TNT Sports
Lions tour conclusions
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Published 09/07/2005 at 13:38 GMT+1
The brutal dominance of the All Blacks in nearly every department these past few weeks was a much needed wake-up call for many in the Lions squad. Offloading in the tackle, recycling possession, entering rucks and mauls, selecting running lines... thank G
Eurosport
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A NEW ORDER
As far as rugby pundits were concerned, the consensus post-World Cup 2003 was that, for all its speed and excitement, Super 12 rugby was not a good breeding ground for the international tests.
That ghost was firmly laid to rest at the Stade de France on November 27th, 2004.
On a bitterly cold night (for northern hemisphere rugby) the All Blacks thrashed France 45-6 and served notice that their forwards, roundly criticised after their semi-final exit at the World Cup, would no longer be bullied by veteran Heineken Cup performers.
The final nail in the myth of northern hemisphere pack dominance was firmly hammered into Sir Clive Woodward's coaching coffin during the 2005 Lions tour.
Not only were New Zealand's forwards fitter, stronger and technically superior (which everyone already knew), they were now better than their counterparts in the set pieces, faster at the breakdown, and exceptionally aggressive and disciplined.
THE BIG DIFFERENCE?
Allied to power and pace, these monstrous specimins are also capable of offloading in contact with almost the same panic-defying co-ordination as their colleagues in the backs.
It is hardly worth pointing out just how superior New Zealand were in that particular department.
Their captain, Tana Umaga, is currently enjoying a purple patch in the twilight of his career. His defence is superb, his pace undiminished, and his running lines inventive.
Dan Carter continued his meteroic rise to greatness with assured displays at No. 10, particularly in the second test, when he revealed the full range of his talent, scoring two tries and kicking goals from all over the park.
His replacement in the third test, debutant Luke McAlister, put in a frighteningly mature performance to reveal the strength in depth of New Zealand rugby.
Justin Marshall or Byron Kelleher at scrum half?
Take your pick. Graham Henry couldn't decide and switched between them in every test, with neither one of them putting a foot wrong.
Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Doug Howlett, Leon MacDonald, Aaron Mauger, Ma'a Nonu... Sitiveni Sivivatu. Where do they find these players? Oh yes. Fiji.
Joking aside, anyone that can keep Joe "27 tries in 23 tests" Rokocoko out of the All Blacks team is not to be sniffed at.
THE SOLUTION
It is abundantly clear now that, of the Six Nations teams, only Wales and France are close to approaching the technical ability of the southern hemisphere giants.
The current rule-bending regarding offloading from the ground, and the vogue for keeping the ball alive at all costs, must now be developed by Ireland, England and, above all, Scotland.
For years, world champions England have been accused by their rivals of playing slow, spoiling, forward-based rugby.
But at least they were winning.
Now, not only are Andy Robinson's oft-criticised troops losing to the more creative likes of Wales and France, but their handling skills are insufficient to immediately recover the lost ground.
It is back to the drawing board for most of the Six Nations' coaches. In general, the teams must draw inspiration from the example set by Wales and become more expansive.
The Heineken Cup, for its part, must become faster and technically superior. Only holders Toulouse currently look the part.
When entering into contact situations, players must look to offload or, failing that, recycle the ball more effectively. It was embarrassing how easily the All Blacks cleaned out compared to the ponderous Lions.
Aside from the timely lesson in how to play fast-flowing rugby, there was only one other major positive. It isn't World Cup year.
So at least there is time to close the gap.
What do you think? Send your comments to tcary@eurosport.com
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