All Blacks defeat is a real game changer
WHAt a turnaround for South Africa. What a blow for the mighty All Blacks. And what a shot in the arm for the wider rugby world.
All of a sudden, the Springboks’ historic 36-34 win over New Zealand in Wellington has kicked new life into a tedious Rugby Championship and reminded every other nation that, a year out from the World Cup, the Kiwis are fallible.
there were justifiable fears that the way the All Blacks were continuing to dominate world rugby, the tournament in Japan would reach an inevitable conclusion.
New Zealanders were certainly starting to think that way. there was an arrogant back-page headline in the New Zealand Herald newspaper after they thumped Australia 42-10 three weeks ago which cried ‘Just Give Us the World Cup Now’.
South Africa’s win against the All Blacks in New Zealand has changed all that. Putting aside the fournation alliance of the Lions, no team had beaten New Zealand, in New Zealand, since the Boks managed it back in 2009. In the nine years since that fixture, the All Blacks had won 54 tests against all-comers. their home rule was a remarkable feat of sporting supremacy.
It has been punctured now after a heroic show from Rassie Erasmus’ side, who defended resolutely when the All Blacks were pushing hard to rescue the situation.
It is stating the obvious to say that when beating the All Blacks on their own turf, everything has to go your way and there were key individuals who may well be looking themselves in a New Zealand mirror this morning and wondering about their role in the defeat.
Scrum-half Aaron Smith was so dominated by opposite number Faf de Klerk that he was replaced early in the second half. time and again, there were unfamiliar Kiwi handling errors while the normally reliable Beauden Barrett had an off day with the boot. Only he will be able to explain why he failed to take charge and attempt a late drop goal.
But it is the signal the defeat sends out that is so important. their air of invincibility has gone. Coupled with Argentina’s win in Australia, there is a closing of the gap between the top nations in rugby which is good news for northern hemisphere sides who have World Cup ambitions of their own. Scotland, of course, being one.
Knowing the world champions can be beaten in their own backyard will give renewed confidence to Gregor townsend’s team.
the Scotland coach would have seen the game and realised heroic defending — a Scottish strength — goes a long way towards winning. It frustrates the opposition and puts them off their stride, even the All Blacks. the Springboks were outstanding — even when the home side laid siege to their line.
You need more than that to beat them though. Any team that thinks they can get a victory over the world champions also need a bit of worldclass spark in the backline. South Africa had their winger Aphiwe Dyanty, who scored two tries.
But Scotland have Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell. that is what the Springboks’ victory has given the world. Hope.