{25 days of hotness} day five

{25 days of hotness}

day five

KIERAN READ
*Crusaders & 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.

Crusaders Backs Woes Over! Oh Wait...........

(also published on Pink Rugby)

Johnny McNicholl being awesome

If you remember, I recently blogged about the doom and gloom surrounding the Crusaders outside backs.

In case you don't remember, here is a brief rundown:

Zac Guildford (who it is clear I am rather fond of) was out of rugby indefinitely, due to what the media liked to call 'off field issues' – aka, alcoholism. Sean Maitland had moved to greener, colder pastures to play for Glasgow and Scotland. Israel Dagg was suddenly the most senior, experienced member of the outside backs, with Tom Marshall and Adam Whitelock adding SOME experience – but no international experience. Johnny McNicholl was the new kid, the yet-to-be-capped debutant who had impressed in the 2012 ITM Cup.

THEN, a sigh of relief was breathed when (two weeks after my initial piece was published), Zac was reinstated to the Crusaders and FINALLY some of the much needed experience was back. Furthermore, Tom Marshall had been putting on some rather impressive displays on the wing and at fullback, while young Johnny McNicholl was also making his mark on the game, proving he was more than up to the standard required to play at Super XV level. It seemed that between Dagg, Guildford, Marshall and McNicholl, the Crusaders were onto something.

After two losses on the run, the Crusaders returned to Christchurch and took on the Bulls. Tom Marshall scored a sublime solo-effort try from halfway, Johnny McNicholl notched up his first Super XV try, and Israel Dagg gave a solid performance at fullback. After what had been a dismal,

Tom Marshall
arguably the in form Crusader of the season

disappointing, worrisome start to the season, the Crusaders seemed to be back on track. Zac Guildford joined with the team the day before the match, and it is said he addressed the team and gave a very emotional, inspirational speech – which both captain and coach said inspired the team to win. The team was complete. They were back together – and the following week Zac would be up for selection. It seemed that the Crusaders outside back woes were a thing of the past.

The following week, Zac was selected on the bench for the game against the Kings, with Dagg, Marshall and McNicholl in the starting 15. It was assumed that Zac would go on with 20-30 minutes left on the clock – a chance to give him a bit of a hit out, to wean him back into the game gently.

Zac Guildford ran onto the field in the starting 15 that night – and it wasn't because of a last minute shuffle either. No. That would have been too easy. Too straightforward. Instead, Zac Guildford was promoted from bench to starting 15 because of an injury. A hamstring injury to Israel Dagg – which is ironic, because a hamstring injury is what kept Zac out of most of the 2012 ITM Cup.

Matt Todd crosses the tryline against the Stormers

Adam Whitelock moved to the bench, Tom Marshall went to fullback, Zac reclaimed the #11 jersey, with Johnny moving to the #14 jersey. The team went on to win – and to win well. Tom Marshall again played exceptionally well, and the fact that Israel Dagg wasn't on the field didn't seem like such a huge deal at the end of the day. Besides, Izzy only had a hamstring strain, and it was confirmed he would be back the following week, when the Crusaders were to play the Stormers in Cape Town.

A glorious sight to behold....

What a relief, the Crusaders would have their strongest outside back trio for the Stormers – a game that would undoubtedly be their toughest match of the season to date.

Guildford was named on the bench again, with McNicholl, Dagg and Marshall in the 11, 15 and 14 jerseys. McNicholl had proven himself and Guildford would provide fresh (very experienced) legs off the bench – something that would be very beneficial in what would undoubtedly be a very physical encounter against the Stormers. Adam Whitelock was also named on the bench, as cover for the midfield backs – a good way to ensure all the outside backs got a bit of game time.

BUT THEN.... (go on, you were expecting a 'but then', weren't you!!!)

On Friday morning I was greeted by a tweet on Twitter, casually mentioning that Israel Dagg had

The team were sans Israel Dagg, again

again withdrawn from the team, due to that pesky tight hamstring. This time it wasn't as simple as putting Zac in the starting 15 and having Adam Whitelock replace him on the bench. If you remember, Adam Whitelock was already ON the bench. No problem – we know Tom Taylor can play at fullback if need be. OH WAIT. He was unavailable because of an INJURY!

The Crusaders were officially lacking someone to sit on the bench in the #22 jersey. There was no one to fill in as a replacement for the outside backs.

So.... the coaching team did what any coaching team would do – and put a flanker on the bench for the outside backs. One would imagine that the coaching team hoped and prayed they wouldn't need to use him. As long as there were no injuries, they would be fine.

Naturally, Johnny McNicholl broke his ankle in the 20^th minute of the game.

The team catch their breath... for a minute

A collective “OH F**K!” could be heard across Crusader-land (well, if it hadn't been 6.30am local time, I'm sure it would have been) as McNicholl was carted off the field, his season over. The situation for the outside backs was suddenly looking dire again.

Adam Whitelock took Johnny's place on the wing and the midfield backs played out the full 80 minutes, so there was no need for history to repeat itself and for a flanker to be thrown from the scrum to the wing. Yea. That happened before. In 2011 Matt Todd had to play on the wing due to injuries amongst the backs. The game was against the Stormers. In Cape Town. Deja vu anyone?

The Crusaders – sans Richie McCaw, Kieran Read (injured), Dan Carter (on paternity leave), Israel

So serious, boys!

Dagg and Owen Franks (off after 20 minutes with a rib injury), went on to unexpectedly beat the Stormers. It's an enormous undertaking for a team to beat a South African franchise in South Africa, but for a team to do it when missing who could be argued to be their most influential players – it's almost a miracle.

The final score was 19-14, with the Crusaders only try coming from Matt Todd – the remaining 15 points all being kicked by understudy to Dan Carter, Tyler Bleyendaal. The Crusaders attacking AND defensive efforts were amazing (in fairness, so were the Stormers), and by recording the win, they surely sent a message to the other Super XV franchises. A very scary message at that.

Jubilation after an amazing effort by the boys in
Red and Black.
Well.
White and Red.

BUT (remember, there is always a but!) ther Crusaders are again in a very precarious position with regard to their outside backs. Telusa Veainu has been called in as back up for McNicholl – but he is it for the remainder of the competition. Another Crusaders outside back being injured would be a major problem for the franchise, and hopefully a problem that doesn't eventuate.

On a personal level, I am hugely upset by the injury to Johnny. I became excited by him in the 2012 ITM Cup and just knew he'd get a Super XV contract – which he did. I've loved watching his progress and seeing him impress in his first year with the Crusaders. My plan had been to do a Kiwi Focus piece on Johnny later on in the season, when he was the player everyone was talking about – but obviously that won't be happening now...

25 Days of Rugby Man Hotness (Dec 11)

December 11th's hotty is....

Kieran Read!

Movember Mo-Men (week 4)

I saved (some of) the best until last!

Movember 22nd - Julian Savea
... another one who does the mo relatively well.

Movember 23rd - Stephen Donald
... the man won the RWC2011 for New Zealand...
even if the mo looked dreadful I would be full of praise.

Movember 24th - Sam Whitelock
Falls under the category of SURPRISE MO!
and doesn't look half bad...
Still in existance post Dec 1st as well!

Movember 25th - Israel Dagg & Richie McCaw.  feat. Prince William.
I'm sure that Prince William felt that Izzy's mo-nstrosity took some of the
attention way from his receding hairline... the same can be said about Izzy's
receding hairline too... nicely played Iz, nicely played.

Movember 26th - Aaron Smith
quite possibly the most surprising of all the moustaches...
relativley thick & dark for such a little fella...
VOTE PEDRO!

Movember 27th - Conrad Smith
Conrad was going for 'cop mo' look, circa 1960's-1970's
& as a tribute to his father!  how sweet

Movember 28th - Kieran Read
... another one for whom the mo doesn't look dreadful
but he looks a lot better with scruff!

Movember 29th - Luke Romano
considering the man has size 17 flippers (sorry, feet),
I thought his mo would be a lot more epic...

And naturally, the VERY best was saved for the VERY last day of Movember...  And I post these photos in honour of my fiancée, who I believe has become very fond of the McAwful/McAwesome mo!  Somehow he managed to pull it off.  The wearing of the mo, I mean.  He didn't pull the actual mo off.  That would hurt.

Movember 30th - Mr Movember himself, Richie McCaw

It's only appropriate to finish off with Lauriel's favourite movember McAwesome mo...