Otago Daily Times Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire provides some key points from the All Blacks 20-18 win over the Springboks in their Rugby World Cup semifinal.
Discipline issues
The most obvious takeaway from this game for the All Blacks was their lack of discipline. When you are playing a team that is trying to work their way into positions to kick penalties, you need to ensure that you are keeping your infringements to a minimum. While some of the penalites came from being under pressure, far too many did not need to be conceded. Keeping onside is a big one, as are the lineout penalties, whether it be coming in the side at the maul or taking the jumper in the air. When you have as much ball and field position as the All Blacks had, you shouldn't be losing the penalty count 13-6.
Ability to grind out a win
It was far from the sparkling display the All Blacks put on last week, but they showed themselves equally capable of grinding out a close win in tricky conditions. The Springboks defended bravely and the All Blacks had a hard time getting the ball into space, but that did not stop them finding a way to get the job done. They made their tackles, took the points on offer and made the most of the chances they did get in space. It was a game that eight years ago they may have struggled to win. But they have come a long way and the likes of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter have been there and done that so many times now. They got the ball into the right areas of the park and when things became close at the end they didn't panic.
Bender's brilliance
Otago boy Ben Smith was named man of the match and deservedly so, he was brilliant. His kick chase game is the best in the world at the moment and it is hard to think of anyone in recent times that has been better. Whether from a kick he has made, or one someone else has made, he has a knack of getting up fast and competing in the air to win the ball back, often taking it out of the hands of the opposition. If not he will get up and make the tackle to prevent the counter-attack. In receiving kicks he is safe too, while his defensive positioning and ability to read the game means he can get himself into places which allow the All Blacks to launch counter-attacks. With ball in hand he was threatening as always, while aside from an early handling error, he hardly made a mistake all day.
Strong defence, but lack of threat from Springboks
The All Blacks only missed three tackles and it was strong defensive effort, but that had as much to do with the lack of creativity from South Africa. While the Springboks were always in the game and played with plenty of passion and physicaility, they never really looked like scoring a try. Their attack generally consisted of forward runners, while they occasionally went wide, but did not do so after having created space. At this level you do not expect players to miss one-off tackles. That requires the attack to do things to manipulate the defence so they are in a position where it is hard to make the tackle. South Africa did not do this and consequently the All Black line remained intact. That said, the All Black defence was still physical, got up fast and did well to be so accurate.
Kicking game
There was a clear intent from the All Blacks to kick in behind the Springbok line. Even when they had the Sprinboks under pressure and were forcing them to make tackle after tackle in the first half, their option was still to look in behind with grubber kicks. Generally the idea of that is to keep the defensive line back, giving yourself more room to work with and consequently creating a bit more momentum for yourself. But you still want to do it in an attacking way and the All Blacks did not do this particularly well. Too often the kicks were either too deep, did not have a chase and generally either went out or, when put in the air, straight to the Springbok players. Aaron Smith's box kick inside the Springbok 22 was a prime example, as was Dan Carter's early high ball, both strange options where it might have been better to keep ball in hand. The second half saw them persist with the kicking game, although the chase improved. Ben Smith in particular came into his own, while Julian Savea nearly picked up a grubber in a threatening position.
Contesting the lineout
The All Black lineout was outstanding once again, particularly in competing for the ball where they stole four throws off the Springboks, while winning all of their own ball. That was important for two reasons. The first was that it meant they could implement their kicking game and be more confident in their chances of getting the ball back if they found touch. Secondly it allowed them to stop the Springbok lineout drive before it even started. Given the rolling maul was where South Africa looked most likely to score from, that was big in limiting the chances they had to use that weapon.
Important kicks
While every goal is important in a two-point win, there were two kicks in particular that stand out as being critical moments in the game. The first came early, as Bryan Habana charged Dan Carter's conversion early, giving Carter a second-chance to make the kick, which he took. While the game would have played out differently had that not happened - the All Blacks would surely have been more active in looking for points late in the game - those two points turned out to be crucial. Likewise the drop goal Carter struck so sweetly was pivotal. Again in a close game, these points were crucial, while it also sparked the All Black resurgence. It allowed the All Blacks to stay in touch with a man in the bin and again showed that they are thinking of the drop goal, when for so long it was not part of their game.
