Keiran Read and Steve Hansen have acknowledged that the All Blacks opening performance of 2016 wasn’t without it’s flaws, but applauded the attitude and belief shown by the team to come back after being down at halftime. It leaves the All Blacks satisfied in their performance, but with much to improve upon.
“The whole group of leaders learn’t a lot today, but I think the boys showed a lot of belief and connection that we needed in a tight spot”, Read said. The All Black Captain won five line outs for his side, scored a try, and made nine tackles during the match but his leading role was in how he counselled the side when they were on the wrong end of the scoreboard.
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen was equally as happy at how his side recovered, and put on a far more polished performance in the second half. “We couldn’t have asked for more, we have a group of young men, all of whom I think have had a great week and while it wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination but what we learnt was to keep our composure under pressure”, Hansen said.
One thing that will frustrate Welsh coach Warren Gatland is that his side was outscored 29 points to three in the second half, after heading into the sheds with a good lead. He will be aggravated by the knowledge that Wales had been the ‘far superior side’ in the opening half. George North, having come into the game as the second-best points scorer for a winger in World Rugby, was a standout for the Welsh with a performance that included 11 carries and 121 running metres.
North suffered a series-ending hamstring injury on his right leg though in the latter stages of the match, but the winger earned a lot of praise from the All Blacks camp. Hansen told media “I thought George North was outstanding so it’s unfortunate that he has pulled his hamstring.” Also impressive for Wales was fullback Liam Williams.
The message to the All Blacks at halftime was to ‘get more urgent at the breakdown’ and in particular, for the younger players in the side to ‘listen to the leaders’. The relatively new midfield combination retained that information, with a better display in the tight and open-play where Aaron Cruden (pictured) became more directive.
Waisake Naholo (main picture) scored two tries and was lightning fast as per usual on the right wing, but it wasn’t without struggle. With his back to the Welsh chasers, Naholo inadverdently got himself positioned in front of Ben Smith, causing the All Black winger to fumble a high ball. Soon after, Wales would go on to score their first try of the night. Senior members of the team members gave encouraging words to the Highlanders outside back, and he showed some naivety which must be improved on. Naholo could have delivered the All Blacks their second try of the first half, but upon stepping in-field, didn’t notice two unmarked players in support to his left.
Following an animated half time chat with Hansen, Naholo turned his form around and went on to play a decisive role in the match. “That takes a lot of effort, mental effort particularly, we know he is really talented and he has been desperate to show us all how good he is as a player”, Hansen told the media after the match. With that said, Naholo will now understand that as a player, you can come back from an average start and have a major impact on a match.
Hansen pointed to Read’s leadership (pictured) and calmness as captain, as a big reason for the All Blacks escaping the 18-15 deficit at halftime. “With a young team, the question was how we would react to the situation, and I think the response we got was first rate.”
Once again, the All Blacks bench had an impact in the latter stages, in particular Ardie Savea on debut who surged out from the back of a maul to challenge the try line. Beauden Barrett had another strong running game, and with his boot, he kept Wales pinned in their own half as time was running out on the game. At the wrong end of the scoreboard after conceding three second half tries, they went off their pattern and did not break the line, as Williams had in the opening 40 minutes.
The All Blacks beat double the amount of defenders that Wales did (30/15) but were slightly ahead on the penalty count, giving Dan Biggar numerous shots on goal throughout the match. The real challenge came in the tight confrontations, and in the interpretation of referee Wayne Barnes.
All told, the 39-21 victory was deserved for the All Blacks, but the Welsh simply played a ‘game of two halves’ and, clearly, came out of the halftime break with the wrong attitude. They should have been aware that their opponents typically come back strong at around the 60th minute mark, to which they did again at Eden Park. With the All Blacks satisfied with the belief shown by all 23 players, it is a strong position for the second test this week.
Wales will now travel to FMG Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, for a traditional midweek clash with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise, while the All Blacks have already arrived in Wellington in preparations for Saturday night at Westpac Stadium.
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Follow the Steinlager Series between New Zealand and Wales with coverage from Mike Pulman and the Last Word On Sports ‘Rugby South’ department.
“Main photo credit”
