Carter stars as ABs smash Scots
11 Nov 2012
JON CARDINELLI reports on the All Blacks’ effortless 51-22 victory against Scotland on Sunday.
New Zealand operated at a low gear for much of this contest. There were times when they stepped up the intensity and produced some magical attacking touches, where they exhibited the high level of execution that we’ve come to expect from the best team on the planet. But for the most part, they didn’t control the game by playing for territory, and their defence wasn’t up to its usual high standards.
Perhaps the inconsistency was down to the changes made by coach Steve Hansen for this particular fixture. Perhaps it was down to motivation. Indeed, while the All Blacks played the game at breakneck speed, they weren’t at their combative best. Then again, they didn’t need to be.
Dan Carter made an early error to give the Scottish optimists hope. In the build up, Scotland had spoken about rush defence tactics keeping the New Zealanders at bay. This paid dividends early on, with centre Matt Scott intercepting a pass made by Carter. Scott then found Tim Visser in support, and the Flying Dutchman finished what would be the first of his two tries.
But the Scots failed to maintain that defensive pressure. Carter made amends for that no-look pass soon after by making two linebreaks in a subsequent movement. The Scots were punished for standing off the All Blacks flyhalf, as Carter’s second break led to the simplest of tries for Israel Dagg.
While the All Blacks underperformed in certain areas, Carter was in sublime form in front of goal. He finished the match with figures of nine from 10, and a personal tally of 21 points.
Carter also had a hand in several of the All Blacks’ tries. The visitors played the game at a furious pace, making easy ground and linebreaks through the inside channels.
Once the initial break was made, men like Carter were key in identifying the space, and across the board, the All Blacks’ handling skills and finishing was excellent.
Scotland No 7 Ross Rennie was injured early in the match, and the hosts battled to compete at the breakdown thereafter. The absence of a genuine openside meant that Scotland had nobody to slow down the All Blacks’ ruck recycle. This in turn made it difficult for the Scots’ line defence, as there was not much time to realign.
The All Blacks conceded three tries in this fixture, and this will annoy the coaching staff. Scotland did well to take three chances. If they had been more clinical, they may have scored another when All Blacks No 6 Adam Thomson was in the sin bin if they had only secured a lineout throw on the opposition try-line. As it transpired, they only succeeded in handing possession back to the All Blacks.
It’s frightening to think about how much further damage a full strength All Blacks’ side, or indeed one operating at full intensity, may have inflicted on Scotland. The All Blacks cruised to a 51-22 victory on Sunday without producing their most polished display. It’s a simple truth that highlights the gulf in quality between the world champions and the Six Nations stragglers.
342 Comments
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11 Nov 2012, 22:49 pm
@CoachPete-293: Stad’s good Pete. Was trying to hit the pit until you rolled onto the scene.
How’s Frisco?
Thinking of moving on from Kaapstad in the not too distant. Vrou and yours keen on Koh Samui for a spel maybe. Jury’s still out. Chasing the lifestyle if you get the drift. Still keen to do a spot of work tho.
11 Nov 2012, 22:54 pm
@CoachPete-300: that’s very funny.
and send RP my very best Pete. Its been years since I last heard her name. Still in Hong Kong I suppose. Did you ever meet?. I imagine she’s quite gorgeous.
11 Nov 2012, 22:55 pm
I will She is doing fine
11 Nov 2012, 22:56 pm
She is a lovely person with an amazing sense of humor
Hows Newlands?
11 Nov 2012, 22:57 pm
Frisco is good Getting cold here Elections over Thanksgiving coming up soon
hey i should be in CT early next year hopefully
11 Nov 2012, 23:02 pm
@CoachPete-304: Newlands is good. As it always will be I suspect. You will know I live next door in Rondebosch. House sold. Planning to move to St James temporarily until we move on somewhere. Travel is certain.
11 Nov 2012, 23:06 pm
@TASSIES-306:
Leaving the country? or somewhere in SA?
11 Nov 2012, 23:06 pm
@CoachPete-305: visit or permanent?
that election was something else. Reckon Bush was the last republican president for some while to come. But I’m a million miles away so what would I know?
11 Nov 2012, 23:10 pm
@CoachPete-307: probably a year in Koh Samui(Thailand) and then we’ll see. Living in SA is fairly stressful if one has a hunger for current affairs like I do. Need a break from all the negativity. Or simply a change of scenery. But, as you’d know, its pretty difficult to break from the Cape altogether. I’m a Capie down to my toenails and addicted to the outdoors this place has to offer.
11 Nov 2012, 23:10 pm
@TASSIES-308:
Just a visit Im a yankee now lol
See my brothers sort out some things
Yes republicans need to realize its 2012 not 1960
11 Nov 2012, 23:12 pm
@TASSIES-309:
Yes me to basically I am a capie My heart is still very much in Cape Town
11 Nov 2012, 23:14 pm
NOw thinking of players and personally this is, i thought that Joost van der Westhuizen was one of the best halfbacks i have seen play. I dont really know how you guys rated him but in the international arena, i thought he was magic.
Always thought he outplayed Marshall most the time, when those 2 met
11 Nov 2012, 23:16 pm
@CoachPete-307: was down at Muizenberg this morning(not surfing) and strolled boardwalk to St James. Beautiful. Think I saw a great white. Rode same on my bike yesterday(before the Test). Hard to beat when you experience it first hand. So I reckon a spell down at the sea front(you lived it at Clifton) and then another dab at same in Koh Samui should get us sorted for the next event in life. Who knows what life serves up. Best live it now I say.
11 Nov 2012, 23:19 pm
@CoachPete-310: my thoughts exactly.
I’m outta here Pete. Work tomorrow. Cheers mate. Speak again.
11 Nov 2012, 23:20 pm
@TASSIES-314:
Cheers good to se e you
12 Nov 2012, 00:01 am
@Hurricane-312: Joost was a legend but then so was Justin – both great players. I think both were better than the scrumhalves representing SA and NZ currently.
12 Nov 2012, 01:44 am
@kaksioek-316:
George, Joost and Justin.
A golden era for 1/2 backs.
However, ………………………………………………….all 3 stayed on at the top level for too long, particularly Joost.
In his last year as a Springbok, he was a mere shadow of his former self. An embarrassment actually.
12 Nov 2012, 01:45 am
Well done NZ.
Not so well done Adam. Pack your bags Sunshine……………………………………….You’ll be coming home.
12 Nov 2012, 03:02 am
@cab-249: Still cant read up on the laws of the game huh? Oh well, at least it makes you feel better.
If McCaw is cheat – then so is every forward playing the game of rugby.
12 Nov 2012, 03:53 am
Can there be one thread where we dont have to read the same old boring “mccaw is a cheat” routine?… He’s a great player, lets just leave it at that.
12 Nov 2012, 04:30 am
@cane-317:
Oh bS….based on what……your warped view?
12 Nov 2012, 04:31 am
@Daddy-320:
Yup………………log onto a keeewee site then…………you can give him a ******* there along with the other keeewees
12 Nov 2012, 04:52 am
@whatever-322: why do you claim hes a cheat then? What part of the game can you pin point – that a) no other player does b) that you wouldnt do yourself, or c) thats part of pushing every law to the limit.
The fact we’re kicking your arse and most others right now pisses you off, and all you lot can do is play with yourselfs by calling this guy a cheat. Its f’n pathetic, and its about you grew up and admitted he plays the game as a test player should play it.
We could ***** and moan about a whole bunch of players – but where does it get us? Nowhere, its a waste of time, but you lot and the welsh and the irish and the poms and the scots get so wound up by it, you have to wonder why? I guess the more you whinge the more we know its getting to you.
The French or the Aussies dont moan about him, they find ways to negate his prowess, perhaps thats what you Saffas should focus on.
12 Nov 2012, 05:28 am
@KiaKahaNZ-323:
Whatever is a follower. He has no clue as what he says but knows thats what others have said therefore he puts 2 and 2 together to comes up with 12.
12 Nov 2012, 06:27 am
….there’s certainly a ‘morality’ issue about pushing the rules in such a calculating, elusive way, no?
Sure, he’s not the only one, but…..
12 Nov 2012, 07:23 am
Not bad for a second string team hey….. Go the mighty all blacks
12 Nov 2012, 07:57 am
Haha isn’t it funny how the Saffas moan about McCaw. Correct, you don’t hear the Aussies, French or English doing the same. Jealous South Africans!
12 Nov 2012, 07:59 am
@KiaKahaNZ-323:
pull the other one, boet.
he’s a filthy cheat and so is his team.
@j59-325:
exactly.
@Daddy-320:
are you 12..?..
12 Nov 2012, 08:09 am
@Delki-327: hmmmm seems many players from all over the world have been putting the boot into McCaw recently, no? french fingers, Greyling, Quade x2, Higinbotham x2
They must just be frustrated with his awesome “playing to the limit” style, ne
what would an analogy be: Soccer players who dive….? Micro injecting EPO so it doesn’t show on test? (come on, J59, thats too harsh)
Other analogies….?
12 Nov 2012, 08:15 am
True J59 but the whinging about McCaw is coming from South Africans. You guys have developed a national characteristic of whinging.
12 Nov 2012, 10:14 am
@ryecatcher-230: Sorry.Rude uneccesarily
so.
12 Nov 2012, 10:17 am
@David-244: Baise.Brother Gerald
was our company doctor.
12 Nov 2012, 10:27 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-328: no, a 12 year old b.itches and moans constantly.
12 Nov 2012, 10:28 am
@whatever-322:
Jeez boet… You disappoint me.
12 Nov 2012, 10:39 am
@Daddy-333:
i see, you dont like it when the grownups fight…
12 Nov 2012, 10:55 am
@i_love_u_bakkiesbotha-335:
If crying about a team thats better than your own and accuse them all of cheating and its not fair,whinge,cry,whinge then you have no clue on grownup fights.
12 Nov 2012, 10:57 am
@Hurricane-336:
no crying here, hurri
just the facts, about a team that cheats.
12 Nov 2012, 11:05 am
@Delki-330: shot, man. yeah we do whinge, i guess – instead, i’d prefer we just fixed the backline . Anyways, I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. I do the like the ab’s and they play a good style ne. but its probably a debate we can have at some stage ne
12 Nov 2012, 11:13 am
@Hurricane-336: I do like the All Blacks, and I do rate Richie. However, he does find himself on the wrong side of the ruck plenty. In fact if you check yesterday’s game, you will find him rolling over the wrong side (on back) and still playing and stealing the ball from Scots at least twice.
Personally believe we should bring back full-on rucking.
12 Nov 2012, 11:17 am
refs are really the issue. buuuut the only way to possibly make it fair, is to have non-physical transgressions reviewed after the game as they do with dangerous play. not practical, I know, but just a thought
12 Nov 2012, 11:57 am
@Anomander-339:
hehehe that sounds like our Ritchie.
People think whatever he does now is cheating, sort of gets a bit old.
As someone said its not his fault but the refs need to sharpen up.
Fact is that alot of people get away with all sorts. Bakkies believes SA do not cheat and it is just the Kiwis, Ozzies, Argentina,Chiefs,Crusaders and Sharks….just those teams and no one else. See what we are battling here
12 Nov 2012, 12:27 pm
@Hurricane-341:
Sure, I agree that if you can get away with it fine, go for it. I don’t think Richie would have quite so much fun back in the day when rucking was legal!
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