Ben (Hurricanes) and Owen Franks (Crusaders)

Now that the cobwebs are blown away, the Investec Super Rugby New Zealand derby matches will step up a notch, not just for the points on offer or even in the long run All Blacks selection, but the individual match ups that will decide the match.

Let’s look at some of the clashes on show during the sole head to head between Kiwi sides this weekend!

Andre Taylor vs. Israel Dagg

The incumbent All Blacks fullback and on form potentially the best custodian in the game against a Taylor who hasn’t ignited yet, but when he does he always sparks conversations towards Test selection.

Both number fifteens have had a quiet start, but have the same manic running style that can cause chaos from the back.

However Dagg hasn’t looked as confident, but will be restored to fullback this week, while Andre was never going to benefit in the Canes first tryless showing in a year in Brisbane.

Conrad Smith vs. Robbie Fruean

It could have been the master versus the heir apparent, but Fruean is challenged by the likes of Ranger and Kahui as the premier backup thirteen. Smith thrived last year as captain but will have to prove his mental powers in guiding his team to a potential maiden win for the season.

One could easily argue that Smith has more guile that his Crusaders opposite, but if the big red and black centre can run with the right amount of power, even the defensive genuis of the Canes captain would be hard pressed to stop one of the uncut diamonds of Kiwi midfield stocks.

Beauden Barrett vs. Dan Carter

This is a clash between the King and one who would claim his throne, not the immediate understudy, that honour fulls to a Chiefs number ten, but Barrett has the class and recent callup to prove that he could be a future and regular All Black.

Carter was relatively quiet last week, but still kicked all of his team’s points, but he will want to spark early to get his confidence going, while Barrett was one of the visitors best with backline organisation in a losing effort in Brisbane last week.

In theory this is, based on last All Blacks squad selection, number ten 1 versus number ten 3 in the standing of first five-eighths in New Zealand.

Victor Vito vs. Kieran Read

Read, captain of the Crusaders, will likely wear the armband of his country against France, and not only did he finish 2012 as pretty much the best eightman, but he was far and away the best of the red and blacks against the Blues rampage, and no doubt he will continue his all or nothing approach to the game.

Vito showed his usual glimpses of class, but an underrated Reds pack didn’t give the Hurricanes pack or back row much chance to show their worth.

Some believe big Victor is better suited at blindside with his more flamboyant skills, but if there was a pecking order of number eights, it would likely be these two (considering Messam is now the AB’s number six) who would represent the best men off the back of the scrum in New Zealand.

Read is typically everywhere, but Vito does things outside the normal playbook – which style will come out on top?

Dane Coles vs. Corey Flynn

The young Coles is quite possibly the next long term hooker for the All Blacks, considering the fact that many of the top dogs are considered elder statesman when it comes to the grizzled rake.

Flynn is a handy backup for the Test coaches, but by his own admission isn’t the future, but knows enough about the nuances of the position to give Coles a honest test of where he is at early.

Normally hookers don’t mature early, but Coles will relish the chance to go head to head against a Crusaders stalwart and a player who has worn the Black jersey against international scrums.

Ben Franks vs. Owen Franks

It is rare that two All Blacks props come up against each other with so much history, especially when they likely spent countless years shoulder to shoulder, crouched in the Franks backyard, causing divets that would have often caused Mrs Franks to slip over on her way to the washing line (or should we say Mr Franks?).

Younger brother Owen is considered a starting All Black, while Ben is the ultimate utility, but to leave the experience stacked Crusaders pack for Wellington was to ensure he would get maximum game time, starting rather than being able to cover either side of the scrum.

Some might argue that technically Owen is the better man at the scrum, while a bit more wild around the loose, but brother Ben is one of those players whose all-round game is highly valued by Super and Test Rugby coaches alike.

None of the four locks on display in this match are considered driving scrummaging second row forwards, so much will come down to the smarts and mechanical application of the scrum by the two All Blacks forwards. There will be a fierce grin or two in this battle.

Ben (Hurricanes) and Owen Franks (Crusaders)

Now that the cobwebs are blown away, the Investec Super Rugby New Zealand derby matches will step up a notch, not just for the points on offer or even in the long run All Blacks selection, but the individual match ups that will decide the match.

Let’s look at some of the clashes on show during the sole head to head between Kiwi sides this weekend!

Andre Taylor vs. Israel Dagg

The incumbent All Blacks fullback and on form potentially the best custodian in the game against a Taylor who hasn’t ignited yet, but when he does he always sparks conversations towards Test selection.

Both number fifteens have had a quiet start, but have the same manic running style that can cause chaos from the back.

However Dagg hasn’t looked as confident, but will be restored to fullback this week, while Andre was never going to benefit in the Canes first tryless showing in a year in Brisbane.

Conrad Smith vs. Robbie Fruean

It could have been the master versus the heir apparent, but Fruean is challenged by the likes of Ranger and Kahui as the premier backup thirteen. Smith thrived last year as captain but will have to prove his mental powers in guiding his team to a potential maiden win for the season.

One could easily argue that Smith has more guile that his Crusaders opposite, but if the big red and black centre can run with the right amount of power, even the defensive genuis of the Canes captain would be hard pressed to stop one of the uncut diamonds of Kiwi midfield stocks.

Beauden Barrett vs. Dan Carter

This is a clash between the King and one who would claim his throne, not the immediate understudy, that honour fulls to a Chiefs number ten, but Barrett has the class and recent callup to prove that he could be a future and regular All Black.

Carter was relatively quiet last week, but still kicked all of his team’s points, but he will want to spark early to get his confidence going, while Barrett was one of the visitors best with backline organisation in a losing effort in Brisbane last week.

In theory this is, based on last All Blacks squad selection, number ten 1 versus number ten 3 in the standing of first five-eighths in New Zealand.

Victor Vito vs. Kieran Read

Read, captain of the Crusaders, will likely wear the armband of his country against France, and not only did he finish 2012 as pretty much the best eightman, but he was far and away the best of the red and blacks against the Blues rampage, and no doubt he will continue his all or nothing approach to the game.

Vito showed his usual glimpses of class, but an underrated Reds pack didn’t give the Hurricanes pack or back row much chance to show their worth.

Some believe big Victor is better suited at blindside with his more flamboyant skills, but if there was a pecking order of number eights, it would likely be these two (considering Messam is now the AB’s number six) who would represent the best men off the back of the scrum in New Zealand.

Read is typically everywhere, but Vito does things outside the normal playbook – which style will come out on top?

Dane Coles vs. Corey Flynn

The young Coles is quite possibly the next long term hooker for the All Blacks, considering the fact that many of the top dogs are considered elder statesman when it comes to the grizzled rake.

Flynn is a handy backup for the Test coaches, but by his own admission isn’t the future, but knows enough about the nuances of the position to give Coles a honest test of where he is at early.

Normally hookers don’t mature early, but Coles will relish the chance to go head to head against a Crusaders stalwart and a player who has worn the Black jersey against international scrums.

Ben Franks vs. Owen Franks

It is rare that two All Blacks props come up against each other with so much history, especially when they likely spent countless years shoulder to shoulder, crouched in the Franks backyard, causing divets that would have often caused Mrs Franks to slip over on her way to the washing line (or should we say Mr Franks?).

Younger brother Owen is considered a starting All Black, while Ben is the ultimate utility, but to leave the experience stacked Crusaders pack for Wellington was to ensure he would get maximum game time, starting rather than being able to cover either side of the scrum.

Some might argue that technically Owen is the better man at the scrum, while a bit more wild around the loose, but brother Ben is one of those players whose all-round game is highly valued by Super and Test Rugby coaches alike.

None of the four locks on display in this match are considered driving scrummaging second row forwards, so much will come down to the smarts and mechanical application of the scrum by the two All Blacks forwards. There will be a fierce grin or two in this battle.

Time: 6:15 am

Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales.

Teams:

Wales 

1. Paul James
2. Matthew Rees
3. Aaron Jarvis
4. Bradley Davies
5. Luke Charteris
6. Ryan Jones
7. Sam Warburton
8. Toby Faletau
9. Mike Phillips
10. Rhys Priestland
11. Liam Williams
12. Jamie Roberts
13. Jonathan Davies
14. Alex Cuthbert
15. Leigh Halfpenny
16. Ken Owens
17. Gethin Jenkins
18. Scott Andrews
19. Aaron Shingler
20. Justin Tipuric
21. Tavis Knoyle
22. James Hook
23. Scott Williams

New Zealand

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore
3. Owen Franks
4. Luke Romano
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Liam Messam
7. Richie McCaw (captain)
8. Kieran Read
9. Aaron Smith
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Julian Savea
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Cory Jane
15. Isreal Dagg
16. Dane Coles
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Brodie Retallick
20. Victor Vito
21. Piri Weepu
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Ben Smith

Game Refereed by Craig Joubert of South Africa.

Points to make:

Since the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Wales have turned to shit, having lost their last five games. This could be attributed to the temporary loss of Warren Gatland. Both teams are affected by the ‘Walking Wounded’, with the All Blacks losing the use of Keven Mealamu (calf), Tamati Ellison (foot) and Beauden Barrett (ribs) but more famously losing Dan Carter to a calf twinge during training. Wales have lost the use of George North, Richard Hibbard, Dan Biggar, and Ian Evans.

I must say, I am looking forward to a good match up

Krash xx

Related articles

• Two new caps in All Blacks for European tour (3news.co.nz)
• Dan Carter ruled out for All Blacks test against Wales (3news.co.nz)
• Rugby News: Injured Wales star George North ruled out of New Zealand clash (walesonline.co.uk)
• Gatland makes five changes to Wales team (iol.co.za)
• Gatland angry over rift attempts (bbc.co.uk)
• No place for Henson in Wales rugby squad (3news.co.nz)
• Gatland rings changes for Wales (standard.co.uk)
• Richie McCaw: We haven’t reached our potential (3news.co.nz)

Note: Birthday shout-out is NOT guaranteed, although all efforts are said to be made to include as many names as possible.

BTW, Laurie Berkner’s website participates in Cyber Monday with sales beginning on Black Friday.

With the Six Nations taking it’s second break-week this weekend – well, almost – it’s all about the Southern Hemisphere and Super Rugby as the best from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa clash head-on for the second round of scintillating competition.

After a wonderfully unpredictable first weekend of matches that saw the Crusaders overcome the Blues, the Brumbies beat the Force and the Reds snatch a dramatic late winning try to break Waratah hearts, we can only hope that this set of fixtures is as breath-taking and entertaining.

Chiefs v Blues 

6.35 GMT; Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

New coach Dave Rennie’s hosts have been hit with a plethora of injuries following their Round 1 bruising with the Highlanders.

Two props – Toby Smith and Ben Afeaki – took serious knocks in the tournament’s opener, so it rests on rookie Ben Tameifuna to step up into the front row; with the under-20s Junior World Cup winner making his Super Rugby debut.

Samoan Kane Thompson starts at Number 8 in place of Fritz Lee, Tanerau Latimer takes the shirt of youngster Sam Cane on the openside and journeyman Mahonri Schwalger is named as hooker.

Out wide Asaeli Tikoirotuma comes in for the crocked Lelia Masaga on the right wing, whilst Tawera Kerr-Barlow deputises for another on the growing injury-list – Brendon Leonard.

The Blues may be scenting blood in an already weary and disorganised Chiefs camp, but coach Pat Lam has resisted the urge to rush Ma’a Nonu into the starting XV this weekend, following the centre’s return to New Zealand from a stint in the Japanese Top League.

Prop Charlie Faumuina is replaced by Tevita Mailu in the only change from the team that was squeezed out by the Crusaders last time out – meaning Piri Weepu will still have to wait for his chance to make a first start for his  new franchise.

Exciting Baby Blacks prospect Gareth Anscombe is also named among the replacements and may get his opportunity to shine should outside-half Michael Hobbs put in an equally blunt display as last week.

TRU Prediction: With so much disruption to the Chiefs with injuries, new players and a new coach there is still a lot of work and gelling to be done. Despite home advantage a superior Blues outfit should have enough to win this one. BLUES BY 8.

TEAM DETAILS:

Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer 6 Liam Messam (c), 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger , 1 Arizona Taumalolo.

Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Shane Cleaver, 18 Fritz Lee, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Andrew Horrell, 22 Declan O’Donnell.

Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Chris Lowrey, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 Tevita Mailau, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tom McCartney.

Replacements: 16 Pauliasi Manu, 17 Angus Ta’avao, 18 Brad Mika, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Gareth Anscombe, 22 Sherwin Stowers.

Rebels v Waratahs

8.40 GMT; AAMI Park, Melbourne

After a bye in the first round the Rebels will be looking to get their second season in Super Rugby off to a flying start.

They are hampered somewhat by the loss of new signing Kurtley Beale, with the full-back’s persistent hamstring injury ruling him out of facing his former side.

Veteran Mark Gerrard comes in to fill the Wallaby’s place and will provide experience and solidity to a back-line still learning the ropes (and each other’s names) at this level.

Another ex-’Tah Adam Freier makes his first start at hooker, whilst the hosts have invested in a youthful back-row as rookie flankers Tom Chamberlain and Luke Jones start either side of stand-in skipper Gareth Delve at 8.

It will be intriguing to see if flair-men Danny Cipriani and James O’Connor click immediately – whilst the former Western Force playmaker is partnered in the centre by Mitch Inman who starts in place of the injured Stirling Mortlock.

Following their excruciating home loss to rivals the Reds, the Waratahs stick with the bulk of the team that brought them so close to victory over the 2011 Super Rugby champions.

Former Australia sevens captain Bernard Foley – who impressed off the bench last week – is drafted in to play full-back, with Adam Ashley-Cooper shifting to the wing in the side’s only changes.

Berrick Barnes has been given a further week to recover from a groin strain, meaning deputy Daniel Halangahu retains the number 10 shirt and captaincy for the visit to Melbourne.

TRU Prediction: Always a nightmare challenge when the Rebels are involved as they can be sublime one week and sterile the next. With an improved back-line for this campaign they are likely to set games alight but the hurt experienced by the Waratahs last week is likely to drive them over the line here. WARATAHS BY 6.

TEAM DETAILS:

Melbourne Rebels: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 James O’Connor, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve (c), 7 Tom Chamberlain, 6 Luke Jones, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Adam Freier, 1 Nic Henderson.

Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Rodney Blake, 18 Alister Campbell, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Lloyd Johansson, 22 Julian Huxley.

Waratahs: 15 Bernard Foley, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Daniel Halangahu (c), 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Lopeti Timani, 19 Jono Jenkins, 20 Brendan McKibbin, 21 Brackin Karauria-Henry, 22 Nathan Trist.

Lions v Hurricanes

17.10 GMT; Coca Cola Park, Johannesburg 

Despite the two teams’ lowly current status within Super Rugby, this match-up could be one of the tastiest of the round this weekend with both advocating free-flowing, running rugby to delight fans and pundits alike.

After beating the Cheetahs at the same venue last Saturday a hugely improved Lions set-up displays three changes for the visit of the Wellington franchise.

Stephan Greef earns a first start at lock, replacing a concussed Wikus van Heerden who faces the next three weeks on the sidelines.

Flanker Cobus Grobbelaar is relegated to bench duty for Friday’s encounter with Warren Whiteley taking his place; captain and outrageously hirsute Joshua Strauss switches to wing forward to accomodate the Number 8.

After the 39-26 loss to the Stormers last Saturday, the Hurricanes remain unchanged for the second leg of their tour of South Africa. Coach Mark Hammett continues to familiarise players, formations and methods and will attempting to bring a solidarity and togetherness to a team ripped apart by an exodus of high-profile players in 2011.

All Black Conrad Smith – one of the few stars to remain in Wellington for the new season – retains the captaincy and Beauden Barrett keeps his place at first-five-eighth after a 21-point haul on debut in Cape Town.

TRU Prediction: The ‘Canes have a lot to prove in 2012 and still have players like Smith, Cory Jane and Victor Vito that can turn matches. They will have highlighted this fixture as a realistic chance of a win and 4 points, but with a lack of experience at the top level throughout the side and the ‘home ground’ factor always prominent in Super Rugby it could yet be too tough an ask. LIONS BY 3. 

TEAM DETAILS: 

Lions: 15 Jaco Taute, 14 Deon Van Rensburg, 13 Doppies La Grange, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Joshua Strauss (c), 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Franco Van der Merwe, 4 Stephan Greeff, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.

Replacements: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Marius Coetzer/Hendrik Roodt, 19 Cobus Grobbleaar, 20 Tian Meyer, 21 Butch James, 22 James Kamana/Lionel Mapoe.

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Alapati Leiua, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Chris Eaton, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tristan Moran.

Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Brad Shields, 20 TJ Perenara, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Charlie Ngatai.

Just in time for todays 2012 Super Rugby kicks off, we’ve just launched our latest campaign for Adidas’ sponsorship of the five Kiwi franchises.

In 2012, Super Rugby in New Zealand is ALL SUPERCHARGED.

We’re launching a nice little idea called SUPERSOUNDS to kick things off (pardon the pun

It’s based on the insight that music plays a big role in getting the players supercharged for their games.

Ever wondered what some of rugby’s best players listen to on their playlist to get themselves supercharged before a game?

Well, we found out. Over  5 weeks, we’re bringing Israel Dagg (Crusaders), Ali Williams (Blues), Jimmy Cowan (Highlanders), Victor Vito (Hurricanes), Richard Kahui (Chiefs) pregame playlists to life.

If you’re in NZ you can download the tracks for free, otherwise you can just stream them live.

Check out the site here

If I had to describe what NZ was up to in 2 words it would be: All Blacks!

If I had to describe what NZ was up to in one word: Celebration!

New Zealand is crazy about rugby. And with All Blacks victory over France in the RWC final we have certainly gone even crazier! It has been a remarkable one and half months since the launch of the RWC and there’s just an ever building up of atmosphere in this country. We’ve now reached the point of having to release such energy and excitement. Hence the victory parades! It’s incredible!! Auckland was once again packed with people who were ready to witness and share the joy of All Blacks’ victory.

If you know me personally or have read about my blog post earlier you would know that I am not a rugby fan. But this RWC has certainly made some big improvements. I really enjoyed watching those games at home with Nigel, Sammi, Gordon, Alvin, Emily, Joe together and those evenings have become the highlights of the month. Having spent a third of my life in this country I would say I feel very proud of New Zealand also. This would be the biggest event in New Zealand for many years to come so we must know, must see and must capture. And to cheer for the All Blacks, I present this set of photographs entirely in B&W. Go the All Blacks! Go NZ!!

By the time I moved to New Zealand, I’d been away from Rugby for a long time. In the intervening years, Rugby had turned professional and new leagues and competitions had been set up across the globe.

On our first weekend in Wellington, my boys – aged 14 and 11 – sat down to watch the All Blacks play the Springboks of South Africa. It was the first time they’d watched Rugby, and it was a mistake. The ferocity of the game, the bone-crunching tackles – not to mention the terrifying New Zealand haka – turned my boys quickly to thoughts of playing soccer.

Their self-preservation instinct was smart. The very physique of the players seemed to have changed. Back in my day, the guys were big, to be sure, but now they seemed massive and, as the expression goes, ripped. And then there was the attitude of the guys on the field. Rugby matches, put plainly, were fierce.

But then a funny thing happened: I met some of the players. First up were the USA Eagles Sevens players, some of whom play for the full national side as well. Having been exposed to plenty of sports stars in my life, I wasn’t precisely hopeful. A lot of sportsmen at the top of their game can be mono-syllabic, arrogant and have forgotten that what they do as a career is the stuff of dreams for millions of young people.

But, simply put, the Eagles were a delight. They were teeming with enthusiasm – about being in New Zealand, about playing for the United States, about Rugby. As we talked to them they were bubbling over with good cheer and polite, amusing banter. These guys were respectful, and nothing but great ambassadors for their country and their sport.

We admired that.

Surely this was an aberration. People performing so mercilessly on the field had to be barbarians. Just had to be.

But in the intervening months I’ve been exposed to a lot more Rugby players, including some All Blacks. I’ve been singularly impressed with their calm, polite and approachable demeanor. All of them. This week I ran across Rodney So’oialo and Victor Vito. I couldn’t have been more impressed. They too seemed to view themselves as good-will ambassadors for their sport and did a remarkable job. They showed interest when people approached them, engaged in casual and involved conversations.

In an age of spoiled-brat athletes – or worse – in fields as varied as soccer to motorsports, it is delightful to know that there are still role models out there. Who would have thought that I’d find them in Rugby, said to be a gentleman’s sport played by hooligans? These guys better be careful or else they might start getting a reputation. A good one. And, with the Rugby World Cup rapidly approaching, that’s a great thing of course.

So the news that everyone’s new favourite superhero, Sonny Bill Williams, is going to be pulling on his boxing gloves again in June has been doing the rounds online.

He has a ‘charity’ bout scheduled for the 5th of June against a yet-to-be named opponent. With his sporting celebrity there is no doubt that he can pull in the paychecks on the under card of a fight night. He has pledged to donate $100 000 from his purse on the 5th to the Christchurch earthquake relief fund.

The man is clearly blessed with an immense amount of natural sporting talent, and the physique to back it up. But few boxing experts are getting too excited about his prospects as a professional fighter. There are very few who make it to the top of the boxing pile, and it takes a very particular quality to be able to take the sort of punishment required. I would think he’d be well served sticking to rugby and the odd promotional fight.

But taking the boxing skill out of it, there’s room for a bit of thinking about a fantasy fight – based on the on-field personalities of the pugilists.

Sonny Bill Williams versus…

Pierre Spies – He’s copped a bit of flack for his disappointing form over the past year, but his physical presence can’t be denied. I’m not so sure he’s got the mongrel in him though.

Bismarck du Plessis – This would go the distance! Bissie may not have the reach, but he’s hard as nails. Possibility of disqualification for excessive use of the head though.

Sebastien Chabal – This would would be purely for the crowd pulling potential.

Victor Vito – The Hurricanes hardman looks like he can take a punch.

Who would you pay to see in the ring with Sonny Bill?

After a week in which a massive earthquake slammed the Canterbury region, causing massive damage to Christchurch’s brick and stone buildings (including the home of All Blacks’ assistant coach Steve Hansen), and aftershocks continued to jangle the nerves, nobody will be thanking the AB’s for leaving their winning run quite so late, even if the victory itself will be some sort of salve.

With Daniel Carter undergoing surgery on his troublesome right ankle (which may, in part, explain his poor 2010 goalkicking form), coach Graham Henry took the chance to blood Carter’s understudy, 21 year old Aaron Cruden at five-eighth, together with run on starts for blindside Victor Vito and wing/ fullback (they’re all doing it these days) Israel Dagg. They encountered a Wallabies outfit returning from the Republic who could have reasonably been expected to be weary, but still fired up from their win in Bloemfontein, their first on the high veldt in 46 years. Despite the fact that the match was a dead rubber where the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe were concerned, this was still a game that both teams very much wanted to win – the Wallabies to carry on from last week’s victory, and to gain some momentum leading into next year’s World Cup, the All Blacks seeking to hammer home their dominance over the Wallabies (ten in a row), and to continue a fifteen test match winning streak.

What ensued was, for the most part, very much a reversal of the 2010 status quo. The AB’s looked rusty after a 3 week layoff; passes didn’t stick, the lineout was a shambles, and for once they didn’t seem to be getting the rub of the green from South African referee Mark Lawrence, who gave a very nervy, tentative display. The Wallabies were lucky to concede only a penalty when Mils Muliaina went close in the first ten minutes, with Lachie Turner playing the ball on the ground and James O‘Connor making an early tackle on support runner Cory Jane, whilst the Adam Ashley-Cooper try was very much a result of Lawrence getting in the way and failing to blow the whistle when struck by the ball.

Conrad Smith was uncharacteristically shaky on defense, missing a couple of regulation tackles, Ma’a Nonu failed to impose himself on the match in his usual dominating fashion, and Vito was guilty of some of the same flaws in his game that saw Adam Thomson unceremoniously ditched earlier this year – his failure to read a straightforward  blindside play by (excellent) young Wallabies number 8 Ben McCalman which resulted in the O’Connor try will have concerned the All Blacks coaches. Front row dynamo Keven Mealamu left the field after twenty minutes with a hamstring injury, second rowers Brad Thorn and Tom Donnelly looked like tired men at the end of a long campaign, and even captain Richie McCaw looked a little off. As for replacement rake Corey Flynn’s lineout throwing – ugh!!

The All Blacks clearly got a roasting at half time – down 14 to 6 at the break, and forced to play catch up rugby as they did in Soweto, some key tactical substitutions finally gave them some ascendancy from about the fifty minute mark. Jerome Kaino replaced Vito, whose athleticism and pace were no match for Rocky Elsom’s street smarts and breakdown aggression. Kaino’s arrival seemed to galvanize Kieran Read and McCaw into adapting the ‘fling it wide and run from everywhere’ gameplan to a more conservative ‘kicking for territory and rumbling it up in the forwards’ approach that swiftly paid dividends with both McCaw and Read crossing for tries that got the AB’s over the line by the narrowest margin possible.

It was heartening, however, to see that they could adapt the game plan when plan A clearly wasn’t working. The All Blacks of 2010, whilst clearly still favouring the ‘run it, don’t kick it’ approach from inside their own 22, are clearly a smarter beast than the headless chook that emerged when placed under pressure in the three matches this game reminded me of – the Melbourne loss and ‘that’ quarter-final in 2007, and the Sydney loss in 2008. They knuckled down, stuck at the task in hand and ground out the win – something great sides are able to do, even if they are not playing particularly well. This has been a testament to the All Blacks’ superior fitness and the superb leadership of their captain.

The AB’s started the Tri-Nations playing a high-octane brand of football that left the opposition gasping for air, and grasping at thin air in defense as the ball was moved so swiftly and efficiently through the hands; and while the Boks and Wallabies may have swotted up and gained some ground on us over the course of the tournament, they have crucially not been able to beat us, even if it has taken last gasp heroics to secure the victories. Furthermore, the ability to switch quickly from defensive mode to attack on turnover ball has been something we have effected more successfully than our opposition.

It is still a bugbear of mine that we attempt short drop-out restarts from the 22, more often than not gifting our opponents instant attacking ball with great field position, and in general Cruden’s restarts were not really up to scratch, but the young man did show some nice touches. Colin Slade, who came on for Cruden in the last quarter also looked assured and composed, and did basic things well in a highly pressured situation.. It turns out that some of our anchor men (Thorn, Donnelly, Nonu, Smith) are actually human after all, and that some of the guys we may have taken for granted (Mealamu, and Jerome Kaino, in particular) are absolutely crucial to the balance of the side. Don’t let’s underestimate Piri Weepu’s faultless goalkicking display here, either, nor the fact that Matt Giteau missed 4 from 7.

I was going to finish by selecting a ‘team of the tournament’, but it is actually a little futile when the All Blacks have won the damn thing so handsomely. Whilst some might argue for the inclusion of the likes of Genia, Sharp or O’Connor (not many Boks putting their hands up), across the park the All Black A-team have been superior in all facets of the game. The end of year tour (another bloody Grand Slam!) is shaping up as a great opportunity to further examine some of the players this year has uncovered at test level, without the pressure of playing against the world’s second and third ranked teams.

- Jeremy Taylor

The All Blacks thrashed Ireland 66-28 last weekend but had looked set for a far tougher afternoon as a spirited Wales first-half display saw the tourists within touching distance at 15-9 at half-time.

Dan Carter

But with Carter to the fore the All Blacks stepped up a gear after the break with 27 unanswered points in the final Test match to be played at Carisbrook.

Stephen Jones got the first points with a penalty in the fourth minute for the tourists and Wales continued to press forward showing the attacking rugby they had promised in the build-up. In the 15th minute Victor Vito held on after being tackled and Leigh Halfpenny stepped up to make no mistake from long-range.

But despite Wales having much of the possession and good territorial position it was New Zealand who got the first try of the match through hooker Keven Mealamu. The forwards were stopped just short from a good attacking five-metre lineout but a ruck infringement saw New Zealand awarded a penalty, where scrum-half Jimmy Cowan took the quick tap and Mealamu burrowed over. Carter added the extras and slotted his second kick when Gavin Thomas was caught offside.

New Zealand stretched their lead to 15-6 with a try from Cory Jane in the 32nd minute when Conrad Smith poached the ball at the ruck after Alun Wyn Jones had been tackled. Smith flicked the ball out wide to his Hurricanes team-mate Jane who raced 70 metres downfield stepping Tom Prydie and Ryan Jones on his way to the try-line.

Stephen Jones replied immediately with Wales’ third penalty but couldn’t convert a fourth opportunity when Brad Thorn was penalised for killing the ball.

Carter struck over a 50th-minute penalty before grabbing his team’s third try almost from the restart. Joe Rokocoko splintered the away defence in a buccaneering run from his own half and set the All Blacks in motion towards a try that was sealed with a clever one-two between Carter and Jane, with the former adding the conversion to make it 25-9 after 54 minutes.

In the 67th minute Carter ran in his second try from 40 metres after the industrious Mealamu snatched the ball away and began a eye-catching phase of play that was capped by a supreme finish

The Welsh defence was now in tatters and Kahui was similarly untroubled as he raced from halfway to score his side’s fifth try four minutes later.

The All Blacks thrashed Ireland 66-28 last weekend but had looked set for a far tougher afternoon as a spirited Wales first-half display saw the tourists within touching distance at 15-9 at half-time.

Dan Carter

But with Carter to the fore the All Blacks stepped up a gear after the break with 27 unanswered points in the final Test match to be played at Carisbrook.

Stephen Jones got the first points with a penalty in the fourth minute for the tourists and Wales continued to press forward showing the attacking rugby they had promised in the build-up. In the 15th minutes Victor Vito held on after being tackled and Leigh Halfpenny stepped up to make no mistake from long-range.

But despite Wales having much of the possession and good territorial position it was New Zealand who got the first try of the match through hooker Keven Mealamu. The forwards were stopped just short from a good attacking five-metre lineout but a ruck infringement saw New Zealand awarded a penalty, where scrum-half Jimmy Cowan took the quick tap and Mealamu burrowed over. Carter added the extras and slotted his second kick when Gavin Thomas was caught offside.

New Zealand stretched their lead to 15-6 with a try from Cory Jane in the 32nd minute when Conrad Smith poached the ball at the ruck after Alun Wyn Jones had been tackled. Smith flicked the ball out wide to his Hurricanes team-mate Jane who raced 70 metres downfield stepping Tom Prydie and Ryan Jones on his way to the try-line.

Stephen Jones replied immediately with Wales’ third penalty but couldn’t convert a fourth opportunity when Brad Thorn was penalised for killing the ball.

Carter struck over a 50th-minute penalty before grabbing his team’s third try almost from the restart. Joe Rokocoko splintered the away defence in a buccaneering run from his own half and set the All Blacks in motion towards a try that was sealed with a clever one-two between Carter and Jane, with the former adding the conversion to make it 25-9 after 54 minutes.

In the 67th minute Carter ran in his second try from 40 metres after the industrious Mealamu snatched the ball away and began a eye-catching phase of play that was capped by a supreme finish

The Welsh defence was now in tatters and Kahui was similarly untroubled as he raced from halfway to score his side’s fifth try four minutes later.