All Blacks focused on fifth title in six years
Despite off-field distractions, rivals can’t seem to halt the relentless steamroller
At no point last year was New Zealand’s dominance more suffocating than in the Rugby Championship, which returns today as the All Blacks bid for a fifth title in six years.
Aside from Ireland’s historic win over the world champions in Chicago, 2016 was an imperious year for New Zealand. Winning 13 out of 14 Tests, by scoring 562 points and conceding just 221, the All Blacks’ steamroller continued to plough mercilessly onwards.
Last year’s final Rugby Championship table made embarrassing reading for Argentina, Australia and South Africa. New Zealand finished with six wins out of six and a maximum 30 points.
The old Tri-nations, as the tournament was known before the addition of Los Pumas, was famed for its competitiveness, not for being a New Zealand procession.
Their maximum points haul was even more impressive considering the off-field distractions.
Hours before the start of last year’s Rugby Championship, which was, like today, between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney, the All Blacks informed police a bugging device had been found in their hotel. Adrian Gard, the All Blacks’ security guard who came across it, was only yesterday found not guilty of making up that he discovered the device, the day before this year’s first game.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said: “This has been a truly strange case but we are pleased it has been concluded.” The situation involving star scrum-half Aaron Smith is unlikely to be settled as quickly. Caught in a tryst with a woman in a disabled lavatory at Christchurch airport last year, Smith was stood down for the All Blacks’ next match.
An emotional press conference followed, with Smith apologising to his family, team-mates and his partner while explaining that the incident was a one-off. However, leaked messages this week between Smith and the woman in question have now revealed that they enjoyed a two-year affair.
The woman, a lawyer in New Zealand, has also revealed that Smith asked her to sign a false affidavit denying the two were intimate at the airport, before now going public with Facebook messages after failing to receive a public apology from him.
New Zealand Rugby has now re-opened their investigation, but Smith will start against Australia. “He’s ready to play, he’s excited to play,” said coach Steve Hansen.
Hansen will field flanker Liam Squire in place of Jerome Kaino, while full-back Damian Mckenzie also comes in. Centre Sonny Bill Williams is recalled after serving a four-match suspension.
As for Australia, Western Force wing Curtis Rona will become their 20th new cap in the last two years when he makes his debut.