Blacks within reach of rugby heaven
16 Oct 2011
RYAN VREDE watched the All Blacks take a step closer to ending their World Cup misery with a 20-6 victory over Australia at Eden Park.
Surely now. Surely the suffering will end. Surely the team that has so often betrayed the faithfulness of their long-suffering fans, nay, disciples, will claim the one prize they most covet.
France lie in wait in the final. On the evidence of their woeful performance in victory over Wales last night they will not live with this flawed but formidable team and its superlative players – Israel Dagg chief among those.
On current form Dagg is without peer in the game, possessing every technical gift on offer, and, more pertinently, the temperament for the biggest occasions. All those qualities were on show as he crafted their only try, beating three would-be tacklers then defying the laws of physics to offload a pass to Ma’a Nonu while plummeting into touch. Breathtaking is a word too liberally used to describe mediocre feats. It is inadequate for that inspired action.
Dagg was the headline act in a play with a range of compelling sub-plots, none more so than the vendetta against a son of New Zealand’s soil, Quade Cooper. It took 32 minutes for the flyhalf to do something right (a drop-goal), the preceding period being spent chastising himself for errors or peeling himself off the canvas from statement hits.
While Cooper’s star waned, his counterpart Aaron Cruden’s shone brightly. In the context of his Test career – its genesis seeing coach Graham Henry hailing him as the natural successor to Daniel Carter, and its nadir coming when he was unceremoniously dumped shortly thereafter, before being recently recalled – his was a mature effort, particularly in light of the magnitude of the occasion and the quality of the opposition.
But in a game shaped by the principle of cause and effect, Cruden’s ability to rock rested heavily on the shift put in by his roadies in shirts one through eight. Immovable at the gainline on defence and irresistible on attack, the Blacks’ heavies were mighty. Their spirit was encapsulated in the superb performance of Richie McCaw, who excelled despite his foot being held together by hope and some items found in a mechanic’s toolbox. ‘I know he will try to be modest and give credit to the tight five [for laying the platform], but he was just outstanding,’ coach Graham Henry said of McCaw.
Australia boast a player of Dagg’s calibre in openside flank David Pocock, who appears to possess the supernatural gift of omnipresence. But he was rendered a non-factor at the breakdown thanks to the efficiency of the Blacks’ strike runners and cleaners.
It would be remiss not to acknowledge the Wallabies’ unkillable spirit in the face of incessant pressure. It was the outstanding feature of their game against the Springboks last week, and they exhibited that again tonight. To restrict the Blacks to one try is a notable achievement given the hosts’ surfeit of territory and possession. However, they lacked a clinical edge in the 22m, which was decisive to their fortunes.
That they were in touch at half-time – trailing 14-6 – bore testament to their resolve as much as it did the Blacks’ frequent impatience on attack. But they did little more than survive, when reopening the psychological wounds the Blacks sport from previous failures in this tournament required considerably more.
Just after the restart Piri Weepu kicked his third penalty to go with a Cruden drop goal, extending the lead to 11 points. There was a observable change in focus from the Blacks thereafter, with panache giving way to pragmatism on attack and granitic defence being the bedrock of their resistance.
Australia succumbed, albeit not meekly, to a team who have no equal in the game. France are vastly inferior opponents. For the Blacks, ending their suffering will be more a test of exorcising their own demons than it will be about vanquishing Lievremont’s mad mob.
By Ryan Vrede, at Eden Park
Follow Ryan’s World Cup coverage on Twitter
1,170 Comments
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16 Oct 2011, 12:01 pm
*** = G a y
16 Oct 2011, 12:01 pm
SBW need to calm the feck down.
16 Oct 2011, 12:01 pm
chch, Don’t you remember the death threats against Barnes, or even the Wikipedia profile that was changed. There was turmoil over there. There was a documentry about the All Blacks in the build up to this RWC. In it, the fans were crying like babies after the match against France. Anyway, I love the fact that the All Blacks have to face France in the Final. The All Blacks are favourates, at home, they can not lose, OR CAN THEY?
16 Oct 2011, 12:01 pm
all blacks would have smashed boks on tonights performance!rugby union needs an all black or french victory to restore faith in the wc.england and sa won’t be missed.
16 Oct 2011, 12:02 pm
@Richie_7(p0ppa69)-483: Dagg was great as well though, good positional play and kicking. Thought Richie looked good as well
16 Oct 2011, 12:03 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-498: Kaino was brutal. McCaw was shaded I reckon. But only IMO.
16 Oct 2011, 12:03 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-480:
Sorry how can the not living be bloodied?
It is ALL yours and only yours(and Helen(HindraG)
16 Oct 2011, 12:03 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-471: well said
16 Oct 2011, 12:04 pm
McCaw??? OMG i only heard his name once ! very quiet game!
16 Oct 2011, 12:04 pm
@mvk(mvk)-504: You have to be kidding? A French victory good for the game? Check your medication
16 Oct 2011, 12:04 pm
Graham henry also does some helium?
16 Oct 2011, 12:04 pm
@Kobus Kitty(Kobus Kitty)-499: Not Wobblies fault that they benefitted from Bryce and Paddy.
16 Oct 2011, 12:04 pm
@MG(MG)-503:
Are you going to answer the question?
No. Because your statement was a lie. Just some bollocks you made up. Troll
16 Oct 2011, 12:04 pm
@danuk(danuk)-505: Big question marks over his foot
16 Oct 2011, 12:05 pm
Aaaaaw corey is cute
16 Oct 2011, 12:05 pm
Wonder who will ref the Final.
My money is on Wayne Barnes.
Nothing like overcompensation
16 Oct 2011, 12:05 pm
@Richie_7(p0ppa69)-509: The tackle on Genia and two crucial turnovers. Not many loosies stood out, but I thought that tackle on Genia was excellent
16 Oct 2011, 12:05 pm
So happy for the AB’s! Just so sad the Welsh were hard done by. Going to be an easy final in my opinion. The Welsh would have been a great contender.
16 Oct 2011, 12:05 pm
It has been a long time since NZ were last in a final.
1995.
Can’t see them losing this one.
How many points do you chaps reckon the ABs will win by next weekend?
20? 30? 40?
16 Oct 2011, 12:06 pm
….AND THE NEW CHOKERS ARE…..WAIT FOR IT………WANNABEES!!!!1
16 Oct 2011, 12:06 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-471: Great Post.
SO SAY WE ALL!!!
16 Oct 2011, 12:07 pm
Congratulations All Blacks. Competent reffing neutralised the Wallabies’ “strengths”, and rewarded the AB’s for being a far superior team. Not a great game though. It’s bizarre that the All Blacks have perennially been the best team between World Cups and played the best rugby and now they’re (hopefully) going to win it without actually putting together a brilliant performance. So forgive a Bok fan for thinking this semi would have been massively improved by being between the AB’s and the Boks.
16 Oct 2011, 12:07 pm
Lower hutt rocks
16 Oct 2011, 12:07 pm
@Richie_7(Richie_7)-514: I suppose so, think this might have been his “final” though. Would be **** if neither he nor DC can play in the final, so hope for ABs sake his foot will hold out
16 Oct 2011, 12:07 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-506: no dramas, hard not to give it to a forward, also thought Franks could have been a contender tonight..
16 Oct 2011, 12:07 pm
@chch(chch)-513:
Well done with your team mate. Nothing gives me more please to see the best side in the world winning. Winning becomes a habit and it is your time.
16 Oct 2011, 12:07 pm
I am really sorry that the AB’s are not facing either SA or (a full strength) Wales in the final – I reckon either of those games would have been absolute crackers. I just don’t think France have the mental strength and attacking prowess to make a decent game of it whereas Wales (at full strength) have been a revelation at the tournament and would have garnered a massive following as underdogs.
16 Oct 2011, 12:08 pm
chch, please refer to my post at 503. Please just stick to the chat/thread, I did not call you names, nor will I. Well done to the All Blacks, great game from them.
16 Oct 2011, 12:08 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-525: Thorne was also a Titan.
16 Oct 2011, 12:09 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-525:
Sorry to hear about your personal loss mate! Great that your team made it. I am really happy for them and their supporters.
16 Oct 2011, 12:09 pm
thanks to all for your congrats, we know your pain…
16 Oct 2011, 12:09 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-498:
My vote goes to McCaw… still the best in the business. All in all an excellent team effort.
16 Oct 2011, 12:09 pm
@captain fantail(captain fantail)-520: don’t bea prick now.wallabies were destroyed over two weeks with the big difference that a far superior and intelligent outfit(all blacks) took them out superbly.
16 Oct 2011, 12:10 pm
The All Blacks in New Zealand are 20 points better than its closest challengers. Just hope they do not think tonight was their final as the bloody French are likely to have ONE good game this World Cup.
16 Oct 2011, 12:11 pm
The Frogs have left the reservation … they are a team without a coach … the inmates are in full control of that team.
There is no way the Frogs will pitch up next week, no way.
Chokers are overwhelming favourites to take Bill.
16 Oct 2011, 12:11 pm
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-143:
Well fern, i think an apology is in order.
A$$hole
16 Oct 2011, 12:11 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-500:
Yeah well, James Hook’s “hooked” kicks certainly contributed to the “demise” of Wales.
Ashwin Willemse just said he reckons the AB’s have today lost the world cup ?
And the French coach has “kakked out” his team because they went partying against his wishes – called them “spoiled brats”
Reverse psychology?
Lets see next week- maybe the the team who does not “deserve it” (France) will take it?
Anyway, I am off to the beach- lovely day here in Cape Town.
Cheers.
16 Oct 2011, 12:11 pm
Robbie Deans
lost RWC semi in 03′ coaching AB’s by Oz now
lost RWC semi in 11′ coaching Oz by AB’s
he needs to get a lucky rabbits foot (unlucky for the rabbit itself though).
16 Oct 2011, 12:11 pm
congratulations to the CHEATERS
16 Oct 2011, 12:11 pm
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-530: cheers boet… they played really well tonight, I hope they can replicate that intensity next week,,,
16 Oct 2011, 12:12 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-519: I t@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-519: ink the Frenchknow they have already lost..the shti that is going on in that team vs management is unbelievable.
16 Oct 2011, 12:12 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-540:
They will too and fully deserve the title if they just stick to the basics.
16 Oct 2011, 12:13 pm
congratulations also to BRYCE; his efforts are proving invaluable
16 Oct 2011, 12:13 pm
@Thucydides(Thucydides)-532: for a man with a sore foot he was everywhere
16 Oct 2011, 12:14 pm
The coach and French players are at war already. Not boding well for the final. It is organised chaos I guess. What do we expect from the Frogs.
16 Oct 2011, 12:14 pm
Sic him Hurricane!!
Make him grovel!
16 Oct 2011, 12:14 pm
@danuk(danuk)-524: It had better! McCaw has to lift the cup. It would be a massive injustice for him to retire without a WC medal.
16 Oct 2011, 12:15 pm
the kiwis will be overwhelming favourites next sunday but france can still turn out to a boon for the nz rope industry.keep it real all black supporters.
16 Oct 2011, 12:16 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-546:
16 Oct 2011, 12:17 pm
It was a great pity it wasnt a bok ab semi. I am a proud kiwi, but I have to say I thought Bryce was a disgrace – of Wayne barnes proportions.
Sadly, the two best teams in world rugby, regularly get refs who are emotionally weak and favour the underdog. Thank god the ab’s had a good ref tonite.
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