All Blacks hit 2,000 tries in France romp
NEW Zealand coach Steve Hansen admitted to feeling frustrated despite the All Blacks romping to a 38-18 victory in France on Saturday and scoring their 2,000th try.
The tourists were at their rampant best in the first 40 minutes, running in four tries and threatening a record victory over the French when they led 31-5 at the break.
But they were kept scoreless until the final move of the match in the second period, not getting close to the record 61-10 victory achieved in Wellington 10 years ago.
“We lost our discipline a little [in the second half ], as a result we allowed the momentum to shift and the French were good enough to take that opportunity and put us under pressure,” Hansen said.
“Having said that, I’m happy with the way we fought our way through it and we scored a good try at the end. We scored enough points in the first half to get the job done.”
But with what on paper looked like their hardest November Test negotiated with a convincing victory – ahead of trips to Scotland and Italy – Hansen wasn’t going to be too tough on his players.
“It’s very difficult in sporting occasions for any team or person to hold the momentum for the whole duration of the contest,” he said. “Once we lost momentum the French team got confidence and put us under pressure, so it’s all part of that process of trying to get better.
Hansen also lamented the fact that cross-code star Sonny Bill Williams seemingly didn’t know the rules when conceding a penalty try and getting sin-binned for batting the ball intentionally out of play from inside the All Blacks’ try area.
“He doesn’t know the rules because he was playing Rugby League,” Hansen quipped. “In League rules you’re allowed to smash the ball over the line.”
His Rugby League skills, however, created a try in the first half when Ryan Crotty pounced on Williams’s grubber kick to notch the 2,000th All Blacks try in international rugby.
Irish notch record win
Ireland will not read too much into their record 38-3 win over South Africa on Saturday, according to ever pragmatic head coach Joe Schmidt.
The 52-year-old New Zealander – whose team ran in four tries, including three in the last 10 minutes against an increasingly ragged and demoralised Springboks side – admitted he had been worried in the lead-up to the game but was delighted with the way several inexperienced players had performed, winger Jacob Stockdale producing an especially eye-catching performance.
“I don’t think there is too much chance of reading too much into that result,” said Schmidt.
“We try to remain realistic about the process.
“Sometimes when you get a bit of a lead [Ireland led 14-0 at half-time and then 17-3] the opposition try something different as they chase the game and offer up opportunities. We have done that in the past.”
Schmidt, who said the scoreline flattered his side somewhat, especially after a poor third quarter, dismissed suggestions a poor Springbok side was bad for the sport.
“I don’t think it is bad for the game,” he said. “Two years ago we were told there was a massive crevice between north and south rugby.
“I think we have the advantage here. It is our home patch and we haven’t lost a lot on our home turf. We want to make it as tough for visiting teams as possible.”