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

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  • 301.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:47 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-296: prove it

  • 302.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:47 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-296: of course, but it shouldnt worry you, dont you go for France anyway? :wink:

  • 303.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:47 am

    Joubert is giving Bryce and the world a lesson in fair and honest reffing. Its becoming more obvious the longer the game is played.

    Funny thing is, he’s not even the best Saffa ref. The best is Mark Lawrence, left behind in SA.

    Why? Maybe too honest for Paddy.

  • 304.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:48 am

    @Peter Mkata(Peter Mkata)-293: not at all, just tryin to make sure u don’t make ur name gat :-)

  • 305.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:48 am

    aussies looking tired… last weeks game may take its toll towards the end..

  • 306.Mills_is_kak: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:50 am

    I hope NZ win! But i also hope someone moers that eye gauger Kieran Read dik!

  • 307.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:50 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-303: LOL Mark Lawrence. Yeah, I’m not so sure a few Currie Cup sides would agree with your assessment or labelling of “best ref”.

  • 308.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:50 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-302: :lol: And no hint of any cough, cough…chokes yet. :wink:

    Yup, you chaps have dominated, like the Boks last week, and you deserve your lead…

  • 309.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:50 am

    well, none can doubt the ruck is actually being reffed this week.

    and pockock is then just like a bunny caught in the headlights.

    only pire weepu can lose this for the kiwis.

    going forward, I really can’t see this ozzie side being any different from anything else in the past. Great backs, fokol at 1-5. They’ll obviously be well drilled and coached but an equally well drilled and coached side with better calibre forwards will take them every time.

  • 310.Peter Mkata: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:50 am

    @Richie_7(Richie_7)-294:

    Let dreamers continue their fanciful stuff. They continue sticking their head in the sand, there are no tablets for fixing STUPIDITY. They refuse to admit that the donkeys are playing denauser rugby. Well in a free country they are entitled to their opinion I guess. Now the All Blacks are going to be crowned world champs playing beautiful rugby. What an advertisement for rugby internationally.

    Compare this to last final. OMG

  • 311.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:51 am

    @Richie_7(Richie_7)-307: I can almost guarantee you 99% of Saffa rugby fans will tell you Mark Lawrence is the best Saffa ref.

  • 312.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:52 am

    Bob the builder need spirit level for kicks

  • 313.captain fantail: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:52 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-308: Haha…wont happen mate…as I said at them beginning we may have to give the Chokers Tag to a new team after tonite…Aussie,Aussie,Aussie, oi ,oi,oi

  • 314.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:52 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-308: long way to go yet, Aussie score first in the second half and the ABs may start doubting themselves…

    my worry is the points we havent taken..

  • 315.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:53 am

    @Peter Mkata(Peter Mkata)-310: The last final was of the Rugby World Cup.

    This final will be of the Refs World Cup…
    or

    The Rigged World Cup…

  • 316.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:53 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-311: well maybe somebody can twist Keo’s arm to have a poll and prove your 99%

  • 317.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:53 am

    @captain fantail(captain fantail)-313: LOL. Schweet.

  • 318.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:53 am

    Denauser rugby?

  • 319.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:55 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-315:
    Are you ever going to grow up?
    Your been stuck on the same thing for days.
    Really boring and childish.

  • 320.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:55 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-314: Yeah, mate. Piri piri has left some points off the board. But your D is looking awesome.

    Wallabies had to take a droppie due to there been no way through.

    More of the same in the 2nd half and you’re on you way to meet Les Bleus.

  • 321.boktillzero: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:55 am

    the only person i feel sorry for is Pokock
    he’s being penalized for the same things he was rewarded for last week
    other than that Joubert may have just earned himself the final

  • 322.heboric: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:55 am

    @Peter Mkata(Peter Mkata)-310:

    troll alert

  • 323.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:56 am

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-319: Middle finger to you.

  • 324.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:56 am

    This is still a long way from over.
    OZ still look as though they can break away at anytime
    First 10 mins in 2nd half will be very important

  • 325.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:56 am

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-319: Can you imagine how kid’s are raised with a parent like this? Taught that if you don’t win, the rest doesn’t matter

  • 326.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:57 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-323:
    lol

  • 327.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:57 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-315: wait until we getBernard Lapassats position, we will host the 2015 POB (changed in honour of a true legend) World cup in NZ, again :wink:

    seriously, Aussies defensive effort last week coupled with the number of tackles this half is a benefit for us… but they are still within striking distance (shouldnt be), so I think I may need another packet of smokes…

  • 328.Peter Mkata: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:57 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-305:

    There is no way that the Aussies willrepeat last week performance at today’s pace, But good advertisement for rugby. Was afraid it was gonna be your typical knockout phase game. As they say best form of defence is attack.

    There is a team that had 70+ % control last week and they could not get a let try. Embarrassing stuff.

  • 329.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:57 am

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-319: I tell you why… If you have a cnt telling you your team are Donkeys after last weeks game and comparative ref competence or even honesty, then what would you do?

  • 330.Auntie Mavis: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:58 am

    Denauser rugby?

  • 331.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:58 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-327: Suck those sticks. Am halfway through my first box already.

  • 332.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 10:59 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-329: Relax Heaven’s – it’s game and naturally people will try get their boot in while you’re down. I cannot honestly think that anybody thinks Australia deserved to win last week’s game

  • 333.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:01 am

    Thats it. Weepu has kicked the ABs through. Too much for the Wobblies now.

  • 334.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:02 am

    @Richie_7(Richie_7)-332: Yes. You are right.

  • 335.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:04 am

    AB defence too good.

  • 336.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:04 am

    great defense…

  • 337.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:05 am

    I’m defending Corey’s nose

  • 338.Peter Mkata: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:07 am

    Aussies are plyed good rugby.

  • 339.Peter Mkata: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:07 am

    playing I meant

  • 340.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:08 am

    Super Cooper, lol

  • 341.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:09 am

    No chance the Aussies will crack this defence and score over 11 points that they need.

  • 342.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:09 am

    @Peter Mkata(Peter Mkata)-338: Aussies are struggling to get over the advantage line..

  • 343.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:09 am

    They not plyed such good rugby.

    Good rugby mean no mistakes and attack and defense.

  • 344.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:09 am

    Quade Cooper is to the Kiwi rugby fans what Kevin Pieterson is to the SA cricket fans.

  • 345.danuk: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:11 am

    Tighter game than I expected, but good play by ABs now, taking it up in the forwards

  • 346.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:11 am

    @Robzim(Robzim)-344: a plant? :lol:

  • 347.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:11 am

    Yay. Cricket later too.

    Brill.

  • 348.Peter Mkata: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:11 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-342:
    Playing better than first halh. Still they will not win today. Time for SBW to be unleashed on them. Cannot wait for the magic.

  • 349.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:14 am

    AB defence is smashmouth.

  • 350.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    16 Oct 2011, 11:15 am

    Stupid knock ons

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