All Blacks mustn’t overthink final tactics
19 Oct 2011
JON CARDINELLI writes that the All Blacks will beat France and claim that elusive world title if they play their natural game.
Last week’s performance against the Wallabies was a rugby masterclass. The All Blacks defended brilliantly, fielded the high ball well, and through the accurate and often prodigious kicking efforts of Aaron Cruden and Israel Dagg, they won the battle for territory. Success in these areas inhibited and frustrated the Wallabies, but it was the All Blacks’ power and precision on attack that allowed them to build momentum and ultimately a winning score.
Afterwards, Graham Henry and Richie McCaw said they would have to be just as brutal and precise against France in the grand final. The All Blacks have shown themselves more than capable of producing these well-rounded showings consistently. The statistics will reveal that they won the 2010 Tri-Nations by kicking more than any other side in that tournament. They also boasted the best defensive record, and scored the most tries.
What stands in the way of the All Blacks and a second world title is 80 pressure-filled minutes. The hype has been building since the lead up to the tournament, and the same questions have been asked over and over again. Will the All Blacks handle the pressure? There is no rugby reason why they shouldn’t win the trophy, as their record will confirm they’ve been the best team in the world over the last four years. But will the pressure of the occasion force them to play a more conservative game, because the fear of losing is stronger than the desire to win?
In an interview for Business Day Sports Monthly two months ago, former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones told me that the All Blacks are a better side when they express themselves. When they go into their shells and try to play a more tactical game, when they overanalyse and rely too much on a rigid game plan, Jones said that they moved away from their strengths. If they decide to do this on Sunday, it will benefit their opponents.
New Zealand are favourites at the scrum, and while the battle at the collisions should be brutally contested, Richie McCaw will ensure the All Blacks win the breakdowns. This should be enough to supply a strong platform for New Zealand’s halfbacks, who have shown that they have the decision making ability to maximise the advantage either by kicking into space or bringing the big and skillful backs into the game.
It is of course, not as simple as that. ’80 minutes and we’re laughing,’ said one newspaper headline over the weekend, but the truth is the 80 minutes of that semi-final against the Wallabies were anything but comfortable. From a rugby point of view, the All Blacks looked favourites to clinch it when Piri Weepu slotted another penalty early in the second half, and yet there was a strong sense in the crowd that the game wasn’t over until the final whistle. A 14-point gap wasn’t enough to calm the nerves of the long-suffering Kiwis.
There was a collective sigh of relief following the semi-final win, but there are still a lot of nerves in the build up to the grand final. Sitting in the crowd last Sunday, I obtained an idea of how much the World Cup means to this country, but I also got an insight into how that passion and desperation could have an adverse effect on the team.
The All Blacks must stick to what worked for them against France in their Pool A meeting. They must play like they played against Australia, that is, with power and accuracy, and the assurance that they are the best team in the world.
If they slip into a conservative mindset, if their coaches and players adopt a ‘we-must-not-lose’ mentality instead of ”we must win’, they will, as Jones previously suggested, give France a sniff. Forget the failures of 1999, 2003 and 2007. Check that baggage at the door.
While experience will be important in a game as big of this, the confidence of some of their young stars will also provide the necessary boost. Cruden was impressive in last week’s game, and going by what has been said this week, he will continue to play his natural game. Notably, the young flyhalf has the backing of his coaches.
‘It’s really important that you build throughout the week but that you’re not over-thinking about the game,’ Cruden told reporters. ‘You need to find a balance and that is what I will be doing this week.
‘I’d like to think it’s just the beginning of another week, just going through and doing the normal for me, making sure I’m really clear on my role and just building so that when it comes to kick-off time I am ready to go.’
The rest of the All Blacks side would do well to follow suit.
267 Comments
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19 Oct 2011, 16:08 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-147: I’m there for the losses and the wins Katman.
19 Oct 2011, 16:10 pm
@Kietzphat(Kietzphat)-150: Take care.
19 Oct 2011, 16:10 pm
Fark, imagine if France happen to pull off the impossible…
19 Oct 2011, 16:13 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-153:
I’m sure most bloggers here will silently drop a little quasi-mayo substance in their underwear if that happens.
19 Oct 2011, 16:13 pm
France…
Laughed at and derided by England…
Laughed at and derided by Wales…
Do you see a pattern yet…?
Laughed at and derided by New Zealand…
?
19 Oct 2011, 16:15 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-153:
I really don’t that happening, unless France re-invents the game of rugby like Jayasuria did at the 1996 cricket world cup…. go wide and fast from the beginning, don’t try to build an innings. If that comes off, they’ll win not only the cup but the admiration of fans everywhere. If it doesn’t, they haven’t lost anything
19 Oct 2011, 16:16 pm
@Kietzphat(Kietzphat)-149: it’s different strokes for different folks…oppressed people in SA are/were not homogeneous and their reactions to post-apartheid life cannot be expected to be the same. i grew mostly in the Transkei, Swaziland and some time in the KzN, how i see things is most definitely different from a person who grew up in George even if he is black and Xhosa like me, totally different mate.
19 Oct 2011, 16:16 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-155:
1999 NZ favorites, lost to Fra
2007 NZ favortes, lost to Fra
2011 NZ favorites, …..
19 Oct 2011, 16:18 pm
@Helen(Helen)-158: Ahem… Patterns everywhere…
19 Oct 2011, 16:18 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-151: How gracious, and convenient.
19 Oct 2011, 16:20 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-155: Hey, 3rd times a charm?
19 Oct 2011, 16:21 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-160: And very very true. I won’t walk in your shoes, so don’t walk in mine.
19 Oct 2011, 16:22 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-159:
The most amazing thing is that the last time Saturn was at an exact right angle to Neptune and its biggest moon, was in 2007.
The only time that ever happened before was in 1999.
At the end of November this year, it will be at an exact right angle once more, apparently only to happen again in 2023!
you can’t argue with the stars
19 Oct 2011, 16:23 pm
@Helen(Helen)-158: @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-159: Negative prayers. They never work hey…..
19 Oct 2011, 16:25 pm
@Helen(Helen)-163: Yup, its written in the Stars… Revolution!
19 Oct 2011, 16:27 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-165:
Going by the history, it will be an upset if the kiwis win the cup.
19 Oct 2011, 16:29 pm
Does keo ever have blogger awards?
It would be a fun way of getting through the dry patches after RWC and CC
He could ask for nominations for each category and then run a poll similar to the very predictable polls they run at the mo
19 Oct 2011, 16:31 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-157:
hai wena.
those george beasties are a different animal.
they are off the hizzo.
et style.
19 Oct 2011, 16:31 pm
The Frogs won’t win at the garden of Eden, the Bokke haven’t won there since 37′, SAFFA’s praying NZ lose because the game is up when we do, there can be no disputing who rules world rugby after Sunday, your last straw to clutch at will be removed.
19 Oct 2011, 16:33 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-168: I love it when you take it to the streets!
19 Oct 2011, 16:34 pm
Nope, it cant happen…
Ticker tape parade has already been organised…
“More than ever “alone against all” . This week in preparation for the final of the World Cup against the All Blacks, the Blues have the impression that the whole world against them. “It’s a bit everyone who attacks us. There is some Truth and magnified things but it’s true that when one is a little sensitive, you listen to what’s going on right or left, acknowledges Maxime Mermoz. We realize that very strong words are used sometimes and it can be offensive. ”
Among all Kiwis to the cause of the All Blacks, the French are the target of criticism “sometimes justified and sometimes less, according to Lionel Nallet. There are days where it makes us laugh and days where it irritates us. But it does not change my life, I assure you. ”
Sounds like the cheese-eating surrendermonkeys are about to throw in the towel to the awesomely brave beatific All Blacks….?
Hmmm…
19 Oct 2011, 16:34 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-169:
…and if they don’t, will you down a bowl of period juice with one of those straws we’re clutching?
19 Oct 2011, 16:35 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-168: hey those george oke VLOEKED the blitzbokke out of Outeniqua park Yessus!
19 Oct 2011, 16:37 pm
@Helen(Helen)-172:
ha ha we won’t lose
19 Oct 2011, 16:39 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-174:
and if you don’t, will you eat one of my bloody bunny chows?
19 Oct 2011, 16:40 pm
Yup, according to themselves, the Kiwis have won. Nothing like a confident Kiwi:
Translated from Midi Olympique (French Rugby site):
Even mocking tone to The Dominion Post, Wellington daily, which title in a special section of the World: “The Turkeys (turkeys). France has no chance of winning the World Cup,” before writing “This is our time” in the inside pages, right next to another title: ” We have one hand on the Webb-Ellis Cup…
And then:
“The French are afraid of anyone at the other end of the world, even if Patrick McKendry, journalist APNZ waters down a bit about his colleagues: “It’s all the provocation. Anything can happen in that game . But it’s true that everyone here expects the All Blacks win. ”
And finally
“As in 1999 and 2007 …”
Sunday could be a beautiful day
19 Oct 2011, 16:42 pm
@Helen(Helen)-167:
Do you have suggestions for some categories?
19 Oct 2011, 16:48 pm
Oh dear…
France have absolutely no chance…
The cheese eating surrendermonkeys are cowards…
Especially when compared to incredibly brave All Blacks…
Les Bleus are privately shittingthemselves…
Its all over before the game has even begun…
Grown men in White (Not blue because they have waved their collective white flag already) will be crying during the Anthems…
They will be so scared…
And when the surrendermonkeys face the haka, its all going to be over…
Done…
Surrender will be complete…
Kiwi bravery will be too much…
19 Oct 2011, 16:49 pm
And yet….
19 Oct 2011, 16:49 pm
There is this nagging feeling…
19 Oct 2011, 16:50 pm
@Helen(Helen)-175:
no i’ll pass on that thanks
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-176:
there will be nothing beautiful about Sunday for you my friend
19 Oct 2011, 16:50 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-170:
baby you know it.
@Transformation(Transformation)-173:
spat on them too.
support who you want.
but if you go off the reservation like that then you take your chances.
i hear the counterfeit all black herseys they wear in george are highly flammable.
justsaying.
19 Oct 2011, 16:50 pm
This sense…
That farce may morph…
Into tragedy…?
Beyootiful
19 Oct 2011, 16:52 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-178: this is tailor-made for you, written by a kiwi too
NZ, a little humility would be nice
10:00 AM Wednesday Oct 19, 2011
Thankfully the All Blacks are about the only people in New Zealand not a touch complacent right now.
Everyone else it seems has already decided the final has been won with others going as far to label the French as the worst finalists of all time.
Such views are starting to grate. Not because the French are enigmatic and unpredictable and capable of an upset; in all honesty this lot probably don’t have it in them to pull off the unthinkable.
It grates because it comes across as needlessly arrogant and disrespectful especially when predictions are made about the likelihood of a 20-points-plus victory. Imagine the outrage if it were the English or Australians talking with such premature confidence?
It’s difficult to understand the logic of branding the French an undeserving finalist. There is no such thing – the point of the World Cup is to win games and progress to the final. The French have done that and yet they are less deserving than the All Blacks to be there? How does that make sense?
It’s possibly been New Zealand’s undoing in the past that they have been confused as to whether World Cups are judged on style or substance. For the record World Cups are simply about progression by any means.
Teams try to progress from their pool and then progress through the knock-out rounds. How that is achieved is immaterial and it’s worth reiterating that it wasn’t the French players who sent off Welsh captain Sam Warburton. It wasn’t their choice to play against 14 men in the semi-final and again, just for the record, for those who say the rules are clear – they actually aren’t. They are clear when the aggressor obviously commits a tip tackle and drives a player into the ground. They are not so clear when the tackler pulls out of the tackle once the man is airborne – as Warburton appeared to be doing.
But still, right or wrong, it was Alain Rolland who pulled out the red card and what could France do? So they weren’t convincing and lacked direction and ideas. They still won and that kind of really is the point and it would be nice if a little humility could now be forthcoming from the hosts.
Winning with grace is maybe more important than losing with grace. It is probable that the All Blacks will get the job done on Sunday night – they stack as the better team on most, if not all fronts. We all believe that yet we don’t have to flaunt it – we don’t need to be quite so crass and blunt and unpleasantly adamant.
After all, it was that overconfidence and certainty displayed by the Wallabies after their win in Hong Kong that so got up the All Blacks’ noses. One last thing for the record, the Wallabies took their semi-final defeat in precisely the right spirit – they were humble, generous and even supportive of the All Blacks in regards to the final – qualities that had previously been lacking.
New Zealanders could maybe learn something from them. Boastful, uber-confidence is not the Kiwi way.
19 Oct 2011, 16:53 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-184: “Boastful, uber-confidence is not the Kiwi way.”, no?
Ho ho ho ho….
19 Oct 2011, 16:53 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-182: hahaha highly flammable you say
19 Oct 2011, 16:55 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-185: clearly this oke has never met Panty and NZinChina
19 Oct 2011, 16:56 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-184: “in all honesty this lot probably don’t have it in them to pull off the unthinkable.”….
Similar to what the English were saying….
Similar to what the Welsh were saying too…
No, the cheese eating surrendermonkeys could never ever win, could they…. Hehehehe
Beyootiful… A gift that keeps on giving
19 Oct 2011, 16:56 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-187:
confident the boys can get the job done with the team we have, is that arrogance?
19 Oct 2011, 16:57 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-186:
Indeed.
You never know what could go wrong.
One minute you are in the kasi slamming back sambucas with the All Black supporters club thinking somebody thrwo a blanket on me I’m on fire….
The next minute you are.
And they don’t.
19 Oct 2011, 16:59 pm
“New Zealanders could maybe learn something from them. Boastful, uber-confidence is not the Kiwi way.”
Obviously this was not written by a Kiwi
19 Oct 2011, 17:00 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-187: No but we’re talking about an incredibly brave, humble nation aren’t we….
Couldn’t be more different to arrogant, cheese-eating, white flag waving, cowardly surrendermonkeys…
There is absolutely no chance the ABs can lose… they are 1/8 favourites… France are 15/2… Nope… never
19 Oct 2011, 17:02 pm
@JL1(JL1)-191:
19 Oct 2011, 17:03 pm
@JL1(JL1)-191:
Will you be watching on Sunday, plenty around here have said they have something else to do, I thought SA was a die hard rugby nation.
19 Oct 2011, 17:04 pm
I’m slowly starting to believe that the French deliberately lost to the Tongans. So that the Kiwis then get beat by the team that got beat by the tiny island state. The fragile psyche will not survive intact. You’ll be able to see the choke from outer space.
19 Oct 2011, 17:05 pm
22 Frenchmen and coaching staff could never go and confront the brave Kiwi nation, in front of the entire world and win… Its just not in there nature, cowards they are…
No backbone those French…
They will capitulate on Sunday…
Of course they will…
They are playing at Eden park and nobody wins there except for the ABs, dont they…?
19 Oct 2011, 17:05 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-195:
use it while you can not long to go now and then what?
19 Oct 2011, 17:06 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-190:
19 Oct 2011, 17:06 pm
@Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-196:
not true you won there in 1937
19 Oct 2011, 17:07 pm
@Gunther(gunther)-190: “throw a blanket on me i’m on fire” tl tl tl where do u come up with this stuff
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