ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire identifies some key points from the All Blacks' win over South Africa at the weekend.
Fast pace - but were they being reckless?
The All Blacks' gameplan was pretty plain to see and it came as little surprise. Particularly throughout the first half they were doing everything they could to keep the game moving at as fast a pace as they could. Whenever possible they looked to move the ball into space, throwing speculative passes and offloading to keep it alive. The idea was clearly to run the Springboks around and cash in late in the game. It sort of worked out like that.
South Africa coped well with the fast pace, particularly in the first half where they were beating the All Blacks to the breakdown and causing problems there. Likewise there were multiple All Black passes which were messy and put themselves under pressure. Then there was the instance of turning down an easy three points - surely you want to just do whatever you can to stick with the opposition early using this gameplan.
You have to be happy with any win in against the Springboks, but it was evident that there are still plenty of things for this All Black outfit to iron out.
Finding a way to win
So often the ability to find a way to get the win is what has separated the All Blacks from their opponents in recent years. The pure resilience and determination was plain to see as they held the Springboks scoreless for ten minutes while being down a man. They were forced to scramble on multiple ocassions and they did so well. Then when they got their chances in the final ten minutes, they took them, executing well and doing what they had to to get over the line.
Creativity at lineout
How refreshing it is to see a team using a variety of moves around the lineout, rather than just the standard rolling maul. After Richie McCaw's quick breakaway last week, we saw another brilliant move which allowed the All Blacks to take the lead late in the game this week. There is no doubt the Springboks were preparing to defend the maul and their entire contesting pod followed Kieran Read and his lifters back for the backlob. However it never came, but that movement created a ton of space in the middle of the lineout. That space was exploited brilliantly by Richie McCaw, who timed his run well and Codie Taylor, who got his throw spot on.
It was the winning of the game in the end and it sends a warning. Teams can now no longer simply look to defend a maul from the All Blacks at lineout time, as they have so many other options should they look to stack theirdefence.
Sopoaga's debut
There is hardly a tougher match you could have asked Lima Sopoaga to make his test debut in, but the Highlanders first five-eighth stepped up and put on a good display. He kicked well for the most part, looked good with the ball, had a huge hand in setting up Ben Smith to score the All Blacks' first try and made seven tackles. On the whole he certainly did not hurt his chances of retaining his spot for the World Cup as he continues to provide the selectors with even more food for thought.
Increased physicality of these two teams
The physicality on show when these two teams meet is at a level that you hardly see at any other other time throughout the year. This year's match was no exception, as it yet again brought a brutal encounter with some huge hits going in. Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and Brodie Retallick all stood out in this area and matched the South African pack in what they are best known for. Indeed compared to the game between Australia and Argentina later the same morning, it was certainly a huge step up in intensity.
World Cup selections
Charles Piutau was the obvious standout performer who must have now all but guaranteed a spot in the World Cup squad. Having now put on two displays where he has been lethal with ball in hand, while also proving his worth defensively, he now must have nailed down a spot, particularly given he can cover wing and fullback. Malakai Fekitoa looked good in the time he had too, another who must have more or less sewn up a spot, if he had not already. Aside from that things were largely as expected. The usual standouts all stood out, in particular Retallick, McCaw and Read.
Aaron Smith was guilty of trying to do a bit much, although he did some good things too. Israel Dagg was similar, providing a bit of a mixed bag, although surely it would now be a better option to have Ben Smith at the back with Piutau and Julian Savea on the wings.
Springboks looked good running
The running game is something the Springboks have not used on a consistent basis for a long time, but is something they are doing exceptionally well at the moment. Handre Pollard has good distribution game and delivers great ball for what has been a very dangerous midfield combination.
Out wide they are equally dangerous too, notably through fullback Willie le Roux, while we all know what Bryan Habana can do. In the forwards they have the likes of Schalk Burger, who has developed his ball skills and his looking better than ever in the open. If they can play this way with so many threats, while retaining their abiltiy to play the tight game, the Springboks will be a very tough team to beat, even tougher than over the past few years.
Non-contested scrums
It was a game changer when the game went to non-contested for more reasons than one. Not only did it take out an area the Springboks were doing well in, it prevented them from exploiting their one-man advantage with the All Blacks under the pump. Had they scored there, which you would have to think was significantly more likely if the scrums were contestable, it would have been a whole different game and the All Blacks would have had to chase it.
