Saturday, July 31, 2010

Savour the win while you can, Australia

Former All Black Taine Randell assesses the Wallabies' prospects in the Tri Nations.
Well done to Australia, but my prediction is that this will be the only Test they will win in the Tri Nations this year.
Nothing I saw from the Wallabies suggested to me they'd be anywhere near the All Blacks in their three Tests against them and they won't stand much of a chance when they go to South Africa for two Tests.
Everything was in the Wallabies' favour going into this game - including the Brisbane factor - while the Springboks were on a hiding to nothing. This game went the way it was expected to.
The Springboks look like an ageing side with a redundant playing style. The game has changed but they haven't changed with it. After two brutal hidings from the All Blacks, the Springboks were already in pain going into this Test.
The Wallabies held their own physically but I suspect they won't be able to do that against the All Blacks or in their two Tests in South Africa. The Springboks haven't got any points from three games, but the Tri Nations isn't quite New Zealand's yet because bonus points may come into it.
South Africa had the worst draw and they should be a different beast back at home. However, you do have to say the All Blacks are in the box seat, particularly with the maximum 10 points from their first two games.
The All Blacks coaches, who were in Brisbane, would have no doubt viewed it with interest before this weekend's Test against the Wallabies in Melbourne.
I'm pretty happy with where the All Blacks squad is at the moment. If you look at the teams that have been successful at World Cups, they all had experienced squads but also one or two young players coming through who put the real gloss on the side, taking them to the next level.
In 1987 Michael Jones sticks out from that experienced side, in 1991 it was Willie O for the Wallabies and fours years later, even though they didn't win it, the All Blacks were the best side and they had Jonah Lomu.
In 1999 it was Stephen Larkham, 2003 was perhaps an exception for England because Jonny Wilkinson came through the year before and in 2007 Bryan Habana was relatively new on the scene.
Much has been made of the fact that this All Blacks is one of the oldest that has played together.
So when we look ahead to the World Cup, it's good there is so much experience. But it's crucial they have a couple of younger players out there who'll provide the X-factor.
In that regard, we're looking at players such as Israel Dagg, Rene Ranger and Victor Vito. Everyone goes on about how good Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn and Dan Carter are but the younger players shouldn't be overlooked.

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