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.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
All Blacks looking to rub out Steyn
MARC HINTON
July 8, 2010 - 1:05PM
Stopping Steyn . . . The All Blacks have revealed they intend to put more pressure on Springboks five-eighth Morne Steyn in the opening Tri Nations Test in Auckland. Photo: Getty Images
Dan Carter doesn't normally give too much away in the leadup to a test, so it was interesting to hear the All Blacks playmaker practically paint a target on the back of his Springbok opposite this week.
If Carter is the king of five-eighths in world rugby, the acknowledged master in the most influential position on the field, then Morne Steyn is very much the young prince.
And Carter didn't mind raising the stakes ahead of Saturday's Tri Nations opener against the Springboks at Eden Park by painting his rival as the Bok who must be shackled.
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"He's been a valuable part of the South African side over the last couple years, and he's really grown as a player," said Carter.
"He's the kind of player that can turn a game with his accurate kicking game.
"So we need to put him under pressure. We've talked this week about shutting down his time and space and put his kicking under pressure. That can relieve the pressure on us a little bit.
"That's a big part of our game - stopping their game getting any flow. There's also the penalties. We've been punished in the past by giving away too many penalties with his goalkicking accuracy. We just can't afford to do that."
It's pretty standard stuff, but telling that Carter has chosen to highlight the game plan so vividly.
Perhaps the All Blacks feel that Steyn, into just his second season of test rugby, can be rattled. Not that they've managed it yet, with the Boks No 10 having guided his side to a sweep of the New Zealanders last year – and playing key roles each time.
He scored 53 points in the three test victories, including a record haul in Durban when he scored all of his side's points in a 31-18 win.
Carter believes tactics are going to be vital as the All Blacks look to haul in these runaway Boks and protect their outstanding test record on Eden Park. Right up there with that other crucial facet when you square off against the South Africans.
"You have to be very smart tactically and you also have to bring that physicality because that's what they're going to bring," added Carter.
"Tactically we have to work out the way they like to play and try to work out opportunities that provides for us. Hopefully we've nailed it."
Carter said the All Blacks had spent a lot of time over the past month studying the Boks game and had arrived at "a few ways we can exploit them".
He was also predicting a slightly more wide-ranging approach from them this time round.
"I think they'll be a bit more expansive than thy were last year, when obviously they put us under a lot of pressure with their kicking game. The way the game's gone with slight changes I guess there are more opportunities to keep ball in hand.
"The Bulls and Stormers did that extremely well this year, made the most of their opportunities, but also used their kicking game as a real weapon.
"I think they'll continue to do that this year because they put us under a lot of pressure in the past playing that style, but with a bit more balance between kicking and keeping the ball in hand."
Carter also shrugged off the delay in the Springboks team naming as having any sort of significance - "We know what to expect from them," he said – though did say they would miss master halfback Fourie du Preez who is out for the season.
He also hinted he's ready to take his own game up a level after missing the first tweo tests against the Boks last year.
"I've been pretty happy with the way I've played in June, but the Tri-Nations is another step up, we're up against the best teams in the world and I need to really deliver and step up to these challenges."
Sounds like Carter is up for the battle.
To that end don't be surprised if the Boks aren't putting the same sort of emphasis on the New Zealand No 10, that the All Blacks are on theirs.
July 8, 2010 - 1:05PM
Stopping Steyn . . . The All Blacks have revealed they intend to put more pressure on Springboks five-eighth Morne Steyn in the opening Tri Nations Test in Auckland. Photo: Getty Images
Dan Carter doesn't normally give too much away in the leadup to a test, so it was interesting to hear the All Blacks playmaker practically paint a target on the back of his Springbok opposite this week.
If Carter is the king of five-eighths in world rugby, the acknowledged master in the most influential position on the field, then Morne Steyn is very much the young prince.
And Carter didn't mind raising the stakes ahead of Saturday's Tri Nations opener against the Springboks at Eden Park by painting his rival as the Bok who must be shackled.
Advertisement: Story continues below
"He's been a valuable part of the South African side over the last couple years, and he's really grown as a player," said Carter.
"He's the kind of player that can turn a game with his accurate kicking game.
"So we need to put him under pressure. We've talked this week about shutting down his time and space and put his kicking under pressure. That can relieve the pressure on us a little bit.
"That's a big part of our game - stopping their game getting any flow. There's also the penalties. We've been punished in the past by giving away too many penalties with his goalkicking accuracy. We just can't afford to do that."
It's pretty standard stuff, but telling that Carter has chosen to highlight the game plan so vividly.
Perhaps the All Blacks feel that Steyn, into just his second season of test rugby, can be rattled. Not that they've managed it yet, with the Boks No 10 having guided his side to a sweep of the New Zealanders last year – and playing key roles each time.
He scored 53 points in the three test victories, including a record haul in Durban when he scored all of his side's points in a 31-18 win.
Carter believes tactics are going to be vital as the All Blacks look to haul in these runaway Boks and protect their outstanding test record on Eden Park. Right up there with that other crucial facet when you square off against the South Africans.
"You have to be very smart tactically and you also have to bring that physicality because that's what they're going to bring," added Carter.
"Tactically we have to work out the way they like to play and try to work out opportunities that provides for us. Hopefully we've nailed it."
Carter said the All Blacks had spent a lot of time over the past month studying the Boks game and had arrived at "a few ways we can exploit them".
He was also predicting a slightly more wide-ranging approach from them this time round.
"I think they'll be a bit more expansive than thy were last year, when obviously they put us under a lot of pressure with their kicking game. The way the game's gone with slight changes I guess there are more opportunities to keep ball in hand.
"The Bulls and Stormers did that extremely well this year, made the most of their opportunities, but also used their kicking game as a real weapon.
"I think they'll continue to do that this year because they put us under a lot of pressure in the past playing that style, but with a bit more balance between kicking and keeping the ball in hand."
Carter also shrugged off the delay in the Springboks team naming as having any sort of significance - "We know what to expect from them," he said – though did say they would miss master halfback Fourie du Preez who is out for the season.
He also hinted he's ready to take his own game up a level after missing the first tweo tests against the Boks last year.
"I've been pretty happy with the way I've played in June, but the Tri-Nations is another step up, we're up against the best teams in the world and I need to really deliver and step up to these challenges."
Sounds like Carter is up for the battle.
To that end don't be surprised if the Boks aren't putting the same sort of emphasis on the New Zealand No 10, that the All Blacks are on theirs.
All Blacks backline no longer run by one general
James Mortimer - (7/07/2010)
As always much focus coming into the first match of the Investec Tri Nations will be on the All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter, but the backline is rapidly losing its dependency on its mercurial conductor.
So a potential South African plan to shut down Carter may only free up other threats in the All Blacks backline.
The Springboks have quite possibly the most feared strategy when it comes to countering the influence of an opposition's number ten.
They possess arguably the world’s best kicking game, although while Morne Steyn is unchallenged as probably the finest kicking playmaker on the world stage, no doubt the Springboks potency will be lessened due to the absence of Fourie du Preez, and to a lesser degree Francois Steyn.
But the South Africans pressure system, especially defensively, is largely co-ordinated to shut down their opponent’s playmaker, and Carter will spend much of the game having formidable Springbok loose forwards charging at every opportunity.
A general truism with the All Blacks has been that if you can shut down Carter, you can shut down the black machine.
But to say that Carter is the only automatic selection in the back division is no longer accurate, and to claim that without him the three quarter line is impotent is equally false.
The All Blacks will roll out one of their most experienced back lines in history against the Springboks at Eden Park, with 346 caps from nine to 15.
More to the point, the backline is rapidly beginning to feel “first choice” but is also filling with options in the selection queue.
While there is no one to directly challenge Carter or perhaps Jimmy Cowan (despite a stacked line of quality scrumhalves in NZ rugby), every position now has a secondary option that if it is not quite world class, has the potential to be so.
A great reflection though on the quality of options around Carter is how understated it is that he is quickly found his Midas touch since again donning All Black colours.
Credit must be given to the man himself, but when looking at the youthful backline Carter operated with at the Crusaders, versus the division clad in black, a saying comes to mind – form is temporary, but class is permanent, yet such class will always shine when surrounded by those of comparable caste.
Cowan and Conrad Smith as it stands are embedded as the incumbents at the base of the scrum and at centre.
Smith’s influence in particular cannot be underestimated, considering that for so long the All Blacks struggled to find an automatic selection at 13.
His form so far this campaign in two outings has been nothing short of exemplary.
Ma’a Nonu returns and Graham Henry has indicated that his inclusion in the side, despite playing only 70 minutes of club rugby, is a recognition of the fact that he is effectively the nation’s first choice second five-eighth.
Question marks will always hang over the powerful line breaker for the fact that his style is inherent to occasional mistakes, but there is no doubting his growth into the role, cementing his position not only in the black jersey, but as one of the more intimidating backs in world rugby.
The Cowan, Nonu and Smith axis at 9, 12 and 13 represents well over 100 test matches and gives the All Blacks far more spine outside the previously thought “single vertebrae” that is Carter.
The outside three quarters are more interesting.
Cory Jane, playing in his 16th test match this weekend, seems to head what appears to be a verifiable squadron of All Blacks wingers. Joe Rokocoko is seemingly in a constant fight of late to retain his position, but his 62 tests add an appeal in experience, as does the still injured 43 test veteran Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Mils Muliaina, the most experienced All Black back in history, will be watched intensely as he now faces a real fight to hold his position thanks to the startling debut of Israel Dagg, not to mention the fact that Jane is generally regarded as a specialist custodian.
Either way Carter’s importance to the team is still immense, but alone his shoulders hardly bear the burden, considering the growth of the All Blacks backline.
As always much focus coming into the first match of the Investec Tri Nations will be on the All Blacks first five-eighth Dan Carter, but the backline is rapidly losing its dependency on its mercurial conductor.
So a potential South African plan to shut down Carter may only free up other threats in the All Blacks backline.
The Springboks have quite possibly the most feared strategy when it comes to countering the influence of an opposition's number ten.
They possess arguably the world’s best kicking game, although while Morne Steyn is unchallenged as probably the finest kicking playmaker on the world stage, no doubt the Springboks potency will be lessened due to the absence of Fourie du Preez, and to a lesser degree Francois Steyn.
But the South Africans pressure system, especially defensively, is largely co-ordinated to shut down their opponent’s playmaker, and Carter will spend much of the game having formidable Springbok loose forwards charging at every opportunity.
A general truism with the All Blacks has been that if you can shut down Carter, you can shut down the black machine.
But to say that Carter is the only automatic selection in the back division is no longer accurate, and to claim that without him the three quarter line is impotent is equally false.
The All Blacks will roll out one of their most experienced back lines in history against the Springboks at Eden Park, with 346 caps from nine to 15.
More to the point, the backline is rapidly beginning to feel “first choice” but is also filling with options in the selection queue.
While there is no one to directly challenge Carter or perhaps Jimmy Cowan (despite a stacked line of quality scrumhalves in NZ rugby), every position now has a secondary option that if it is not quite world class, has the potential to be so.
A great reflection though on the quality of options around Carter is how understated it is that he is quickly found his Midas touch since again donning All Black colours.
Credit must be given to the man himself, but when looking at the youthful backline Carter operated with at the Crusaders, versus the division clad in black, a saying comes to mind – form is temporary, but class is permanent, yet such class will always shine when surrounded by those of comparable caste.
Cowan and Conrad Smith as it stands are embedded as the incumbents at the base of the scrum and at centre.
Smith’s influence in particular cannot be underestimated, considering that for so long the All Blacks struggled to find an automatic selection at 13.
His form so far this campaign in two outings has been nothing short of exemplary.
Ma’a Nonu returns and Graham Henry has indicated that his inclusion in the side, despite playing only 70 minutes of club rugby, is a recognition of the fact that he is effectively the nation’s first choice second five-eighth.
Question marks will always hang over the powerful line breaker for the fact that his style is inherent to occasional mistakes, but there is no doubting his growth into the role, cementing his position not only in the black jersey, but as one of the more intimidating backs in world rugby.
The Cowan, Nonu and Smith axis at 9, 12 and 13 represents well over 100 test matches and gives the All Blacks far more spine outside the previously thought “single vertebrae” that is Carter.
The outside three quarters are more interesting.
Cory Jane, playing in his 16th test match this weekend, seems to head what appears to be a verifiable squadron of All Blacks wingers. Joe Rokocoko is seemingly in a constant fight of late to retain his position, but his 62 tests add an appeal in experience, as does the still injured 43 test veteran Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Mils Muliaina, the most experienced All Black back in history, will be watched intensely as he now faces a real fight to hold his position thanks to the startling debut of Israel Dagg, not to mention the fact that Jane is generally regarded as a specialist custodian.
Either way Carter’s importance to the team is still immense, but alone his shoulders hardly bear the burden, considering the growth of the All Blacks backline.
This Test Is the All Blacks to lose.
This test is the AB's to lose? I am brimming with confidence from what I read about how NZ appear to be daunted by the Boks ... this is exactly the 'perfect' position the AB's need to be in. Yet again there are punters doubting the power of the AB's. What many fail to realise is - when the AB's are labelled as 'underdogs', thats when they move into demolition mode - remember France last year on their own turf? Sure the Boks are an extremely formidable unit, BUT hey,the AB's and their legacy will prevail ... that is why NO OTHER rugby nation on the planet has a better win-loss ratio as the Men in Black. New Zealanders were born to rule the world when it comes to Rugger. Our history in the sport justifys this. OK we haven't won a World Cup since '87 and we may fall at the final hurdle next year(lets keep that option open -though hope it doesn't come to that), but consistency has been a gift handed down from the Rugby gods and instilled in our 'phsyche' despite the evolvement of the modern game. This is the legacy that goes with donning the 'black' of NZ. This is what sends 'shivers' down the spines of players, management and fans. The MIGHTY ALL BLACKS is a brand name based on 'mana', 'pride' and 'committment'. It emphasises the fighting cultural spirit of New Zealand as a people. Who would dare to come to Aotearoa and lay 'challenge' against OUR legacy. This Saturday is when Pakeha, Maori & Pacific Islanders (New Zealanders) form as one unit to defend, repel and protect our proud rugby heritage against one of, if not the biggest adversary in Rugby - the Springboks. A big heart will always beat a big man! Kia ora ... Kia Kaha AB's!
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