Only the cheeriest rugby optimist would volunteer that the game is without its challenges. Dig into the numbers and they reveal the amount of time spent on resetting scrums was almost identical to the time the ball was in play during the Argentina v Wallabies Test in Rosario. If this lost Test does not poke the rule makers into sorting out the set piece then little will.
Domestically, of course, Australia has plenty on its plate. That has already been well covered. But set those issues to the side for a spell. There are still things to admire, even if gritted teeth are required. If the All Blacks beat the Wallabies tomorrow night, and every instinct yells that they will, they will be inviting comparisons to the great sides.
It is an issue that will never be settled without resorting to a bottle of red and perhaps fisticuffs. Detractors might suggest the opposition of the era is a little more Evander Holyfield than Joe Frazier.wholesale jerseys http://www.cheapnfljerseysonlinew.top That might apply to the depleted Wallabies. A few years ago James Hanson was sitting on the bench for North Harbour in New Zealand provincial competition, watching Mike Harris play at No.10.
On the other side of the debate, the visitors to Suncorp Stadium could use the sheer weight of numbers as evidence. Victory would push them to 17 successive wins, equalling a record they share with Nick Mallett’s Springboks, and one in arrears of Lithuania. But that number is probably not the one on New Zealand minds. If they remain undefeated on their northern tour, the tally would push out to 21. By the time the Wallabies next face them, next year, it could be 24, or higher.
Target . Israel Dagg’s All Blacks are shooting for 17 straight. Photo: Peter Meecham
Those figures are intimidating not least because of the external factors that can break a streak. Injuries might disrupt selections, or officials might see one side’s offences clearer than others.
Yet this All Blacks side has seen off both of these handicaps. Of their 16 successive wins, they were without Dan Carter for half of them. In Soweto two weeks ago they had to wait until about the 50th minute for a penalty, while the Springboks were sitting on nine.
The completeness of their game allows the hurdles to be tossed aside. It will come as no surprise the All Blacks lead the Rugby Championship and Six Nations sides when it comes to points scored and points conceded, but it is the statistics beneath these headline numbers that show how far ahead they are of the pack.
For line breaks made, tackles broke and offloads completed, they are the No.1 side in the world. Defensively, they allow the fewest offloads and clean line breaks, while they also steal a higher percentage of defensive ruck and maul balls. And beyond these benchmarks there is ample evidence of how their minds are just that little bit sharper than the pursuing pack. From the second half restart against the Springboks on the highveld, they came up with a play that was like a sharp dig to the solar plexus.
The mere mention of Kieran Read and restarts will prompt a collective groan from Australian supporters, such has been his excellence at contesting the flat kick perfected by Carter. And on this occasion he was again lurking wide right. For a while it looked like Carter might go that way, but at the last instant he changed direction and went short left. Young giant Brodie Retallick took the kick and charged forward. Then they recycled it wide right to Israel Dagg, who made a half break before lobbing a basketball pass to Read. The big No.8 charged down the line before popping it inside to Ma’a Nonu for the try and the lead, which they never relinquished.
There is enviable talent across the park in this All Blacks side, and two dominating presences in the No.10 and No.7 jerseys. If the Wallabies conjure up an upset in Brisbane, there will be supreme satisfaction at depriving them of another accomplishment. But if they lose, expect a lot more talk about how they were beaten by a side that is knocking loudly on the door of greatness.
