Clever Steve best in history
Win or lose this World Cup, Steve Hansen has already proved one thing.
He’s the best All Blacks coach we’ve ever had, by some stretch. The win over South Africa in Yokohama showed just how superbly adaptable he has become.
A weak pool detracted a little from the meaning of this game, but it was still a titanic battle.
The All Blacks hate losing any test, and needed to put a dent in South Africa’s confidence.
The Springboks have designed a whole system to beat them, using the so-called rush defence which takes rugby’s lax offside officiating to new levels of generosity.
But it failed on the night, with only the Human Pinball Cheslin Kolbe offering enough of a threat to suggest the Springboks could match the All Blacks’ tries.
South Africa should be furious at their missed moments, particularly the botched penalty from Handre Pollard for a 6-0 lead and golden chance to create scoreboard pressure.
South Africa and England have a game which can topple the All Blacks, make no mistake, but they are up against a masterful coach, still in his prime after a long career, whose understanding of what New Zealand players can deliver has reached a peerless level. Ardie Savea, Richie Mo’unga . . . it all worked quite superbly.
The All Blacks sent in a relatively lightweight pack, were missing the legendary Brodie Retallick and lost Sam Cane to a head injury assessment.
They have rookies dotted throughout the team, and have lost the whiz-factor through Damian McKenzie’s injury.
Hansen also lost the hugely influential Wayne Smith as defence coach and (I assume) sounding board two years ago.
In other words, it has been far from smooth sailing, with other factors such as Liam Squire’s procrastination to deal with.
It is a team which has been radically reshaped by injuries, form loss and tactical switches.
In theory, this created a perfect opportunity for the Springboks to strike a blow. Mission not accomplished.
The All Blacks put down a marker, embarrassing South Africa through the ease with which they could press the accelerator when it was needed. Partly through innovative kicking, they had width and found space.
But when South Africa threatened to squash the All Blacks in the second half through trench warfare, Kieran Read and his men still had enough muscle to resist.
Hansen has already got a lot of runs on the board — two World Cups, including one as head coach, endless Bledisloe victories, a long run as the world No 1, a staggering winning percentage, and most importantly, teams which have taken the game to new levels.
I don’t believe the All Blacks aura is really a factor any more, deep into the professional era.
Hansen’s coaching and squad management is the dominant force in world rugby. His messages are new and still getting through. His teams — in the main — remain incredibly resilient under pressure.
The Springboks will be shell shocked after such a promising beginning to the game, with their coach Rassie Erasmus surely left feeling he was outfoxed by his veteran test opponent.