Kick at your peril. It’s a message the All Blacks have beamed out to the world in the opening two rugby tests of the season.
One would not be surprised if South Africa had been CC’d on the memo.
By TOBY ROBSON – The Dominion Post
Counterattack is the platform, under the new rules from which the All Blacks have an advantage over their rivals.
A year of honing their skills under the high ball is paying dividends as players such as Cory Jane, Israel Dagg, Joe Rokocoko and Richard Kahui launch their running games with impunity.
The reason? The first ruck is no longer a lottery, but a chance to launch second phase attacks against a disorganised defensive line, still staggered from the kick-chase.
Ireland and Wales have found out the hard way. The All Blacks are patiently stalking turnovers and slightly overcooked kicks like a predator. Most of their 14 tries in the past two weeks have come from one or the other.
Why Wales felt the compunction to test the theory at Carisbrook is hard to fathom for a team with enough gifted ball players to challenge the All Blacks. Wales fail to understand that they must focus on outscoring the All Blacks, not restricting them.
Competing for 50 minutes seemed to please coach Warren Gatland but, unless the visitors chance their arm, a similar scoreline beckons in Hamilton.
What else have we learned from the All Blacks’ first steps toward next year’s World Cup? Here are five points that jump out:
1: Dan Carter is indispensable. Maybe he’s mentally stimulated again? Maybe he’s surrounded by better players? Whatever the case, Carter is taking the ball to the line again and causing havoc with opposition defences.
2: Experience is still key. Tony Woodcock lifted the scrum against Wales, and Keven Mealamu and Brad Thorn remain the heart of the tight five. And the cool heads of Joe Rokocoko and Conrad Smith have allowed the young backs to thrive. Those calling for Mils Muliaina’s dismissal need their heads read.
3: Depth is growing. Six debutants acquitted themselves well against Ireland and Dagg, Victor Vito and Sam Whitelock leap out as possible starters come the World Cup.
4: New leaders are emerging. Richie McCaw has stepped in and given his troops a blast at key moments, but he hasn’t been a lone voice. Kieran Read and Jimmy Cowan are increasingly influential figures.
5: Ireland and Wales aren’t South Africa. Before we all get carried away, a reality check – the first half against Wales plus the second half against Ireland equals a loss to the Springboks. There is still work to do.
Hope the Boks have a plan B!!
well mr tony robson … i can sum up your article in 2 words …
“ag kak!!!”
goooooooooooodmorning tighthead and guests!!
how are you on this lovely friday morning?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHARKY!
Sharky, my bruddu HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATE.
@ Puma:5
meant brudda up there..hehe. Enjoy it Sharky. You catching up to me now in age buddy..hehe.
Okay off to MM Stadium now. Enjoy the rugby everyone.
everybody forgets that they had no answer against the bulls and the stormers… They played wales not the bokke…… We will kick and still beat them… The challange is on lets see what happens…. GO BOKKE!!!!!!!
MHAWWWWWW MHAWWWWWWWWWWW big happy birthday kiss sent to you Sharky.
i’ve heard that beast has been granted citizenship and are thus available for selection for the 3n
do anyone know something about that?
i cant find any confirmation on any of the rugby sites
oh, and happy birthday sharky
may you become a passionate stormers supporter, lol
Hello Ashley, havent chatted to you for ages.
ok, just found confirmation on sharksworld
….
“The Department of Home Affairs has granted South African citizenship to Beast Mtawarira.This according to an official release received from the Department of Sports and Culture. It means that Beast is once again eligible for Springbok selection and is highly likely to be named on the Springbok Tri-Nations squad, which will be announced on Saturday.”
hi hugs
how are you broetsie? 😆
Oh and if true about Beast, thats fantastic news.
@ Ashley:
Wonderfull, hope you are as well, was thinking about you the other day and wondering where you had got to. 😎
hugs @ 15
been a bit busy for the last few days
had a look on here now and then, but it seemed that i kept coming here after everyone left
by the way
how’s the chainsaw doing?
Ja ja ja Kiwi’s…bring it, lets see.
You know you cant outkick Morne’ so now you are going to try what we’ve been doing for a while already.
And now our front row is all confusion, if Beast is eligible, they should play him this Saturday!!!
This place is as dead as a doornail.
4 mike alpha november…out.
“n Seun bel die aand op sy huweliksnag sy pa om tips te kry, was maar dom met meisies. Se Pa:”Trek haar klere uit en laat haar in die bed le.” Rukkie later bel seun weer + vra hoe nou??? Pa kan nie glo wat hy hoor nie en se: “Trek jou verdomde klere uit + gaan le saam met haar” Rukkie later bel hy weer, “Pa, ek’s nou k…aal in die bed met haar, wat nou???” Pa, nou ongeduldig: “Moet ek als vir jou uitspel, sit die hardste ding op jou lyf nou daar waar sy piepie!!! Goeie NAG.” Rukkie later bel seun Pa wakker: “Pa, my kop is nou in die toilet!!! Wat nou???” Pa, nou heel bedonnerd: “Versuip jouself jou dom d*nner!!!”
Boer sê vir Sipho: Aaai Sipho, jy werk stadig, jy eet stadig, jy loop stadig, is daar iets wat jy vinnig doen??
Sipho: Eish, ek word vinnig moeg.
cheers guys
i’m out!!
Kick at your own peril?
More like get under Steyn’s high ball at your own peril.
( . )( . )
Yip, Heppy heppy 50th birthday Tjarky!!
At least I had the grace to come say heppy heppy personally at your restaurant today…. wonder what the excuses of the other bloggers are!
@ grootblousmile:
Possibly that we do not live in his town!!
Sharky many belated Happy Returns of the day……Hope you had an epic one!!
gbs @ 23
ag gbs, stop lying
you know you went there for a FREE DRINK!! 😀
ok ek hoop nie enige vd bloggers is baie kort nie
but here goes
…
V: wanneer mag jy ñ dwergie mo*r?
A: wanneer hy met jou vrou dans en vir haar sê haar hare ruk lekker!!
27
ruk = ruik!! 😳
ons was so arm, my ma het sommer `n hoender oppie muur geteken.
dan skree ek gewoonlik “ek vat die boud”
en my broer skree “ek vat die vlerk”
dan word my ma kwaad en sê “ek vee dit nou af!! julle gaan aan soos kinders wat niks kry nie!!”
Hoekom dra n heks nie n panty nie?……….Dit verswak haar “grip” op die besem! 😳
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