It’s no match, it’s a mismatch
This could get ugly.
Feel good tales of David and Goliath have punctuated the start of the Rugby World Cup, but there will not be another one at Olympic Park when the All Blacks play Namibia tomorrow morning.
Unfortunately the draw has pitted the tournament’s top ranked side against the one at the bottom of the heap and history suggests a cricket score awaits in the first test between the two countries.
The All Blacks have posted 100 points six times previously and if the backline coach Steve Hansen has named for his team’s second pool match in England gets much ball, the score could mount at an alarming rate.
That’s not being mean spirited as much as realistic considering Namibia’s team contains a dentist, a diamond trader and several farmers.
There is also the fact the African nation has lost all 15 of its previous World Cup matches including a world record 142-0 thrashing at the hands of Australia in Adelaide in 2003 when they missed 81 tackles.
It’s worth noting that Japan lost 145-17 to the All Blacks at the 1995 World Cup, but though Namibia will be hoping it won’t be 20 years before they claim a tier 1 scalp, they will be the first to admit they’re not there yet.
Which all begs the question of what the All Blacks can take out of such a lopsided fixture?
The answer is a physical hitout for the pack, confidence, and much-needed match fitness for a large group of players who could be crucial impact men later in the tournament.
First-five Beauden Barrett said of the little footage he’d seen of Namibia that it appeared ‘‘they like a maul’’ and Hansen’s forwards may get more out of the match than his backs.
Namibia will be too proud to simply step aside. At the 2007 World Cup they competed with Ireland during a 32-17 loss and their pack features some quality players.
The starting front row have all played top level professional rugby. Hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld played for the Cheetahs in Super Rugby as recently as last season, prop Johannes Coetzee plays Top 14 rugby in France for Brive, and veteran loosehead Jaco Engels, 34, once won a Super title with the Bulls.
Throw in captain and blindside Jacques Burger, at his third World Cup, and the All Blacks pack should face some early resistance.
That will be particularly beneficial for tight head prop Charlie Faumuina as he continues his return from injury. With incumbent tight head Owen Franks being asked a few questions in defence lately, there is a case building for the more agile Faumuina.
An extended run for the loose trio of new captain Sam Cane, Victor Vito and Liam Messam, hooker Codie Taylor, lock Luke Romano and prop Ben Franks also holds appeal. Some or all of that group could find themselves playing key roles later in the tournament.
It would not surprise if the All Blacks purposely kept things tight early to test their set piece and possibly even practice their rolling maul rather than throw the ball wide from the get go.
In the backs, wings Julian Savea and Nehe Milner-Skudder could prove more difficult to stop for Namibia, whose backline includes Taranaki club wing and former Poverty Bay rep David Philander.
Sonny Bill Williams’ state of mind won’t suffer if he can carve up a second defensive line in the space of four days, while centre Malakai Fekitoa and halfback TJ Perenara, like the aforementioned forwards, will benefit from extended game time.
The Barrett-led All Blacks backline would be the envy of most teams at the tournament and both he and fullback Colin Slade should get plenty of practice kicking conversions.
The All Blacks players know little or nothing about their opposites, but unfortunately for Namibia, Japan spoiled any chance of a surprise attack.
‘‘I think a lot of the guys saw that game, saw the result and saw what a Rugby World Cup can do to teams,’’ Barrett said. ‘‘Everyone plays above themselves and you can take no one lightly. I think that’s a great lesson for the better teams in the competition.’’
And bad news for the others.