said.
Henry said the All Blacks were also enjoying the Test build-up in Tokyo.
“We have been welcomed with open arms by the Japanese people and the team is certainly enjoying the hospitality and culture here and looking forward to playing in front of the Japanese fans.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Carter has scored 185 points against Australia and is closing in on Andrew Mehrtens’ record of 202 points.
Courtesy NZRU
Australia v New Zealand – Historical Notes
• The Bledisloe Cup was donated by the then Governor General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe, for competition between the two countries in 1931.
• Australia won the trophy for the first time in 1934, beating New Zealand 25-11 in Sydney.
• This is just the second Bledisloe Cup Test, and the third game between Australia and New Zealand overall, to have been played on neutral territory. Australia beat New Zealand 16-6 at Dublin in Ireland in a 1991 Rugby World Cup semi-final. The All Blacks then beat Australia 19-14 during last year’s historic Bledisloe Cup tie in Hong Kong.
• Matt Giteau has scored 32 points from three appearances against the All Blacks this year, which has taken his career tally to 93 from 16 games. Should he score the seven he needs to raise 100 against New Zealand in Tokyo, the 27-year-old will become just the fourth player in history (& the third Australian) to surpass a century of points against the All Blacks. He would also complete a notable career double; having earlier this year become just the seventh player from any country to have surpassed a century of points in Tests against South Africa.
• Giteau also needs just one conversion to tie the record for the most by any player against New Zealand – which stands at 16 held by South African Percy Montgomery. Giteau has kicked the last 13 of his conversions against the All Blacks in succession.
• If he takes the field from the run on reserves bench, George Smith will be playing his 24th Test against the All Blacks. This would move him beyond Tim Horan, and into outright 3rd, in terms of the most caps achieved by any player against the All Blacks. Only two players from any country – and they are both Australians: David Campese (29) and George Gregan (27) – have played more Tests against New Zealand.
Story by: ARU
Graham Henry expects strong performances from both sides
15. Mils Muliaina
14. Cory Jane
13. Conrad Smith
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Dan Carter
9. Jimmy Cowan
8. Rodney So’oialo
7. Richie McCaw – Captain
6. Adam Thomson
5. Tom Donnelly
4. Brad Thorn
3. Neemia Tialata
2. Andrew Hore
1. Tony Woodcock
16. Corey Flynn
17. John Afoa
18. Jason Eaton
19. Kieran Read
20. Brendon Leonard
21. Stephen Donald
22. Tamati Ellison
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has made three changes to the starting XV from the side which beat Australia in Wellington last month.
60-Test All Blacks veteran Rodney So’oialo returns to the number eight spot, with Kieran Read moving onto the bench, while in the backs Sitiveni Sivivatu and Conrad Smith have returned from injury to take their positions on the left wing and centre respectively. On the bench, Corey Flynn comes in as reserve hooker, with the uncapped Tamati Ellison covering the outside backs.
The team will again be captained by Richie McCaw, who will be playing in his 77th Test.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said the side’s historic first-ever Bledisloe Cup Test in Japan would be another massive challenge between two great rugby rivals.
“Both sides will be looking to kick off their respective tours with a strong performance so, as always, we are expecting there to be a lot of intensity and a real edge to this Test,” he said.
Henry said the All Blacks were also enjoying the Test build-up in Tokyo.
“We have been welcomed with open arms by the Japanese people and the team is certainly enjoying the hospitality and culture here and looking forward to playing in front of the Japanese fans.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Carter has scored 185 points against Australia and is closing in on Andrew Mehrtens’ record of 202 points.
Courtesy NZRU
Australia v New Zealand – Historical Notes
• The Bledisloe Cup was donated by the then Governor General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe, for competition between the two countries in 1931.
• Australia won the trophy for the first time in 1934, beating New Zealand 25-11 in Sydney.
• This is just the second Bledisloe Cup Test, and the third game between Australia and New Zealand overall, to have been played on neutral territory. Australia beat New Zealand 16-6 at Dublin in Ireland in a 1991 Rugby World Cup semi-final. The All Blacks then beat Australia 19-14 during last year’s historic Bledisloe Cup tie in Hong Kong.
• Matt Giteau has scored 32 points from three appearances against the All Blacks this year, which has taken his career tally to 93 from 16 games. Should he score the seven he needs to raise 100 against New Zealand in Tokyo, the 27-year-old will become just the fourth player in history (& the third Australian) to surpass a century of points against the All Blacks. He would also complete a notable career double; having earlier this year become just the seventh player from any country to have surpassed a century of points in Tests against South Africa.
• Giteau also needs just one conversion to tie the record for the most by any player against New Zealand – which stands at 16 held by South African Percy Montgomery. Giteau has kicked the last 13 of his conversions against the All Blacks in succession.
• If he takes the field from the run on reserves bench, George Smith will be playing his 24th Test against the All Blacks. This would move him beyond Tim Horan, and into outright 3rd, in terms of the most caps achieved by any player against the All Blacks. Only two players from any country – and they are both Australians: David Campese (29) and George Gregan (27) – have played more Tests against New Zealand.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Four new faces for All Blacks
Restructure to coaching setup
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 10:02 18/10/2009
Photosport
ALL BLACKS CALLUP: Hawke's Bay's Zac Guildford
In-form Bay of Plenty five-eighth Mike Delany and Otago fullback Ben Smith were the bolters in Graham Henry's 33-strong All Blacks squad to tour Japan, the UK and Europe.
Henry this morning named four uncapped players in his squad that will play tests against the Wallabies, Wales, Italy, England and France and then close a six-week tour with a fixture against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
He also confirmed a restructure of the coaching setup, with the main feature being Henry taking over responsibilities for the forwards, Hansen moving into the position of attack coach (previously occupied by Wayne Smith) and Smith taking over defensive responsibilities (hitherto Henry's domain).
Henry described the reshuffling of the coaching portfolios as "exciting" and said it had been done with the blessing of the senior player group in the squad. "I'm a bit apprehensive to tell the truth, I haven't coached the forwards for a while... but I think getting a bit nervous about it brings the best out in you," he added.
"It's good for me to have that challenge, and I'll be using a lot of knowledge from the forward pack which I think will be good for them."
Delany, 27, who has had an outstanding season with Bay of Plenty in the Air NZ Cup, is one of three specialist five-eighths chosen for the tour; Smith, the 23-year-old standout Otago player in a largely disappointing season in the south, has been included as one of four wings, though both he and 26-year-old Cory Jane also cover fullback, as does Delany; and the other new caps are 20-year-old Hawke's Bay winger Zac Guildford and Wellington utility back Tamati Ellison who has been with the national squad for much of the season.
Both Guildford and Ellison were widely tipped to make the tour, but Delany and Smith definitely come into the bolter category. Smith has played mostly at fullback for Otago this season but Henry said he was chosen essentially as a winger.
They have both been picked on the strength of outstanding provincial campaigns which Henry spoke about at today's team announcement. It is unusual, though, that the coaches have included three five-eighths for the tour (four if you throw Luke McAlister into the mix), and just two hookers.
Smith makes the All Blacks after just his third season of provincial rugby, and just one Super 14 campaign with the Highlanders this year. He also played alongside fellow All Black Owen Franks in the 2007 New Zealand Under-21 side.
Delany made his provincial debut in 2005 and his Super 14 breakthrough last year. He has played 52 matches for Bay of Plenty and is the leading scorer in this year's Air NZ Cup.
Guildford has had a stellar season, playing for the Hurricanes, the world champion New Zealand Under-20 team and Hawke's Bay. He has scored a competition-leading 13 tries in this year's provincial championship.
There is no room in the touring troupe for long-serving, but out of form wing Josevata Rokocoko, seldom-used wing Hosea Gear, hooker Aled de Malmanche and lock Isaac Ross who was singled out by Henry as a special case who needed a spell out of the game. All four featured through this year's international campaign.
There is also a return to international duty for Waikato loose forward Liam Messam who was dropped from the All Blacks after the Iveco Series and given a stern message about improvements needed in his game. Veteran No 8 Rodney So'oialo also survives, while Bay of Plenty's Tanerau Latimer won a tight three-way battle against George Whitelock and Karl Lowe as Richie McCaw's openside backup.
Cantabs Corey Flynn and Andy Ellis - who were both invalided out of last year's tour - and North Harbour's Anthony Boric also make returns to the All Blacks after spells away with injury. Flynn will have extra responsibility as the only specialist hooker backup for Andrew Hore in a clear selection gamble that was undertaken to allow an extra loose forward into the mix.
The coaches confirmed that if there was a late injury to one of their specialist hookers prop John Afoa would cover the position on the field and either he or Tony Woodcock would deputise as lineout thrower.
Ellis gets the third halfback spot in preference to Wellington's Piri Weepu who was ruled out because of his long-term ankle injury. "I spoke to him yesterday," said Henry. "He's struggling with his ankle and fitness and we believe he needs time to get that operated on so he can come back and be a candidate for the No 1 halfback in New Zealand."
And Boric is one of four specialist second-rowers chosen for the trip after he spent much of the year recovering from a broken toe suffered near the end of the Super 14 season.
The All Blacks coaches went for a mix of 18 forwards and 15 backs for the trip. There are five props, two hookers, four locks and seven loosies among the forwards, while in the backs there are three halfbacks, three five-eighths, four midfielders, four wings and the one specialist fullback, with cover from Jane, Smith and Delany.
"It was a difficult side to select," said Henry at today's announcement press conference. "There are a lot of good players who haven't been selected. A number of young players put their hands up and that's good for our future as an international team. So depth is returning, and that's good."
Henry said the new caps had demanded selection through form in the Air NZ Cup that could not be ignored.
"Zac Guildford has had a great year, and he and Ben Smith have got the skill-set that we believe is needed in the modern game. They're good under the high ball, good at the kicking game, good at the kick-chase game and also can counter-attack from the back three. That was very important in their selection.
"Tanerau Latimer has been in the group for some time and we've been very impressed with him. He's come back from injury and played well for Wellington.
"Mike Delany gets selected on form. He's a late developer and we like his real positiveness when he plays, he's a good kicker of the ball and has got the ability to counter-attack as well."
Henry also spelt out the special circumstances of Ross' absence after the talented Cantab had been a first-choice lock for most of the test year.
"We believe he's got things he needs to work on to become a better player," said Henry. "If he's going to be a strong scrummager and better at the breakdown he needs some time out of the game to develop the strength to be able to do that. So he'll come back a better player."
Henry also spoke about the two wings who had been part of his squad all season who missed selection.
"Joe Rokocoko will be disappointed, and he and Hosea Gear are similar really. We're looking for players in the back three who are good under the high ball and can counter-attack. Those are things they need to work on."
Henry stated the obvious when he said de Malmanche had missed out because "he needs to work on his throwing ability", but clearly there's a gamble in the call to go with just the two hookers, especially with Flynn's injury record.
Harbour wing Rudi Wulf was another initial selection who had missed the touring squad, with Henry saying "he hasn't played sufficient football in one position". Sitiveni Sivivatu is judged fit to tour despite not playing a provincial game since he picked up a groin strain late in the Tri-Nations campaign.
Henry said form in the national provincial championship had been the key factor in the selection of three of the new caps.
"Delany, Guildford and Smith, the new All Blacks, have put their hands up consistently through the tournament. Mike Delany you would say is in the top-three in-form players in this Air NZ Cup, Zac the same and Ben the same. Form for the new caps was critical obviously."
The All Blacks squad will assemble in Auckland for a training camp this week before flying out to Tokyo next Sunday, October 25.
Players not considered for selection due to injury include: Piri Weepu (ankle), Isaia Toeava (pelvis), Lelia Masaga (shoulder), Keven Mealamu (chest), Bryn Evans (back), Richard Kahui (shoulder) and Ali Williams (Achilles).
All Blacks touring squad
Forwards:
John Afoa Auckland (20 test caps)
Anthony Boric North Harbour (10)
Wyatt Crockett Canterbury (1)
Tom Donnelly Otago (1)
Jason Eaton Taranaki (13)
Corey Flynn Canterbury (5)
Owen Franks Canterbury (6)
Jerome Kaino Auckland (22)
Tanerau Latimer Bay of Plenty (3)
Andrew Hore Taranaki (43)
Richie McCaw Canterbury (76) - captain
Liam Messam Waikato (2)
Rodney So'oialo Wellington (60)
Kieran Read Canterbury (12)
Adam Thomson Otago (12)
Brad Thorn Canterbury (33)
Neemia Tialata Wellington (37)
Tony Woodcock North Harbour (58)
Backs:
Dan Carter Canterbury (62)
Jimmy Cowan Southland (28)
Mike Delany Bay of Plenty *
Stephen Donald Waikato (16)
Andy Ellis Canterbury (11)
Tamati Ellison Wellington*
Zac Guildford Hawke's Bay *
Cory Jane Wellington (8)
Brendon Leonard Waikato (12)
Luke McAlister North Harbour (28)
Mils Muliaina Waikato (77)
Ma'a Nonu Wellington (42)
Sitiveni Sivivatu Waikato (39)
Ben Smith Otago *
Conrad Smith Wellington (29)
* denotes new cap
All Blacks tour schedule
Saturday 31 October, All Blacks vs Australia, National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo
Saturday 7 November, All Blacks vs Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday 14 November, All Blacks vs Italy, San Siro Stadium, Milan
Saturday 21 November, All Blacks vs England, Twickenham, London
Saturday 28 November, All Blacks vs France, Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Saturday 5 December, All Blacks vs Barbarians, Twickenham, London
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 10:02 18/10/2009
Photosport
ALL BLACKS CALLUP: Hawke's Bay's Zac Guildford
In-form Bay of Plenty five-eighth Mike Delany and Otago fullback Ben Smith were the bolters in Graham Henry's 33-strong All Blacks squad to tour Japan, the UK and Europe.
Henry this morning named four uncapped players in his squad that will play tests against the Wallabies, Wales, Italy, England and France and then close a six-week tour with a fixture against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
He also confirmed a restructure of the coaching setup, with the main feature being Henry taking over responsibilities for the forwards, Hansen moving into the position of attack coach (previously occupied by Wayne Smith) and Smith taking over defensive responsibilities (hitherto Henry's domain).
Henry described the reshuffling of the coaching portfolios as "exciting" and said it had been done with the blessing of the senior player group in the squad. "I'm a bit apprehensive to tell the truth, I haven't coached the forwards for a while... but I think getting a bit nervous about it brings the best out in you," he added.
"It's good for me to have that challenge, and I'll be using a lot of knowledge from the forward pack which I think will be good for them."
Delany, 27, who has had an outstanding season with Bay of Plenty in the Air NZ Cup, is one of three specialist five-eighths chosen for the tour; Smith, the 23-year-old standout Otago player in a largely disappointing season in the south, has been included as one of four wings, though both he and 26-year-old Cory Jane also cover fullback, as does Delany; and the other new caps are 20-year-old Hawke's Bay winger Zac Guildford and Wellington utility back Tamati Ellison who has been with the national squad for much of the season.
Both Guildford and Ellison were widely tipped to make the tour, but Delany and Smith definitely come into the bolter category. Smith has played mostly at fullback for Otago this season but Henry said he was chosen essentially as a winger.
They have both been picked on the strength of outstanding provincial campaigns which Henry spoke about at today's team announcement. It is unusual, though, that the coaches have included three five-eighths for the tour (four if you throw Luke McAlister into the mix), and just two hookers.
Smith makes the All Blacks after just his third season of provincial rugby, and just one Super 14 campaign with the Highlanders this year. He also played alongside fellow All Black Owen Franks in the 2007 New Zealand Under-21 side.
Delany made his provincial debut in 2005 and his Super 14 breakthrough last year. He has played 52 matches for Bay of Plenty and is the leading scorer in this year's Air NZ Cup.
Guildford has had a stellar season, playing for the Hurricanes, the world champion New Zealand Under-20 team and Hawke's Bay. He has scored a competition-leading 13 tries in this year's provincial championship.
There is no room in the touring troupe for long-serving, but out of form wing Josevata Rokocoko, seldom-used wing Hosea Gear, hooker Aled de Malmanche and lock Isaac Ross who was singled out by Henry as a special case who needed a spell out of the game. All four featured through this year's international campaign.
There is also a return to international duty for Waikato loose forward Liam Messam who was dropped from the All Blacks after the Iveco Series and given a stern message about improvements needed in his game. Veteran No 8 Rodney So'oialo also survives, while Bay of Plenty's Tanerau Latimer won a tight three-way battle against George Whitelock and Karl Lowe as Richie McCaw's openside backup.
Cantabs Corey Flynn and Andy Ellis - who were both invalided out of last year's tour - and North Harbour's Anthony Boric also make returns to the All Blacks after spells away with injury. Flynn will have extra responsibility as the only specialist hooker backup for Andrew Hore in a clear selection gamble that was undertaken to allow an extra loose forward into the mix.
The coaches confirmed that if there was a late injury to one of their specialist hookers prop John Afoa would cover the position on the field and either he or Tony Woodcock would deputise as lineout thrower.
Ellis gets the third halfback spot in preference to Wellington's Piri Weepu who was ruled out because of his long-term ankle injury. "I spoke to him yesterday," said Henry. "He's struggling with his ankle and fitness and we believe he needs time to get that operated on so he can come back and be a candidate for the No 1 halfback in New Zealand."
And Boric is one of four specialist second-rowers chosen for the trip after he spent much of the year recovering from a broken toe suffered near the end of the Super 14 season.
The All Blacks coaches went for a mix of 18 forwards and 15 backs for the trip. There are five props, two hookers, four locks and seven loosies among the forwards, while in the backs there are three halfbacks, three five-eighths, four midfielders, four wings and the one specialist fullback, with cover from Jane, Smith and Delany.
"It was a difficult side to select," said Henry at today's announcement press conference. "There are a lot of good players who haven't been selected. A number of young players put their hands up and that's good for our future as an international team. So depth is returning, and that's good."
Henry said the new caps had demanded selection through form in the Air NZ Cup that could not be ignored.
"Zac Guildford has had a great year, and he and Ben Smith have got the skill-set that we believe is needed in the modern game. They're good under the high ball, good at the kicking game, good at the kick-chase game and also can counter-attack from the back three. That was very important in their selection.
"Tanerau Latimer has been in the group for some time and we've been very impressed with him. He's come back from injury and played well for Wellington.
"Mike Delany gets selected on form. He's a late developer and we like his real positiveness when he plays, he's a good kicker of the ball and has got the ability to counter-attack as well."
Henry also spelt out the special circumstances of Ross' absence after the talented Cantab had been a first-choice lock for most of the test year.
"We believe he's got things he needs to work on to become a better player," said Henry. "If he's going to be a strong scrummager and better at the breakdown he needs some time out of the game to develop the strength to be able to do that. So he'll come back a better player."
Henry also spoke about the two wings who had been part of his squad all season who missed selection.
"Joe Rokocoko will be disappointed, and he and Hosea Gear are similar really. We're looking for players in the back three who are good under the high ball and can counter-attack. Those are things they need to work on."
Henry stated the obvious when he said de Malmanche had missed out because "he needs to work on his throwing ability", but clearly there's a gamble in the call to go with just the two hookers, especially with Flynn's injury record.
Harbour wing Rudi Wulf was another initial selection who had missed the touring squad, with Henry saying "he hasn't played sufficient football in one position". Sitiveni Sivivatu is judged fit to tour despite not playing a provincial game since he picked up a groin strain late in the Tri-Nations campaign.
Henry said form in the national provincial championship had been the key factor in the selection of three of the new caps.
"Delany, Guildford and Smith, the new All Blacks, have put their hands up consistently through the tournament. Mike Delany you would say is in the top-three in-form players in this Air NZ Cup, Zac the same and Ben the same. Form for the new caps was critical obviously."
The All Blacks squad will assemble in Auckland for a training camp this week before flying out to Tokyo next Sunday, October 25.
Players not considered for selection due to injury include: Piri Weepu (ankle), Isaia Toeava (pelvis), Lelia Masaga (shoulder), Keven Mealamu (chest), Bryn Evans (back), Richard Kahui (shoulder) and Ali Williams (Achilles).
All Blacks touring squad
Forwards:
John Afoa Auckland (20 test caps)
Anthony Boric North Harbour (10)
Wyatt Crockett Canterbury (1)
Tom Donnelly Otago (1)
Jason Eaton Taranaki (13)
Corey Flynn Canterbury (5)
Owen Franks Canterbury (6)
Jerome Kaino Auckland (22)
Tanerau Latimer Bay of Plenty (3)
Andrew Hore Taranaki (43)
Richie McCaw Canterbury (76) - captain
Liam Messam Waikato (2)
Rodney So'oialo Wellington (60)
Kieran Read Canterbury (12)
Adam Thomson Otago (12)
Brad Thorn Canterbury (33)
Neemia Tialata Wellington (37)
Tony Woodcock North Harbour (58)
Backs:
Dan Carter Canterbury (62)
Jimmy Cowan Southland (28)
Mike Delany Bay of Plenty *
Stephen Donald Waikato (16)
Andy Ellis Canterbury (11)
Tamati Ellison Wellington*
Zac Guildford Hawke's Bay *
Cory Jane Wellington (8)
Brendon Leonard Waikato (12)
Luke McAlister North Harbour (28)
Mils Muliaina Waikato (77)
Ma'a Nonu Wellington (42)
Sitiveni Sivivatu Waikato (39)
Ben Smith Otago *
Conrad Smith Wellington (29)
* denotes new cap
All Blacks tour schedule
Saturday 31 October, All Blacks vs Australia, National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo
Saturday 7 November, All Blacks vs Wales, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday 14 November, All Blacks vs Italy, San Siro Stadium, Milan
Saturday 21 November, All Blacks vs England, Twickenham, London
Saturday 28 November, All Blacks vs France, Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Saturday 5 December, All Blacks vs Barbarians, Twickenham, London
NZ should harness Lomu's star power
NZ should harness Lomu's star power
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 12:06 12/10/2009
Reuters
BIG WIN: Rugby legend Jonah Lomu is embraced by a supporter after rugby's acceptance as an Olympic sport for 2016 and 2020.
OPINION: How refreshing to see a rugby organisation using the power of Jonah Lomu to get their message across.
Lomu was a key figure as rugby persuaded the Olympic movement to include Sevens in their ranks for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
It's not too often we dish out praise to the International Rugby Board but they need a double dose of "well done" for their efforts last week.
First of all, great work in getting rugby on to arguably the grandest stage of all.
Sevens, with its high speed game and quick-fire tournament format, is well suited to the Olympics and there will be no arguments from Kiwis who will sniff a genuine chance of a rare medal at this level.
Secondly, well done to the IRB for enlisting the help of Lomu to get their message across when it mattered most.
With the finish line in sight after gaining a nomination along with golf to be added to the programme for Rio, Lomu helped rugby get rubber-stamped.
There he was as the good news was delivered to the rugby delegation hugging the likes of IRB president Bernard Lapasset and chief executive Mike Miller.
Lomu made his name in Sevens before going on to be an All Blacks superstar.
But he never lost his appetite for the abbreviated game, winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal and a Sevens World Cup in amongst his test duties.
A World Cup win in 15s eluded him in 1995 and 1999 but he still did enough in both of those tournaments to be the individual star of two glittering occasions.
That was never lost on the IRB. They realised his standing as the game's biggest name with his ability to transcend sporting stages and simply be a global sportsman, a name known to fans other than followers of rugby.
To their credit adidas have also stood by Lomu - being at his side for some of his greatest triumphs and his biggest struggles both on and off the field.
He remains one of their few sporting ambassadors.
It should be an embarrassment to New Zealand rugby that we have done so little to acknowledge his presence beyond his All Blacks achievements.
If ever there was an ambassadorial figure for the modern age it is Lomu.
Yet he has been used little if not at all to promote the game in this country or promote the New Zealand rugby cause overseas.
Lomu has matured into a fine man, comfortable to operate in the corporate surroundings as well as athletic environments.
Sadly or bravely, whatever way you look at it, he is still trying to have another crack at playing rugby again, this time in the lower divisions of the French club scene.
That's a clear mark of the passion he still possesses for the game.
It's just a pity that at times he isn't rewarded with the same sort of passion for his standing or powers on these shores.
New Zealand has a World Cup beckoning in less than two years. Who better to spread the word before and during that event than Lomu?
If he's good enough for the IRB he should be good enough for the NZRU. If he's good enough for the Olympics, he should be good enough for the World Cup.
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 12:06 12/10/2009
Reuters
BIG WIN: Rugby legend Jonah Lomu is embraced by a supporter after rugby's acceptance as an Olympic sport for 2016 and 2020.
OPINION: How refreshing to see a rugby organisation using the power of Jonah Lomu to get their message across.
Lomu was a key figure as rugby persuaded the Olympic movement to include Sevens in their ranks for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
It's not too often we dish out praise to the International Rugby Board but they need a double dose of "well done" for their efforts last week.
First of all, great work in getting rugby on to arguably the grandest stage of all.
Sevens, with its high speed game and quick-fire tournament format, is well suited to the Olympics and there will be no arguments from Kiwis who will sniff a genuine chance of a rare medal at this level.
Secondly, well done to the IRB for enlisting the help of Lomu to get their message across when it mattered most.
With the finish line in sight after gaining a nomination along with golf to be added to the programme for Rio, Lomu helped rugby get rubber-stamped.
There he was as the good news was delivered to the rugby delegation hugging the likes of IRB president Bernard Lapasset and chief executive Mike Miller.
Lomu made his name in Sevens before going on to be an All Blacks superstar.
But he never lost his appetite for the abbreviated game, winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal and a Sevens World Cup in amongst his test duties.
A World Cup win in 15s eluded him in 1995 and 1999 but he still did enough in both of those tournaments to be the individual star of two glittering occasions.
That was never lost on the IRB. They realised his standing as the game's biggest name with his ability to transcend sporting stages and simply be a global sportsman, a name known to fans other than followers of rugby.
To their credit adidas have also stood by Lomu - being at his side for some of his greatest triumphs and his biggest struggles both on and off the field.
He remains one of their few sporting ambassadors.
It should be an embarrassment to New Zealand rugby that we have done so little to acknowledge his presence beyond his All Blacks achievements.
If ever there was an ambassadorial figure for the modern age it is Lomu.
Yet he has been used little if not at all to promote the game in this country or promote the New Zealand rugby cause overseas.
Lomu has matured into a fine man, comfortable to operate in the corporate surroundings as well as athletic environments.
Sadly or bravely, whatever way you look at it, he is still trying to have another crack at playing rugby again, this time in the lower divisions of the French club scene.
That's a clear mark of the passion he still possesses for the game.
It's just a pity that at times he isn't rewarded with the same sort of passion for his standing or powers on these shores.
New Zealand has a World Cup beckoning in less than two years. Who better to spread the word before and during that event than Lomu?
If he's good enough for the IRB he should be good enough for the NZRU. If he's good enough for the Olympics, he should be good enough for the World Cup.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Six cities get All Blacks tests in 2010
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 20:11 08/10/2009
IAIN McGREGOR/Stuff.co.nz
RETURN OF THE BLACK: Dunedin and New Plymouth were the big winners, being allocated June All Blacks tests in 2010.
Dunedin and New Plymouth were the big winners when the venues for the All Blacks' home tests next year were unveiled.
The All Blacks will play in New Plymouth, Dunedin, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch next year during the June internationals and Tri-Nations that follows.
The Dunedin test at Carisbrook, against Wales, is notable for two reasons - it could be the last international played at the famous old ground which is due to be phased out in 2011 for the new roofed facility; and it will be the first time the Welsh have played New Zealand in the southern city.
The All Blacks will kick off their season with a test against 2009 Six Nations champions Ireland at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth (June 12). This will be just the second international at the Taranaki venue, following last year's historic clash against Samoa.
The New Plymouth match will be followed by two tests against Wales, the first at Carisbrook on Saturday, June 19 and the second at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, on Saturday June 26.
Christchurch gets the Bledisloe Cup test in the Tri-Nations, which will be the first to be held in the fully redeveloped AMI Stadium.
The other Tri-Nations tests, both against South Africa, are being held at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday July 10 and Westpac Stadium in the capital a week later.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the All Blacks' home test schedule presented some great opportunities for the regions hosting matches.
"The Dunedin, New Plymouth and Christchurch test matches will be quite special, all for different reasons, and I'm sure that rugby fans in those regions will already be looking forward to these historic events," he said.
2010 ALL BLACKS & TRI-NATIONS SCHEDULE
June International Series
June 12: All Blacks vs Ireland, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
June 19: All Blacks vs Wales, Carisbrook, Dunedin
June 26: All Blacks vs Wales, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Investec Tri-Nations
July 10: All Blacks vs South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland
July 17: All Blacks vs South Africa, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
July 24: Australia vs South Africa, Brisbane
July 31: Australia vs All Blacks, Melbourne
August 7: All Blacks vs Australia, AMI Stadium, Christchurch
August 21: South Africa vs All Blacks, Johannesburg
August 28: South Africa vs Australia, Pretoria
September 4: South Africa vs Australia, Bloemfontein
September 11: Australia vs All Blacks, Sydney
Last updated 20:11 08/10/2009
IAIN McGREGOR/Stuff.co.nz
RETURN OF THE BLACK: Dunedin and New Plymouth were the big winners, being allocated June All Blacks tests in 2010.
Dunedin and New Plymouth were the big winners when the venues for the All Blacks' home tests next year were unveiled.
The All Blacks will play in New Plymouth, Dunedin, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch next year during the June internationals and Tri-Nations that follows.
The Dunedin test at Carisbrook, against Wales, is notable for two reasons - it could be the last international played at the famous old ground which is due to be phased out in 2011 for the new roofed facility; and it will be the first time the Welsh have played New Zealand in the southern city.
The All Blacks will kick off their season with a test against 2009 Six Nations champions Ireland at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth (June 12). This will be just the second international at the Taranaki venue, following last year's historic clash against Samoa.
The New Plymouth match will be followed by two tests against Wales, the first at Carisbrook on Saturday, June 19 and the second at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, on Saturday June 26.
Christchurch gets the Bledisloe Cup test in the Tri-Nations, which will be the first to be held in the fully redeveloped AMI Stadium.
The other Tri-Nations tests, both against South Africa, are being held at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday July 10 and Westpac Stadium in the capital a week later.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the All Blacks' home test schedule presented some great opportunities for the regions hosting matches.
"The Dunedin, New Plymouth and Christchurch test matches will be quite special, all for different reasons, and I'm sure that rugby fans in those regions will already be looking forward to these historic events," he said.
2010 ALL BLACKS & TRI-NATIONS SCHEDULE
June International Series
June 12: All Blacks vs Ireland, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
June 19: All Blacks vs Wales, Carisbrook, Dunedin
June 26: All Blacks vs Wales, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Investec Tri-Nations
July 10: All Blacks vs South Africa, Eden Park, Auckland
July 17: All Blacks vs South Africa, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
July 24: Australia vs South Africa, Brisbane
July 31: Australia vs All Blacks, Melbourne
August 7: All Blacks vs Australia, AMI Stadium, Christchurch
August 21: South Africa vs All Blacks, Johannesburg
August 28: South Africa vs Australia, Pretoria
September 4: South Africa vs Australia, Bloemfontein
September 11: Australia vs All Blacks, Sydney
All Blacks: The best deputies
5:00AM Sunday Sep 27, 2009
By Gregor Paul
If you torture statistics for long enough, they will tell the story you want to hear. Or in the case of the All Blacks and the influence wielded by Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, they will tell the story no one wants to hear - that the All Blacks can't afford to be without either player.
Since 2003 - the year Carter made his debut - the All Blacks have lost 14 of 87 tests. No one can quibble with that. No other side gets close, not even South Africa, when viewed over the same period.
Of those 14 losses, only five have occurred when both Carter and McCaw have started. Now that's an incredible influence. The Wallabies have managed just one victory against the All Blacks when both McCaw and Carter have started. That was the 20-14 win in Melbourne before the World Cup.
The other wins in that period have been achieved when New Zealand's super pairing have been split; in the 2003 World Cup loss, Carter didn't play; in 2004, Carter played at second five and McCaw was in the stands with concussion; and in 2008, McCaw wasn't involved due to his injured ankle.
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Over the same period, the Springboks have been better able to operate against the All Blacks both generally and specifically against Carter and McCaw. The Boks beat the All Blacks in 2005, 2006 and again this year when both men started.
France, in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final, are the only other side to have beaten the All Blacks when both Carter and McCaw have started. It has come to the point where the All Blacks are two different sides; they carry a hint of vulnerability when one or both of their superstars are not involved. With them, they are a different prospect.
With Carter and McCaw, the accuracy is that little bit higher; the confidence flows, the game-plan comes together, the on-field leadership is more obvious and the All Blacks more convincing.
Last week's test in Wellington was the perfect example of the Carter/McCaw effect. The captain was in his element. After some injury troubles, he's back in top nick, his confidence restored and his performance was world class against the Wallabies.
Carter has given the All Blacks obvious stability and structure since he returned to the No 10 shirt in Sydney. His very presence has calmed jittery nerves around him, with Ma'a Nonu able to feel it is not up to him to singlehandedly destroy the opposition.
It's little wonder, on the stats alone, that the New Zealand Rugby Union made the retention of Carter and McCaw top priority last year. It's also no surprise that there is widespread concern about the lack of cover for these two invaluable soldiers.
It's not that everyone expects to have replacements of equal ability. These are once-in-a-generation players and their back-up will never be of quite the same calibre. But the back-up should at least be All Black calibre and firmly established as the second choice.
Currently neither box has been ticked, which has been the case for most of the past six years, with brief periods when there were alternative options.
Again, statistics can paint a damning picture; they can show precisely the danger of not having top class alternatives.
McCaw and Carter have played 38 tests together and the All Blacks have won 88 per cent of those. That compares with an overall win ratio since 2003 of 84 per cent.
The All Blacks have played 49 tests in the past seven years without one or both Carter and McCaw and have managed to win 40 of them - for a win ratio of almost 78 per cent. They are 10 per cent worse off without Carter and McCaw. That's a big drop and the pressure is on the selectors to fix this problem.
The end of year tour has to herald the dawn of a new age. There must be some brutal decisions made to reach agreement that no progress has been made on those fronts so far this year. Or, more accurately perhaps, progress has been made in the sense that some contenders can now be eliminated.
At the start of the test season, Adam Thomson was the great hope at openside and Stephen Donald at first five.
"We've got to be honest and say we've tried the odd thing from time to time that hasn't worked and that's probably one of them," assistant coach Steve Hansen said recently of using Thomson at No 7. "We're desperately looking for someone that can back Rich up. That was a test match where we thought we'd give that a go. We thought he'd [Thomson] displayed a lot of the skills needed but in fairness to him, he's gone back to six and he's telling us through his form that that's the position he should play in."
Having agreed Thomson is a blindside, and quite clearly the best in the country, he needs to be seen as a specialist and not swapped between the two sides of the scrum.
He's not McCaw's successor and nor, in the immediate future, is Tanerau Latimer. He's a good athlete. He possesses an admirable work-rate, good attitude and appetite for his chores.
For all that, however, he's not quite there yet. Latimer looks the kind of player who would be comfortable to back up against the likes of Italy, Canada and Fiji but out of his depth should he have to front the Boks or Wallabies in a must-win clash. Scott Waldrom looks to be in a similar position, although he does have an X-factor with his pace.
The pick of the contenders has to be George Whitelock, who has the size, pace, strength, rugby knowledge and leadership. In his cameo performance against Italy, he was immediately composed.
Long term, he has all he needs for test football. All he lacks is exposure. He needs to be built into a test class openside. If he's taken on tour, he'll make giant strides just by being indoctrinated into the All Black ways. Next year, he can be drip-fed into action - regular game time off the bench and the odd start against lesser nations would bring him on further.
The clock is ticking now in terms of the World Cup and the All Blacks have to make a commitment to one player and stick with it. If it's Whitelock, then back him all the way - make a two-year plan that sees him reach September 2011 as McCaw's deputy.
It's the same with first five. Much has been invested in Donald but he's not the answer. He's an intriguing bench option with his unorthodox range of skills and he has shown he can change the dynamic of the contest when he's introduced. But he's not a game manager. He's not equipped to control and dominate, a la Carter.
Luke McAlister is not in that mould either. He's a 12 who can reluctantly play 10 but that's not a solution. First five is for specialists - men who relish the responsibility and want to own the game. It's not a berth you can be shoved into.
Options are thin on the ground with Aaron Cruden screaming out as the best choice. He's young. He's still raw with flaws and areas of weakness. But he reads the game well. He understands how his role works and he wants to take it on.
He is an orthodox first five who has a few extras - like his ability to run and escape trouble. Like Whitelock, he needs commitment from the coaches. His development plan should be similar to Whitelock's and the journey needs to start next month.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Emphatic victory to All Blacks
By MARC HINTON - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 19:25 19/09/2009
Emphatic victory to All Blacks
Crisis averted. Jobs safe. Vice-like grip on the Wallabies continued. All in a night's work for the suddenly awesome All Blacks.
But the big question we'll be asking ourselves as we digest this comprehensive 33-6 Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup victory over the Wallabies over our Sunday morning breakfast will be just what value do we place on it? Really, was it any great surprise?
The All Blacks have now won six of their last seven tests against the Wallabies over the last two seasons, since a certain Robbie Deans slunk across the Tasman to take charge of the Men in Gold.
And this latest instalment simply continued that trend. Graham Henry might not be able to buy a win over the Springboks right now; but he owns Deans.
And really as much as the All Blacks are tying themselves in knots over their inability to counter the South African game; they must feel pretty satisfied about the superiority they hold over their trans-Tasman rivals. They've now swept them 3-0 in the Tri-Nations and will surely make it a round four in Japan next month.
Really, if ever the Wallabies were going to redress the imbalance, you would have thought this match would have been it. But they simply weren't good enough as the All Blacks convincingly won the arm-wrestle through the first three quarters and then came home with a wet sail and two late tries to inflate the margin out close to embarrassing territory for the Wobberlies.
This was among the more convincing wins over the Australians over the last couple of years, too, with the All Blacks dominating most aspects of play, including that much talked-about lineout, and successfully suffocating everything and anything the visitors could throw at them on attack.
Yes, it was a performance to be proud of from the All Blacks who avoided the spectre of their first ever three home loss season, and answered their critics in fine style. This was how we expect them to play. This was how they should play.
Their set-piece work was excellent, their breakdown game top drawer and, possibly for the first time this season, the All Blacks got their attacking game going. It was a sweet response, and would have been manna from heaven for the under-siege New Zealand coaches.
Credit to them, too, to rally the troops after the defeat in Hamilton and come up with improvements in areas where they had to be made.
"I'm pretty proud of the guys, it's never easy coming off a loss and the belief among the whole group was outstanding and to put a performance out here tonight... very, very happy," said skipper Richie McCaw afterwards.
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He was rapt with the lineout response that saw the All Blacks hold firm on their own ball and even steal two straight Wallaby throws (both by supersub Jason Eaton) late in the piece.
"We kept the belief in ourselves," said McCaw. "We realised last week it was only minor things that went wrong, the boys worked hard all week and put that together which is vital to get your game going.
"It's great. When you're down it's a real test of what character you've got within the team."
Wow. What a difference a week - and a few harsh words from their critics - made. The All Blacks looked a different side in the first 40 minutes of this contest, playing with a purpose, precision and penetration that had not been there in Hamilton, nor for that matter in any of their opening salvos throughout this competition.
A strong, and accurate, opening half was punctuated by a magical period around the half-hour mark right about when it looked most ominous.
Centre Isaia Toeava had just been despatched to the sin-bin for a high tackle on young Wallaby fullback James O'Connor, and from the same play phase Berrick Barnes had just coolly slotted a dropped goal (under advantage) to close the Wallabies to within three, at 6-9.
Ten minutes, a man up, we all steeled for the Wallaby charge that would surely come.
Instead it was the numerically disadvantaged All Blacks who pounced. During a nice spell where they did extremely well to limit the Australian chances to expose them, wing Cory Jane snatched a try - quite literally - out of thin air.
It had looked distinctly unpromising when fullback Mils Muliaina received backtrack ball his side of halfway and sort of ran out of options for the pass. So instead he hoisted one of those middle-of-the-field high bombs that the Springboks specialise in, but are catching on like wildfire at the moment.
It could have - should have - been diffused with little discomfort by the Wallabies. Could have, schmould have. Instead Jane came flying through the air like, well, Tarzan, plucking the ball from right under the nose of startled Australian wunderkind James O'Connor and then dashing 35 metres or so for a superb try, and a 16-6 lead they would hold till the break.
Where has this man been all season? Oh, that's right, not required.
The Wallabies came out with plenty of purpose after the break, but they could still find no way through an All Black side that remained on its mettle on defence.
Carter slotted an early penalty to extend the margin to 13, the All Blacks battened down the hatches for a period of Wallaby dominance and then straight after Eaton had come in with his lineout thievery they finished with their flourish.
Ma'a Nonu had the second try six minutes from the end, with a trademark bullocking run that left a handful of Wallaby defenders looking like fools; and before it was over the All Blacks worked a couple of quick phases off a scrum before putting Josevata Rokocoko into enough space on the right to unleash one of those swan dives for his 45th test try.
And, with Carter slotting a second goal off the upright, the margin went out to 33-6, and the bleeding was well and truly stopped. The All Blacks were mostly all on top of their games. Jane was superb on the wing, and surely he's earned more starts on the back of this. Toeava had one of those tests that remind you why his coaches covet him so and there was also a much improved showing from Rokocoko. Also, wasn't it good to see Mils Muliaina playing with a lot more confidence?
Up front new chum Tom Donnelly had an excellent debut in the second row, Andrew Hore got his lineout stuff right, Adam Thomson added some much-needed mobility to a loose trio that outplayed their opposites and the set-piece stuff was, by and large, on the money. Richie McCaw was back to his best too as the All Blacks won the tackle ball area comprehensively.
The Wallabies? O'Connor had a match to forget, Giteau was again well contained by the All Blacks and the Australian backline in general found themselves running at a black wall all night.
The Wallaby forwards also could make little or no headway all night, and even failed to procure the supposedly failsafe method of possession via the All Black lineout. Pocock and Smith were non-factors.
For the All Blacks the questions were answered. For the Wallabies they start all over again across the Tasman. Deans should buckle down for another assault.
New Zealand 33 (Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko tries; Daniel Carter 4 pen, 3 con)
Australia 6 (Matt Giteau pen, Berrick Barnes dropped goal).
Halftime: 16-6.
Last updated 19:25 19/09/2009
Emphatic victory to All Blacks
Crisis averted. Jobs safe. Vice-like grip on the Wallabies continued. All in a night's work for the suddenly awesome All Blacks.
But the big question we'll be asking ourselves as we digest this comprehensive 33-6 Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup victory over the Wallabies over our Sunday morning breakfast will be just what value do we place on it? Really, was it any great surprise?
The All Blacks have now won six of their last seven tests against the Wallabies over the last two seasons, since a certain Robbie Deans slunk across the Tasman to take charge of the Men in Gold.
And this latest instalment simply continued that trend. Graham Henry might not be able to buy a win over the Springboks right now; but he owns Deans.
And really as much as the All Blacks are tying themselves in knots over their inability to counter the South African game; they must feel pretty satisfied about the superiority they hold over their trans-Tasman rivals. They've now swept them 3-0 in the Tri-Nations and will surely make it a round four in Japan next month.
Really, if ever the Wallabies were going to redress the imbalance, you would have thought this match would have been it. But they simply weren't good enough as the All Blacks convincingly won the arm-wrestle through the first three quarters and then came home with a wet sail and two late tries to inflate the margin out close to embarrassing territory for the Wobberlies.
This was among the more convincing wins over the Australians over the last couple of years, too, with the All Blacks dominating most aspects of play, including that much talked-about lineout, and successfully suffocating everything and anything the visitors could throw at them on attack.
Yes, it was a performance to be proud of from the All Blacks who avoided the spectre of their first ever three home loss season, and answered their critics in fine style. This was how we expect them to play. This was how they should play.
Their set-piece work was excellent, their breakdown game top drawer and, possibly for the first time this season, the All Blacks got their attacking game going. It was a sweet response, and would have been manna from heaven for the under-siege New Zealand coaches.
Credit to them, too, to rally the troops after the defeat in Hamilton and come up with improvements in areas where they had to be made.
"I'm pretty proud of the guys, it's never easy coming off a loss and the belief among the whole group was outstanding and to put a performance out here tonight... very, very happy," said skipper Richie McCaw afterwards.
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He was rapt with the lineout response that saw the All Blacks hold firm on their own ball and even steal two straight Wallaby throws (both by supersub Jason Eaton) late in the piece.
"We kept the belief in ourselves," said McCaw. "We realised last week it was only minor things that went wrong, the boys worked hard all week and put that together which is vital to get your game going.
"It's great. When you're down it's a real test of what character you've got within the team."
Wow. What a difference a week - and a few harsh words from their critics - made. The All Blacks looked a different side in the first 40 minutes of this contest, playing with a purpose, precision and penetration that had not been there in Hamilton, nor for that matter in any of their opening salvos throughout this competition.
A strong, and accurate, opening half was punctuated by a magical period around the half-hour mark right about when it looked most ominous.
Centre Isaia Toeava had just been despatched to the sin-bin for a high tackle on young Wallaby fullback James O'Connor, and from the same play phase Berrick Barnes had just coolly slotted a dropped goal (under advantage) to close the Wallabies to within three, at 6-9.
Ten minutes, a man up, we all steeled for the Wallaby charge that would surely come.
Instead it was the numerically disadvantaged All Blacks who pounced. During a nice spell where they did extremely well to limit the Australian chances to expose them, wing Cory Jane snatched a try - quite literally - out of thin air.
It had looked distinctly unpromising when fullback Mils Muliaina received backtrack ball his side of halfway and sort of ran out of options for the pass. So instead he hoisted one of those middle-of-the-field high bombs that the Springboks specialise in, but are catching on like wildfire at the moment.
It could have - should have - been diffused with little discomfort by the Wallabies. Could have, schmould have. Instead Jane came flying through the air like, well, Tarzan, plucking the ball from right under the nose of startled Australian wunderkind James O'Connor and then dashing 35 metres or so for a superb try, and a 16-6 lead they would hold till the break.
Where has this man been all season? Oh, that's right, not required.
The Wallabies came out with plenty of purpose after the break, but they could still find no way through an All Black side that remained on its mettle on defence.
Carter slotted an early penalty to extend the margin to 13, the All Blacks battened down the hatches for a period of Wallaby dominance and then straight after Eaton had come in with his lineout thievery they finished with their flourish.
Ma'a Nonu had the second try six minutes from the end, with a trademark bullocking run that left a handful of Wallaby defenders looking like fools; and before it was over the All Blacks worked a couple of quick phases off a scrum before putting Josevata Rokocoko into enough space on the right to unleash one of those swan dives for his 45th test try.
And, with Carter slotting a second goal off the upright, the margin went out to 33-6, and the bleeding was well and truly stopped. The All Blacks were mostly all on top of their games. Jane was superb on the wing, and surely he's earned more starts on the back of this. Toeava had one of those tests that remind you why his coaches covet him so and there was also a much improved showing from Rokocoko. Also, wasn't it good to see Mils Muliaina playing with a lot more confidence?
Up front new chum Tom Donnelly had an excellent debut in the second row, Andrew Hore got his lineout stuff right, Adam Thomson added some much-needed mobility to a loose trio that outplayed their opposites and the set-piece stuff was, by and large, on the money. Richie McCaw was back to his best too as the All Blacks won the tackle ball area comprehensively.
The Wallabies? O'Connor had a match to forget, Giteau was again well contained by the All Blacks and the Australian backline in general found themselves running at a black wall all night.
The Wallaby forwards also could make little or no headway all night, and even failed to procure the supposedly failsafe method of possession via the All Black lineout. Pocock and Smith were non-factors.
For the All Blacks the questions were answered. For the Wallabies they start all over again across the Tasman. Deans should buckle down for another assault.
New Zealand 33 (Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko tries; Daniel Carter 4 pen, 3 con)
Australia 6 (Matt Giteau pen, Berrick Barnes dropped goal).
Halftime: 16-6.
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