Good to see Fozzie smiling again
All Blacks deliver the goods against Argentina
Northland just didn’t have the fire power in their championship final
The All Blacks certainly delivered the goods last Saturday, thumping Argentina 38-0. Aface-saving victory, and with a bonus point the All Blacks are assured that the Tri Nations trophy is theirs.
The Pumas, with nine changes to the side that toppled the All Blacks a couple of weeks before, were obviously saving their best for a victory over Australia this weekend. They were not interested. Their defence was as physical as ever but the attacking flair was non-existent.
It was a complete All Blacks victory, with five tries. The forwards were in dynamic form, and even replacement winger Will Jordan helped himself to a couple of tries.
It was good to see the ill-discipline gone and the smile of coach Ian Foster. He keeps his job, and he will be enjoying his Christmas.
And you also have to give it to this Tasman side, taking out the Mitre 10 premiership for the second consecutive time, beating Auckland 13-12. Ateam of virtually all unknowns, they never gave up against the fancy Auckland side. A small province achieving success like this just sums up what culture is all about.
As their captain David Havili said, “Wehad to dig deep. Welost a lot of players to injury and to higher honours. Weare building a lot of depth for the future.”
Auckland, you have to admire them. They opened Eden Park free, and physically tried to take over the Mako, but it was ill-discipline, with two yellow cards, that cost them the match.
With only one try scored, the defence from both sides was staunch, and really it turned out to be one hell of a game.
Northland just didn’t have the fire power in their championship final against Hawke’s Bay, going down 24-36. In their first final in 27 years they looked competitive in the first half, but then the Magpies, led by their dynamic halfback Folau Fakatava, took over, and that was it.
The good point about Northland is that they never gave up, like previous sides. Inspired by dogged play from utility back Rene Ranger, there were glimpses of a boil over, but unfortunately the ball skills of Hawke’s Bay prevailed.
Like Tasman, they have a lot of mana. Aclassic example is their captain, Ash Dixon.
Sure the loss will be hurting Northland, but to get into a final is an achievement, especially for their coaches and their loyal fans, who were in Napier in numbers.
And that’s how Mat sees it.