The All Blacks’ secret? Never stand still
Current New Zealand team have already lifted the standards set by 2015 World Cup heroes The Lions must counter or better the All Black forward play if they are to win
The All Blacks do not take anything for granted. They pass on the jersey from one generation to the next with the responsibility to not just do it justice but to set new standards. That is what drives them, that is what makes them look to get better every time they step out on to the field.
And the Lions series will certainly stimulate them to do just that. Most All Blacks only get one crack at the Lions in a lifetime, one opportunity, one shot. They will be on the edge of the edge for this. They will be ready.
It is never acceptable to stand still as an All Black. It is an obligation to those who have gone before to find ways to improve. It was said that New Zealand might find it tricky in the wake of the 2015 Rugby World Cup when so many legends of that era, such as Richie Mccaw, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith,
Ma’a Nonu, Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu, retired. Yet this side have actually lifted the standard of play and captain Kieran Read has been instrumental in that.
Read, an outstanding footballer in his own right, has tuned in to the fact that leadership is about leading together. He realised, like Mccaw before him, that he could not do anything without the help of others and he has become the captain of the leaders. They have all helped enhance what went before, to aim for greater heights and levels of performance. That is what is meant by passing on the All Black legacy. Read’s return from injury is a boost for the All Blacks. These All Blacks will also be very aware of the tradition of the Lions. They will know all the history that goes with it and what is expected of them. They will also find the challenge that the Lions present to them in terms of the different style of game a motivation in its own right. It may not be their way of playing the game but they, too, recognise the basic principle of having solid foundations. That is how they play the game themselves.
For all the attention focused on the free-wheeling, catch-pass, counter-attacking style of the All Blacks, and their ability to sense an opportunity and execute, none of it would be possible without a strong, stable scrum and a quality line-out. Beauden Barrett would not be able to do what he does as first five-eighth if it were not for the stability of their scrum and quality line-out ball.
The All Blacks will be looking to nullify the Lions’ offensive speed in defence by trying to strike superbly from first phase. If they can do that, the defensive screen is nullified considerably. And to do that they need a solid scrum and quality line-out. That enables Barrett to take the ball so flat that it is impossible to defend. It will help take the Lions rush defence out of the game.
Mike Cron has been scrum coach, now forwards coach, for the All Blacks for over a decade. He is the most accomplished scrum coach in the country and probably the best two in the world, Mike and the Lions’ Graham Rowntree, will be in opposition. Mike has been invaluable for the All Blacks and is one of the most impressive coaches I have ever worked with. You need to know that to help understand what makes the All Blacks tick on so many levels.
The Lions need to counter, and probably better, the All Black forward play if they are to win. If the All Black scrum and line-out are rock solid, and they can get zero degree passes away to Barrett, and he gets either himself or his runners over the advantage line, then it becomes very hard for the Lions to defend.
Look at what the All Blacks have up front, players of huge experience, five of them with more than 50 caps. For me, Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are the best All Black second-row combination in the history of the game. Tighthead prop Owen Franks has 91 caps. In the line-out, with Read back in harness, as well as Sam Cane and Jerome Kaino, the All Blacks have five options as jumpers.
The New Zealand attack has brought great dividends over the years. They spend a huge amount of time in camp making sure that they have the set-up right to be able to execute those skills under pressure. There are parameters for their attacking play, with the emphasis on running. It is based on quality set-piece ball with the first receiver, usually Barrett, taking the ball to and over the advantage line, amazingly flat with multiple options available that would destroy even the best defensive teams in the world. Add to that lightning quick ball at the breakdown and an attack structure involving groups of four players running very straight running lines, using the full width of the field, and it becomes almost impossible to defend. That is what the Lions will have to contend with tomorrow.
As for the ‘blocking’ argument that Warren Gatland sought to raise as an issue last weekend, every coach in the world coaches to block. Players are coached to run lines that make it more difficult for the chaser to get at the ballcatcher. It is a basic premise. If the blocker deviates to prevent the chaser getting to the catcher then it is obstruction. The scene is set for a great rugby match and a great occasion. Even those of us who have either witnessed or been directly involved in a few of these simply cannot wait.