Rugby World Cup 2011 - Stopping the unstoppable
Right, so it's world cup year, and everyone is starting to feel the excitement. I feel a little differently at the moment, and here is why. On Sunday we witnessed a little piece of history, as the Crusaders took on the Sharks at Twickenham. The Crusaders were forced to adjust the venues of their home fixtures because of the horrific earthquake that tore into Christchurch on the 22nd of February. The home of Crusaders rugby, the AMI stadium, has subsequently lost it's right to host it's world cup games, as the stadium will not be ready in time for the global showcase that starts in September. So, the Crusaders, playing a very exciting brand of rugby at the moment hosted the Sharks at Twickenham, in London., and what a game it was…
Every now and then a game is played where one sits glued in front of the TV, thinking to themselves, what an astonishing game of rugby. This was one of those games. The way in which the Crusaders effortlessly and brilliantly tore open The Sharks defense was astonishing. The Sharks are perhaps not the best team in the South African conference this year, but they are definite play-off contenders. This display by the Crusaders, spear-headed by the ever clinical Dan Carter and new face of the tournament Sonny Bill Williams, was not a demonstration to the rest of the world. It was a warning. I reckon that every single international coach that watched the game must have been really depressed for the rest of the evening. How do you compete with a team like that? The even scarier thought was, that this was a provincial side, not the All Blacks.
I will briefly comment on the way the Sharks played as well, before looking at some of the International teams in the tournament. The Sharks were killed by the 30th minute of the match, but showed that if you run the ball at the New Zealanders, and manage to retain possession as well as keep building phases, they are not impossible to beat. One big factor that many seem to be overlooking though, is that in this period of play, Dan Carter was taken off the field. That alone, is a big clue regarding how to go about beating these guys. Another thing I want to add, is about goal kicking. You simply CANNOT have a below par points machine playing at this level of rugby. The Sharks missed out on 9 points because of poor goal kicking, and had they gotten those points, we could have witnessed an entirely different outcome. One can't complain though, as it was a delight to watch, and both teams should be applauded for the spectacle they provided.
So, The Rugby World Cup 2011 will be hosted in New Zealand. That pretty much scraps home advantage for any real contenders. France are in the same group as the All Blacks, which pretty much scraps them choking against the French in a knockout game (France seem to be very good at doing this against the All Blacks). So then, who is going to stop this juggernaut come crunch time? Let's have a look at the contenders.
South Africa
Now what is there to say about this team that hasn't been said before? Spoilt for choice regarding team selection. Brutally physical. Incredible individual talent all round… So then, how were they so completely dismal during the 2010 International season? Simple. They haven't evolved. South Africa are struggling to cope with the new law interpretations, and are sticking to a game plan that worked in 2009. The Springboks have been figured out. The crux of this problem in my view, can be seen every week. One has to look no further than at the Bulls. A juggernaut in 2009 and 2010, playing the complete brand of rugby - has suddenly collapsed, along with their fortress in Pretoria. Morne Steyn is the nucleus of this problem. I would be willing to wager that by the end of the Super rugby season, the Bulls will have kicked away more possession than all 14 other teams combined. This kick-chase approach, as well as playing for possession is starting to backfire, and teams are finding it easier and easier to counter, as well as to defend against. South Africa, if they are to evolve their game, need to look at players, and the tactics that they employ. The coaches are as much at fault, but at the end of the day, it comes down to the decision makers on the field. Peter Grant of the Stormers, as well as Patrick Lambie of the Sharks have to be considered. Grant has a sublime goal kicking record so far, and is directing play beautifully. He is also not afraid to run at players, and is solid in defense. For the Springboks to beat the All Blacks, they need to close them down. Prevent them from playing the way they want to play. Grant, Jean de Villiers, and Jaque Fourie are more than talented enough to close down Carter and Williams, and if this happens, New Zealand are also going to run out of ideas. The Stormers vs Crusaders game in a few weeks time, is by far and away the most important game of the season, and I think everyone will be watching… There is far more to talk about, such as loose trio combinations, scrummagers and captaincy, but let's leave that for another time. Don't worry John Smit, your article is on it's way…
Australia
Ah yes. Everybody's favorite team to hate. Well love them or hate them, they can break any team on their day. With the incredible talents of Will Genia, Quade Cooper, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Conner and David Pocock, they are definitely big time contenders. It's also a short trip for them to New Zealand, and they are more used to playing there, under those conditions than any other team. However, their problem is also that they rely too much on the way Genia and Cooper are performing. If those two don't click, or make rash decisions (which Quade Cooper is rather good at) they are going to find themselves on the back foot. Australia need to build on what they did in Honk Kong last year, and need to make sure they are consistent. Australia are more than capable of winning the World Cup, and if you were to ask me right now which team I think can knock New Zealand out, I would back Australia before I would back South Africa. In the Super 15, The Reds vs Crusaders game is also going to be the one to watch, as a lot will be revealed regarding the way Cooper and Genia handle the Carter-SBW threat.
England
So the English managed to win the Six Nations for the first time since 2003, and look like they have made some good progress under Martin Johnson. So then, how did they get so completely outplayed by the Irish? Simple. They were demolished at the breakdown. I don't regard Ireland's loose trio, or their forward pack as one of the best in the world, but they absolutely smashed the English in the tight. Although England were improved in the second half, the damage had already been done. The most important decisions are going to lie with Johnson and their team selection panel. England have some fine talents in the international scene. Ben Foden, Courtney Lawes, Chris Ashton and Tom Croft. All exceptionally talented players. Lawes is in great form at the Saints, and Ashton is a very pacey winger that looks for work all the time. Foden has his moments, especially under the high ball (and pubs it seems) but he can produce the goods. Tom Croft is arguably the quickest loose forward in World rugby, and his presence was immediately felt when he was on against the Irish. England have the potential to knock out both Australia and South Africa, but beating New Zealand is a whole other ball game. It's England will need to play the game of their lives for them to beat the All Blacks in on their home turf, and if they were to pull it off, it would be astonishing. England need to back themselves. They need to pick themselves up the way they did in the 2007 tournament, or the way they did against Australia last year. If they really get into the faces of the New Zealanders and show them that they are not going to stand back in the contact situations, then maybe, just maybe we can see a little bit of magic.
In my next article, I will be looking at Wales, Ireland and France, as well as Scotland. Thanks for the read!
