All Blacks v England - in review

(also published on Pink Rugby)

The All Blacks have recently wound up their series against England, coming away with a 3-0 winning streak. As one would predict, as one would hope. But it wasn't all smooth sailing, far from it

actually...

Test 1 and test 2 were both down to the wire and in reality, the All Blacks were lucky to secure two wins. I felt that in the first test in particular, the All Blacks were outplayed by the English, and it was pure luck that they somehow got more points than the English. The second game was more evenly contested, but the English were very unlucky to not win after their second half comeback.

Test 3 was the one game that gave All Blacks fans some hope. There was a notable improvement in both their attacking and defensive game, and for the first time in the series, the All Blacks looked like the All Blacks.

The backs were especially impressive:

• 
  Julian Savea was on fire, smashing through the English like they were five year olds (scoring three tries on the way)
• Cory Jane had one of his best games in the last couple of years
• Aaron Smith was good with ball in hand – and scored two tries - but his kicking game leaves a lot to be desired
• Malakai Fekitoa made his starting debut for the All Blacks and he didn't look out of place in the #13 jersey. He made some powerful runs and worked well with Ma'a Nonu. This is one guy that you can say deserved his place in the All Blacks, without a doubt. I bet John Kirwan is kicking himself for dropping Malakai from the Blues! He has been more outstanding for the Highlanders in 2014, than the Blues team in its entirety!
• Ben Smith overtook Israel Dagg as the first choice fullback. How could he not? Smith's game – attacking, defensive and kicking - has been far more comprehensive and complete in 2014, and his performance on Saturday night confirmed that. Steve Hansen needs to stop playing him on the wing, it is a waste of his talents. Here's hoping Hansen and co have given up on the idea of playing him at #13! Easily the player of the series.

After the first test the English media were very quick to pounce, suggesting (proclaiming?) the All Blacks had lost their 'aura', and were no longer the peak of rugby perfection. What they failed to take into account was the fact that prior to the first test, the All Blacks had had a total of FOUR training sessions together. No team can be expected to play cohesively and impressively after four training sessions. After the second test, the English media spoke of a 'much improved' All Blacks team, and after the third test? The English media were extremely quiet.

So where does this leave the All Blacks, in the lead up to the Rugby Championship?

Simply, I think the All Blacks are in a good position for the Rugby Championship. If you compare their performance in the first test, with their performance in the third test, the improvement was vast. It was almost as if they were two completely different teams. That just goes to show how quickly the All Blacks develop as a team when they have a decent amount of time together.

A lot was made of the All Blacks' less than impressive first couple of tests, but I think it was a good

thing for them to have such tough opposition first up. All Blacks supporters tend to expect the All Blacks to win by a convincing margin in every single game they play. The reality is, NO team can win every game, and NO team can make it through the season without being challenged. It is GOOD for the All Blacks to have three tough tests first up, because it better prepares them for games against South Africa and Australia, which are sure to be tough contests!

Dear Jockey: Thank you.

The world woke up this morning, to the news that Jockey now has a lucrative sponsorship deal with the All Blacks & All Black Sevens....

all I can say is THANK YOU, Jockey.  Thank you for making my Monday morning a little easier.

Yes, you are indeed looking at All Blacks & Sevens players in their Jocks... this sponsorship deal is for three years, so these almost naked rugby boys aren't going anywhere!

Read more here!

{25 days of hotness} day twenty four

{25 days of hotness}

day twenty four

... do I really need to introduce this guy?
(Richie McCaw... OBVIOUSLY!)

{25 days of hotness} day twenty three

{25 days of hotness}

day twenty three

MATT TODD
*Crusaders, Canterbury, All Blacks*

The Unbeatables!

Ryan Crotty scores the winning try v Ireland

(also published on Pink Rugby)

After the All Blacks’ win against the Springboks in Johannesburg it became apparent the 2013 All Blacks team was something special.  Now almost two months later and after securing their 14^th win from 14 games – completing the season undefeated – it is obvious that the 2013 All Blacks are the best All Blacks team.  Ever.  Some would say that the fact they went undefeated was down to luck.  If that Johnny Sexton penalty had gone over, if the TMO had disallowed this try or that, if a knock on had been called… Regardless of whether it was luck or skill that got them there, the All Blacks are the first team to go undefeated in the professional era, earning themselves the moniker of ‘The Unbeatables’.

But it isn’t the fact they made it through 2013 that makes them the best All Blacks team ever… no, it is a LOT more than that.  The first thing that comes to mind for me is the depth of talent in the squad (and in New Zealand rugby in general) and the way that that depth is put to use.  All teams have their core players, the guys who will start every single game… in the All Blacks the core players that come to mind are Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Aaron Smith, Dan Carter & Conrad Smith, but for a bulk of the remaining positions there is true contest between players to get that starting spot.  The wing is a

All Blacks v Japan

prime example of this, our cup really overfloweth as far as outside backs go with Julian Savea, Ben Smith, Charles Piutau, Francis Halai and Cory Jane all battling it out at training for the #11 and #14 jerseys.  One thing I have noticed over the course of this season is when an injury strikes one of those core players, panic no longer ensues.

Why is this?  It is simply because we know that the 2^nd, 3^rd, even 4^th string players in most positions are able to step up to the mark and give a solid performance… In 2011 when it was announced Dan Carter was out of the World Cup there really was an atmosphere of doom and gloom, of utter panic… how the hell could we compete without Dan Carter?  DC ended up being injured for a bulk of the 2013 season and there wasn’t that same panic.  I would say there wasn’t even concern over how we would cope without DC, because Aaron Cruden has proven he has the skill set, the composure and the drive to play 1^st five for the All Blacks.  It is almost at the point that Aaron Cruden is going to be challenging Dan Carter for that #10 jersey in the very near future.  Then there is Beauden Barrett who has grown immensely as a player this year, and I think that if neither Dan

All Blacks v South Africa

Carter or Aaron Cruden could take on the #10 duties, Beaudy could take the reigns and play just as well as either Carter or Cruden.  If by some bad strike of luck Carter, Cruden and Barrett were out, Tom Taylor is waiting in the wings and showed in the second Bledisloe test that he is a very capable #10.

Let’s be realistic, with the ‘luck’ of the All Blacks #10′s, it is probably a good thing we have such depth in that position.

The depth doesn’t just lie in the senior, more seasoned All Blacks.  Steve Hansen has introduced new players into the squad during his two seasons as coach, immersing them in the All Blacks environment in a way that allows them to work on their game and to learn from the more experienced players on the team.  Some might not get a LOT of game time, but they are still fully immersed in that environment and are continuously developing as players.  Hansen shows a lot of faith in the newer players and I don’t know exactly what he does or how it happens, but when these young guys DO get on the field they appear to just seamlessly fit in.  None of them have looked out of place in that black jersey, and the glimpses of brilliance you do get to see are enough to know that these new players are going to have long careers ahead of them.

One player that immediately comes to mind for me is Steven Luatua.  The 22 year old Blues lock/flanker was called into the squad for the French internationals in June and ended up featuring in 11 of the All Blacks 14 games this season.  When Liam Messam got injured early in the Rugby Championship, Steven Luatua was thrust into the blind-side flanker position, and after just his first start in the #6 jersey looked completely at home beside Richie McCaw in the scrum.  Charlie Faumauina was another new-ish player who impressed this season, along with Charles Piutau on the wing and in his limited game time, Ryan Crotty at centre.  It is a pity that TJ Perenara didn’t get any game time, but hopefully he will have his chance in 2014.

I do have to comment that it is a little worrying that we don’t have depth at hooker, especially when two of our three hookers are 34 and 35 and likely don’t have a lot of time left in the black jersey.  Dane Coles is developing now, but we NEED to blood another hooker in 2014 so that when RWC2015 rolls around, we have the necessary depth and experience.

Ireland v All Blacks

Along with the incredible depth of talent, the All Blacks have a degree of mental toughness that I don’t believe has been seen in international rugby before.  All Blacks mental skills coach (Gilbert Enoka) has done a brilliant job with the team helping them develop a strong sense of belief on both the individual and collective level.  This belief in themselves and in each other has helped the All Blacks develop a strong and positive team culture, where no player is seen as being bigger than the team… On Monday (local time) Richie McCaw spoke about how it was that belief that enabled them to win the game against Ireland, saying “I’ve never, ever given up, and always been proud of All Black teams, that no matter whether you’re behind, seemingly out of the game, you never stop believing there’s a chance.”

I think it is this mental toughness that makes the All Blacks continuously strive to be the best that they can be and the adage ‘you are only as good as your last game’ seems to be something which drives the All Blacks.  In Richie McCaw’s (or stand-in skipper, Kieran Read’s) post match interviews the words ‘looking to improve next week’ (or something along those lines) are always uttered, regardless of how the team has played.  Just how ingrained this mindset now is within the team was on display when in an interview Kieran Read was talking about next year and the fact the All Blacks would need to play better than they had this year because teams are always improving and that is something they have to do as well.

France v All Blacks

The final part of why I think the 2013 All Blacks are the best All Black team we have seen comes down to the captain.  Inspirational, motivational, hard working, with a real love for the game.  I (as with any Kiwi) could go on and on about how awesome Richie is, but I think it comes down to this.  The team saw the lengths Richie went to to help the All Blacks win the RWC in 2011 – playing on a broken foot – if that doesn’t show his love and commitment to the black jersey, I don’t know what does.  After taking his sabbatical in the first half of the year, Richie seemed to come back very refreshed – and FOCUSED – and is playing rugby with renewed passion.  It was during the close games of the season that the effectiveness of McCaw’s leadership really showed through.  He was able to keep the players calm and to draw on their self-belief to play hard right until the final whistle.

One has to wonder what would have happened if the All Blacks had had any other captain for that final game against Ireland… could ANYONE else have kept the team so focused and confident?  Kieran Read is obviously the incumbent All Blacks captain, and while I’m not sure he could have done what Richie did in this game, I know that in years to come he WILL do the same, because let’s face it – he is learning from the best. 

Richie said this after the game: “For me as captain, as soon as I drop my head, what are the other boys going to do? You’ve got to remember while there’s still time, there’s a chance,” and I think this personifies him as a player and as a leader.

If I had to sum it up into one word, that word would be FOCUSED.  The All Blacks and their management are strongly focused.

• they are focused on themselves as individuals, being the best players they can be
• they are focused on their team unit, on being the best team they can be, both on the field and off the field
• they are focused on the game at hand
• they are focused on what is to come
• they are focused on improving their performance with each game
• they are focused on developing and improving their skills
• they are focused on the future of the team, and of the game in general
• they are focused on learning from those with more experience, and teaching those with less experience
• they are focused on creating strong leaders, as far as both captaining the team and and as senior players go

The unbeaten All Blacks in the sheds after their win over Ireland

The All Blacks being at the peak of their game can only be a good thing for world rugby – it is no secret that other teams try to be as good as the All Blacks – so with the All Blacks’ game improving it means that other teams are also improving… lifting their games to try and do what it takes to beat the so-called ‘Unbeatables’.  You just have to look at how Ireland played in the All Blacks final game of the season to see this in action.

ITM Cup hotty of the week

Ryan Crotty!

age:  25

position:  midfield

teams:  Canterbury, Crusaders, All Blacks

ITM Cup hotty of the week

Cory Jane!

age:  30

position:  outside back

teams:  Wellington, Hurricanes & All Blacks

The haka - in person - nothing better!

The All Blacks performing the haka before the 3rd test against France, in New Plymouth.  Nothing quite like seeing the haka up close, and being part of the atmosphere it creates in the stadium!

All Blacks v France... As I Saw It...

(also published on Pink Rugby)

The wifey and I drove to New Plymouth for the third test

The All Blacks came away from their recent Steinlager Series against les Bleus having won all three

Who doesn't love a good haka?

tests. It was to be expected. The French did, however, prove to be very worthy opponents, particularly in game one and game three, making the All Blacks work for both wins.

This is what went down...

Game 1 – Eden Park (Auckland)

score: 23-13

This game was a very physical but scrappy one, with both teams making a lot of mistakes and appearing unable to string anything fluent together. It was the first game for the All Blacks – who had only had three training sessions prior to the game – so the scrappy, mistake prone play was to be expected. New Zealand won the game 2 tries to 1, and though it was a messy game, it was quite clear there was a lot better to come from the All Blacks.

Tries: Aaron Smith, Sam Cane

Stand out player: Ben Smith – set up one try and made 95 running metres. Very dangerous running with ball in hand!

Oh Captain, Our Captain...
Richie McCaw was in the stands watching the 3rd test
... no doubt wishing he could get out on the field
& get the job done!

Game 2 – [the new] AMI Stadium (Christchurch)

score: 30-0

Without a doubt, the All Blacks best game of the series - holding the French scoreless in a great defensive effort - which was matched by their attacking prowess. Large improvements had been made from the week beforehand, the team starting to look more like the All Blacks that the country know and love. Even without Dan Carter or Richie McCaw on the team. The backs put on an excellent display, with all three tries to the home team, being scored by backs.

Tries: Julian Savea, Ben Smith, Beauden Barrett

Stand out player: Israel Dagg – great under the high ball and found plenty of space behind the French defence when returning kicks. Made some threatening runs with the ball toward the end.

Man of the series, Ben Smith

Game 3 – Yarrow Stadium (New Plymouth)

Score: 24-9

While this game was a step up in comparison with their first test performance, it was a lacklustre affair in comparison to the second test. There was an apparent lack of attacking continuity and the All Blacks were unable to string together enough phases to look threatening. Dan Carter's performance with the boot was a little off – earning him lots of boos from the New Plymouth crowd – all anxious for hometown hero Beauden Barrett to get on the field. When Barrett did eventually make it on the field – with two minutes left on the clock - he rewarded his thousands of fans by scoring his second try in as many weeks. Coach Steve Hansen had said earlier in the week that three new caps would get 'plenty' of game time in the second half, but due to the All Blacks (it has to be said) crappy performance, the new caps weren't put on until there were only 10 minutes left on the clock.

It must have been a painful experience for Richie McCaw, who was watching from the stands.

Hometown hero & scorer of tries
Beauden Barrett

Tries: Ben Smith, Beauden Barrett

Stand out player: Ben Smith – the clear cut performer of the night. High workrate, some explosive running, and a nice little try at the end of the first half. Even made a few good kicks throughout the night.

To sum it all up...

Player of the series: Ben Smith.

He was the only player that went from strength to strength with each game, and consistently impressed in all aspects of his game.

Question answered: Super XV form – can they step up?

Ma'a Nonu and Israel Dagg BOTH stepped up to the mark in the black jersey, after less-than-impressive Super XV campaigns, to date. It was [a great] relief to see.

Question asked: Super XV form – why can't they step up?

So why the hell can't Ma'a Nonu or Israel Dagg perform at their peak for their franchises? Is it a case of them both being with the wrong franchise?

And a related question asked: Ma'a Nonu, what the hell were you thinking?

After an encouraging test series with the All Blacks, Ma'a Nonu came off the bench for the Highlanders against the Crusaders, and ended his Super XV season. Spear tackles are NEVER cool, Nonu. NEVER. You deserved that red card. Know what else isn't cool? A head high tackle on Dan Carter, earning you an off field yellow card to add to your pretty array of cards received this season.

That leads me to another related question asked: Where to from here, for Nonu?

Mr Todd, looking VERY good in black

Will Ma'a Nonu be left franchiseless after this year's Super XV is (officially) over? The man causes nothing but trouble wherever he goes. The Highlanders will be better off without him, and I'm going to go as far as to say that the NZRU will be better off without him on their books, as well.

What I learnt, on a personal level: Matt Todd looks spectacular in the black jersey. I hope to see him in it more often. Also, for a white boy he has a surprisingly fierce haka face.

And on a final note: Kudos to the St Johns team at Yarrow Stadium, and the staff at Taranaki Base Hospital Emergency Department. Your great service and treatment almost made my sprained ankle an enjoyable experience.

Okay, a final final note: Be careful when climbing over seats to get to your assigned seat at the rugby. Take special care to look out for uneven ground, which you could potentially stand on awkwardly, and then sprain your ankle. Just saying.

It's STICKER SLAP time!

As much as I love the serious, nitty gritty when it comes to an actual game, it's also awesome to see the more lighthearted, fun side of the professional rugby players that so many Kiwis are in awe of...

I now present you with STICKER SLAP, part 1 & part 2, courtesy of Random Rugby.  Always worth a good giggle!

Part one - starring the All Blacks

Part two - starring SuperXV players

Highlanders.... *shakes head*

(also published on Pink Rugby)

When it was announced that the Highlanders had the services of Tony Woodcock, Ma'a Nonu and

I too would be bowing my head in shame

Brad Thorn for the 2013 Super Rugby season, it seemed the Highlanders would have a very competitive team. Between them, the three new signings have 231 All Blacks caps, and 305 Super Rugby caps – when added to the likes of Andrew Hore, it seemed the Highlanders would have a very magical team for 2013. Definitely the team to watch!

Some very impressive pairings automatically came to mind – Hore and Woodcock in the front row, Thorn and Jarrad Hoeata together in the locking department, then in the backs Aaron Smith feeding the ball to Ma'a Nonu, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear and Ben Smith. Ten players with All Black & Maori All Blacks experience, it seemed like a no brainer. As an ex-Highlanders supporter I must admit that I

Elliot Dixon
... tats AND the man can play!

perience to the team. While I'm sure their knowledge and experience has been beneficial to the other players on the team, it seems that the Highlanders have become almost a 'retirement home' for players. Rather than playing with the energy and vitality of younger players, all these new, experienced signings seem to be making little impact at all on the team, almost as if they'd be happier sitting down to a game of BINGO or crib, while sipping on a sherry.

When you look at numbers (as I regularly do, having a fetish for rugby statistics), on paper the Highlanders have the oldest average age, at 25.7 years, followed by the Hurricanes on 25.1, the Chiefs on 24.8, the Blues on 24.0 and the Crusaders on 23.7. When analysed even further – focusing solely on forward packs, the Highlanders again have the oldest age average, at 27.9 years, with the four other teams averaging between 25.1 and 25.9 years. These averages make it clear that while age can often mean experience – it doesn't always translate into success.

As we enter round nine, it seems that the Highlanders coaches are shaking things up to try and get

One can watch the Highlanders lose....
and perve at Phil Burleigh....

that elusive first win of the season – All Blacks Aaron Smith and Colin Slade have been dropped, in favour of some lesser-known names. I personally think this is a good thing – because it HAS been all the 'lesser' knowns from the team, who are performing well this year. The likes of Elliot Dixon, Phil Burleigh (who also has the added benefit of being some major eye candy!) and Kade Poki have been playing exceptionally well. I think it's time for the coaches to stop waiting for the bigger names (namely any player who has worn the black jersey in the last 24 months) to finally step up, and for them to instead give the lesser-knowns a chance to prove their worth.

Jarrad Hoeata.
Just cos he's hot.
Unlike the Highlanders.

While I'm at it, perhaps the Highlanders lack of success is all down to the 'Nonu Curse'. Think about it it. 2011 – Hurricanes play badly. With Nonu. 2012 – Blues play badly. With Nonu. 2013 – Highlanders are playing badly. With Nonu. Yes, perhaps it's unfair to suggest, but I guarantee you it is a thought that every Kiwi rugby fan has had over the past couple of weeks. I would go as far as to say that the 'Landers will secure their first win without Nonu on the field.

OF COURSE it's not all bad. If the Super XV was a sexy-man competition, the Highlanders would be sitting in the top four, especially when Tamati Ellison comes back from injury in the next couple of weeks.

EOYT Squad. God I'm Good. & WTF Steve?

The All Blacks squad for the end of year tour was announced yesterday, and for the most part the selections were obvious.  BUT (yes - there is always a but), there are a couple of admissions and exclusions which puzzle the hell out of me, and make me wonder exactly what is Steve thinking?

See ya later, Piri.

The first, and potentially the most obvious admission - Piri Weepu.  WTF STEVE?  I understand that Piri has the potential to be bloody awesome on the field, I mean, the guy developed quite the cult following during the Rugby World Cup, he really was on fire.  But this year, it seems that Piri has been coated in flame retardant.  There has been no sign of that fire, hell - there aren't even a few embers lying around.  No.  In 2012, Piri is more like saturated firewood - without a match in sight.  Or should that be a match start?

The kid Piri mentored has surpassed him. Oops.

I think that all that is really saving Piri's ass here, is the fact he is another goal kicking option - but with Beauden Barrett improving with each game, and the skill of Aaron Cruden, and of course Dan Carter, I don't think this little saving grace is going to be saving his ass much longer.  Especially not when there is another #9 nipping at his heels.  A number #9 he helped to mentor whilst playing with the Hurricanes.  Yeap - TJ Perenara, who is finally on his way back from inury, after breaking his ankle in a[n unofficial] Super XV match against the Reds (?) this season.  TJ outplayed Piri in all aspects of the game during the 2012 Super XV, and other than Aaron Smith, he was the most exciting #9 playing in the Super XV - and I have a feeling that had he not been injured, he quite possibly could have been in this end of year tour squad, or at the very least, been in the Maori All Blacks tour squad.  Then there is Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who also outplayed Piri this season - but more on him later.

Long story short?  Don't expect to see Piri in the black jersey, in 2013!

Yeap, I'd be feeling that way too, Ali

The other curious admission is Ali Williams.  I scratch my head and try to come up with reasons he was selected, after playing bugger all rugby this year - and I fail to come up with any reasons, other than the fact he's played 50+ tests for the All Black, and could be seen as a good leader for other locks selected (Sam Whitelock, Brodie Rettalick, Luke Romano) - even if judging by that list, he would be the 4th favoured lock on the list.  Maybe Steve has more faith in him than the NZ public (and it seems, a lot of the rugby fraternity), but I don't understand how he is in the team.  Surely Jarrad Hoeata could have been given a look in, particularly with his ability to play other positions in the forwards, as well.  Then there is Craig Clarke, who had an excellent Super XV season for the Chiefs?  I highly doubt that Ali Williams will make it to the end of the end of year tour, uninjured - and the way Clarke, Hoeata & Jason Eaton have been playing, it will probably signal the end of his time in the black jersey.

Dane Coles - the dude can run.

It's not all doom and gloom and bitching though!  I let out a little squeeeee of delight, when I saw that Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Dane Coles had been named in the squad - both are players I noticed early in the Super XV season, and I remember saying on several occasions that both of them would be All Blacks by the end of the year.  Well - it's not quite the end of the year, and they are now named in the All Blacks squad, and one has to imagine that both will get some game time in Europe.  I am especially glad that Dane Coles got in, because while we seem to have an abundance of talent when it comes to the backs, and most of the forwards positions, hooker is one where we are lacking.   Dane Coles did a great job for the Hurricanes, showing he could do the physical work of a hooker - but that he could also run... and I think it's a great idea to get him in the squad while the likes of Keven Mealamu and Andrew Hore are still around to mentor him, to help boost his confidence and skill, so that when the time comes for those players to retire, we won't be let with a big gaping hole, in the hooking department.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow, more in form than Piri, in 2012

And yes, I understand that I just mentioned 'gaping holes' when discussing hookers.

All in all, a pretty awesome squad to take on Scotland, Italy, Wales and England - with the possibility for one of these games to be a swan song for two or three of the players, but also the possibility for a lot of young up and comers to really stamp their mark on the team.

Bring Back Zac! & Quade (??!)

Don't worry Zac - I'm sad that you aren't
in the All Blacks squad as well...

Gone are the calls of 'Bring back Buck' - and here are the calls of 'Bring back Zac!'... because quite frankly, Hosea Gear is craptastic at what he does in the #11 jersey.  I can't count how many times he dropped the ball on Saturday night, how many times he was in the wrong place at the right time, how many wrong angles he ran, or the fact that he missed a try that he would have got had he been more awesome.  Y'know.  More like Zac.  Had Hosea actually been Zac on that night, he would have sidestepped and ran more infield, rather than allowing himself to be splattered by a Wallaby defender.

Bring.  Back.  Zac.

NOW.

SUTFM
- Squashed Up Toad Face Man

The inaugural Rugby Championship is underway - the All Blacks (as one would expect) beat the Wallabies on Saturday night.  It wasn't exactly an exciting game, there weren't exactly thousands of points scored - but you could see that although the All Blacks weren't playing at their peak, they were still miles ahead of the Wallabies as far as class, talent and ability goes.  It was almost embarrassing seeing how badly some of the Wallabies played - naturally one thinks of Kurtley Beale.. that squashed up toad face of a man had a horrendous game, and I would like to think that the Australian coaches will acknowledge that and kick his ass out of the team for this weekends match in Auckland.  He was the reason the All Blacks scored their two tries - and generally ran circles around their so called 'tough' opponents.

Squashed up toad face's shockingly poor effort obviously leads us to expect that New Zealand's favourite son will be called into the team.  That's right.  Quade Cooper.  We all know that the Kiwi crowds LOVE him... OH WAIT, that's right - they actually hate him.  I still remember very clearly all the booing throughout the All Blacks v Wallabies semi final match at the RWC last year...  Quade had a shocking performance that night - and literally from the kick off, where he kicked the ball out on the full.  It really set the tone for the evening.  Australia sucking.  Crowd hating on Quade.  All Blacks kicking some major ass.  One of my fondest moments of that game - and quite possibly every New Zealander's favourite part of that game was the infamous QUADE SMASH........

Lets...

See...

That...

AGAIN!!!!!

Best.  Game.  Ever.

Try celebrations, AB's style!

Izzy is very proud of his buddy, CJ!

Back on the subject of this past weekends game though... While most players had a pretty average game, Izzy Dagg had a great game and ran in his 9th try as an All Black (in, I believe, 15 tests)... He also made the quick, snappy, brilliant pass that allowed CJ to slot in for a 'very CJ' try.  Izzy was an obvious choice for man of the match - and he certainly deserved the honour...  In an article (one of many) about the game, he said "I just had to back myself. It's something I haven't been doing much [lately]."  He might not be backing himself, but I can guarantee that the whole of New Zealand is backing him - I have a feeling it's going to be an awesome series for Mr Dagg... he was certainly at his explosive best on Saturday, and surely that'll only get better the longer they're in camp & the more games they play!

As is always a nice thing to do, lets go out on a happy man lovey note

Yes Dan, we too are proud of Izzy!

Came. Soared. Kicked Ass.

Really - the picture says it all.

I don't really need to say more - but I will.  Putting it plainly, last night the All Blacks kicked Irelands ass, when they played the third & final test match in the Steinlager Series. 

The team celebrating their awesomeness
... but where the hell are DC and Zaccy????

I presumed the All Blacks would win - because, lets face it - the All Blacks always win, and very very very rarely is an All Blacks loss against a team other than South Africa or Australia.  However last weeks 22-19 scoreline did leave me a little concerned - but deep down I KNEW the AB's would win.  The game in Christchurch can be largely blamed on the weather I think - the cold, slippery ball, the cold, slippery ground, the cold, slippery players (hmmm...).  It came down to who kicked well, and who was in the right place at the right time.  Thank fuck the AB's had been in the right place at the right time (well, Dan Carter had been).   STILL.. the fact the AB's weren't putting forward their 1st string side did leave me a little worried - my guess was that there would be a 35-20 scoreline, in favour of the All Blacks.

Another sublime Smith offload

THAT pass from Cruden to SBW

I did not need to worry one tiny little bit, as it turned out.  From the beginning the All Blacks were the dominant team, particularly in the midfield, where Aaron Smith showed what a little pocket rocket he is - speedy passes, speedy running, an uncanny knack to find spaces...  The two Aaron's played extremely well together... and I do have to say that for the 30? minutes Aaron Cruden was on, he was ON FIRE, and looked as though he had been in the team for a matter of years and years and years - he wasn't quite Dan Carter, but shit.  That kid can play!!!  He had a particularly good connection with SBW - they linked up a lot, and one particular link up - a gorgeous little pass by Cruden, just before he hit the ground, led to SBW getting his first try of the 2012 AB's season.  That leads me to a despressing admission.  SBW also had a great game.  His offloads were sublime, and often led to tries or awesome little runs - infact I believe it was a chip kick by SBW that led to Izzy getting his try.

[try scoring] moves like Dagger

That leaves the perfect opening to talk about Izzy.  WHAT A GAME!  The man kicked and passed and ran like a pro - a mad feat, considering the fact he had a sore foot/ankle (not sure which).  Infact, literally seconds before he got his try, the commentators were saying that Izzy was in a bad way, and wouldn't be sticking around much longer.  NEK MINNIT he was running toward the tryline, then dived over for what was an awesome try.  When he stood up his did get up a little gingerly, but he stayed on for the rest of the game - much to the shock of everyone, I think. 

The only thing that could have made Izzy play any better, was having his right hand (well, right wing) man - Zaccy, on the field with him...

But don't get me started on that.

Ben Smith. *frowns*
That try should have been Zac's.  *frowns more*

Same Cane, try #1

Another player that did uberly well, was Sam Cane!!!!  Sam took the #7 position, whilst Richie moved to the #8 - and I have to say, it was a very good combination, and the way Mr McCaw played in #8, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was his natural position.  But Sam.  Two tries on his run-on debut, a lot of good running and passing...  I have a feeling that one Mr McCaw would have been very proud of how his protégé played... When Sam came off he got a rather loud ovation from the crowd, and rightly so.  He played his 20yo ass off.

Interesting to note as well, that three of the best players of the match were Chiefs boys, and that 5 of the 9 tries scored, were also by Chiefs players (two of them, Cane & SBW, each scoring twice).

Out with the old, in with the new.
Fuck off Piri.  Aaron Smith is here to stay.

Thinking about it, the only union that didn't really have any players making any impact on the game, was the Blues.  But that really isn't a surprise, is it?  Piri made fuck all impact on the game - I personally would have sooner seen Aaron Smith stay on.  Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock were pretty 'meh' as far as the hooking role went... they did their jobs, but were nothing spectacular.  I don't think there were even any other Blues in the team.  Ma'a Nonu was in the squad but was the ONLY player to miss out on a role in any of the games.  I'm wondering if there are some internal politics going on there...  is Ma'a on his way to announcing that he's leaving Aotearoa for Japan or a Euro club?  Part of me hopes not, but part of me - again, is 'meh'...  He hasn't made much of an impact this year.  The All Blacks certainly coped well without him.

I'm not even going to sum up the performance - okay, so admittedly by reviewing the game (in my own way), I have done that - but I think there is someone who can sum it up a lot better than me, without saying a single word...

You can judge how the nation felt about the game
by the demeanour of Captain Fantastic...
and he looks pretty fucking happy!

And hey...  Mr Dagg looks pretty happy too!

Them Rugga Boys & Their Ink... and Proof the World Isn't Perfect.

The All Blacks are awesome - purely because they ARE the All Blacks, who by nature are the kings of the world... but a lot of them also have tattoos - which is just another way in which they are awesome and really should rule the world.

Except Sonny Bill.
He can rule Australia.
Piss off, SBW.

I now present, 'Them Rugga Boys & Their Ink'...

Victor Vito

Piri Weepu

Liam Messam

Jerome Kaino

Hosea Gear

Aaron Smith

Ma'a Nonu - who also has an impressive
tat on his back, but I couldn't find a good
enough photo of it!!!!!

Keven Mealamu

Keven Mealamu and Owen Franks in the background

Israel Dagg

And naturally... my favourite tattoo clad arms.... belonging to one Zachary Guildford...

Left arm...

Right arm...

And now in a little more detail... courtesy of whoever it was who posted these photos on another blog...

In a perfect world, there would also be a photo of CJ showing off his tattoos... but the man has none......

Proof the world is NOT perfect.