Paul Cully
October 17, 2011
Cory Jane was the official man of the match.
15. Israel Dagg The most dangerous runner on the field, he killed the Wallabies with his long-kicking game from fullback. Won the territorial battle. 8/10
14. Cory Jane Brilliance under the high ball was the feature of the first half, snuffing out Genia's kicking game. Bright on attack too. 8
13. Conrad Smith Hardly touched the ball as the All Blacks turned the game into a contest between the forwards. But solid in defence. 6
12. Ma'a Nonu A quieter than normal performance, which was to be expected in the absence of Dan Carter. 7
11. Richard Kahui Saw little ball but was solid when called upon. Would have enjoyed last act of game, driving an isolated, backpedalling Cooper over the touchline to the delight of the Eden Park fans. 6
10. Aaron Cruden Incredibly assured performance from the youngster. Ran with purpose and had the ball on a string with his kicking, including one composed drop goal. Opposite of Cooper.7
9. Piri Weepu Not his best game and he had an off night with the boot, missing some very kickable penalties. Pace caught up with him and he was replaced before the hour. 6
8. Kieran Read Running into some strong form after his injury lay-off. The man for the hard yards. 7
7. Richard McCaw Showed the world that he is still the boss, indisputably, even on one foot. One fantastic driving tackle on Genia highlighted his effort. 8
6. Jerome Kaino Used his immense strength to pick up and drive back Ioane when a try looked on the cards. 7
5. Sam Whitelock Busy rather than spectacular, although the lineout operated efficiently. Ali Williams made more of an impact from the bench with his powerful carries. 7
4. Brad Thorn Wallabies fans will find the image of a whooping Thorn after a dominant scrum hard to swallow, but he was a strongman all night. 7
3. Owen Franks Gave Kepu and Slipper real problems in the set pieces and smashed McCabe with one huge tackle that led to an All Blacks penalty. A hard nut from the old school. 8
2. Keven Mealamu His best performance of the tournament. Consistently made metres up the middle with his close-to-the-ground running style. 8
1. Tony Woodcock Part of the brutal forward effort that won the game. All Blacks won the scrum, the collisions and the breakdown. 7
RESERVES
Brainless no-arms tackle by Sonny Bill Williams on Cooper reduced his team to 14 men in the dying minutes and could have been costly at another stage. But Andy Ellis and Ali Williams made important contributions in the last half hour, as did Andrew Hore with his strength at the breakdown. 7
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Steely All Blacks one match away from immortality
James Mortimer - (17/10/2011)
Earlier in the week the Australian media claimed the All Blacks had played their greatest emotional card, with the 1987 World Cup winning team having a special lunch with their current counterparts.
These All Blacks don’t lack for motivation when considering the factors they could use to drive them on when approaching the Final this weekend against France.
There is the small matter of a 24-year winning drought at this tournament, with this now the sixth World Cup since the All Blacks have hoisted the Webb Ellis trophy in triumph.
Add to this being at home amongst their ‘stadium of four million’, the poignant emotion and feeling that is hammered back home every time we think about Christchurch and the devastating earthquakes, not to mention Jock Hobbs special touch in presenting the new All Blacks centurions their caps, Jonah Lomu being hospitalised during the World Cup – and let us not forget the shock when it was revealed Dan Carter was ruled out.
If anything, there was a risk that there was too much emotion or feeling, something that the All Blacks could have succumbed to.
But with a moment of clarity, I personally knew this was not to be the case.
As I was standing during the New Zealand anthem, I must admit – with no embarrassment - that for the first time I was in tears as I was overcome with emotion prior to arguably the biggest All Blacks test I had ever been privledged to watch.
Then it hit me.
The All Blacks, to a man, looked relaxed and composed, some belting out ‘God Defend New Zealand’, while others, as is their want, stood deep within their own thoughts.
However emotion, nervousness, or even the slightest look of apprehension, was not in sight.
These All Blacks were focused.
This team was calm.
They leaked a steely resolve that coach Graham Henry had said was a consistent theme building into the test.
This All Blacks team was always going to be judged on the World Cup, and while Henry and captain Richie McCaw have cautioned they are still to ‘win the damn thing’, they are now on the precipice of adding the one trophy that has alluded them for two decades.
In 2004, when Henry took over as All Blacks coach, there was a small hint of things to come as England – admittedly understrength – but World Champions, arrived in New Zealand and lost 36-3 and 36-12.
The Springboks may have won the Investec Tri Nations that year, but Henry would add to the All Blacks legacy, a word he has spoken of with hushed tones during his long tenure.
Last night’s victory against the Wallabies was the All Blacks 87th test win in 102 matches under Henry - pushing his statistic to 85.7 percent of games won.
It was also the 192nd win on New Zealand soil, a remarkable ledger from 235 matches that has seen the All Blacks colours lowered just 37 times in their own backyard since 1904 - a home winning record of precisely 81.7 percent.
These All Blacks, led initially by Tana Umaga and now captained by Richie McCaw, has given rise to the most experienced New Zealand test team of all time.
Five of the All Blacks ten Tri Nations titles have been won in this period, including a competition record four straight from 2005 to 2008.
The Bledisloe Cup has not been conceded since 2002, the solitary Grand Slam victory achieved by Graham Mourie in 1978 has had three successes added (2005, 2008 and 2010), while records have been re-written with trans-Tasman streaks, home winning runs, while 50 tests against Northern Hemisphere opposition has resulted in just two losses in eight years.
The one thing to all but confirm this team as one of the great All Blacks sides, and one of the best outfits of all time – is the Webb Ellis Cup.
France and eighty minutes now stand between the All Blacks, as they prepare to pass their final barometer.
Earlier in the week the Australian media claimed the All Blacks had played their greatest emotional card, with the 1987 World Cup winning team having a special lunch with their current counterparts.
These All Blacks don’t lack for motivation when considering the factors they could use to drive them on when approaching the Final this weekend against France.
There is the small matter of a 24-year winning drought at this tournament, with this now the sixth World Cup since the All Blacks have hoisted the Webb Ellis trophy in triumph.
Add to this being at home amongst their ‘stadium of four million’, the poignant emotion and feeling that is hammered back home every time we think about Christchurch and the devastating earthquakes, not to mention Jock Hobbs special touch in presenting the new All Blacks centurions their caps, Jonah Lomu being hospitalised during the World Cup – and let us not forget the shock when it was revealed Dan Carter was ruled out.
If anything, there was a risk that there was too much emotion or feeling, something that the All Blacks could have succumbed to.
But with a moment of clarity, I personally knew this was not to be the case.
As I was standing during the New Zealand anthem, I must admit – with no embarrassment - that for the first time I was in tears as I was overcome with emotion prior to arguably the biggest All Blacks test I had ever been privledged to watch.
Then it hit me.
The All Blacks, to a man, looked relaxed and composed, some belting out ‘God Defend New Zealand’, while others, as is their want, stood deep within their own thoughts.
However emotion, nervousness, or even the slightest look of apprehension, was not in sight.
These All Blacks were focused.
This team was calm.
They leaked a steely resolve that coach Graham Henry had said was a consistent theme building into the test.
This All Blacks team was always going to be judged on the World Cup, and while Henry and captain Richie McCaw have cautioned they are still to ‘win the damn thing’, they are now on the precipice of adding the one trophy that has alluded them for two decades.
In 2004, when Henry took over as All Blacks coach, there was a small hint of things to come as England – admittedly understrength – but World Champions, arrived in New Zealand and lost 36-3 and 36-12.
The Springboks may have won the Investec Tri Nations that year, but Henry would add to the All Blacks legacy, a word he has spoken of with hushed tones during his long tenure.
Last night’s victory against the Wallabies was the All Blacks 87th test win in 102 matches under Henry - pushing his statistic to 85.7 percent of games won.
It was also the 192nd win on New Zealand soil, a remarkable ledger from 235 matches that has seen the All Blacks colours lowered just 37 times in their own backyard since 1904 - a home winning record of precisely 81.7 percent.
These All Blacks, led initially by Tana Umaga and now captained by Richie McCaw, has given rise to the most experienced New Zealand test team of all time.
Five of the All Blacks ten Tri Nations titles have been won in this period, including a competition record four straight from 2005 to 2008.
The Bledisloe Cup has not been conceded since 2002, the solitary Grand Slam victory achieved by Graham Mourie in 1978 has had three successes added (2005, 2008 and 2010), while records have been re-written with trans-Tasman streaks, home winning runs, while 50 tests against Northern Hemisphere opposition has resulted in just two losses in eight years.
The one thing to all but confirm this team as one of the great All Blacks sides, and one of the best outfits of all time – is the Webb Ellis Cup.
France and eighty minutes now stand between the All Blacks, as they prepare to pass their final barometer.
All Blacks power into World Cup final
Sportal.co.nz - (16/10/2011)
All Blacks power was turned onto full velocity as they beat Australia 20-6 to claim a place in next week's Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park in Auckland.
Australia were guilty of succumbing to outstanding pressure mounted by the home team, rarely managing to complete meaningful assaults and conceding turnover after turnover.
Australia's Eden Park bogey was extended while New Zealand claimed a first World Cup victory over their trans-Tasman neighbours after their losses in 1991 and 2003.
It wasn't the most flowing of contests, it was all to do with power, brute power in the traditional New Zealand sense. Nothing demonstrated that more than a pile-driving New Zealand scrum in the 71st minute which destroyed the Australian scrum resulting in a penalty which halfback Piri Weepu, who was called back onto the field as a blood bin replacement for Andrew Ellis, goaled for the winning advantage.
Considering his foot had been under intense scrutiny throughout the week before the game captain Richie McCaw belied any concerns with a vigorous demonstration of his right to still be regarded as the best flanker in the world. He had an improved Kieran Read and the admirable blindside flanker par excellence Jerome Kaino as outstanding assistants.
Whether covering in defence or leading the way in driving play the trio set an example and the tight core did their job superbly. To see prop Owen Franks tying down dangerous halfback Will Genia and wing Digby Ioane up was a demonstration of New Zealand's application. Hooker Keven Mealamu was a low-slung runner with ball in hand as he inched over the advantage line with lock Brad Thorn close behind.
Weepu was again outstanding and while landing four penalty goals he achieved 100 points in Test matches.
Wing Cory Jane had few chances to run but was magnificent under high kicks both offensively and defensively.
Australia were forced into basic errors as the result of the intensity of New Zealand's defence. Ioane dropped the ball in one instance and was then guilty of running into one of his own players accidentally in front of him. In a later move wing James O'Connor attempted a miracle off-load only to conceded the ball to New Zealand. Errors were there from the start of the match for the Australians.
New Zealand could hardly have imagined a better opening when Australian first five-eighths Quade Cooper begun the game by putting the kick-off straight into touch. The result was instant pressure being applied with fullback Israel Dagg twice making telling breaks the second of which resulted in the opening try, after five minutes to second five-eighths Ma'a Nonu.
The New Zealand forwards were like lions unleashed, hammering into rucks and mauls, getting the low drive on the Australians and creating quick ball which halfback Piri Weepu released with ease.
Australian flanker David Pocock was penalised twice in the first 12 minutes for breakdown infringements with Weepu converting one penalty in the 12th.
But Australia struck back when Weepu failed to find touch with James O'Connor finding room for fellow wing Digby Ioane to race to the line, just being held up short by rapid All Blacks defence and it was McCaw's turn to be penalised in the 16th minute for O'Connor to land the goal.
It appeared New Zealand had decided to deliberately target Cooper, wherever he was in his covering role he was peppered with high kicks and All Blacks chasers bearing down on him with telling effect.
Australia had a solid period on attack around the 30th minute but all they got from it was a Cooper dropped goal. New Zealand got back onto attack and a basic penalty from a high kick being knocked on and then touched by fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper resulted in a penalty goal for Weepu in the 35th minute.
Scorers:
Australia 6 (James O'Connor pen; Quade Cooper dropped goal) New Zealand 20 (Ma'a Nonu try; Piri Weepu 4 pen; Aaron Cruden dropped goal). HT: 6-14
All Blacks power was turned onto full velocity as they beat Australia 20-6 to claim a place in next week's Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park in Auckland.
Australia were guilty of succumbing to outstanding pressure mounted by the home team, rarely managing to complete meaningful assaults and conceding turnover after turnover.
Australia's Eden Park bogey was extended while New Zealand claimed a first World Cup victory over their trans-Tasman neighbours after their losses in 1991 and 2003.
It wasn't the most flowing of contests, it was all to do with power, brute power in the traditional New Zealand sense. Nothing demonstrated that more than a pile-driving New Zealand scrum in the 71st minute which destroyed the Australian scrum resulting in a penalty which halfback Piri Weepu, who was called back onto the field as a blood bin replacement for Andrew Ellis, goaled for the winning advantage.
Considering his foot had been under intense scrutiny throughout the week before the game captain Richie McCaw belied any concerns with a vigorous demonstration of his right to still be regarded as the best flanker in the world. He had an improved Kieran Read and the admirable blindside flanker par excellence Jerome Kaino as outstanding assistants.
Whether covering in defence or leading the way in driving play the trio set an example and the tight core did their job superbly. To see prop Owen Franks tying down dangerous halfback Will Genia and wing Digby Ioane up was a demonstration of New Zealand's application. Hooker Keven Mealamu was a low-slung runner with ball in hand as he inched over the advantage line with lock Brad Thorn close behind.
Weepu was again outstanding and while landing four penalty goals he achieved 100 points in Test matches.
Wing Cory Jane had few chances to run but was magnificent under high kicks both offensively and defensively.
Australia were forced into basic errors as the result of the intensity of New Zealand's defence. Ioane dropped the ball in one instance and was then guilty of running into one of his own players accidentally in front of him. In a later move wing James O'Connor attempted a miracle off-load only to conceded the ball to New Zealand. Errors were there from the start of the match for the Australians.
New Zealand could hardly have imagined a better opening when Australian first five-eighths Quade Cooper begun the game by putting the kick-off straight into touch. The result was instant pressure being applied with fullback Israel Dagg twice making telling breaks the second of which resulted in the opening try, after five minutes to second five-eighths Ma'a Nonu.
The New Zealand forwards were like lions unleashed, hammering into rucks and mauls, getting the low drive on the Australians and creating quick ball which halfback Piri Weepu released with ease.
Australian flanker David Pocock was penalised twice in the first 12 minutes for breakdown infringements with Weepu converting one penalty in the 12th.
But Australia struck back when Weepu failed to find touch with James O'Connor finding room for fellow wing Digby Ioane to race to the line, just being held up short by rapid All Blacks defence and it was McCaw's turn to be penalised in the 16th minute for O'Connor to land the goal.
It appeared New Zealand had decided to deliberately target Cooper, wherever he was in his covering role he was peppered with high kicks and All Blacks chasers bearing down on him with telling effect.
Australia had a solid period on attack around the 30th minute but all they got from it was a Cooper dropped goal. New Zealand got back onto attack and a basic penalty from a high kick being knocked on and then touched by fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper resulted in a penalty goal for Weepu in the 35th minute.
Scorers:
Australia 6 (James O'Connor pen; Quade Cooper dropped goal) New Zealand 20 (Ma'a Nonu try; Piri Weepu 4 pen; Aaron Cruden dropped goal). HT: 6-14
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