Changing the game

Rugby writer Gregor Paul shows a remarkably short memory in his bold but inaccurate statements that throughout 2016 there has been no opponent “able to exert pressure long enough to force the All Blacks into any kind of major tactical or personnel rethink mid-game”, and that the All Blacks “have been able to use their bench for interest sake rather than as a catalyst to instigate momentum change or claw the game back”.

Just 40 days ago, in Hamilton against Argentina, that is exactly what the All Blacks had to do.

They struggled to a 24-19 halftime lead before quickly making five unusually early strategic substitutions — after Ardie Savea for Cane, injured (45 min), came Perenara for Aaron Smith (48 min), Faumuina for Franks (48), Taylor for Coles (52) and Crockett for Moody (52). Yet the score was still only 24-22 after 55 minutes.

It was only then that coach Steve Hansen’s momentum changes began to open the cracks in the courageous Pumas’ defences. Three more normally timed substitutions — Romano for Retallick (64 min); Cruden for Barrett (64) and Lienert-Brown for Crotty (68) — helped complete the eventual 57-22 devastation.

Paul Verdon, sports historian, Auckland.