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2012 International Review: New Zealand hosts Ireland
By Pete Cresswell
After the highs of 2011's World Cup win, the All Blacks came into 2012 looking to rebuild. Sir Graham Henry departed after 8 years in charge of the team, with long time assistant Steve Hansen taking the reins. Many New Zealand fans had their doubts about the new regime. New assistant coach Ian Foster's CV pales in comparison with that of the outgoing Wayne Smith, while Hansen's record in charge of Wales was hardly inspiring.
In addition, a combination of post RWC retirements and a spate of injuries had taken their toll. Brad Thorn, Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu and (ahem) Stephen Donald had gone overseas while Jerome Kaino, Corey Jane, Colin Slade and Keven Mealamu headed the injury list. In addition, Ma'a Nonu, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan and Ali Williams had all failed to impress in Super XV.
On the other hand, the Irish had their own injury woes at the end of a long season, while suddenly there appeared to be a glut of talented young half-backs and five-eighths in Super Rugby.
The new era began well with a convincing and comfortable victory in the first test. While the forward exchanges were worryingly even, Ireland were forced to double mark Sonny Bill Williams, which left a host of space for the rampant outside backs, allowing Julian Savea a debut hat-trick.
Ireland turned up for the second test in Christchurch, nearly grabbing a famous win as they dominated the breakdown and successfully slowed the game down to their pace. New Zealand's scrum creaked, and the backs were largely unable to penetrate the Irish defence. A slew of uncharacteristic handling errors meant that finishing was lacking.
The Irish were unable to back up their second test heroics, as a tweaked and roused New Zealand side ran riot, with new and newish names like to the fore. In the absence of Dan Carter Aaron Cruden initially laid claim to Quade Cooper's crown as the world's best attacking 10, while young Beauden Barrett highlighted the newfound depth at 10. Sam Cane and Joseph Romano showed that there is life after McCaw and Thorn, and Aaron Smith's fast passing game sparked attack after attack.
In addition, a combination of post RWC retirements and a spate of injuries had taken their toll. Brad Thorn, Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu and (ahem) Stephen Donald had gone overseas while Jerome Kaino, Corey Jane, Colin Slade and Keven Mealamu headed the injury list. In addition, Ma'a Nonu, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan and Ali Williams had all failed to impress in Super XV.
On the other hand, the Irish had their own injury woes at the end of a long season, while suddenly there appeared to be a glut of talented young half-backs and five-eighths in Super Rugby.
The new era began well with a convincing and comfortable victory in the first test. While the forward exchanges were worryingly even, Ireland were forced to double mark Sonny Bill Williams, which left a host of space for the rampant outside backs, allowing Julian Savea a debut hat-trick.
Ireland turned up for the second test in Christchurch, nearly grabbing a famous win as they dominated the breakdown and successfully slowed the game down to their pace. New Zealand's scrum creaked, and the backs were largely unable to penetrate the Irish defence. A slew of uncharacteristic handling errors meant that finishing was lacking.
The Irish were unable to back up their second test heroics, as a tweaked and roused New Zealand side ran riot, with new and newish names like to the fore. In the absence of Dan Carter Aaron Cruden initially laid claim to Quade Cooper's crown as the world's best attacking 10, while young Beauden Barrett highlighted the newfound depth at 10. Sam Cane and Joseph Romano showed that there is life after McCaw and Thorn, and Aaron Smith's fast passing game sparked attack after attack.
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All Blacks team analysis
Steve Hansen will have picked up some valuable learning this series, with his new caps largely stepping up to the plate and impressing. His faith in some old stagers proved misplaced, and the Springboks will have been watching the scrum with interest. Steve Hansen - 7/10 A 3 - win, with two thrashings and a scare is a handy enough result for his first game in charge. Some conservative selecting was found out, and tactics for dealing with teams who succeed in slowing the game down and denying front foot ball need development. Ian Foster - 7/10 "Fozzy" had the unenviable task of stepping into Wayne Smith's shoes, and passed the initial test fairly comfortably. As with his boss attacking options off slow ball are a work in progress |
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Mike Cron - 6/10
The man widely acknowledged as the game's top scrum coach has stepped up to coach the forwards. He will be disappointed with some of the scrummaging on show, while the breakdown display in the first two tests was disappointing. The lineout worked fairly well however.
Grant Fox - 8/10
The team "selector" can probably claim some credit for the sublime restart kicking by Carter given his own expertise at the task; and probably contributed to the generally good kicking from hand and goal kicking. Some of the new selections for the series proved inspired.
Players that enhanced their reputations
Aaron Smith - As promised he provided the sort of fast service an All Black back line has not seen since Graeme Bachop succumbed to the lure of the Yen. His kicking game was good, though the jury is still out on his defence, given his small stature.
Aaron Cruden - Like his fellow Manawatuan Smith he's not the biggest and can be tested on defence, but showed superb attacking touches and a vastly improved kicking game.
Sam Whitelock - became the senior lock and won his lineout ball. He made himself useful around the field as well.
Sam Cane - Got the chance to show why he's been earmarked as the next star in the great line of All Black open sides, and impressed in the third test. He could be set for a lot of bench time and a share of starts as McCaw's career winds down.
Players who didn’t make the grade
Ali Williams - Included due to a lack of experience at lock despite indifferent form for the Blues, Williams offered little other than proof that injury has taken away his mojo. Time to sign up for a nice Yen, Euro or Pound denominated lesion scheme Ali.
Piri Weepu - Like Williams retained for experience, Piri lacked the spark of 2011 when he came off the bench.
Adam Thompson - Given a chance to claim the 6 jersey in the absence of Kaino, Thompson proved he still lacks the x factor at the top level. He is possibly too versatile for his own good.
Julian Savea - The first test hat trick hero showed that he can be superb given space. But the second test highlighted defensive weaknesses, and he failed to look for work when the ball didn't come his way. He will be back, but has plenty to work on.
Ben Franks - The elder Franks demonstrated that his younger brother is the better scrummaging tighthead. The upcoming law change to allow two props on international benches may ultimately cost him his spot.
Now the dust has settled
Three wins, over 120 points in the scored column and under 30 in the conceded make for a handy return. But there are tougher tests ahead in the shape of Australia and South Africa. The last All Blacks team to win a World Cup went nearly two years unbeaten afterwards; a repeat of that feat is unlikely given the apparent lack of depth in the forwards. That said, New Zealand will be deserved favourites for the Rugby Championship, with the away tests in South Africa and Australia likely to be the biggest banana skins they face this year.
To discuss this article and see what other members think, visit the 606v2 forum
You can follow us on Twitter at @606v2rugby
(c) Copyright 606v2 2012. Please do not reproduce without permission
The man widely acknowledged as the game's top scrum coach has stepped up to coach the forwards. He will be disappointed with some of the scrummaging on show, while the breakdown display in the first two tests was disappointing. The lineout worked fairly well however.
Grant Fox - 8/10
The team "selector" can probably claim some credit for the sublime restart kicking by Carter given his own expertise at the task; and probably contributed to the generally good kicking from hand and goal kicking. Some of the new selections for the series proved inspired.
Players that enhanced their reputations
Aaron Smith - As promised he provided the sort of fast service an All Black back line has not seen since Graeme Bachop succumbed to the lure of the Yen. His kicking game was good, though the jury is still out on his defence, given his small stature.
Aaron Cruden - Like his fellow Manawatuan Smith he's not the biggest and can be tested on defence, but showed superb attacking touches and a vastly improved kicking game.
Sam Whitelock - became the senior lock and won his lineout ball. He made himself useful around the field as well.
Sam Cane - Got the chance to show why he's been earmarked as the next star in the great line of All Black open sides, and impressed in the third test. He could be set for a lot of bench time and a share of starts as McCaw's career winds down.
Players who didn’t make the grade
Ali Williams - Included due to a lack of experience at lock despite indifferent form for the Blues, Williams offered little other than proof that injury has taken away his mojo. Time to sign up for a nice Yen, Euro or Pound denominated lesion scheme Ali.
Piri Weepu - Like Williams retained for experience, Piri lacked the spark of 2011 when he came off the bench.
Adam Thompson - Given a chance to claim the 6 jersey in the absence of Kaino, Thompson proved he still lacks the x factor at the top level. He is possibly too versatile for his own good.
Julian Savea - The first test hat trick hero showed that he can be superb given space. But the second test highlighted defensive weaknesses, and he failed to look for work when the ball didn't come his way. He will be back, but has plenty to work on.
Ben Franks - The elder Franks demonstrated that his younger brother is the better scrummaging tighthead. The upcoming law change to allow two props on international benches may ultimately cost him his spot.
Now the dust has settled
Three wins, over 120 points in the scored column and under 30 in the conceded make for a handy return. But there are tougher tests ahead in the shape of Australia and South Africa. The last All Blacks team to win a World Cup went nearly two years unbeaten afterwards; a repeat of that feat is unlikely given the apparent lack of depth in the forwards. That said, New Zealand will be deserved favourites for the Rugby Championship, with the away tests in South Africa and Australia likely to be the biggest banana skins they face this year.
To discuss this article and see what other members think, visit the 606v2 forum
You can follow us on Twitter at @606v2rugby
(c) Copyright 606v2 2012. Please do not reproduce without permission