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, 23:37 pm
What”s the difference between Bryce and Paddy and l.esbian ***? Nothing. They”re both just a couple of c.unts bouncing off each other.
16 Oct 2011, 23:37 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-1051: ***=s.ex
16 Oct 2011, 23:40 pm
@Nils(Nils)-1050: Should be a cake walk, which I suppose would make AB supporters nervous. Last thing you want are players not having the right/enough focus and France “pitching up”
Doubt it though, think ABs look hungry
16 Oct 2011, 23:45 pm
Yes! I am soooooooo happy!
1991 hurt, 2003 hurt too, so it was GREAT to knock those sneaky turbo reversers out!
Did I mention how happy I am? Mrs Punishment happy too!!
16 Oct 2011, 23:47 pm
@danuk(danuk)-1053: Yep, most Kiwi’s who are serious about rugby are keeping their hopes in check. Can’t rule the French out – they are just so unpredicatble. Finals rugby is high pressure stuff any anything can happen.
16 Oct 2011, 23:48 pm
*and anything
16 Oct 2011, 23:49 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-1009: You definitely have a serious problem . SEEK HELP!
16 Oct 2011, 23:49 pm
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-1055: Question is who will ref the final, someone mentioned Barnes, which surely cannot happen
16 Oct 2011, 23:50 pm
@danuk(danuk)-1058: Would be happy with Joubert. But will probably be Rolland won’t it?
16 Oct 2011, 23:54 pm
I can’t see the IRB putting Barnes in charge of a final involving the AB’s. It woul be incendiary. As well as having at best an average tournament, he will get such sh*t from the Kiwi crowd he couldn’t handle the pressure.
16 Oct 2011, 23:56 pm
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-1059: could be, maybe they’ll swap after semis. Have to say I think NH refs are not great at the breakdowns though. Just don’t lift any players you guys tackle if Rolland is the ref!
16 Oct 2011, 23:57 pm
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-1060: agree, but then this is the IRB we are talking about. I thought they said only Joubert or Rolland could ref the final anyway
17 Oct 2011, 00:03 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-1051: Such an angry fokka, you really do need to wind ya head in, plonk.
Are you like this in normal life -grumpy, sadistic, nasty, purile, churlish and cantankerous?
17 Oct 2011, 00:11 am
Nothing better than gloaters, cause when they fall (as they enevitably do) the fall is sooooooooooo much harder.
Why can’t some of you keewee blokes accept the congrats graciously and move on?……. you’d garner a hellava lot more respect than the current behaviour
17 Oct 2011, 00:11 am
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-1051:
Whats the difference between a child losing his ice cream and HG.
The child does not cry for a week
17 Oct 2011, 00:11 am
@danuk(danuk)-1053: I have no doubts whatsoever Blacks will be focused and that they will not be overconfident. Just like today, good start is needed to set the tone and keep foot on Frogs throat. Just there are thing you cannot be insured against – a sudden intercept, bad bounce of the ball, some players having a shocker, injuries etc. etc.
So I stay worried until Blacks are in full control.
17 Oct 2011, 00:14 am
@whatever(whatever)-1064:
Dude, what you talking about.
I see some congratulations but 80% of the posts are about us cheating and paying the ref or the IRB etc.
Maybe you should pull out some of the bloggers on here and tell them to pull there head in besides the Kiwis. Surely you can do that
17 Oct 2011, 00:15 am
@whatever(whatever)-1064: “Nothing better than gloaters, cause when they fall (as they enevitably do) the fall is sooooooooooo much harder.”
Absolutely spot on. That’s exactly what I thought since WC07 and 3N of 09.
17 Oct 2011, 00:17 am
@whatever(whatever)-1064: Anyway, thanks for congratulations and let’s indeed move on.
17 Oct 2011, 00:29 am
@Nils(Nils)-1066: They need to beat the French up in the forwards though. Thought they played wide too early in the 1st half, 2nd half was much more controlled though.
Jane, Dagg and Kaino where great though. Dagg’s got a good boot as well
17 Oct 2011, 00:39 am
@danuk(danuk)-1070: Agree. And it was nice to see that Apocalypse like pictures about “the life after DC” have been a bit exaggerated. They do just fine.
As for Jane, some rugby writers joked after his blinder (after booze) that GH should forcibly feed him with a few pints before the game.
17 Oct 2011, 00:40 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-1067:
Nothing worse than a whinger, no matter who does the whinging, be it against Barnes in 2007 or Bryce in 2011 or whoever in 2011
For the record, any side who has that amount of possesion as the Boks and can’t win the game does not deserve to win, no matter what the ref does…
Hurricane, I think 80% is a bit rich dude
17 Oct 2011, 00:41 am
Had a quick look at this thread. There are some very bitter people infesting this forum. Shocking lack of grace.
17 Oct 2011, 00:45 am
One comment though…………there is unfortunately a small element of keewwee blokes in the country who IMHO spoil it for the other more gracious folk.
In my local last night, the “f off home You Ozzie C..ts” was the cry at the final whistle……….why? Hey you won, have a beer with the losers and be civilised about it, jeez after all its only a rugby game FFS.
17 Oct 2011, 00:47 am
Oh and by the way the Ozzies won the League test 40 odd to 6
17 Oct 2011, 01:00 am
@whatever(whatever)-1072:
lol ok 76%
@whatever(whatever)-1075:
yeah but kiwis still nation champs and world champs
17 Oct 2011, 02:38 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-1065:
Haha!… it’s a beautiful thing to see and long may it continue!
I predicted this – it was inevitable!
17 Oct 2011, 03:50 am
@optiplay(optiplay)-1057:
MORE MORE !
tell us the one about the ref again
pleeeeeeeeeeease
~ ~ ~ ~ guff guff guff GUFFAWWWWWWWWWWWWW ~ ~ ~ ~
17 Oct 2011, 03:57 am
@corporal punishment(corporal punishment)-1059:
after that ridiculous RC vs Wales
the no-Try decision Wales vs samoa
and that ‘Paul Honiss’ decision to allow the France try vs ABs
NO THANKS to the Rolland option
17 Oct 2011, 03:58 am
@KiaKahaNZ(KiaKahaNZ)-1063:
this is his ‘nice side’
17 Oct 2011, 03:59 am
@whatever(whatever)-1064:
ha ha
respect’
demanded by SCUM
for SCUM
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
17 Oct 2011, 04:25 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-1081:
You are the scum mate…………..the wheel turns……….always!
The most arrogant f uk pig ducshbag this place has every seen!
Go back to your sewer (home) and play with the sh it that made you
17 Oct 2011, 04:28 am
I’m guessing that wet pantie is part of the scumbag underbelly that told the Ozzies to f uk off home?……….. that just tells it’s own story right there!
17 Oct 2011, 04:47 am
@whatever(whatever)-1074: Fortunately only a small percentage. I certainly copped my fair share down at darling harbour last night. Few wankers about, by mostly the AB fans were just exstatic to be through to the final.
I think for some the aungusih of the last 24 years has been too much to bear, and the frustration palpable. having an Aussie nearby to vent on helped release some of the pressure.
i just thank my lucky stars the buggers won, otherwise I could be in hospital today
17 Oct 2011, 04:48 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-1076: @Black Panther(Black Panther)-1081: Hey lads. haven’t been on since last night, wasn’t up to it.
However, well played, and this Aussie wil be wearing black for the final.
All the best
17 Oct 2011, 04:53 am
@TahRoo(TahRoo)-1085:
Tah, thanks heaps.
It was a game that i honestly havnt seen teh ABs play before.
we kicked quite a bit and even went for 2 drop kicks, thought i would never have seen that. But we also hit the rucks with alot of passion. we new it was the only way to beat you guys and it worked.
All i can say this Ozzie team will be a problem for all leading upto and into the next RWC.
Be proud mate
17 Oct 2011, 04:55 am
@TahRoo(TahRoo)-1085:
The way it should be dude!
Maybe “old school” has gone out the window for some, jeez imagine it becoming like football?
17 Oct 2011, 04:56 am
@whatever(whatever)-1087:
hahaha
crazy footballers
17 Oct 2011, 04:58 am
@TahRoo(TahRoo)-1085:
On ya cobber
thought it was a great match, Wallas really gave it some right til the end. Pocock was immense, again. Digby gave me the runs every time he got the ball. Genia.s, as usual. Was sh*t-nervous all week, just the way I like watching a Test. Wouldnt have felt like that with the limited Bokke but Wallabies vs ABs Tests are always special matches, 2 attack-minded sides going hammer’n'tongs.
So nice to read postmatch comments and no moaning about refs or conspiracies or foul play. The way rugby is meant to be.
cheers
17 Oct 2011, 05:00 am
@TahRoo(TahRoo)-1084:
Must be like being a Pom or a Kiwi at a cricket Test in Oz ?
17 Oct 2011, 05:01 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-1089:
Quite pathetic your little digs………really mature. Like a little girl.
Supprised you have a wife, but then again not supprised she gives out biscuits!
17 Oct 2011, 05:08 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-1090: Once upon a time yes. I’m a massive league fan, so i dish it out with the best of them.
hasn’t been a good month for me mate as far as you lot as concerned.
the warriors knocked out my beloved Tigers in the semis
17 Oct 2011, 05:12 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-1089: Oh **** Forgot to mention that in the last post.
Ref was rubbish
Reckon Jouberts been the best of the lot. saffers seem to produce some good refs. he controlled the breakdown well, and seemed right onto Pocock. Poor ******* gets pinged for the sort of thing he was getting praise for last week. Damn those newspaper articles:)
17 Oct 2011, 05:16 am
@whatever(whatever)-1087: Can’t see the AB fans losing too many back yard brawls myself. Best to find an exit, and avoid eye contact if things get messy.
17 Oct 2011, 05:18 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-1086: Here’s hoping 2012 is the magic year. 3N and the bledisloe back please.
From a league perspective wouldn’t mind getitng the 4N and WC back as well please
17 Oct 2011, 05:44 am
Rugby Geniuses
Jono Gibbs, Chiefs
“Nobody in Rugby should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.”
… Rodney So’ialo, Hurricanes, on University
“I’m going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes.”
Colin Cooper, Hurricanes head coach
“You guys line up alphabetically by height.” And, “You guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in a circle.”
Chris Masoe (Hurricanes) on whether he had visited the Pyramids during his visit to Egypt .
“I can’t really remember the names of the clubs that we went to.”
Colin Cooper on Paul Tito
“He’s a guy who gets up at six o’clock in the morning regardless of what time it is.”
Kevin Senio ( Auckland ), on Night Rugby vs Day Games
“It’s basically the same, just darker.”
David Nucifora ( Auckland ) talking about Troy Flavell
“I told him, ‘Son, what is it with you…. Is it ignorance or apathy?’ He said, ‘David, I don’t know and I don’t care.’
David Holwell (Hurricanes) when asked about the upcoming season:
“I want to reach for 150 or 200 points this season, whichever comes first.”
Ma’a Nonu
“Colin has done a bit of mental arithmetic with a calculator.”
Phil Waugh
“We actually got the winning try three minutes from the end but then they scored.”
Jerry Collins
“I’ve never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body.”
Tony Brown
“That kick was absolutely unique, except for the one before it which was identical.”
Tana Umaga
“I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mother and father.”
Doc Mayhew
“Sure there have been injuries and deaths in rugby, but none of them serious.”
Anton Oliver
“If history repeats itself, I should think we can expect the same thing again.”
Ewan McKenzie
“I never comment on referees and I’m not going to break the habit of a lifetime for that prat.”
Murray Mexted
(1) “Andy Ellis the 21 year old, who turned 22 a few weeks ago”
(2) “He scored that try after only 22 seconds – totally against the run of play.”
(3) “I would not say he (Rico Gear) is the best left winger in the Super14, but there are none better.”
(4) “Well, either side could win it, or it could be a draw.”
(5) “Strangely, in slow motion replay, the ball seemed to hang in the air for even longer.”
The best, saved for last:
Murray Deaker:
“Have you ever thought of writing your autobiography?”
Tana Umaga:
“On what?”
17 Oct 2011, 05:55 am
@TahRoo(TahRoo)-1094:
There are obviously a few spots in SA you don’t know about
These boys will give as good as it gets when it comes to backyard brawls……….
17 Oct 2011, 06:23 am
It’s been a tough day at work, tired and a little hungover, sneakily reading all the rugby news! Off home soon to wallow in a replay of the match and a few more beers.
Some poor Aussie beggars flew back to Sydney and Melbourne at about 1am, after the end of the match, to get back to work today. There is of course a two hour time difference, but even so, they must have been WRECKED on the job!
17 Oct 2011, 07:09 am
So nice to have a match where the ref doesn’t decide the result.
Awesome
17 Oct 2011, 07:26 am
@whatever(whatever)-1064: The Gloaters have already fallen, kicked out by the Wallabies in the most uninspiring game of defending champs to date.
Proud is the only word to describe the clinical display of rugby at its best, passion at its highest and desire that was unstoppable.
Years ago while driving to Cairns when the cane toad season was at its height, there were thousands of them all over the road and utterly impossible to miss them. The sound of ‘popping’ went on for kilometers as they burst under the pressure and weight of the panel van I was driving.
I expect to hear more ‘popping’ of their cousins next weekend from a similar pressure.
Great work AB’s and management, supporters — you have done us all proud.
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