Springboks ‘Faf’ around while sensational Savea sparks memories of Jones
Eight talking points from the Rugby World Cup.
Hansen knows what he’s doing
We’re a long, long way from the final, but as a statement of intent, the 23-13 win was a great start. The aura of invincibility, which according to our media friends in the north had been shredded, was always a bit of a journalistic construct anyway. But in dry conditions that will hopefully last the rest of the tournament, playing against these All Blacks will loom as a scary prospect. Yes, the 2019 team looks more experimental than the side that won four years ago, but Steve Hansen, Ian Foster, and Grant Fox have picked a squad that has a fresh, fearless look to it, epitomised by the stunning interchange of passing, spatial awareness and courage to play what’s in front of them that led to the Scott Barrett try in the 26th minute. As he plunged over between the posts, the game was basically won.
Running men triumph
One of the reasons even a non-New Zealander might have enjoyed the 2015 World Cup was that the All Blacks played a game that involved running the ball. If you ever want to lose the will to live, hunt out a video of the 2007 final between South Africa and England — two teams determined to smother excitement. The victory in Yokohama to the All Blacks was a triumph for daring and darting over boot and bludgeon. Of course I have a bias, but we saw flashes from the All Blacks of rugby as the game they play in heaven.
Too much faffing around
Faf de Klerk is usually a terrific
halfback, but he had a nightmare display. With the Springboks game plan revolving around kicking, it was essential he got enough hang time on his box kicks. Most of the South African forwards look like they have night jobs as bouncers, so if you give that ravaging horde the chance to get some speed on, catching the ball in front of them is going to be dangerous and painful. But de Klerk’s kicking was weak and short, often putting pressure on his own players.
Yes, it was gutless
Calling a decision by a referee “pretty gutless” probably isn’t the most diplomatic approach from Kieran Read but he was dead right on the 21st-minute ruling by referee Jerome Garces to not yellow card Boks’ wing Makazole Mapimpi for lying over the ball with the All Blacks hot on attack near the South African line. If Garces had to penalise Mapimpi for breaking the rules to stop what was an almost certain try, how on earth could a penalty be the only punishment?
Is he our new Michael Jones?
Ardie Savea has been a sensation all season, and the way he played in Yokohama, his form is far from flagging. Back in 1987, Jones was one who lit up the World Cup. Savea, a runner who usually requires two, if not three, men to halt him, should do the same in Japan.
Bless the Barretts
Beauden produced his usual quicksilver magic but just as impressive was the display from bother Scott. Taking over from Brodie Retallick offered, according to critics, a weak point in the All Blacks. In response, Barrett tackled like a demon and made the world a happy place for locks everywhere when he galloped in for his try.
World in Harmony?
Having been accustomed to beautiful renditions of the national anthem, it was very strange before the Yokohama game when the only voices we heard were the All Blacks themselves. As singers, they make very good footy players. If it was any consolation, Springboks captain Siya Kolisi was so flat, he made our lot sound like Roy Orbison.
And then there was Spark.
When I signed up months ago at a Spark shop for a World Cup package, the very pleasant assistant said: “I don’t think this will work, and if it doesn’t, I hope I’ve got enough sick days stored up to keep out of the shop when angry people come in. You know the worst part? The guy [managing director Simon Moutter] who set it up has buggered off and will be long out of the country if it hits the fan.” I wish I’d asked the bloke for a few more World Cup predictions.