Blacks within reach of rugby heaven

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

Pages: « 1 … 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 [21] 22 23 24 » Show All

  • 1001.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:07 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-998:

    on ya, Peaches.

  • 1002.Gunther: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:07 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-997:

    skokiaan?

  • 1003.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:10 pm

    Lower hutt is the shiznizz

  • 1004.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:10 pm

    Gentlemen: I don’t understand why you are attacking me personally, I’ve not attacked any of you personally, I’ve merely attended to the boks. As individuals I respect all of you. I believe the boks to be challenged and I don’t believe the boks will flourish under PdV that’s all!

  • 1005.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:11 pm

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-994: Isn’t every team though? I mean nobody else gets personal calls from Paddy when the coach complains about a ref?

    Lol, seriously dude, don’t be such a ****.

    Unlike a lot of the AB fans in 2007, everyone on the site, expect one or two conspiracy theorists (off there meds) thought the ABs played extremely well and are well deserving of the final and RWC title …

  • 1006.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:16 pm

    Transie: why are you telling people I’m inebriated? Transie, I have a concern for bok rugby, do you think I honestly want to see you chaps not pick up a single trophy for 4 years? I want to help, what can I do?

  • 1007.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:19 pm

    :lol:

  • 1008.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:21 pm

    @mpundulu(mpundulu)-1006: Your talking different things though. Yes the team has been very badly managed. That does not mean that we should say that game was karma?

  • 1009.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:22 pm

    @danuk(danuk)-1005:

    just LOVIN the Bok fans continuing to whinge about the ref

    60% possession

    76% territory

    NOT ONE TRY

    and

    yet

    IT WAS THE REF

    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ chins and bellies in unison ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  • 1010.CoachPete: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:22 pm

    @mpundulu(mpundulu)-1006:
    He did he one one Trinations

  • 1011.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:23 pm

    @mpundulu(mpundulu)-1006: Anyway, you should probably clarify that part, lol, whether you are indeed inebriated

  • 1012.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:25 pm

    Danuk: I’d like to put forward a helping hand, what can I do to help?

  • 1013.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:26 pm

    @mpundulu(mpundulu)-1006:you care about bok rugby, hehe since when? :smile:

  • 1014.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:26 pm

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-1009: your are right though, at least we had a convincing chance to still beat the Aussies, unlike you guys in 2007 …

    No “~ ~ ~ ~ ~ chins and bellies in unison ~ ~ ~ ~ ~”, however my 16 year old nephew would probably think that’s cool

  • 1015.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:27 pm

    This is getting absurd.

  • 1016.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:27 pm

    Danuk: I’m sober as a judge mate.

  • 1017.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:28 pm

    @mpundulu(mpundulu)-1012: Dunno dude, not sure if there is an official drunk blogging test … maybe Google it …

  • 1018.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:28 pm

    ;-)

  • 1019.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:28 pm

    Panther has a weight problem and wobbles everywhere.

  • 1020.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:29 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-1015: wait for that shampoo fellow and the boksarenumber5 dude to show up …

  • 1021.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:30 pm

    Transie: there’s nothing wrong with an AB fan wanting to assist those most deserving, I’ve offered my hand, please tell me what I should do to help, the next four years are very long! I just believe a strong bok environment will be good for the four nations, I just don’t want the boks picking up the wooden spoon with the argentians in the comp as well.

  • 1022.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:32 pm

    @mpundulu(mpundulu)-1016:judge motata…yeah…tl tl

  • 1023.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:32 pm

    Danuk: ok I really don’t know what else I need to do to prove my sobriety. Transie has tainted me with no shame.

  • 1024.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:33 pm

    Transie: I demand an apology!

  • 1025.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:33 pm

    @mpundulu(mpundulu)-1021: lol, remove politics from our rugby, give us great running backs, even if we have a few good ones, train some bloody good refs in NZ! …

    and get us a good coach

  • 1026.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:33 pm

    @mpundulu(mpundulu)-1021:*yawn* moving on

  • 1027.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:34 pm

    @danuk(danuk)-1014:

    it was the ref

    *ch’in’ortle*

    LOVIN IT

  • 1028.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:34 pm

    we can probably do the rest ourselves ;)

  • 1029.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:35 pm

    @mpundulu(mpundulu)-1023:

    von Trapp is slowly morphing in to Boy George, very sad indeed.

  • 1030.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:35 pm

    anyway i’m off…night pocahontas

  • 1031.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:37 pm

    Danuk: I can assist, I’ve provided on this forum a coaching team of equals I believe can transform the boks into a rugby team, politics I’m afraid can only be changed if you change SA’s political history. Backline players are in abundance the problem are the coaches in SA, they are painful!

  • 1032.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:39 pm

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-1027: yeah, going to get that tatooed on my left butt cheek. Apparently good experience of that in NZ, along with “was Suzie who poisoned us” and “I love my mutton”

  • 1033.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:39 pm

    Transie: yintoni mfodini? Xholisa chap kum ngoku! Hehehehe

  • 1034.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:40 pm

    BP: lol

  • 1035.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:47 pm

    @mpundulu(mpundulu)-1031: nah seriously, we need to get a central contract system like in NZ probably. Apart from that we need better skills coaching I think, but like the effect Plumbtree and Mitchell has on our team.

    Hopefully we can get guys like Victor involved to help new locks learn the trade as well

  • 1036.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:49 pm

    @danuk(danuk)-1032:

    get some new material, Chump.

  • 1037.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:51 pm

    Hey supersize. No need for insults.

  • 1038.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:52 pm

    @Dawn(Dawn)-1037:

    ~ ~ ~ jowl quake ~ ~ ~

  • 1039.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:54 pm

    Pundy

    There’s only 1 single thing worse than a Fake glory hunter “fan” and that’s a Fake glory hunter “fan” who feels it necessary to run his own countrymen down in the process.

    “Support” NZ all you like, but running down the Boks and making up completely false stories not only makes you look like a big (drunk, perhaps?) t*t, but also reveals a great deal about your character and that massive chip on your shoulder.

  • 1040.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:55 pm

    ~~~~~~@@@@@ Big fuckenbelly wiggle chortle @@@@@~~~~~~

  • 1041.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:55 pm

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-1036: New stuff, your kidding right?

    ~ ~ ~ moderate grin ~ ~ ~

  • 1042.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 22:56 pm

    And I’m out, so don’t bother replying, Fake.

  • 1043.mpundulu: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 23:03 pm

    Wooden spoon: you are always so angry, why?

  • 1044.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 23:05 pm

    @danuk(danuk)-1041:

    an over-reliance on cliches

    exposes your lack of imagination and your intellect with it.

    not to mention the elementary-level grammar

  • 1045.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 23:13 pm

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-1044: sigh … you are right, intellectually superior AB supporter on a SA rugby site

    Your intelligent retorts and factual insights are just too much for me. Alas I give in

    ~ ~ ~ trembling with inferiority complex ~ ~ ~

  • 1046.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 23:14 pm

    sorry, should have hyphenated something, my-bad

  • 1047.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 23:16 pm

    an Englishman, an Aussie and a Sth African walk in to a bar

    at Departure Lounge…

    nahhh, maybe Danuk was right.

  • 1048.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 23:17 pm

    @danuk(danuk)-1045:

    “you are right”

    and so completes your first lesson.

    @GUFFAW@

  • 1049.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 23:20 pm

    @Black Panther(Black Panther)-1047: wow, now that’s original …

    Still don’t get your beef though. Most people on here are complimenting the ABs. Guess you weren’t hugged enough as a child …

  • 1050.Nils: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 23:35 pm

    @ufo(ufo)-577: Thank you very much. Still long 80 mins (at least) to go. Optimistic and cautious.

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Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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