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, 12:36 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-558: @Hurricane(Hurricane)-560: Thats the spirit.
16 Oct 2011, 12:36 pm
@Sheriff(The Lawman)-585:
At least you were not poisioned.
Get off your fat arsse and earn your salary. Find Suzie.
Bring the whorre to justice.
Here is a tip. Start your investigation in Germiston!
8)
16 Oct 2011, 12:37 pm
@Alucard(Alucard)-595:
Just for you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmE3_hlfHEs
16 Oct 2011, 12:37 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-585:
Yep…that’s all I could think about as the Aussies were pressurised EXACTLY as they were last week by a superior group of forwards.
It should have been the Boks in that game. The All Blacks got off easy today.
16 Oct 2011, 12:37 pm
Yes we need to move onto next week, France against ABs as in 1987
But I will remind the cheaters here daily that your way is not the right way
You have to earn it fair and square – and you have not done so, you have not done so, you have not done so
16 Oct 2011, 12:37 pm
@ufo(ufo)-577: lol, can never bring myself to congratulate the Fake kiwis.
If NZ lose they will be French supporters for a while, no doubt.
16 Oct 2011, 12:38 pm
@Alucard(Alucard)-597: yes awful isnt it? England should have won rather – theyre much more dynamic – or maybe Papua New Guineau?
16 Oct 2011, 12:38 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-585: Very true. But it comes down to money. They made sure that they had it their way off the field. The artificiality of this tournament has meant that the title will be contested by two of the most average sides in the competition. Only Wales were a quality side in the SF. Very poor form. But that’s the way rugby is going. I saw New Zealand’s illegal breakdown tactics on show yet again today. Very disappoiting. Rugby is the loser in 2011.
16 Oct 2011, 12:38 pm
@Alucard(Alucard)-597: But they’ve done all that was asked of them. Won every game and never looked like losing any of them. That’s what it takes sometimes.
We cannot say the same. We could have easily lost to both Wales and Samoa.
NZ were never actually going to lose against Argentina over 80 minutes.
16 Oct 2011, 12:39 pm
The fair contest
The fair contest
The fair contest
16 Oct 2011, 12:39 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-607: Why not? New Zealand have been no better.
16 Oct 2011, 12:39 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-591:
In the Tight Five you have France ahead by one (1),
I think not HG.
I think not.
8)
16 Oct 2011, 12:39 pm
@Peter Mkata(Peter Mkata)-592: exactly, there is nothing to whinge about.
16 Oct 2011, 12:41 pm
The part that amazes me is how good these guys are at congratulating themselves
Ted so self-absorbed – he did not even say anything about the Wallabies
France’s chances are slim but it may just be the upset of the century to date; wouldnt that be something special
16 Oct 2011, 12:41 pm
@cane(cane)-612: And it is true…
16 Oct 2011, 12:41 pm
@Alucard(Alucard)-611: man you are making a fool of yourself now. Who has been more dynamic in your opinion? If you ask me its been a dire World Cup from a form perspective – many of the top tier nations were woeful – England, France, Scotland. From a reffing eprspective and from a game perspective – there havent been great matchups too often and not that many fantastic games to watch.
16 Oct 2011, 12:42 pm
@cane(cane)-602: the whhore was so guilt ridden that she move to NZ with her son Tackler, in an effort to make things right … it is true.
16 Oct 2011, 12:42 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-605:
Oh thats right, or forgot about you.
see link for you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzIcXZPtc18
16 Oct 2011, 12:42 pm
@cane(cane)-612: Pape ahead of Thorn, to I’d have France ahead in the pack by 2. Though McCaw has a significant influence over refs, so that in itself is vital to their cause.
16 Oct 2011, 12:42 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-599: that one got me too lol
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-598: cheers mate, know how hard it is, kiwis felt the same in 07..
16 Oct 2011, 12:43 pm
@cane(cane)-602: too funny Cane..
16 Oct 2011, 12:44 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-605: Barnes is going to blow the final … excuse the pun
16 Oct 2011, 12:44 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-616: Everything I state is absolutely correct. The only fools are those that typically arse-creep New Zealand.
16 Oct 2011, 12:45 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-594:
The Wales/France Semi showed how a bit of bad luck can destroy a dream.
16 Oct 2011, 12:45 pm
@RL(RL)-617:
8)
16 Oct 2011, 12:45 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-620: Ahh well all done and dusted – lookign forward to us building a new team, hopefully with a new coach – we have some fantastic young talent coming through and in a way its great that that era of Bok rugby has now come to a close. The times have changed and I´m looking forward to what the future brings.
Would have been nice to have a Kiwi Sa final – even if we lost we would have had a great game and could have felt proud to go down in a fair match in a final with the our best rivals. Cest la vie. Good luck for next week and do it for the South!
16 Oct 2011, 12:46 pm
Cane or hurricane please escort me to lower hutt
16 Oct 2011, 12:46 pm
@Alucard(Alucard)-623: You have not answered my question oh holy oracle. You got the card part of your name right.
16 Oct 2011, 12:47 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-626: A fair game? Not many of those between the sides. Not many of those in general.
16 Oct 2011, 12:47 pm
@Alucard(Alucard)-623:
Man you really need to log out, take a deep breathe and log back in.
16 Oct 2011, 12:47 pm
@Alucard(Alucard)-611: you only have to beat those that are in front of you, dont you? seems thats what the ABs have done so far..
16 Oct 2011, 12:48 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-627:
16 Oct 2011, 12:49 pm
Physiologically impossible for a poisoned human to play at maximum intensity rugby against a powerful opponent (who I assume were not poisoned) for 110 minutes. I am assuming the ABs in the 1995 final were human. Stop all this BS. Vomiting is not proof of poisoning. I have seen players coching from nerves alone…..The alternative view can only point to The Abs having been super human, celestial beings and poisoned, playing mere mortals, the feeble Boks.
16 Oct 2011, 12:49 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-631:
Well Poppa, we have been told this for about 4 years now.
Thats all you need to do to win.
16 Oct 2011, 12:50 pm
@Slumtown(Slumtown)-626: cheers bro, and yeah, thats always the dream final..
16 Oct 2011, 12:50 pm
@itsamyth(itsamyth)-633:
Impossible??
Ok suppose you would know Mr Noakes
16 Oct 2011, 12:51 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-627: escort? you may only get lucky with male escorts but let me assure you …. you stand a zero chance with those two guys ………… unless you wear a dollie suit
16 Oct 2011, 12:51 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-627:
You still owe me $17 for that camp site in my back yard.
8)
16 Oct 2011, 12:54 pm
4 things were abundantly clear in todays game.
1. Pocock was correctly penalised for illegal play
2. Richie McWhore is was allowed to play illegally as he has his entire career
3. A referee finally had the plums to penalise the Al Qaeda operative Sally Jill for illegal tackling, he should be banned for the final but then him playing probably gives the French more of a chance as he is so overrated and decidedly ordinary
4. The better of two rather ordinary teams won today.
What a shame that there were several hundreds of empty seats in a stadium for a semi final of a world cup in which the host nation were playing. In fact the 2011 wc will be remembered for poor refereeing, half empty stadiums and off the field antics such a contrast to the wonderful successful shows put on by the French in 07, Aussie in 03 Welsh in 99 and SA in 95 but if the IRB gets their wish and the ball sacks go on to win the thing they will feel the damage to the games reputation will have been worth it I suppose.
Vive le France
16 Oct 2011, 12:55 pm
Mrs Punishment was most pleased with the performance of the lower hutt warrior tonight… not so impressed with SBW however.
Also not impressed with the amount of tape and padding on Kaino’s upper body – how is Mrs Punishment to admire his pectoralis majoris????
16 Oct 2011, 12:57 pm
@itsamyth(itsamyth)-633:
Your second theory is about spot on………………………….
…..The alternative view can only point to The Abs having been super human, celestial beings and poisoned, playing mere mortals, the feeble Boks.
I could not have put it better myself.
Hey, you Okes even got Dirty Harry to immortalise your wholesome win.
Talk about irony.
8)
16 Oct 2011, 12:57 pm
what’s with all the AB haters on this site tonight? The Ab’s played a great game. Brutal in the forwards, accurate throughout the whole team (very few mistakes), and scored a try where the World Cup Holders had been unable to last week.
No reason to hate, be happy the sneaky aussies are out of the comp.
16 Oct 2011, 12:57 pm
Please somebody show me actual footage of AB players retching on the sidelines in 1995. I was at the game and the AB’s were right in front of me. Never saw a thing and I’ve never seen footage of it since.
16 Oct 2011, 12:58 pm
@bluealligator(bluealligator)-639:
Umm only two QFs in 2007 were full stadiums,and only one SF was full.
But carry on
16 Oct 2011, 12:59 pm
In true Wifebeating fashion the ball sack supporters claimed we couldn’t count the 07 world cup victory as we didn’t beat the ball sacks to win it, so if we were to use their sick misogynistic logic if the ball sacks win this the wifebeaters can’t really claim victory as they did not beat the Springboks. However we all know that logic is flawed and inaccurate and should they be successful the IRB will be the true winners of the WC.
16 Oct 2011, 13:00 pm
@bluealligator(bluealligator)-639: still hurting huh? dont worry, it will abate, in about 4 years time
16 Oct 2011, 13:00 pm
SA were the only team that would have taken AB’s out and they all knew it.. Bryce the f’ng Shmyce was sent into the breach to quell the insurrection
And so the script was written and played out to its pre ordained determination and conclusion.
Same as 1987 the exact same semi finals were played out and exact same outcomes ensued for NZ to face Les Bleus in the final.
Only team that could stem the AB tide were Springboks and both AB’s and IRB knew it that why they conspired to obliterate the threat at earliest convenience and so they did. Now their road to self styled glory is so much more proliferate and so much less of an encumbrance.
Boks played into the conspirators hands by refusing to play their strongest team. Had Bok powerhouse of brainless commissary seen the required condition needed to disrupt the in house agreement by those scheming back street coordinators of conspired outcomes, they would have ditched their has been hangers on and played their true vanguard of bust a gut winners.
Instead they allowed the conspirators their moment of grandeur to undermine the contenders of ultimate glory. They played their pitiful prima donna circus of Smit, Spies, and FdP to start and there exactly is where they lost the plot to overturn the conspirators curse.
Had they have played, Bismark, Alberts and Hougaard from the beginning was good night nurse, and no way in hell that the conspiracy could see out the light of day.
And thus it came to pass. AB’s gain the right of way on the back of a pre ordained circus conspired in the back street promoters offices where sentiment is rife for the long white cloud to eventually heave a huge sigh of relief and praise the rugby gods for deliverance from the clutches of the hordes of imposition from out of the southern corner of Africa.
That’s how its been designed and how it plays out to fulfilled preordained prophecies
16 Oct 2011, 13:00 pm
@bluealligator(The Loser)-639:
Hey Bluey……….
ra de fhukking ra.
The SOUR post of a loser.
Go suck a lemon.
16 Oct 2011, 13:02 pm
@bluealligator(bluealligator)-645:
What’s this wiffy beaters stuff…………………………………
Was Percy playing today?
16 Oct 2011, 13:02 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-644: You are so unbelievably inaccurate but hey that would still be two QF’S and one SF more than you wifebeaters have been able to manage in far smaller stadia. Oops did I just carry on there Inane?
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