‘Old and slow’ All Blacks find new lease of life
THE ALL Blacks got their revenge yesterday for last week’s defeat to Australia – and delivered payback to former Wallaby Peter Fitz-Simons who had mocked them as “old and slow”.
His comments on Friday came just days after a Sydney tabloid labelled them “senior citizens”, stirring the pot ahead of a crunch Bledisloe Cup clash.
Their brazen confidence was misplaced as New Zealand steamed to a 36-0 win at Eden Park following Australia’s 47-26 win in Perth last weekend – in which the New Zealanders were a man down for the entire second half after lock Scott Barrett was sent off.
Fitz-Simons, now a media commentator, said the Wallabies “simply outclassed the All Blacks” in the record win. “They humiliated those poor All Blacks and it was good for rugby,” he said.
The defeat raised questions about whether New Zealand’s dominance was at an end, and about their players aged over 30.
“Sonny Bill Williams is 34, how’s Sonny Bill going to go up against James O’Connor?” Fitz-Simons said. “The All Blacks just looked a bit old and slow.” The Sydney Daily Telegraph poked fun at the “Old Blacks” by manipulating photos of Williams, skipper Kieran Read (33) and Sam Whitelock (30) to make them look like elderly men.
In response to the Perth defeat, New Zealand coach Steve Hansen dumped three veterans – prop Owen Franks and wings Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane.
“I don’t think it’s a risk and there’s lots of reward in it,” said Hansen, after opting for Nepo Laulala, George Bridge and Sevu Reece.
NEW Zealand skipper Kieran Read hailed his comeback kings after they allayed World Cup fears with a five-try thrashing of woeful Australia.
Head coach Steve Hansen rang the changes after last week’s 47-26 loss to the Wallabies, dropping senior stars Owen Franks, Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane.
As a result, he was able to celebrate his 100th match in charge as tries from Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Sevu Reece and George Bridge floored the same opponents.
This was a powerful statement of intent from the All Blacks, who had been under fire. They responded with an almost flawless display in wet conditions to remind everyone that they remain firmly in contention to win a third successive World Cup.
After retaining the Bledisloe Cup for the 16th time in a row, Read said: “It was the response we wanted. You don’t turn up and expect a score-line like this but it came through hard work and it feels fantastic – the guys really fronted up.
“It’s a trophy that we cherish and over the two games you could see what it meant for both sides. This New Zealand team truly believes in each other and that’s what we’re going to need now as we move forward towards the World Cup.”
A monster scrum earned New Zealand three early points, Mo’unga doing the honours, and Australia were soon under pressure again as Beauden Barrett’s diagonal punt saw Bridge narrowly denied by Reece Hodge’s bravery inside the 22.
New Zealand’s kicking tactics kept the Wallabies pinned back. However, Australia survived and almost scored from their first attack when Samu Kerevi’s burst created space for Marika Koroibete, but he was denied by Bridge and Reece.
Christian Leali’ifano butchered an ensuing penalty chance but back came the Aussies with real intent as a poor lineout throw from Dane Coles led to Kerevi, Kurtley Beale and Michael Hooper hammering at the line. New Zealand twice went offside but Australia were unable to take advantage as Leali’ifano again missed badly from the tee.
New Zealand broke through Reece and Sam Cane before Anton Lienert-Brown threatened from Mo’unga’s cross-kick. Australia cleared, only for disaster to strike moments later when Hodge failed to gather a pass from Beale on halfway and the alert Mo’unga picked up to streak home before converting his own try for 10-0.
Worse followed for the Wallabies when Barrett attacked from deep before delivering a fine pass to Bridge. The impressive wing left Lukhan SalakaiaLoto and Hodge for dead before delivering a scoring pass for Smith, Mo’unga again converting.
New Zealand marched forward once more and looked certain to score as a lineout drive gathered pace, but Coles rashly performed a neck high judo throw on Nic White and was yellow carded, leaving the All Blacks 17-0 ahead at the break.
New Zealand made light of their numerical disadvantage by dominating possession from the restart and, after forcing a scrum inside Australia’s 22, a well-worked move saw Williams hit Smith’s pass at pace to crash under the sticks.
Reece then set sail down the right as the All Blacks sought another quick-fire try-double.
Australia survived this time and then broke through Matt Toomua – on for the disappointing Leali’ifano – but his pass to Isa Naisarani went astray.
Changes in the Wallabies front row paid dividends as a scrum-penalty was kicked to the corner. However, New Zealand repelled the drive and then kept Will Genia at bay before successive knock-ons allowed the Kiwis off the hook.
New Zealand hit back and lovely hands from Mo’unga, Nepo Laulala and Reece created space for Barrett. His pass went forward, though, and the All Blacks suffered a blow when Mo’unga departed after damaging a shoulder under a heavy challenge from Salakaia-Lotu – a potential World Cup worry with the Crusader in fine form.
Barrett assumed the flyhalf duties and immediately caused further alarm in the Aussie defence after his chip was collected by Jordie Barrett. The Wallabies held on then but were punished moments later when Jordie Barrett dabbed through and Reece kicked ahead to score in spectacular fashion, laying claim to a World Cup place.
Adam Ashley-Cooper did well to disrupt a pass from Lienert-Brown as the All Blacks sought try No.5 – but they were not to be denied when Ardie Savea stole the ball from Kerevi and this time Lienert-Brown sent in the lively Bridge.
After seeing his side suffer a 57-point swing in the space of a week, shellshocked Aussie skipper Michael Hooper conceded: “They dominated in all areas bar a few moments of that game. They were really good at the scrum and lineout.”