State of the game

The state of the game is New Zealand.  A Super format that has done us no favours, in a draw where we play each other twice, and a sole home quarter final up for grabs?  But maybe the silver lining is much thicker than we thought.  The NZ Super franchise bases love the derbies because they pack the house.  The players absolutely bash each other.  And they can all play helter skelter. And what we are seeing is a level of rugby never seen before.  The New Zealand Super teams have taken rugby to a new level.  Constant game time versus each other and a only large handful with, for example, the South African teams has left the Saffers trailing the game once again.  The Kiwi teams, for once, hit the ground running and have only improved since.

Just a quick gloss over because I can't be bothered writing more.

The Highlanders

Their ABs are on song, both Smiths are commanding well and the recent new caps add yet more leadership and experience to an already bonded squad.  Aaron Smith is Deadeye Dick with his boxkicking. Luke Whitelock vs Liam Squire for the starting 8 berth!!

Players that would make any other international team:

Patrick Osbourne. Trained with the ABs, a big, hard, sensible, intelligent winger. Could do with another yard of pace.  Recently signed with Tonga.
Matt Faddes.  What a find! An absolute gem has been turned up and he's already the polished goods. Started at wing has proven more than adept at centre or 15.
Richard Buckman.  Currently out injured but a little in the Faddes mode with a little less X-factor and a harder nose, never stops trying.

Be loving that mullet down south

The Crusaders

Naholo helped them get some go forward and recover their mojo a couple of seasons back and though he won't be there this weekend and he will be missed they are more than capable.  Dagg is back to his best and has been the form 15 throughout this season of Super Rugby,  The calming influence of the wise old heads such as Crotty and Ellis has been immeasurable and the loss of the #9 this weekend is as big a blow as Nadolo.

Players that would make any other international team:

Johnny McNicholl. A real livewire winger, pounces on anything, can cover 15.
Jordan Taufua. Not the biggest but powerful, dynamic and skillful.
Jimmy Tupou? Getting there.

Richie Mo'unga has passed his 1st Super Rugby season with flying colours

The Hurricanes

Kid Barrett has taken another step forward with consistency and catapulted his game to new heights. Being thumped by the Brumbies first game up, 2 losses from 2 rounds then losing Milner-Skudder for the season in the third, things didn't look good for last season's minor premiers (and deserved champions).  But Barrett grabbed the reins and, with Coles and co doing the work up front, is leading opposition teams on a merry chase. In Ardie Savea are we seeing something special?

Players that would make any other international team:

No sure things perhaps I'd go with Matt Proctor, Blade Thomson, Reggie Goodes, Jason Woodward and Willis Halaholo.

Don't take your guns to town, boy....don't take your guns to town

The Chiefs

Undoubtedly the most dynamic non stop attacking machine in the Super competition.  That smiling assassin is the face of who the Chiefs are and what they do. Looking still nothing more than a plucky little schoolkid this whizzkid is burning fields up and the Stormers are going to have their hands full trying to contain him on their made -for-running grounds in the Republic.  Cane is leading from the front but I figure his days in the black jersey are numbered.  Despite his huge workrate he lacks the ball skills considered necessary to be an AB loosie and sometimes his decision making goes awry. In Lowe, Ngatai and Tamanivalu you have 3 more new All Black recruits and with capped AB Weber one of the form 9s of the comp the Chiefs' backline is humming.

Players that would make any other international team:

Andrew Horrell. Quite capable of playing anywhere in the backline and still finding gaps.

Anton Lienert-Brown. 2nd5 that can cover every other position wider out.  Must be on the ABs' radar.
James Lowe. A big boy, highly skilled with a never say die competitive edge.

Pair this guy up with Moala, 13 and 12 respectively. Voilá, AB midfield

The Blues

I was surprised when Umaga didn't find space for Hamish Northcote when selecting his squad this year.  All X-factor players meant yet another season of fumbling and bumbling.  But then along came Piers Francis.  And gone was Rene Ranger (big a fan as I am but his injury was a blessing for the Blues. Coming back as the experienced pro he had to show the youngsters how it should be done. Instead we got error after error after error. Inexcusable lack of ball retention all game long. Anyway....back to the point).  With George Moala having time to settle into 13, Nanai igniting his season, and Francis applying some steady to the tiller, the Blues started to get over the hill. My personal opinion is Moala at 12. Had a lot of unfair criticism aimed his way but he has truly been a rock for the Blues in midfield this year. He's the All Blacks' next Nonu if they decide to go with their tried and tested, "get out of jail free" card, a go forward 12.  For all Fekitoa's excitement he is a liability in defence and at times has no idea who he should be taking. Big up to Steven Luatua,having a huge season. Bryn Hall gets some unfair criticism, I like his quick delivery but needs work on his box kicking.  Expect the Crusaders to bring out the best of him. Tuipulotu is a mass of pure muscle but has to cut his error rate down while Charlie Faumuina continues to amaze critics worldwide with his ballskills. The Blues missed the Ioane brothers but we should see something special start to kick in next season and who knows what gifts the wind may bring during the offseason.  

Players that would make any other international team:

Melani Nanai. This guy is really turning tricks.  Took over 15 from the underperforming Visinia and has made every post a winner.  Was doing the same thing on the wing. Keep this up for another season and he's got All Black written all over him.

Possibly Pita Ahki. And of course both the Ioane boys.  Riko is going to be a star.

Nanai, pure class

Bit low on international class forwards, no, but not many "walk-ins".  And while we may take our ball playing props anyday scrummaging ability is first and foremost in other nations. Except Australia.

So the odds on NZ having 4 teams in the semis this weekend?  Well you have to back the Hurricanes in Wellington. Forget past results, this Hurricanes has more self belief than ever. The Brumbies at home are not the force they were and the Highlanders have their A-game on. The Stormers have been playing in a soft competition and have still struggled to dominate.  Taking on the free running Chiefs may be too much for their lungs.  Lions Crusaders is one that I feel could go either way.  How much will the Crusaders miss Nadolo? Will the Lions be underdone fault of their weaker conference?

Smart money would be on each of the NZ teams.  But then there are also the refs...


Then will it be watch out world?

Old men and and one trick ponies

Once again spouting confidence from some meaningless victory.  This time against the American second stringers.  A South Africa with misplaced confidence is a weak South Africa. Let's be honest.  The Jarpies have had a disastrous few years culminating in their loss to Japan.  Who would want the poisoned chalice that is the national rugby union team? I'm not a hater of Heneke Meyer but he got to where he is on the back of a Bulls pack that used to outmuscle their position and an almost flawless 1st5 (when it comes to kicking!).  The Boks have always shown a stubbornness to move on from this suffocating (for everyone, also world rugby fans) game plan.  They no longer have a pack that can win a top tier game on their own.

They have a habit of sticking with their tried and trusted(?).  Same goes for the retention of players.  While New Zealand is constantly on the ball trying, testing, developing talent, eradicating weaknesses and preparing players for that step up, the Republic seem to have their heads in the sand.

Morné Steyn took a long time to start heading to the exit door.  Constantly criticised by their inability to open a game up they refute this on the back of 50 point wins once breaking the will of lesser opposition and running in 3 or 4 tries in the final half hour.  Steyn is the best proof you have that they have never let go.  Another that owes his longevity and success to the Bulls dour gameplan.

Schalk Burger will alway remain one of my favourite all time players.  Blonde hair, elbows, shoulders and knees flying into breakdowns is a classic sight and he was truly a menace to all teams.  A true old school player that would have been an even bigger legend in the Colin Meads era. He fought his way back from his recent deathbed to reclaim a Springbok jersey but should he still be there today?  His influence is a mere shadow of what he used to bring to the table.  He isn't the player he once was.

The irrepressible Schalk

Captain JP De Villiers.  A knee injury that would have probably spelt his retirement if there hadn't been the challenge of the looming World Cup.  Then back on the field and a broken jaw.  De Villiers has been an outstanding servant to the worldwide game, a true gentleman, but the Boks have shown they have 2 dangerous youngsters.  A depleted captain and player in every sense, he backed up for the cup about 10kg below his normal playing weight.  His loss is a blessing.  Not the player he once was.

Fourie Du Preez was justifiably rated the world's premier #9 for a long time (I remember Graham Henry laxing lyrical eons ago).  Now, in a similar vein to the apparent brimming confidence gained from the US victory, he's back in form?  Time will tell.  An opposition pack achieving somewhere around parity will give us more insight there.  Not the player he once was but possibly still deserving of his squad and starting role spot.

Victor Matfield, lineout kingpin.  Well,....former kingpin.  That mantle seems to sit with the All Blacks' Sam Whitelock now.  Your true one trick pony.  White men can jump.  But this one can't do much else.  I always maintained the best way to stifle a South African attack was to make sure Matfield had inserted himself into the backline somewhere. And one of the weakest ball carrying forwards seen at this level.  South Africa LET GO!!  His injury/ommission is an obvious windfall.  2 huge,bustling young bulls add some real grunt to the engine room when paired up.  Probably still the same player he always was, except for not being quick enough to even put in his late hits.  Apart from jumping there isn't anything else to live up to.  Old enough to be team manager.

This is the closest I could find to an action shot

Bryan Habana our other one trick pony.  South Africa was still giving him player of the year awards when he should of just been a bag carrier to the national team.  He had wheels.  He still has some reasonable pace but what else does he bring? Without that extra metre his chip and regather seems to have deserted him.  Without anything resembling space he becomes a passenger in a team that can't create for their outsides.  Should have been long gone from the Springboks. Not the player he once was.

Weeeee!! look at me! I'm gonna break the record for most World Cup tries on the back of games against crap teams like this 2nd string American lineup.

No way are they going to go all the way.  They will have trouble against a Welsh team with a severe limp.  But then again they did win the '07 edition with possibly the worst Springbok team there has ever been.  Definitely the weakest World Champions to date.

#RUGBYWORLDCUP2015: Quarter final show downs

South Africa v Wales

No questions as to what the Boks are going to attempt to bring to the party.  It's going to be a destroy mission upfront and they will try to steamroll a severly winged Welsh outfit.  But they haven't shown the ability to bring their one and only gameplan all year and once again, like clockwork, they spout new found form on the back of an easy victory.  Let's remember this was the USA second stringers, South Africa with misplaced confidence is an almost guarantee of another below par showing.  On the plus side the old man injuries have given them a stronger starting line up, though they could have done with 1 or 2 more falling over.

The Taffs have shown a tendency this cup to keep on hanging on.  Kudos to a lot of hard work from a line of NZ coaches.  If they had had any idea on attack and concentrated on looking for space instead of continuous 1st and 2nd channels versus a 13 man Australia they would be playing Scotland instead.  George North in the 13 jersey is a liability in defence and attack.  He gets his D lines confused and, as with most wings, is no distributor.  The young Bok centre pairing while a handful on attack do have their own defensive weaknesses but North isn't capable of exploiting that.  If Ainscombe plays at the back we could be in for a treat. An unknown at international level and relied on more than a few injuries to make his way into the squad but has shown to be a real handful in Super rugby.  With all the kicks he's likely to receive, it could cause some real problems for South Africa.

Not sure I want to pick this one, so let's say 'go Wales!'.

Ainscombe....somewhat of a silent assassin

All Blacks v France

The Frogs couldn't get up versus a very one dimensional Ireland.  They couldn't defend versus a gameplan that involved minimal offloads meaning no support runners.  Can they hold the All Blacks out? Hopefully the All Blacks won't disappear into their shells again on this one. Or can Les Bleus pull another performance out of the hat just for NZ fans?  

The ABs have received their share of flak and have had problems implementing against lesser teams but they have a tendency to do what is required when necessary.  Expect to see New Zealand's #1 game plan from here on.  A pack going full on into contact (they showed the intent in their last pool game) and trying to outmuscle every other team at the breakdown, then that ball going wide the moment there's some space and mismatches for the backs.  Hansen has surely put the hard word on his front 8. Live or die by the sword. Pave the way for the team and country to the Cup. Then the backs will be able to display their wares and finally end this notion that attacking rugby can't win the World Cup, which will bode well for both the All Blacks and rugby at future cups. One feels McCaw and co have too much to prove this time round.  A chance to bury some ghosts.

Always impossible to pick scores when France is involved but let's say ABs by 16.

Dusautoir....if the French pull this one off it will be in no small part due to him

Ireland v Argentina

For all Ireland's pre cup optimism I have a feeling it's once again a quarter final exit.  Their seemingly dominant performance versus the Frogs was one dimensional stuff.  Schmidt's plan was "Don't lose that ball!" and Ireland played basically ball up your jumper rugby with every carrier tucking it under 2 arms and never looking to offload.  Their final pool victory was more down to a vacant French team. The Paddies climbed as far as #2 in the world rankings but there was always a falsity about it as the Boks and Australia always drop placings due to constant matches versus each other and the All Blacks. Now with the loss of key and experienced personnel surely the bookies will be forced to favour the Pumas.  

The Argy Bargies will meet the Irish pack with pure determination and there are going to be some sore bodies from the Emerald Isle after this one.  The Irish backs have gone ok but with Sexton seemingly out most of that goes out the window. And the Argentine backs are looking pretty lively themselves. 

Argentina to outmuscle the Irish and take this one by 10.

Santiago Cordero....no monster at 5ft9" and 79kg but give him some space and see you later

Australia v Scotland

Aussie definitely look the form team but a hurt, and uninspiring when it counted, Wales gifted them this draw. Pocock out, Australia's best player to date, is obviously a loss but you still expect the Wallabies to canter this.

The Sweats are triers and can turn on the odd gutsy performance but nothing tells me to expect one this weekend. I'll leave it at that.

Aussie by 20.

Jonny Grey, little brother of Richie.My main interest in this game is to watch this kid.

South Africa v Japan-NZ combined, World Cup 2015

Just a few quick word as I can't let that one slip by.

Plaudits to Eddie Jones, a huge amount of work had obviously gone into those lightning hooked scrums and the low tackling with flanks cutting off the supply channels for offloads.  The accuracy of their passing game versus the familiar handling errors from the Boks, the Japs giving South Africa some of their own medicine with a rushing defence (that they kept up for 80 minutes!) creamed off with an energetic 100 mile per hour attitude that only the Japanese have. The 12 man mauls catching the Boks unaware and Garcia could easily have awarded a match winning penalty try for a collapsed maul in the dying moments. The world heavyweight once again showing their inability to change tack during a game.  Easily the greatest upset in international rugby history (except the '95 final) and that's with leaving 10 points on the field in the 1st 11 minutes, this should give some real motivation to the other competing minnows. In the Republic this will cause a vicious backlash to the imposed quotas. Huge, huge match from Japanese captain Michael Leitch.  A dark day in history for the Springboks. Go the Brave Blossoms!



hahahahahahaha

"my" Hansen's World Cup Squad

Coles
Mealamu
Taylor
Elliot's a top lineout thrower but the AB lineout is reigning supreme and he doesn't bring the same energy to his ball-carrying game as he used to. Taylor nabs his spot. Meanwhile Hansen must be over the moon with Coles' development.

O. Franks
B. Franks
Woodcock
Crockett
Laulala 
Faumuiana would probably have been in here, not to sleight Laulala but to keep some others honest. The other frontrowers have all been somewhat lazy of late. Too late for a clean out. Unfortunately the recent head knock puts him out til the naming of the squad.

Time to bring it again, Brodie

Whitelock
Retallick
Romano 
No 4th lock....Thrush is no more than an honest 2nd rower.  Does some hard graft but zero X factor.  Broadhurst will have to wait til next season.  He slipped up bigtime versus South Africa and now has question marks come the big knock out games. Kaino will have to cover. Confidence in our present lineout allows this.

1st XV?

Read
McCaw
Cane 
Kaino
Vito
Messam
Messam will owe his spot to the fact no 4th lock put their hand up.  Recently he has muscled up as demanded by our #6s but his error-rate has skyrocketed as well as needless penalties. Vito has been arguably the top performing NZ loosie this Super season (only competition coming from Hurricanes teammates Savea, Blade Thomson and Brad Shields....both the latter should be in ahead of Messam).  Though a #8 and having had previous problems stepping into the blindside role, Vito brings greater speed and ball handling.  He will have Messam's spot on the bench in big games, maybe even stealing the 6 jersey from Kaino who seems a shadow of his former self.

Smith
Perenara
To accommodate all the below players we're only taking 2 9s to the Cup, taking advanatage of the injury replacement if needed.  In the group games any of the below will suffice as back up if one of the former need a week out.


Carter
Barrett
Sopoaga
Slade
Normally I'd have had Slade as the unlucky one but Hansen's decision to rest him from NPC action raises eyebrows.  Sopoaga has to be the first back should Carter go down and Hansen will give him a group game starting, come knock out time he won't be used on the bench That spot going to Barrett.

Please don't fall over

Nonu
Williams
Smith
Fekitoa
Nonu is in the form of his life and Williams won't get a look in.  On recent form he shouldn't even be in the squad.  Fekitoa doesn't deserve his place either.  All Blacks just don't have error rates that high. He'll get a run in done and dusted games or, if we're under the pump and need something out of the hat.  Hope like hell Nonu and Smith stay fit.  Losing Nonu is going to screw us. I'd have gone with George Moala (the closest to a Nonu replica there is) and Charlie Ngatai (though I do like the look of the Blues' Hamish Northcote).  At the very least I hope Moala is the new Nonu 2016.

No room for Israel?

B.Smith
Savea
Milner-Skudder
Piutau
Unfortunate for Dagg but he gets squeezed out.  I'm sure Hansen and co are pretty desperate to take him but at whose cost? I'd argue that our best performing backline in recent years is with Smith on the wing and Dagg at 15. But Smith is arguably the world's best fullback and Piutau, though not the current favourite son, is the best performing All Black back this year.  Can't leave out The Bus or the dazzling feet of the latest whizzkid on the block. Jane is undercooked, him and the outstanding Osbourne will be monitored as backups during the ITM Cup.

Chief Bolter

Anyone is happy when predictions come true.  Hardly betting, never on golf and winning 17/1 odds on McElroy's first Grand Slam.  Predicting a break out year for Brodie Retallick and he follows up with the International Player of the Year Award.  Not finding the wanted (and would have been winning) bet option on Schumacher finishing 6th in his comeback race (down to an acquaintance's dream).  Picking the Hurricanes as 2015 champions after round 2 and sitting 8 points clear of 2nd with a game in hand after round 15.  Hell, even telling all it'd be Prince George when the bookies had no idea.

Damian Mckenzie to snaffle up a 1st5/fullback possie in the 2015 World Cup All Blacks.  Which means he's going to be tried out prior.  Nothing rattles him.  Takes big hits, makes his tackles (+90%), and keeps getting up for more.  Unusual to take a new kid on board in cup year but he's a game breaker and with the pressure he puts on opposition's defences he opens up so much room for the dangerous All Black outsides.  All the talk about Carter, Cruden, Slade, and Sopoaga as a bolter,...pencil this kid in.

State of the Nation

Things aren't looking too bad.  They say when Auckland rugby is strong, All Black rugby is strong.  All Black rugby is strong.  Auckland has seen better days.  Much better days.  So maybe we should start from the bottom up.

It's the old cliche.  Trotted out time and again. Every Otago team is greater than the sum of its parts.  You could even have uttered this early season but not now.  Yes, there's still the two Smiths and new AB Fekitoa playing their main parts.  But there's a host of others who are thrusting their names forward for national selection.  The 2 wings, Naholo and Osbourne, together with Ben challenge as the best back 3 in the business, with only the Hurricanes to have a word about that.  Osbourne has been in the AB camp before.  Now he is twice the player.  Getting involved he is guaranteed gain line and recycled ball.  That extra time he stays on his feet as he plucks off another metre compliments the All Black style perfectly.
Buckman may never be an AB but if you were selected on heart and effort he'd be the 1st name on the teamsheet.  Asked to fill in the midfield he's done so admirably and you get the feeling he'd play prop if asked. As error free a footballer as you get and then some.  This guy is a thinker and the way he pounces, Barracuda is a nice fit. In the pack they are hardly no names.  Coltman's stock is rising but if there's one player that epitomises this team it's Elliot Dixon.  Perhaps another to fit into the "never an AB" category but this guy shirks nothing and is at the forefront of everything.  Asked to fill in across the backrow he does it with ease, while obviously his best game comes at 6.

Craig Joubert carried the Lions home over the 2nd 40 on the weekend and a recent loss to the Brumbies shouldn't deter.  Master plan by Joseph to fit in his compulsory All Black rest weekends versus a conference front runner.

 

Elliot Dixon

Up to Crusader country and we have the greatest team in pro rugby history that doesn't quite know whether its time is done or not.  Forget the availibility of McCaw and Carter.  This team has struggled since letting Fruean go.  This team seems bereft of ideas when they have no big guy to punch holes at pace out wide.  Enter Nadolo and we have another beast on our hands.  Problem is if he isn't firing the team isn't.  Then getting ball to your winger with some space to work with is another story.  They have missed Dagg.  He has unfairly copped criticism this year but when he has been on the paddock he has looked at or near his best, finding gaps in oppositions' defences out wide and initiating singlehandedly the linking attacks we know the Crusaders are famous for.  Slade is pushing as the best #10 in the comp but apart from that the 3/4s are struggling to get over the advantage line.  Tom Taylor was a short time All Black but I doubt we'll see him there again.  He's very much his ol' man, ie. Mr Dependable.  Bit tough on him being asked to be the Crusaders' handyman but he stifles the attack.  At 15 he is nothing more than your old time fullback, just the last line of defence.  He brings no attack to the team at all.  Up in the engine room and the Red & Blacks have a wealth of riches.  They just need to sort out their pretty boys.  Is it too late?

Jordan Taufua - worth putting a higher number on his back?

Across the Cook Strait into capital territory and we have a revelation.  This team has looked nothing other than finals material since round one.  Wonderkid Barrett pulling the strings and growing with every minute, the new found stepping "Super Rugby is easy" whizzkid at 15 Milner-Skudder, and 2 wide flanks in Savea and Jane and you've got some serious fire power.  Nonu in the form of his life and the ageless Conrad Smith, all fed by TJ Perenara finally pushing for the AB 9 jersey?  In the pack the only worry will be Thrush,....can he keep his jersey?  My money would say no.  Broadhurst is outperforming him in every aspect.  A backrow of Vito, Shields and Ardie Savea means no place for Blade Thomson.  This guy is dynamic and must be pushing for a black jersey of his own, forget the yellow one. Up front it's all good with most the fatties on the selectors' radar.  The biggest threat to a maiden Super title is losing a home knock out match to a fellow Kiwi team.

The name says it all. Blade.

Heading on up State Highway 1 to Chiefs territory.  Still a champion team but playing like a champion every 2nd game.  Lowe pushing hard for a black jersey, pops up everywhere, a powerhouse wing with a boot to match and capable of holding his own at fullback.  Nanai-Williams has been chasing the AB dream all his life and despite this being his best season his at times frail defence is all that's holding him back.  Sonny Bill in midfield has been unusually quiet and the work he does creating can go unnoticed.  Cruden maybe isn't the big loss people think if the Chiefs would fill it with the younger MacKenzie brother. Belying his slight frame this boy can light up a game.  Far too quick for any of the tight 5 this kid can dart through keyholes.  Messam has finally muscled up over the last season or 2, Retallick is Retallick, much more than a workhorse.  Big Ben still hanging in for that black jersey, he seems capable of 80 to me and throws himself around.  Not sure what the final criteria is the selectors are looking for.

 Damian MacKenzie....blink and you'll miss him

Over the Bombays and a coaching frustration.  The simplest game plan Kirwan could put in place is order zero offloads.  The Blues would still win half their games this way.  The amount of spilled ball is terrifying and surprised Sir John still has a head of hair.  This is like watching bad games from the Hurricanes of old over and over again.  Some classy backs right through from 11 to 15.  Bowden was a godsend so we'll be wanting him back quick sharp. Moala, off field problems seemingly behind him, should be being watched by Hansen and co.  If they seriously want to continue down the Nonu-C.Smith road then Fekitoa doesn't fit the concept.  Wing come inside-centre Moala is your man.  A beast, ball in hand, the only player that comes close to Nonu's bustling pressure relieving crash game. Piutau will be sorely missed.  Up front Luatua is playing for his life and is hoping to step up in Kaino's absence.  Akira Ioane is the one to watch.  19 years old and already sitting 120kg opponents on their proverbials with powerful runs, icing it nicely with some 3/4 like swerving runs out wide.  The question here is will the selectors be willing to blood a kid in the lead up to the Cup?  Tuipulotu is a one man wrecking machine but his offloads have to be restrained.  If he can get that right he is going to be an important cog at the Cup with the modern game. New look Tu'ugafasi looks good to me.  As big as today's props come at 120kg and 195cm, just ticked over 23 will the selectors also be ready to take a gamble here?

Akira Ioane

  

All up New Zealand rugby is looking pretty good despite the exodus.  A lot of untried players at international level pushing for a part.  We haven't seen how they stack up playing at the elite, but neither has anyone else.Things are looking pretty damned good.

An aberration. The Real Deal part 2

Don't write them off.  This Hurricanes side is still all that.  A costly Ardie Savea error in the opening minutes certainly came back to haunt the Canes and was the losing of the match.  But there was much more to it than that.  They still coughed up points and definitely gifted some to the Waratahs.  The Hurricanes resorted back to their dirty old habit of playing catch up everytime they got their mits on the ball.  Silly offloads and risky passes, that in front of a rushing Waratahs defence were always going to spell trouble.  But this team is still the best in the comp.  This was a game they dominated and should have been 20 up after 20 minutes.  They still have that new found defensive edge.  They still have an in form Nonu and Julian Savea.  They have a courageous 9 in Perenara who is playing himself into the world cup.  And what about that covering tackle on the monstrous Will Shelton?  Gutsy. They have some depth and talent through the pack, not the least of which is the dynamic Blade Thomson who must be being looked at. And don't forget the new whizzkid on the block, Milner-Skudder.  Where did he get that name? Who cares?  This kid could dance his way through a hailstorm.  Check out his twinkle toe maneuver on the seasoned Ashley-Cooper.  Hyphenated surname versus hyphenated surname.  And a committed AC was left grasping at air going to ground while Milner-Skudder had already waltzed past him. And his "hook" pass is the next big thing after the Sonny Bill offload.

 Blade Thomson

It is time to trot out that old line about sometimes a loss is more important than a win.  In this case it is the case.  The Hurricanes had to get that out of their system.  That nasty flashback to seasons gone by.  The frustrating Hurricanes of old.  Better now than later.  Now they can get back to the drawing board and reset this season's system into play.  I wouldn't put my house on them but at least the garage.

The Real Deal

Hurricanes supporters have had reasons to get their hopes up before.  It's been that way since day one of official professional rugby with the 1996 Super 12 season opener when the Hurricanes combined with the Blues to put on the best advertisement the competition could have hoped for in a 28-36 loss, drifting off to finish 9th while the Blues went on to take the inaugural title. 2 years later the upped the ante to get us far as the semis before falling to the Brumbies in the stronghold that is Canberra. That was followed by a pocketful of midtable finishes until the 2003 season where they were one of 3 NZ teams to make the cut, with only the Brumbies in 4th spoiling Kiwi domination, before going down as many have before and after them to the Crusaders in Canterbury country. 2 seasons later they followed it up with another playoff spot only for the Crusaders to show them who was boss, the Hurricanes for many years struggling to show the class necessary for the big games versus big time opposition. Welcome to the inaugural Super 14 season and the team from Wellington made it easier on themselves by finishing the season strongly, taking 2nd spot behind nemisis Canterbury before going down 19-12 in an ugly (if you can call ugly what you can't see) encounter in a fog ridden final at Jade Stadium.  2008 was another semi appearance yet again to be haunted by a history making Crusaders outfit while in 2009 they had the joy of finishing above the Red and Blacks only to fall to the Chiefs in Hamilton in another NZ dominated playoffs.

What a joy....the Paekakariki Express, Christian Cullen

The new 6 team playoff set up that came along with the 2011 Super XV did the Hurricanes no favours with the team, to date, failing to make the cut.

They've had some great players, Captain Fantastic Tana Umaga, Jonah Lomu, the irrepressible Christian Cullen, that shark above water Lome Fa'atau, Jerry the Terminator Collins, cannonball Norm Hewitt, Weepu, Roger Randle, and a score of other ABs or nearly ABs from teams gone by that are too many to name. In the early 2000s they had a team stacked in the backs with the likes of Lomu, Cullen, Umaga, Nonu, Fa'atau, Alatini, and a pack comprised of Collins, Masoe, Vanisi, So'oialo, Tito and Hore but still couldn't match it versus the giants of Super Rugby.  Giants perhaps being the appropriate term as having a backline to dazzle and a lightning fast loose trio counted for nothing when the tight 5 was too small and inconsistent.  Even of recent years it's been same old same old for Wellington fans with a backline to entertain if they actually got any front foot ball. And let's not forget the turmoil surrounding the Hammett Nonu saga.

Lome Fa'tau

So roll along 2015 and what are we seeing? 3 victories on the trot: 2 in the republic and the 3rd a banana skin win on the return in Perth.  Bye round up then back to the unpredictable 'Canes of the past?  Hammett has moved on no doubt leaving the team in a better place mentally than it was prior to his arrival.  The return of the prodigal son in Nonu.  A backline reminiscent of seasons past with class from A to Z,  6 All Blacks, even a new Jonah who is worth one individual try per game, and a choice of 15s of whom surely one will pull on the black jersey.  The bye has come perfectly for the Hurricanes.  Yes, they are injury free, but this break will allow them to take stock and they will come back feet firmly planted and frothing at the bit.

Beast Mode

So what about the pack? The return from the republic of John Plumtree with some good old hardnosed South African defence creeping into the training and playing systems is evident and now the Hurricanes have a complete team.  They may have had some luck with both results in South Africa but you ride with those and if you can stay in the game that's the nature of the beast (regarding rugby officialdom these days...).  Gone are the days of helter skelter from their 22.  Gone are the frustrating cough ups any time a roll did get on.  And gone are the soft turnovers and leaky D.  Watch any one of the 'Canes games to date.  It's the pack that's standing up.  They have frontrowers who are all knocking on the All Blacks' door. They are knocking ball carriers backwards with aggressive defence and attacking the tackle areas intelligently otherwise spreading the defence from touch to touch.  Any turnover spells danger in Super Rugby and any turnover to the Hurricanes screams look out!

The scary thing is they haven't even worked on their attacking systems yet.  But the markers have been set in place and to finish your road trip unbeaten sitting pretty at the top of the table is unthought of for any team in seasons of late.  This team now has the confidence and belief and is ready to unleash.  Look out Super XV.  Come finals time this team will be there. This team is the real deal.

The King isn't dead

If your local betting agency is offering odds on McCaw's future get in there.  A lot of speculation about what, no buts about it, the greatest rugby player there has ever been is going to do post world cup.  It's long been well documented that King Richie has no ambitions to cash in, even for one season, on the the lucrative French market.  Certainly nobody would begrudge him that, and personally seems a strange decision as nobody would even look at it as McCaw filling up his pockets with French euro, but a chance at another playing and life experience before hanging up the boots.  After all, you're a long time dead and though Richie certainly wouldn't have any troubles finding would be sponsors to pay for a globe trotting lifestyle attending rugby matches and tournaments everywhere, every rugby player knows being in the mix is a complete other world.

Long live the King

Not many AB captains have been known nationally by their first names.  Tana would have been the first and and Richie the second.  Captain Fantastic and King Richie.  Picked as a 20 yr old by John Mitchell (at least he got something right) for the end of year 2001 tour amid criticism, McCaw went on to claim the MoM award in his first ever international and played all 3 tests that tour and only 1 season later was voted Newcomer of the Year by the International Rugby Players Association. He'd go on to win 6 NPC trophies with Canterbury, 4 Super titles (as well as 4 losing finals and 5 semis),  and 9 Tri Nations/Rugby Championships, and to date, 1 World Cup.  Without this coming season he has 120 All Black victories (and 2 draws from 136 matches) and has captained the ABs more than a staggering 100 times.  He may be slowing up but he has evolved.  His effect on the match is no less such is his experience added to the mana he holds with the match officials.

Untouchable:2 yellow cards in 13 years of international rugby

This is a guy who could travel the world on his laurels but seems that doesn't sit right with him.  Remember this is a guy who turned down a royal wedding invite and a knighthood because rugby came first.  It's all of this that makes me come to one conclusion.  Is Richie going to cash in on a one off season in Europe lapping up French wine and the Mediterannean sun on the Côte d'Azur? No, he isn't.  Is he going to sign on for the NZRU in some type of mentor role?  A possibility, definitely hard to see him letting go 100%.  Or has Hansen put out a call to arms?  Woodcock, Mealamu, Carter, Conrad Smith, Nonu.....all gone post cup.  Plus a number of fringe players.  It will be one of the biggest rebuilds ever for the All Blacks despite Hansen's neverending effort at building depth and experience.  The 2016 All Blacks will need Richie more than ever before.  The NZRU are going to front up with the biggest contract they have ever undertaken, place it under their captain's nose and tell him the fate of the nation depends on him.  And Richie won't be able to say no.  One more year to bring through the new brigade.  To expose them to that "no man left behind" culture that has developed with McCaw at the helm.  The NZRU will ramp it up and Richie is not able to leave the ABs in the lurch.  2016 All Black captain, Richie McCaw 150 test matches.

Had to find a place for this one

Kid Barrett

Beauden Barrett...the best there is

Last year I'd never have dreamed I'd be saying this.  The kid was just too much of a turnstyle in defense to merit an All Black jersey.  How things have changed.  He isn't a brick wall but what 1st5 is?  What he does do now is put his body on the line.  And with his startling turn of pace he can pull down defenders from behind like no other player.  Who can forget the corner tackle on Le Roux?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9EYDtG0sZo

This kid is currently sitting at the pinnacle as the world's top rugby player.  Never mind the battle with that Kiwi battler, the gutsy little Aaron Cruden, Barrett has now surpassed Carter as the most influential number 10 in rugby today.  This kid can find the smallest of gaps and drive a cadillac through them.  He's now making his tackles, kicking goals with apparent ease, and setting his outsides on fire in a way that hasn't been seen since Andrew Mehrtens.  He turns something into nothing every game, creating for himself or his dangerous outside backs.  I wouldn't say he alone is the reason for the Hurricanes' revival (a skilled up Julian Savea, a brutal Broadhurst, and finally being able to follow a gameplan have all played their part) but he has come of age this season and is tipping the scales towards his team in any game he plays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLr6f_Y5wTo

The litmus test was the 2013 Rugby Championship.  The Springboks up and bruising, looking for a 4 try bonus point win to steal the trophy out from NZ's noses.  Beauden Barrett on for Cruden, 1 hour into the game and the Springbok captain runs over the top of Barrett to give the South Africans their 4 try bonus point going up 27-24 and really put the heat on the ABs.  2 minutes later and the wonderkid steps up, giving De Villiers the perfect riposte leaving him grasping at air before dancing his way past 4 more defenders to the tryline to hand New Zealand the trophy, in what should have been the IRB's try of the year in perhaps the greatest game of rugby ever.  As it was he took the prize for his try versus the French. People now sit up and take notice.  You're witnessing something very special.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KfwRQ38dxE

ANZUS Rugby?

The more I think about it the more I agree with the whispers about NZ and Australia going their own way. South Africa threaten it often enough and I get their gripe but it probably is best for all right now for the Republic and Australasia to go their own ways. Australia have been very vocal of an Asian push while NZ seem to have their eyes more on an untapped hugely commercial US market. The Boks will find willing opponents up North though the problem will be the 6 Nations. With the English RU pulling the strings and their history of sticking to tradition (and moreover not wanting to have little chance of winning the "7" Nations) that's going to be a hard nut to crack, though they surely aren't stupid enough to not realise constant game time against a southern tier one team is going to raise their game substantially and turn them into real world heavyweights.

It isn't as absurd as it seems. A lot of the travel would be cut and new markets and new comps would be a huge publicity boost for the sport. The problem is always going to be Argentina. The IRU needs to be pumping $ into Brazil. World rugby is crying out for a change, but the bigwigs are wary of annoying the existing fans. This should keep everyone happy.

Perhaps Australia and the US could even combine once a year in a one off attempt at beating the ABs?

The Walleagles

Hurricanes v Highlanders R14 2014

Malakai Fekitoa

How do you pick between the canes and the highlanders? Highlanders have a lot out through injury and judiciary and are playing in the capital but i think i'll back them. 6 wins from 10 games and 3 of them losses by 2 points or less, they could very easily be sitting top of the table.  I think with Leuia out, much as i respect a departing tim bateman, the Canes will miss what has been a feature of NZ teams of late of having one powerhouse in the centres.  We saw the crusaders stutter early season with no Fruean and Lee-lo out of sorts.  While Fekitoa squares up against conrad smith it won't always be one on one and Smith can be caught out by big, straightening centres.  But will be a good match up there and looking to see broadhurst impress. Playoffs crunchtime.

You're keeping quiet...

I, like many kiwis, felt he didnt give the ABs a fair game at the breakdown.  The Irish had a great opening 30 with a little luck going their way.  Kearney showed a surprising lack of speed while "scampering" away down the touchline but he couldnt shake Read off and how important was that 2 points that the eightman saved his team?  What I saw as the All Blacks were trying to get back into the game was a combo of 3 things hampering them.  One was ball handling just as they were getting a roll on.  Two was laziness at their own rucks allowing Heaslip etc to come over the top and pressure Smith.  Three what I saw as Owen blowing any and every possible small infringement versus NZ while allowing the Irish to knock on, O'Brien and co play at the ball while prone on the ground, and multiple side entries.  No major catastrophic calls but a lot of little ones hindering the ABs.  Then one bad call that could of put the game out of reach....the penalty for the pulled down maul that from the angles I saw it could only have been Ireland (Healy I think).

Either way...this tour has just added to the legend that this team can get out of any sticky situation.  They don't ever light the stadium on fire like the class of 97 but they play more measured and more consistent.  They still contend justifiably as maybe the greatest ever.  Take a bow Steve Hansen and Graham Henry.

Pieces of Eight

Cant wait to see Read's impact in the Nov internationals.  He has moved on as a player since last meeting any northern oppostion and his wide ranging game, freeing up wingers down the outside lanes is incomparable in today's game.

For those of you who haven't followed AB rugby that long you wouldn't know the story behind the Bring Back Buck campaign.

An inspirational captain who re-entered a game after having a testicle placed back in its scrotum and stitched up, making the list of 7 Most Horrific "Man Injuries" In Sports, only to have some teeth knocked out.  The man who reinvented the All Black Haka unwittingly propelling the brand to greater heights, and who spurred the birth of the Bring Back Buck campaign which lives to this day since his dropping in 1990.

An up and coming #8 in Zinzan Brooke who lacked that raw edge but had all the skills of an outside back.  Rumour has it that Buck was dropped to keep Zinny in the "amateur" game (he had just signed with Manly Sea Eagles before asking Graham Lowe to rip up the contract) by giving him the All Black jersey.  This certainly played a part but the snake in the grass was team mate Gary Whetton who long held aspirations to be the All Black captain, even going as far as to jettison Shelford's role in the French Barbarians match versus the ABs.

However, Zinny went on to become the world's best ever number 8.  A player so competitive he would challenge Grant Fox and company at Auckland to goalkicking contests, and we can all remember his mammoth international drop goals against South Africa and England.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRdo2nsr_b0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0nfYW-wIZ4

My question to you is,....is Kieran Read already the world's best ever eightman?

Master Class at Ellis Park

Finally.  All the hype, all the expectation, all the discussion.  Baited breath.  A game lived up to its name.  Not ruined by an act of stupidity from player or referee.  Billed as the game of the year and it was all that.  The South Africans wanting revenge for what they saw as a stolen victory in New Zealand must have been deemed at least equal favourites versus a travel weary All Blacks.  Yet a New Zealand team that felt robbed of a respectable win weeks earlier, and excited, not intimidated, by the Ellis Park challenge.  And we knew it was going to be brutal.

Everyone knew tthe Boks were going be at their physical best.  The question was how much aggro, how much push and shove, how much biffo was going to be dished out.  Either way it didn't worry this New Zealand team.  They are the one team that can stand up to the Springbok intimidation test.  All the talk about Ellis park and you just know that this All Black team revel in these situations.  What you saw on Saturday was the result of 6 years of intelligent work by Graham Henry and Steve Hansen.  A team that learnt to change games to take the ref out of the game, a team that has such self-confidence in themselves that no deficit is unreachable.  This raw confidence coupled with a smarter and less legible game plan makes this AB team what they are today.  The way they pick up their game as required shows they always have another gear.  De Villiers try in the 58th minute threatened to completely derail the All Blacks.  A 3 pointer to the Boks would have put them in the box seat, one hand on the trophy and in prime position to turn the screws.  With their bonus point in the bag they could have resoughted to their traditional game and force New Zealand to counter but really 20 minutes was always going to be too long to hold out this NZ team.  In effect 3 minutes was all they needed to wrap up the championship and have the Boks asking questions of themselves as to whether they were up to saving the game.

With whom do you start?  Messam had clearly his best game in a black jersey.  He didn't shy away and let the selectors know that Kaino can't just walk back in.  He finally showed some real muscle but I still question his size and I'm sure that while the coaches were happy they still realize he can't impose himself on the game like his predecessor.  And the added explosiveness when Luatua took the field was very noticeable, though granted, much of the hard work had been done.  But I see Retallick as our enforcer and not Messam.

Savea has become the complete winger.  His improved ability and confidence under the high ball has been evident over the season but now it's the deft little touches that are making the difference.  His subtle move infield to create space for Read to skirt away for his try down the touchline was perfectly executed.  There's a frightening gap between our best wingers and the rest.  Now we just have to sort out that haircut.

The complete package

Aaron Cruden was sublime.  Steady all day with Du Plessis and co rumbling down on him all game long til, face battle-scarred, leaving the field at the hour mark.  Barrett on and imposing himself on the game immediately, first being run over the top of by a very impressive Bok captain and letting in 5 points before 3 minutes later bamboozling the same man and leaving 3 others clutching at air to claim the Rugby Championship with a bonus point try.  Barrett finally stood up defensively, despite the miss on De Villiers that threatened to steal not only a victory but the whole Championship, making a handful of telling tackles with the team going backwards, including one spectacular on le Roux.  But Cruden takes my man of the match.  A Jack amongst giants.

A Jack amongst giants

Read continues to raise his game to yet another level.  His wide ranging game, bearing down the outside channels receiving and distributing with all the class of an international centre is unmatched in today's game.  We had Carter, we had McCaw,....now the mantle of World's Best has been passed on.  A very different skill set to Zinzan but at this "early" part of his career already the best ever eightman?

Best ever eightman?

Northern Hemisphere should be scared.

Going for the championship

It's either the stupidest plan in the world or a very weak bluff. The Boks havent scored 4 tries vs the ABs in about 9yrs. They either try to grind NZ into submission by dominating setpieces (wont happen) and Steyn kicking 3 points after 3 points, which wont net them 4 tries....or they can try to play open rugby which turns their game to pie whenever against any serious opposition. Could be a great game in the making but end up ABs 50 Boks 30.

I havent seen anything from the Bulls in recent years to suggest they are close to capable of doing this in a tight game. We always get the same tripe rolled out after any game where the opposition had already folded and the Boks manage to run in a couple of tries but when the pressure is on their backplay skill drops below schoolboy level. Very much what we saw last Saturday.

Not all doom and gloom for the Green and Gold

I dont think it's all doom and gloom for the Wallabies after watching that. 2 dubious yellow cards, the first which should of resulted in a reversed penalty. Obviously the original strategy was to play for position but White's kicks werent up to scratch and for a professional team they shouldnt have needed a coach at halftime to tell them to change. I do tire of watching the Boks off the ball, after the whistle play. It's neanderthalish and doesnt really paint a pretty picture of the man from the republic, rather showing a serious lack of IQ. McCalman was good to watch in the 2nd half, getting some good and much missed go forward for the Aussie pack. I dont think the Boks were all ball in hand in the first half, a great break out try perhaps warping people's impressions. I was getting bored midway through the first 40 because of all the kicking from Steyn and co. Take out that woeful 25 minutes in the first half and the Wallabies were right in the game. I would have liked to see Kuridrani smashing it up in midfield more, De Villiers is a weak front on tackler, and Timani added some much needed muscle to the pack.  The Wallabies just seem to be missing that finishing touch at the moment.  The soft underbelly pack is nothing new,...they're beaten all teams in the past while receiving the same criticism.  I'll tip them to beat the Pumas next weekend, they are a very intelligent team.

Folau is proving to be somewhat lacklustre. He had a few, albeit minor, opportunities on Saturday but with all the hype about his one on one ability I expected more. He got caught out badly too 2nd half when he fielded a kick, had time to clear and just shuffled himself to the sideline when he got bundled by 3 Boks into touch. Must have thought he was playing league for a moment there. 

Seen my green jersey anyone?

How hilarious was the Kobus Wiese halftime stats run down? "We took it to them, ball in hand, we will kill them, ball in hand, Australia dont want to play, I repeat we are taking it to them, ball in hand, they dont want to play, we will kill them, I want to stress we are taking it to them,.... etc etc etc...".....Kanye West anyone? Spose I'm asking too much of a Bok forward.

Tip my hat to Peyper for giving Cruden another kick after the laser incident in South America. Whether he gave it for the early charge or not it resulted in a laserless match from there on in. Though must be some questions asked over the TMO who took a ridiculously long time to award Savea's try and seemed to be looking at some totally irrelevant footage.

The Pumas spolied well and Peyper was slow to pick up on lazy rollers out the back of the rucks and combined with a small field the ABs will be more than relieved to get their bonus point.  All bodes well for the Republic.

ABs vs the Springboks 14 Sept: Just another idiot with a whistle part II

Roman Poite is a twat. Du Plessis shouldnt have even been penalised, there wasn't even an offside (however look at it as karma because he has gotten away with a lot in his career ).  Poite made error after error the whole game and further embarrasses himself with the live audio feed.  The discussion of whether to award a penalty try against Piutau for tackling Lambie in the air when it was never from a kick makes a mockery of the standard of international referees.

Ruined the game but where was this much vaunted new found Springbok attacking flair?  The red card didn't effectively change anything except taking the gloss of what would have been an AB victory regardless.  I don't think I have ever seen one team kick the ball so much over 80 minutes.  NZ now balance their game much more intelligently and choose wisely when and from where to attack.  This Bok tactic of continuous kicks is not going to win a game versus this AB team.  The All Blacks played at a frenetic pace with width and accuracy and looked dangerous the whole game with the players, from 1 to 15, making short work of getting over the gainline.

Shut the critics up

Take a bow Sam Cane....what a huge, huge game.  The sight of him drenched in blood and coming back again and again for more and more must have won over the harshest of critics.  The defensive work all round from the ABs was impressive, as were the lineouts while the scrum needs some polish.  Barrett came on with no little pressure in the biggest game this year and didn't disappoint.  Dangerous ball in hand, taking it to, and through, the line on a number of occasions and shocking most by his tackle count.  My player of the day is hands down Brodie Retallick.  I said he would have a breakout year and he just keeps getting better and better.  I would say this was his best ever outing in a black jersey.  Fearless in defense, busy and physical in the tight, and a real attacking threat in the open.

Surpassed Whitelock as the world's premier 2nd rower?