All Blacks’ win ticks all the boxes
Fast forward a few years and Saturday night’s 37-20 win over the Wallabies won’t even register a blip in the memory bank of most All Blacks supporters.
A Bledisloe Cup dead-rubber, on neutral territory, again going the way of the men in black in comfortable fashion, at a time when there are so many matches to compete for our attention.
Despite all that, the match in Yokohama may prove to be one of the most significant in New Zealand’s quest for an unprecedented third successive World Cup title.
New Zealand Rugby had hosting rights for this encounter. Instead of home advantage for a potential decider, they opted for Nissan Stadium in Japan, with the big picture in mind.
This was a game underwritten by the Japan Rugby Football Union, them taking the financial risk and rewards. Had NZR wanted the money, they would have stuck Bledisloe III at a packed out Eden Park.
In the washup, NZR chief executive Steve Tew and co will be sitting back in the knowledge that things really couldn’t have worked out much more perfectly.
The All Blacks scored decisive wins over Australia in the opening two Bledisloe tests, ensuring this fixture wouldn’t have silverware riding on it. That was the first mission complete.
Then, with the test against Japan in Tokyo next weekend already on the calendar, it was about the chance to spend extra time in the country around the same time of year the World Cup will be played, and get familiar with a stadium which will be prominent that event.
The All Blacks play their opening match of next year’s tournament there against the Springboks – the loser of which is likely to have to face Ireland in a quarterfinal – then both the semifinals and final are at the 72,000-seat venue too.
Planning for everything has become the All Blacks’ regime. No longer should anything be left to chance. And why should it? In professional sport it’s the one percenters which can be the difference between hoisting a trophy and returning empty-handed.
One quirk was the afternoon (3pm local time) kickoff though, as the All Blacks’ Yokohama fixtures next year would all be under lights. Presumably, broadcasters had their say on this one.
In any case, some conditions were still there ready for simulation, like the direction of a stiff breeze, which Beauden Barrett contended well with in kicking five from six off the tee, and the soft cutting-up surface, which you hope would be improved by tournament time though.
Having got extra time at base in Tokyo to help familiarise even things such as culinary and culture, it was then about an on-field effort which could sweep the Wallabies 3-0 and open their northern tour on the right note.
That box was comfortably ticked, too. New Zealand were able to find the patience in their game they’ve been looking for, capitalising when their chances came, and never really looked like losing.
Joe Moody, Liam Squire, Brodie Retallick and Nepo Laulala all got on the park in their first test back from injury, and there were no apparent concerns for anyone after the game.
Ardie Savea shone again in his big chance at openside while Matt Todd was superb in a quick bench cameo. Hansen will be buoyed by the selection quandary he now has for the remaining big tests against England and Ireland after TJ Perenara took his starting opportunity well and the Damian Mckenzie selection at fullback went without worry, leaving the quality of Waisake Naholo waiting in the wings.
Perhaps the biggest concern from Yokohama for the All Blacks and their fans is the possibility that referee Romain Poite could be in charge of a crucial game of theirs next year.
The Frenchman, who was at the centre of that controversial finish in the drawn third test against the British and Irish Lions series last year, was again a blight on proceedings.
If the All Blacks needed any reminder that they ought to be good enough to take the referee out of the equation next year, then this also served a handy purpose. Great appointment.