Barrett thrives in freedom of new job
5 things we learned:
1 In Steve Hansen we trust
It’s easy to question selections and form — much more difficult to place faith in something you care deeply about but don’t know for sure whether it will pan out as you hope.
But after eight years at the helm, and now attending his fifth World Cup, you’d think, by now, we’d have learned to trust Steve Hansen more.
Sure, the All Blacks haven’t been vintage over the past two years but it is this tournament that matters most, and that was always the ultimate vision.
That vision hasn’t always gone to plan. Damian McKenzie’s injury was a curve ball that forced the All Blacks to adjust, and regular setbacks from a results perspective curtailed progress, too. But four tests into the fledgling dual playmaker partnership, it is now clear Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett are finding ways to exploit rush defence.
So, too, was Hansen’s faith in raw wings George Bridge and Sevu Reece entirely justified.
2 Sonny hits the nail on the head
Sonny Bill Williams was in a reflective mood post match. He acknowledged doubts over whether his body would allow him to compete at a third World Cup and admitted criticism of the All Blacks at times has been justified.
“Rightly so people have been questioning us because the gap has closed so much,” Williams said.
“There are four or five teams that can win this tournament, and as we saw, Fiji gave Australia a run for their money as well.
“We’re real about that, we understand that, and we just go about our business day by day trying to get better, and if we do that, generally we play some good footy.
“Although we played well [against South Africa] in patches, a performance like that isn’t going to win us the tournament. We’ve got to keep working, keep grinding, keep being where our feet are.”
Williams made an impact in his 30-minute burst off the bench and is now favoured to start, probably alongside Jack Goodhue, against Canada next week.
3 Starts must improve
Maybe it was opening night nerves or a case of being too hyped after a passion-filled haka.
Whatever the case, the All Blacks need to address their start against the Springboks. In the opening quarter, they were seriously rattled, throwing wild offloads which succeeded only in putting the next man under heat. This is an area that needs amending.
4 Beauden Barrett lights up Cup
Seventeen carries into contact tells you everything about Barrett’s performance. The more he is involved, the better the All Blacks look. Wider out and unburdened by the pressures that first receiver brings, Barrett is thriving.
Shifting to fullback for the All Blacks has allowed him to pick his moments to hit the line. He expertly exploits mismatches and regularly smokes tight forwards with his lightning pace. Quite simply, there is no other player like Barrett on the planet.
5 Ardie Savea is a freak
What more can you ask from Ardie Savea? Already he has proven his ability to play all three loose roles and his impact is not diminished by the number he wears.
Savea was into everything against the Boks. Turnovers, tackles, carries, offloads. Battered and bruised post match, he said the All Blacks were both relieved and satisfied with their opening efforts.
“First World Cup game, it’s always good to get a win, especially against a quality South Africa side. The boys are happy but that’s just one game.”