ABs look to work on maul concerns
There’s nothing like wounded pride to strike at the heart of a problem and provoke harsh internal reflection.
For the All Blacks, that potential problem is the rolling maul.
During their 38-19 win over the Pumas in Christchurch earlier this year were two moments of distressing concern.
The ease with which Argentine captain Agustin Creevy scored the first two tries of his test career was enough to cause sleepless nights ahead of a World Cup which will feature plenty of lineout drives.
As the Pumas proved from close range in the July test, once formed and moving forward the maul is near impossible to stop.
Anywhere within 15 metres of the line it will, on most occasions, chug its way over if allowed momentum. Eight big men with good technique and understanding of the laws which favour the attacking team can resemble a freight train.
The All Blacks were never in danger of losing that test but with a one-two punch in the second half they received a mighty wake-up call. And it couldn’t have come at a better time. Conceding two tries in such fashion could end their World Cup hopes.
‘‘It probably opened our eyes to something we weren’t doing too well,’’ All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu said.
‘‘As we always try to, it’s something we’ve tried to get better at. Up here it’s a big part of the game. We’ve been constantly looking at it to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
‘‘It’s a really good point of attack if you do it well. I can see quite a few teams doing that.
‘‘We need to make sure we practice that and get better at defending it.’’
The Pumas won’t be alone in favouring this rumbling tactic and believing they can expose the All Blacks there on Monday (NZT). England and South Africa will also back themselves to take advantage and steam-roll opponents.
Traditionally the maul isn’t a vaunted part of the New Zealand rugby psyche. That’s not to say Kiwi teams haven’t used it well at times but it’s not a natural go-to weapon.
The preference is for using the set piece as a launching platform.
Like the English pack attempting catch-and-pass brilliance, the intricacies of the maul are slightly foreign.
The All Blacks tight five don’t take kindly to being shown up in such a blatant way.
‘‘Behind the scenes, the focus has therefore centred on improving urgency and tactical awareness of how to respond, particularly on their own line.
‘‘We pride ourselves on being able to stop those kinds of things so, for it to happen twice in one game, your pride does take a dent but it’s how you bounce back from that,’’ All Blacks lock Luke Romano said.
‘‘After what happened in Christchurch where they got a couple of driving tries we visited that area and looked to correct some of the things we let ourselves down.
‘‘That’s just the reality of the modern game now.
‘‘A lot of teams are using the rolling maul. We have to combat it so there’s been a little bit of work put in.’’
It’s also an area that if you don’t get right it will cost you points and men in the bin. Sacking the jumper, attacking the opposition as a pack immediately, or refraining from committing altogether are all potential options for counteracting the maul.
‘‘Generally if you do stop one it can look like you’ve done so illegally and you end up getting penalised,’’ Romano said.
‘‘‘‘It’s a matter of trying to stop it prior to it getting started.
‘‘It’s a big strength of the Argentineans so I’m sure we’ll get tested in that area.’’
The phoney war has dragged on long enough. The build up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup has become a sponsor’s trade fair, but thankfully the wait is over.
When England and Fiji kick off in front of 80,000 fans at Twickenham and countless eyeballs watching around the world, they will add the first page to the eighth edition of the tournament’s rich history.
Speculation and pontification have become national pastimes from Auckland to London as the rugby world waits and wonders if England 2015 can live up to the hype.
Everything is bigger than 2011 from the host city to the money being generated by an event that has become third largest international sporting event on the planet. All the more remarkable that the All Blacks, from a country of just four million, are the main event.
The defending champions have had a high profile in London, their charm offensive clearly designed to give sponsors AIG and Adidas maximum leverage before the squad gets down to the nitty gritty.
For a week now the world of rugby has truly been in union. Samoa have sung beautiful hymns at a local church, Fiji donned bright green pants, and former greats have kicked balls through the London Eye.
England kept a noticeably low profile, the London rags sports pages still five pages deep in football before Steve Lancaster’s men have registered a mention.
Former All Blacks lock Ali Williams got closest to breaking the peace treaty, and World Cup winning halfback Matt Dawson’s hakarena has blipped onto the mainstream news radar.
But what everyone craves is some rugby.
What’s not up for debate is that the All Blacks are hot favourites to become the first team to defend the Webb Ellis Cup. But the big question is can they? And how will they play?
The answer to those questions will become clearer in coming weeks, but not necessarily due to their results.
The All Blacks have never lost a pool match at a Rugby World Cup and will likely top Pool C and earn a quarterfinal in Cardiff against France or Ireland.
But the plot lines will be intriguing nonetheless. Injury and individual form will provide a gauge.
None will be more important than first five-eighth Dan Carter. Was his throwback night in Auckland a one off? Or is DC back to his best for his career finale?
The All Blacks opening match against Argentina will set the tone and above all else, coach Steve Hansen will want his playmaker and goal kicking ace to get a confidence boost at Wembley.
Hansen has picked a side with heavy artillery out wide. The bomb disposal unit led by Cory Jane has been replaced by manmissiles and if Julian Savea, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith and Nehe Milner-Skudder get going the All Blacks will be fun to watch.
But how exactly will these All Blacks play?
The answer is they will tailor their approach to their opponent. Since Hansen took the reins there has not been an overriding or dominant style.
His All Blacks look less at how they will play as how they will win. Getting out of tight spots, working out the necessary tactics to gain dominance and find space has been their trademark.
They have a plan each week, but rarely stray from the basics.
Hansen knows even if his side obliterate the Pumas, Namibia, Georgia and Tonga, the knockout stages present an entirely different challenge.
That’s when tactics will be key and the All Blacks are sure to have some surprises up their sleeve. Then there’s the pressure.
Past failures will gather at the castle gates like a horde in coming weeks. Sydney Morning Herald columnist Peter Fitzsimons provided the first reminder this week, and he will not be the last.
Europe has been a World Cup graveyard for the All Blacks.
The Cardiff Catastrophe against France in 2007 could become the elephant in the room as the quarterfinals approach.
Do the 2015 squad have the same weakness as the aging 1991 All Blacks? Are they a bunch of great players trying to stretch their legacy one season too far? Or are will captain Richie McCaw and his men write themselves into the history books as arguably the most successful All Blacks of all time?
Only time will tell. The Pacific Islands will compete, but there are probably only six sides capable of actually winning the tournament.
South Africa’s vastly experienced core, the improving Wallabies, host England, unpredictable France and dark horse Ireland are all legitimate threats at arguably the most competitive World Cup yet.
Let the games begin.
It probably opened our eyes to something we weren’t doing too well. Keven Mealamu None will be more important than first five-eighth Dan Carter. Was his throwback night in Auckland a one off? Or is DC back to his best for his career finale?