South Africa 31; New Zealand 19
We could bang on about inept refereeing; we could bang on about an opposition which selectively targets opposition players in a very dubious manner; we could whinge and moan all we like, but that won't hide a thing. Tonight's performance against the Springboks at Durban is, in our humble and considered opinion, the low point of the Graham Henry coaching era. Yes, we rate this match as an even worse performance than the RWC loss to France in Cardiff.
We're not going to point fingers at individuals this morning. The All Blacks were tactically and technically inept, but worst of all, they seem to lack passion. That, quite frankly, is unacceptable to those of us who have supported the All Blacks through thick and thin over all these years. Let's face the stark reality - we are no longer the best team in world rugby. All that's left to play for now this season is the Bledisloe Cup, but retaining that will be a mere consolation prize.
Accordingly, we are calling for the debate on the All Black coaches to be reopened. Join our Facebook group Time for a Change. Sure, Henry Inc has been reappointed, but there are performance clauses in their contracts, and neither the team nor the coaches have performed this season to date. Let's see if the NZRU had the manhood to admit that it got things wrong in reappointing this coaching team, not once but twice after the debacle in Cardiff. However, we won't hold our breath!
We're not happy this morning, but at least we've got that off our chests! Credit to the South Africans, especially to Morne Steyn who scored all their points. And to the All Blacks - make no mistake - we still dearly want you to win, and to perform. That's why we're so disappointed right now.
12 comments:
My thoghts exactly INV2.
When I was growing up and learning what rugby skills I had in the late 50's and early 60's almost all of my coaches and that includes the Dads who helped out at Primary School quoted three words made famous by the great Otago Coach of the late 1940's Charlie Saxton. These were the 3 p's of winning rugby:
Position, Possession, Pace
And for years they were considered the basic fundamentals of good teams.
The All Black Team I watched toady had 3 p's as well:
Poor, Pathetic, Pitiful
I am with you - the three stooges, Henry, Hansen and Smith must go now and their mate Steve Tew should go with them.
I don't care who takes over but maybe a combination of some All Black greats of the past may instil some pride guts and fortitude into the players they select. Hopefully there will only be a few from this embarrassing lot included - it is time for a clean start ah la the Baby Blacks in 1986.
The three P's - was that Saxton, or were they the words of Vic Cavanagh?
Anyway, you're quite right. Rugby is fundamentally a simple game, but the coaches and administrators have over-complicated it. The All Blacks look confused, and if there is a game-plan, I don't see a lot of evidence of them sticking to it. And dare we say it - Richie McCaw might be the best open-side flanker in world rugby, but I have genuine concerns over his ability as a captain. I think that we have reached the point where the All Black captaincy is actually affecting McCaw's general play.
It was one or the other INV2.
You are right about McCaw not playing well but, I don't think it is the captaincy. Rather I think it is the fact that he has got away from his basic job and is trying to to cover the roles of about 6 other player.
I have just read an excellent article by Richard Loe on the Herald site. Well worth a look and he sums up what you and I said above.
OK guys this is the master plan, we have failed at successive world cups after dominating every team in non cup years now we are going to play like chumps and I say it is working.
I have said it before and I will keep on saying it. This band of fools specialise in putting pressure on themselves. There are Zero leaders in the team, and that includes McCaw. Ross and Smith are the only ones who show any understanding of the game. The rest are acting like possums in a spotlight.
Remember when Oliver was the villain at linouts? Has he got several doppelgangers in this team?
Yes the Boks played magnificently. They take it right to the edge and then a bit. They Play as a TEAM, not a bunch of awkward teenagers at the highschool ball.
The whole structure needs to be thrown out and rebuilt so basic skills are necessary before moving up a level. Just like school used to be Graham
Hard to find fault with your argument Pique Oil.
about an opposition which selectively targets opposition players in a very dubious manner
I2 - do you really believe your own claptrap? All teams target either weaknesses or try to negate the influence of key players (and I don't mean by causing physical harm) by being in their face. The AB's do it. The Boks do it. I cannot recall one episode in this game where you can honestly say that the Boks 'dubiously targeted' an AB player.
The only conclusion one can come to is that the Boks are just a lot tougher than the AB's.
Now lets see if you 'dubiously target' my comment, like you did after the last loss, and not publish it!
mawm - that was a reference to Botha "dropping in" on Donald right at the start of the game. But heck, cut me some slack - look at when I posted - 4.27am. You expect erudite comment at that hour??!!
BTW - when did I "not publish" one of your comments? This sin't Kiwiblog - it's moderation-free!
I2 - You scrubbed my comment about the effect of altitude. I often comment on your blog and I am not abusive, and I do try to put in a different view.
Just like you and the AB's, I'm passionate about Bok rugby. The press are continually putting out the message that the Boks are bad. We have had some bad guys - just like you. As a team they are tough and they play rugby that way - just like NZ used to.
Mawm - if that's the case, I assure you it would have been done in error, and I apologise profusely. My policy is to NOT delete ANY comment on Keeping Stock.
And your last line there encapsulates my frustrations - the current Springbok team is just like the All Blacks used to be. My fear is that they may never be that way again.
I2 - Cheers, no hard feeling. I still visit your blog regularly.
The AB's will be back! Maybe they need to recruit from their traditional player pool.
I hope so mawm. As you will see on my Questions post from later in the day, one of the questions I've posed is whether it is time for the NZRU to relent on the offshore player exclusion rule. It's something we have argued against for years, but our depth has been stripped bare by cash-rich NH clubs, and maybe it's time for a more pragmatic approach.
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