Blacks smash woeful Wallabies
19 Sep 2009
New Zealand finished their Tri-Nations campaign with a 33-6 victory over an errant Australia in Wellington.
Don’t let the emphatic scoreline fool you into thinking this was a polished performance by the hosts. It wasn’t, and up until the 71st minute, they were still in danger of losing this match.
A hybrid of defensive solidity and the Wallabies’ attacking ineptitude and propensity for basic errors ensured they didn’t, but those who look at the scoreline and suggest that this Blacks side have turned the corner are grossly premature in their prediction.
This was supposed to be a spectacle between teams who have bitched at length about the Springboks’ conservative style of play. They were meant to school those boring Boks in beautiful rugby. The artists were exhibiting, now watch you pragmatic scientists from the Republic.
But if what was on show on this occasion is treasured in Australasia, and if this is what’s considered beautiful rugby, then they are wonderfully deluded.
Last week, the Springboks scored 32 points with their low-risk approach. This week the Blacks scored 33 through four penalties and three tries: one of which came from the pressure of a kick-chase not dissimilar to the manner in which the Springboks have downed their opponents; one that was allowed through diabolical defence; and one that came in the final minutes of the Test when the Wallabies had already mentally boarded the plane home.
The All Blacks were never expected to follow a kick pattern, and they didn’t disappoint, showing their hand when they played with plenty of width from the kick-off. However, width didn’t equal penetration, as the Wallabies stood strong at the tackle point and this compromised the Blacks’ ability to recycle quickly – which was crucial to the style of rugby they were attempting to play.
It didn’t aid their cause that their early attacks often crept laterally. In addition, their game breakers – the likes of Dan Carter, Ma’a Nonu and Isaia Toeava – failed to make any telling contribution for the majority of the contest mostly because they were forced to attack from well behind the gain line.
The Wallabies were even worse, even though their attacking opportunities were limited. They made fundamental handling errors after good build-up play, and failed to capitalise on a numbers advantage when Toeava was sin-binned late in the first half.
In fact, they never looked like crossing the whitewash at any stage of the Test, and the fact that they were just 10 points adrift at half-time (16-6) had everything to do with the Blacks’ attacking impotency.
Wallabies flyhalf Matt Giteau opened the scoring with a penalty, but Carter kicked three thereafter, punishing ill-discipline to take his side six points ahead.
Berrick Barnes reduced that deficit with a drop-goal and Australia would have been expecting to add to their tally when Toeava was adjudged to have hit James O’Connor high in a tackle and binned.
However, it would be the Blacks who struck the decisive blow. Mils Muliaina launched a bomb and O’Connor, who was having his worst Test in a Wallabies jumper, failed to contest the ball. Winger Cory Jane soared high, collected and sprinted clear.
It was ironic that they would score in this manner after their brutal criticism of the Springboks’ kick-chase tactics. Carter added the extras to establish a comfortable lead, one which they maintained until the break.
O’Connor’s nightmare continued after the restart when he was isolated attempting to run the ball clear from deep inside his 22m and conceded a penalty which Carter banked. At 19-6 it was the Blacks’ game to lose, especially since the Wallabies were becoming progressively more rudderless in their attacks.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans had to get the directive to his charges to attempt to replicate the territory-based approach that proved so successful for the Springboks against the Blacks – kicking in behind their back three, then pressurising them with the chase or at the lineout, where the Blacks have consistently been vulnerable. But they just couldn’t.
That was partly due to the Blacks showing a greater appreciation for the percentages than they had in the first half, and to their poor execution when they did have possession.
The Wallabies, in search of the try that would drag them back into the contest, only crafted their first threatening opportunity in the 70th minute, and then coughed up possession at the breakdown for the umpteenth time in the match.
Nonu sealed the result shortly thereafter when he broke a number of feeble tackles. Joe Rokocoko rounded off a flowing move in the final minute of play to create the illusion of excellence. It has to be stressed that it is only an illusion.
By Ryan Vrede
406 Comments
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 [8] 9 » Show All
20 Sep 2009, 10:56 am
#305 NZMaori: You see it the way I do. The Boks are damn lucky we got our act together a little late and as I said in another post we made the Wallys look like the way the Wallys made the Boks look a week earlier. We have seen the Best the Boks have had for years, they know it, we know it and history shows they wont be winning anything again for about six when we are re building again.Next year being the crucial one….we are just beginning to wind up and the Boks really have no room for improvement.
20 Sep 2009, 11:16 am
#350 captain fantail: Could have said exactly the same thing about the Boks last year when in their last game they smashed Aus by 53-8.
But didn’t at the time, because only a wnker would.
How’s the search going for a new pigeon coop ? Didn’t you lose your house on the Hamilton game ?
20 Sep 2009, 12:00 pm
#349 MaraudingJ:
OUCH.
MaraudingJ – 1
Poppa69 – 0
And that’s being generous to you Poppa.
20 Sep 2009, 12:16 pm
Keo’s Scoreboard.
Blacks 33 (16)
Tries
Cory Jane
Ma’a Nonu
Conversions
Dan Carter (3)
Penalties
Carter (4)
I could have sworn Roks got a try.
I may have to ease back on the medicine.
20 Sep 2009, 12:30 pm
#353 cane:
It was a “quota” try, so it doesn’t count in SA.
20 Sep 2009, 12:36 pm
Well a couple of weeks on holiday and nothing has changed the xenophobe poppa69 is still sprouting a load of garbage. Poppa must mean daddy and 69 baa baa’s favourite position to get his nic hey and as for NZMaori Toeava’s best game my foot the only thing Toeva wants is a four week rest for that disgraceful tackle, yellow was quite leniant I think. Then again couldn’t really cite him wouldn’t want to weaken further a very frail unit would we?
20 Sep 2009, 12:46 pm
#355 bluealligator:
Toeava’s tackle “deserved a 4 week rest”.
I suppose you were one the posters crying fowl over Jaque’s little holiday.
20 Sep 2009, 12:50 pm
#354 David:
Well it’s all done and dusted David.
And …………………the Best Team won.
Congratulations to your Boks. And they are gunner be tough next year as well.
20 Sep 2009, 13:00 pm
#356 cane: What Jacque Fourie did certainly did not deserve a citing and even less so a ban he put the man safely on the ground as is the rule. Toeava had no other intention but to end the players game. Then again intentionally injuring players with dirty and illegal tactics is an AB trait then isn’t it and history proves it, Brian O Driscoll, John Smit, Bryan Habana to name an extreme few have all suffered from those tactics but as the head of refs is also a wifebeater the AB’s escape the due punishment don’t they. 3-0
20 Sep 2009, 13:01 pm
#357 cane:
I think we’re going to see some ups and downs next year from all 3 SH sides as new combinations and players are introduced for the WC buildup, so I doubt whether any side will dominate like the Boks did this year. Whilst we have the core of our WC side in place, PdeV will probably be trying to establish more depth as we’re rather thin in certain areas. Ican see the ABs and Wobblies doing the same.
A bit like the phony war before the real hostilities break out in 2011.
20 Sep 2009, 13:02 pm
#357 cane:
Mr Cane, I see that there are many kiwis here still celebrating your impressive rogering of Robbies boys.
I cannot wait for the 4 zip whitewash to happen in Tokyo City where Mr Jones lives.
20 Sep 2009, 13:05 pm
#353 cane:
2 words for you – Ryan Vrede.
20 Sep 2009, 13:09 pm
#360 RedLion:
I just hope the England cricket team do the same today. Those bungling idiots are costing us our place at the top of the 50 overs board.
20 Sep 2009, 13:12 pm
#362 David:
I think that the club team in PE that took care of the Black Caps recently have a better chance of winning than a KP’less POM team.
20 Sep 2009, 13:13 pm
#358 bluealligator:
Q) What do you call a South African in a suit.
20 Sep 2009, 13:14 pm
A) The Defendant.
20 Sep 2009, 13:16 pm
#365 cane:
20 Sep 2009, 13:19 pm
Q
What do you call 15 guys sitting around the T.V watching the Rugby World Cup final?
20 Sep 2009, 13:20 pm
A
The All Blacks.
20 Sep 2009, 13:21 pm
#360 RedLion:
Australia are a better Team than the one that showed up to play in Wellington.
They are very young side (average age 24, I heard somewhere)and are a work in progress.
The 3N need 3 strong Teams.
Yes we won. But we know what it is to lose.
We won the battle, but lost the war.
20 Sep 2009, 13:21 pm
Q)
What’s the difference between Graham Henry and Viagra?
A)
At least Viagra gives you a semi.
20 Sep 2009, 13:22 pm
#364 cane: Q What do you call a New Zealander in a suit?
20 Sep 2009, 13:23 pm
A You wouldn’t see one a suit isn’t comfortable atire when beating your wife
20 Sep 2009, 13:23 pm
#369 cane:
Average age is 23. Of course O’Conner tends to lower the average quite a lot and with Mortlock back it will probably be closer to 50.
20 Sep 2009, 13:26 pm
Anyone care to comment on how damn good Ruan Pienaar looked at 9 yesterday and how good was that Cheetahs front row!!
20 Sep 2009, 13:27 pm
That Aussie kid at 15 needs to develop a left foot…..and the ploy of 2 fetchers proved a disaster for Aussies.
20 Sep 2009, 13:28 pm
#374 grant10:
No.
20 Sep 2009, 13:31 pm
#374 grant10: he looked good, but not as good as Vermark … well until one of the Griqua fatties decided to end him.
20 Sep 2009, 13:31 pm
#376 David: LOL you could see the difference in RP S demeanour…..a happy player is a better player.
20 Sep 2009, 13:33 pm
#373 David: O’Conner reminds me of the WP fullback, that pygmy guy Joe Petersen.
20 Sep 2009, 13:34 pm
#377 RedLion: How bad is his injury??
It looked bad….that Vermaak is a bloody special talent. By the way i read in Rapport that Mbizo, the 7s and fetcher that played so well for Southern Kings , is earmarked to play for Boks against Leicester….he has not yet secured a CC contract, may be the 1 st player to go from 7 s straight into Bok team.
A damn fine prospect.
20 Sep 2009, 13:34 pm
Nonu sealed the result shortly thereafter when he broke a number of feeble tackles. Joe Rokocoko rounded off a flowing move in the final minute of play to create the illusion of excellence. It has to be stressed that it is only an illusion.
By Ryan Vrede
I see Ryan has decided to pander to the lowest common denominator ( that’s you Bluey ).
20 Sep 2009, 13:35 pm
#379 RedLion: At least yje ‘Pygmy’ can kick…
20 Sep 2009, 13:37 pm
#381 cane: kiwis could have stuck 50 past them….with Jack, Ali Williams, Eaton,Hayman and a host of your centres coming back….danger signs all round.
20 Sep 2009, 13:37 pm
#379 RedLion:
Actually, I thought the same thing. A pygmy in stature, but a giant heart. The exact opposite of the Lions.
20 Sep 2009, 13:38 pm
Where can i see the latest CC log??
20 Sep 2009, 13:39 pm
WP need 15 points last 3 games…but away ti Lions may be a big ask….Griquas at home next sat…i will be there!
20 Sep 2009, 13:40 pm
#381 cane: Cane enjoy the win against the shackledraggers cos the wifebeaters couldn’t do it against a decent side like the Boks even with referee support and if you knew anything about rugby and were honest that scoreline truly flatters a very ordinary ab team fact. Wifebeating rugby blogs are as bad as your current team fact hence you are here blogging all the time. Finally your amoeba of brain matter is so devoid of anything positive worthwhile or intelligent to add you resort to feeble pathetic pubescent insults to justify your theft of oxygen. By the way google has an online dictionary for you to understand my comment.
20 Sep 2009, 13:42 pm
#380 grant10:
I wondered how long it would take for PdeV to include him.
#378 grant10:
Please Grant, stay away from that subject. Besides the Cheetahs are a bit different to the ABs or Wobblies.
20 Sep 2009, 13:44 pm
#387 bluealligator:
What the hell’s got into you?
20 Sep 2009, 13:46 pm
#388 David: LOL…okay…but as long as my point is clear….RP looked like a kid with candy…happy and content…
Enough from me…..
On top more controversial subject….J Smit drilled by Coenir Oosthuisen yesterday….i will leave it alone because he is just back from tour….but i have noted another inept scrum display from the Sharks….and i bet Bulls and WP will have done the same.
20 Sep 2009, 13:47 pm
#387 bluealligator: Good heavens!!
20 Sep 2009, 13:48 pm
#389 David: I wonder about that as well. I moved on to the Juan Smith is out for the rest of the season thread and the Cheetah’s are in panic.
20 Sep 2009, 14:00 pm
#387 bluealligator:
le de phucken da.
I’ve been lambasted and ridiculed by the best bluey.
You can do better than this, surely.
20 Sep 2009, 14:06 pm
#350 captain fantail:
oh ****, i see cap’n fanny has got his strut back on and his tailfeathers are spread out in all their resplendant glory…we shall never hear the end of this AB win.
20 Sep 2009, 14:10 pm
#394 cab:
I bet his colleagues love him in Oz, as well. Doesn’t the guy have any survival instincts if he wants to stay there?
20 Sep 2009, 20:52 pm
#350 captain fantail: You’re really really reaching….he Boks weren’t “damned lucky”, they were damned superior. Simple. The main reason the AB’s looked as good as they did is because the Aussies were so dire, they exerted no pressure on defence and allowed the AB’s to play the game they wanted to. This would not have happened with the Boks. The exert so much pressure, relentless pressure that they frustrate the opposition’s attempts to get int o any kind of decent rhythm (like the Blacks did on Saturday)
How short is your memory?? But hey, if you don’t believe me, send ‘em on over and we’ll refresh your memories for you….
20 Sep 2009, 20:56 pm
#387 bluealligator: What’s with you and wifebeaters anyway??? I thought it happens everywhere….cos women everywhere just don’t listen!
20 Sep 2009, 23:20 pm
I thought the kiwis got away with murder at the breakdown – at no stage of teh game did teh ref blow the black players for not rolling away – and they never did!! the Aussies could not get any quick ball out because of this.
Also, the kiwi way of pushing against the side of the ruck and then “falling” while pivoting over sideways to fall over the back of it was on full display. But they never get blown for this.
And their players actually run obstruction (going offside in the process after the tackle) to prevent the Oz forwards getting to the rucks in time!! But the ref did not pick it up – even though the one by Nonu was blatant… poor game by the SA ref I am afraid- and I am a Bok supporter.
20 Sep 2009, 23:35 pm
D@MMIT!! Why can I never ever type “the” properly? My brain is hardwired to type “teh” instead.
AAARGH!!!
For future reference as a standing addendum, “teh” means “the” when I post….
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 [8] 9 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.