Success or Failure?
It was disappointing to see the All Blacks, who dug in so splendidly to deny the Irish with an incredible quarterfinal defensive display underpinned by some steely discipline, come unstuck when it mattered most in this World Cup final against the super-charged Springboks. But they assuredly did, and despite an heroic second-half effort it cost them dearly as the South Africans ground out a 12-11 victory to defend the crown they won four years ago in Japan.
The Hero to Zero Moment
All Blacks skipper Sam Cane, there was a hero to zero moment as he became the first player to be sent off in a men’s World Cup final when his 29th-minute shoulder to the head off South African midfielder Jesse Kriel was rightfully deemed (after review) a red-card offence.
“High degree of danger, no mitigation,” was referee Wayne Barnes’ explanation to a stricken stand-in All Blacks captain Ardie Savea. Poor Ardie has to take over as skip, AGAIN. A tough assignment had just got incrementally harder, with the New Zealanders forced to play 51 minutes a man – and a forward at that – down against the brutal Boks, plus another 10 minutes in the first half, a total of over 60 minutes with 14 men, with seven pack reinforcements to come off their bench.
It was a nightmare moment for Cane. A minor misjudgement in height and force turned into a major moment in this furious final, which, really, had nothing in it right to the bitter end.
Costly Transgressions
On top of that, Shannon Frizell’s early yellow for a clumsy drop to the knee of South African hooker Bongii Mbonambi, which cost the New Zealanders six early points in a tight contest, these were costly transgressions which enabled the Boks to play from in front all the way – very much their comfort zone.
TMO Controversy
That is more likely to have concerns on the likes of the disallowed try to Aron Smith, ruled out for a Ardie Savea knock on after Foley went outside of his TMO remit of an immediate two phases before the score, to pull it up, along with the Barnes apology to Savea for an incorrect ruck penalty which still had Handre Pollard kick a penalty goal from, while Faf de Klerk’s delay in feeding a late scrum the All Blacks looked set to dominate also went unpunished.
Unfortunately, it was also a contest full of interjections from the eagle-eyed TMO as he spotted all the offences that earned the cards that ultimately gave the South Africans the edge they rode to victory. It was hard to argue with the calls when put under the microscope, but does rugby really need these wonderful showpiece matches to be adjudicated by someone high up in the stands? For me, NO. The interference from the TMO, not only in this game, but all games, is another reason people like me turn to Rugby League. In League the player is put on report and we play on. Not in Union. Officials love to slow the game down even more and spoil a contest. Union needs to change to survive. It must change the rules. With so many scrum resets, penalties ,slow line outs, TMO interjections, and deliberate time wasting the ball is only in play for a short time. No one understands the laws any more. No one knows if what they are seeing is real or is going to get overhauled. The TMO goes back multiple phases to find a fault, even after the ref says there was no fault. Viewers like me turn to league. Union and League are entertainment sports, so lets entertain. League entertains, Union , NOT ANY MORE. Supporters pay large sums of money to support these sports, so give us value for money.
Inaccuracy and Discipline
The NZ team inaccuracy and discipline hurt them against a Springboks side that looked like it was running on fumes for the second 40 minutes.
A missed conversion and a missed penalty meant that the All Blacks left five points on the field.
But, captain Sam Cane’s mistimed high tackle was the turning point in the game – had he stayed on the field the All Blacks may well have turned their second-half superiority into a fourth Rugby World Cup crown. You can not win a World Cup final with 14 players. I read Reiko Ioane saying the cards did not cost them the game. Rubbish, 60 minutes of a final with 14 men certainly cost you the final. Loyalty to your skipper is wonderful, but I report on the facts.
Reflections on Leadership and Coaching
I have never been a fan of Sam Cane, probably a good bloke, but not a leader in my eyes. Nor do I think Foster is a good coach, and for me he won’t be missed. Without the help of Joe Schmidt, and Jason Ryan ,Foster would have been gone some time ago. He will pick up a job somewhere and I hope for the sake of NZ rugby ,it is overseas. Japan would be a good fit, and so much better than big mouth Eddie Jones. I do not rate Jones anywhere in the top 10 as a coach. I don’t think NZ rugby has learnt much from the last defeat in Japan in 2019. They stuck with Beauden Barrett at fullback, Cane at 7,and captain, Jordan on the wing, a natural fullback, Finlay Christie as back up 9,Lienert Brown off the bench, McKenzie off the bench. I would have, Savea as skipper, Jacobson as a steeler at 7, Leinart -Brown for his defence, Jordan at 15,Lester Fainga’anuku and Telea on the wings, Cam Roigard on the bench, Beauden Barrett on the bench, Cane on the bench, Reiko Ioane on the bench, Blackadder on the bench, McKenzie on the bench, Papali’i on the bench.
I predicted two years ago NZ could not win the World Cup, so proven right. 2nd is no disgrace but it is not a win.
Looking Ahead to 2024
So on to 2024 and Razor Robertson as new All Black coach minus a lot of older players.
The stars are aligning for Will Jordan to have No 15 pinned next to his name when the first All Blacks team is named in 2024.
With fullback Beauden Barrett set to join Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, along with halfback Aaron Smith, the selection door is swinging open for Jordan, the leading try-scorer at the World Cup before the final against the Springboks, to shift from the right wing under new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson.
Robertson, in his capacity as Crusaders coach, preferred to maximise Jordan’s wide array of attacking skills at fullback in Super Rugby since 2021, but his selection policy conflicted with that of current All Blacks coach Ian Foster, who has preferred Jordan on the right wing since playing the first of his 30 tests against the Wallabies in 2020. Although Jordan’s output has been prolific during Foster’s reign, before the final in Paris on Sunday morning , he had scored 31 tries in 30 tests, it’s difficult to see Robertson not ordering him to make the switch.
Jordan isn’t the only candidate who can operate at fullback at international level.
Shaun Stevenson, who played his one and only test to date on the right wing against the Aussies in Dunedin this year, offered immense value at No 15 for the Chiefs under respected coach Clayton McMillan.
Robertson, however, could prefer to consider Stevenson, who has re-signed with NZ Rugby and the Chiefs despite interest from NRL Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett, as one of his wings.
Stevenson, who may have been encouraged to refresh his contract in the knowledge that Leicester Fainga’anuku, who can play on either edge, will play in France for the next 18 months. Emoni Narawa, who was forced out of the World Cup squad because of injury, is another option.
Another Chiefs representative, Damian McKenzie, has played test rugby at fullback, but with first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga having signed a three-year contract in Japan, Robertson is likely to lean on McKenzie being his playmaker.
Robertson won’t lack reasons to reward Jordan with starts at the back. Having built a deep understanding of how to get the best out of Jordan in Super Rugby, Robertson could use him to take the All Blacks’ attack up a notch.
Jordan isn’t afraid when high balls are lobbed his way, and if he secures possession, he can torture the defence with his long strides into vacant real estate.
Blues utility Stephen Perofeta can also cover first-five and fullback, and the Hurricanes Ruben Love may push for a place in Robertson’s squad.
All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan, who will also be on Robertson’s staff in the new era, has already expressed frustration that blindside flanker Shannon Frizell is leaving for Japan.
When Robertson starts, former Blues coach Leon MacDonald, former Hurricanes coach Jason Holland, and former Crusaders assistant Scott Hansen shape Robertson’s coaching team.
That is one position that proved problematic throughout Foster’s four-year reign.
Ryan hopes Frizell returns to New Zealand at some point, but in the interim, he and Robertson are going to have find themselves another No 6.
Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson, both in the World Cup squad, can fill that role, as can Cullen Grace, who was developed by Robertson at the Crusaders but has been hampered by injury in recent seasons.
Openside flanker Dalton Papali’i is also capable of making the switch.
Locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are departing for France and Japan, hooker Dane Coles is retiring, now off to Japan for a season, and tighthead prop Nepo Laulala is bound for France.
Although the absence of Whitelock, Retallick, Coles, Barrett and Smith will take the heart out of the leadership group, Robertson shouldn’t feel marooned.
There’s enough talent emerging to cover those positions, with Scott Barrett, appointed captain of the Crusaders when Sam Whitelock played in Japan in 2020, now the best lock in New Zealand.
No 8 Ardie Savea will skip Super Rugby to play in Japan but return for the international window.
Robertson will think deeply about who will captain his team.
Aware that openside flanker Sam Cane is popular among his peers, they spoke highly of him throughout the World Cup, Robertson will be cautious about disrupting the team dynamics of and upsetting established players. Personally I would not pick Cane, but politics may decide this matter. For me it is either Ardie Savea or Scott Barrett.
Robertson may also want to rebuild the bridges between the All Blacks and NZ Rugby.
The relationship with NZ Rugby demands attention.
The Foster stay-or-go saga last year, and the Silver Lake dispute with the Players’ Association, opened up wounds that have yet to fully heal.
Potential Line-Up for 2024
Will Jordan, Shaun Stevenson, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Ethan Blackadder, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Players such as Tamaiti Williams, Cullen Grace, Luke Jacobsen, and others will stand up in Super Rugby 2024,will also be rewarded under Robertson.
Conclusion
The 2023 World Cup final was a rollercoaster of emotions for All Blacks fans. While the loss stings, the future holds promise under new leadership. The journey continues, and fans eagerly await what 2024 will bring.
Read this too
Comments