In emphatic style, the World Champion All Blacks beat the Springboks in Christchurch 41-13. It was a powerful second half that secured this victory. And after the result in Perth, Australia, the All Blacks seal The Rugby Championship.
A very different game from the week before, the challenge was physically apparent and the energy required was draining. At halftime, with a score of 15-10, many expected the classic tussle to continue. While it was classic, the second half was a clear knock-out for the Champions.
All Blacks show composure to withstand battering
Post-game, the coaching staff and players met with the media. By the slow arrival and tender movements of Dane Coles, Sam Whitelock, Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett all showed the scars of a ferocious battle.
It was a good sign, as each contributed in their own way to claiming the prize and to entertaining a sold-out AMI Stadium crowd. Filled a capacity of 20,826–every All Blacks and Springboks fan will know they saw a top-class match tonight.
A second half assault followed, where four more tries put the result to rest by the 60th minute. The superior side displayed all the characteristics that make them so difficult to match.
The examples of this were mostly (but not entirely) from the victors. As their skill set is phenomenal. Lovely hands is a measure of this side, speed of the pass, fluid movements and it was demonstrated in each of the six tries scored tonight.
That is not to say that South Africa were unskilled, it is just a focus they do not display on the field. They seem hindered by introspection, and when they make player changes, it tends to ‘fall to pieces’.
New Zealand 41 – Tries: Israel Dagg, Julian Savea, Ben Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Whitelock, TJ Perenara. Con: Beauden Barrett (4) Penalty (1)
South Africa 13 – Tries: Bryan Habana. Con: Elton Jantjies (1) Pen: Jantjies (2)
Key moments:
After the opening Bryan Habana try, with their heads stood high, the Springboks were prepared to steal away the early pressure. Ready to receive a kick-off, Elton Jantjies dropped the ball ‘cold’. It took most of the wind out of their sails.
A huge scrum from the home side also proved pivotal. Put under pressure, the South Africans failed to kick the ball out and with good territorial gains, the All Blacks charged towards the Springboks 22 metre line. The ‘Savea boys’ attempted a chip-and-chase like they used to in the backyard, but it was the tremendous pressure applied that would have demoralized the visitors confidence before the halftime hooter.
Jantjies is a confidence player. He always looks good on the front foot–when pushed, he can implode. South African management realized this and pulled him after 59 minutes. Morne Steyn appeared, and commentators all agreed, the game suffered from it.
Nugget gives them a Spark
Aaron Smith led a ‘spark’ that brought the game under the home sides control. With an eye for a gap, a dummy runner opened space and Smith leaped to it. The positive nature of the move needed a flyer, and who was ready to accept the offload–Ardie Savea.
Savea had played the first half as required. It was within himself, it was what the coaches expected of an All Black loose forward. He delivered that for 40 minutes, would have been congratulated on that and then told ‘go for it’.
In claiming a try; his second in a short career, it put the exclamation mark on his start. A stamp of approval on the player who by any means, has been the foremost loose forward in New Zealand rugby. Besides captain Kieran Read and Jerome Kaino, Savea is now both a composed roaming flanker, and the openside who can follow-up a split second break by Smith.
Stamp of approval
While the opening half was a classic tussle, the authority of the next half is what most will remember. It was a performance to be proud of, and while an injury to Kaino [AC joint] does take off an edge, the coaching group were very satisfied.
“We are very happy with the way the side executed the plan. From the way Beaudie used his kicking–shaping the defense, kicking to make it contestable–overall, the side seem to be getting better every day” was the remark from coach Steve Hansen.
The majority of the team played outstanding, with replacements again showing the ability to enter the game and lose very little in continuity. The most pleasing has to be TJ Perenara, as he brings something different which made an impact.
Man of the Match: Dane Coles
Coles has an MVP quality, that every admirer in World Rugby must agree. If you consider that he came through the Super Rugby finals with a broken rib, then had to play 75 minutes in Sydney, the hooker is exemplary.
Asked by this reporter how he thought Coles had managed to improve to this high-performing level (since then), captain Kieran Read simply answered:
“He is a Champ!”
No arguments from Last Word On Sports, and none from the opposition too.
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AUSTRALIA 36 ARGENTINA 20
With that result, the All Blacks seal The Rugby Championship for 2016. Unbeaten, unstoppable and unmatched, the match in Australia was a formality. It did not impact the acknowledged champions dominance, but only enabling the Wallabies a degree of confidence.
FT | The #Wallabies hold on to defeat @unionargentina in Perth. #AUSvARG https://t.co/mjwehfwtC4 pic.twitter.com/1I9Oih2Xnb
— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 17, 2016
And Michael Cheika will use that as a motivating factor in his recovery, while back in New Zealand, the African side ask themselves more questions.
Coetzee returning to South Africa under pressure
While the plaudits go to the New Zealand coaches and team, their opponents will feel immense pressure when they return home. Asked immediately post-game what his side were feeling like? Allister Coetzee had little to respond with.
“Soft moments. We applied pressure in that first half, with Bryan scoring and with ball in hand, we were in the game. But the All Blacks responded directly after the restart [Ardie Savea] it changed the game.”
While he thought that a lot of positives might come from this second match of the trans-Tasman leg, it is what the fans and media think that will be of his primary concern. On arrival, expect a waiting pack of reporters to pounce on the embattled coach, so any International rugby fan may have empathy for the Springboks.
All applause held for the All Blacks
While the All Blacks Seal The Rugby Championship after four out of six games completed, their task is still to be fulfilled. Applause was well received, but for most, the job is not yet completed.
Coles was asked “after your broken ribs, and a long arduous season, are you looking forward to the trip to Argentina?”. Coles grinned, as he is one player who puts others; and the jersey, before himself.
“Nah, I’ll take a few days and then I’ll be ready to go.”
His sentiments will be reflected by each of the squad members. The ‘job’ is not yet completed. A trip to Argentina and then South Africa will seal their goals. Retaining both the Bledisloe Cup’s and the Freedom Cup is one step toward the final goal. Securing an Investec Rugby Championship is secondary to the two next assignments.
Dane Coles: "I just want to keep playing, the best place to be is wearing the black jersey."#NZLvRSA pic.twitter.com/echESVBQu4
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 17, 2016
All Blacks Seal The Rugby Championship
Coles will be ready, as will Steve Hansen and the whole (to be) selected traveling side. They have done a brilliant job so far, but as Hansen commented “we still have to travel halfway across the globe. It’s not finished yet.”
For many rugby fans, from Christchurch to Pretoria, the result tonight leaves them with no doubt who the Champions are.
“Maon photo credit”
