Pass. Success rate decent in difficult year
Those requiring a summary of the All Blacks’ season should refer to their 81 percent success rate. Or package it up this way: 13 wins, a draw and two losses. It makes for decent reading.
In the mid-1980s a hardened All Blacks flanker, took a new player to one side and offered some advice: ‘‘Listen, son, you have to be prepared to p… blood when you wear this jersey.’’
It’s the sort of anecdote that makes intellectuals, selfappointed or otherwise, hold their noses and execute a dramatic holier-than-thou eye roll in the presence of those of us who support this rough-house game.
But that statement by the warts-and-all backrower speaks volumes in terms of reinforcing what the All Blacks are about. This is a team that puts itself under immense pressure when chasing success.
How about this for the opening line in the press releases that follow team namings: ‘‘With a history extending back more than a century, the All Blacks – New Zealand’s national rugby team – is not only the most successful international rugby team of all time but also one of the most successful teams in world sport, with a winning test record of more than 77 per cent.’’
That’s four per cent less than what they achieved this season. And they did it without a coterie of top players.
There remains no shortage of rancour about the All Blacks’ failure to whack the British and Irish Lions between the eyes, instead having to share the series 1-1 following the 15-15 draw in Auckland in the third test.
The red card to Sonny Bill Williams after he targeted the head of Anthony Watson in the second test in Wellington, leaving the All Blacks’ short a man for 56 minutes, played no small part in the that 24-21 loss.
The subsequent red carding of Williams, as well as injuries to Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty, Waisake Naholo and Rieko Ioane stripped the backline of options, ahead of the decider at Eden Park. Dane Coles, arguably the best hooker in the world, never played any part in the series because of concussion. As the season rolled on, the carnage continued.
Props Owen Franks and Joe Moody, and outside backs Israel Dagg and Jordie Barrett required surgery that ended their seasons, lock Brodie Retallick missed most of the Rugby Championship and northern tour because of a personal tragedy, blindside flanker Jerome Kaino was given time off to sort his personal life out, and later had to leave Europe with an injury, and Ben Smith embarked on a sabbatical.
Following the Super Rugby season first five-eighth Aaron Cruden left for France.
The All Blacks’ 23-18 defeat to the Wallabies on a waterlogged night in Brisbane was the second ugly pimple on their record, but given the Bledisloe Cup had already been secured it didn’t hurt near as much as the loss to the Lions in Wellington.
Then the All Blacks rounded the final bend and turned for home. Five wins in the northern hemisphere, three in tests against France, Scotland and Wales, ensured they kept a clean sheet on the other side of the equator for a fifth consecutive season.
It wasn’t a spectacular year by the All Blacks’ usual mint standards, but it was good enough. A pass mark is required.
‘‘Package it up this way: 13 wins, a draw and two losses. It makes for decent reading.’’ Richard Knowler ‘‘How satisfying it must’ve been for Lions head coach Warren Gatland. For All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen, it’s surely a result that will niggle.’’ Hamish Bidwell