By GREG FORD - Stuff
Last updated 20:20 10/07/2010
If you are looking for a blueprint on how to beat the Springboks in next year's World Cup, the All Blacks presented one to the rugby world tonight during their emphatic win over the world champion South Africans.
Richie McCaw's All Blacks posted an emphatic four try bonus point 32-12 win at Eden Park to take an early upper hand in the Tri-Nations. But more importantly - smarting from last year's whitewash to South Africa - they managed to cook up a game-winning plan, which is sure to be repeated in Wellington on Saturday.
One play in particular is set to become the most studied of the year.
It came after just 18 minutes of play, off a South African set piece.
Morne Steyn booted the ball deep into All Black territory and what unfolded in the next six or seven seconds won the All Blacks the match. Mils Muliaina broke several tackles in his return before he offloaded to Richie McCaw who in turn found an unmarked Conrad Smith.
In one decisive sweeping counter attack the weapon South Africa used to such great effect against New Zealand last year was nullified.
As a rejoinder, it wasn't half bad. And what was to unfold in the next 60 minutes could be traced back to that moment; the moment when the All Blacks came up with a game plan to beat the Boks.
South Africa's tactics were the subject of considerable pre-match speculation.
Graham Henry had tipped we would see a more expansive Springboks.
But from the get-go they reverted to type and mounted an aerial assault.
Perhaps they were encouraged by an early fumble by Muliaina.
But the All Blacks back three were far better equipped to handle the predictable attack and were largely successful in defusing it. Muliaina had a fine attacking match and returned the ball with interest on most occasions. He opted to hand off to Cory Jane on several occasions.
While Jane didn't make as many line-breaks, he took intelligent options (safety first) and ensured the All Blacks retained possession, or re-directed play, to the right end of Eden Park.
For all the heroics on attack, the deciding factor for the All Blacks on the night was their defence.
It could be summed up in one word: angry.
Ever since the All Blacks were rolled last year by the Boks, they had stewed in their own rage. Their fury was there for all to see in the many punishing hits they unleashed. This gave them a decisive edge in the physical war and nullified any suggestion the big South African pack would bully McCaw's men.
The All Black front row had their pride severely dented against the Boks last year, when they were unceremoniously bullied.
But Saturday night featured a complete role reversal.
The hunter became the hunted, or should that be the shunted, and Owen Franks, the young All Blacks tight-head, came of age.
His work in the first three scrums (notably the third was sans Bakkies Botha while he was cooling his heels in the sinbin) was outstanding.
The South Africans were forced to abandon ship and stand up in the front row.
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The contest was more even in the second spell.
But the All Black lineout was also super solid and that gave the All Blacks enough quality possession to control the pace of the game.
Props who can play so effectively against South Africa, deserve instant hero status.
Franks isn't Kevin Skinner yet, but he packed a fair old punch in his 64 minutes and is well on his way to becoming a heavyweight of the game.
Ditto Kieran Read. The Crusaders No 8 was a complete and utter nuisance for South Africa on Saturday night.
He tackled like a lion and wore his spoilers' hat with aplomb. Few players are game to play this role for fear of giving away penalties.
Read may have erred a couple of times.
But the impact he made combined with his try played a defining role on the outcome of the match.
Brad Thorn was not far behind in terms of influence and McCaw also had a hand in most things. Tony Woodcock bagged the bonus point for the All Black which was a reward for the tight five who toiled so effectively.
New Zealand 32 (Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Kieran Read, Tony Woodcock tries; Dan Carter 2 pen, 3 con)
South Africa 12 (Morne Steyn 4 pen).
Halftime: 20-3.
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