Final Post for 2006

Sorry everyone, I ran out of steam with this blog mid-way through the season, as did the Auckland Blues. However, just like the Blues I will be back next year to give it another shot, and this time expect to go the distance, as I am sure every Blues fan hopes that they will. We'll see, and you can look back here then to see comment and debate on the performance of the various teams.

Congratulations to the Crusaders who win again making them the most successful franchise by far since professional rugby was introduced and the competition started under the former name of Super 12. We'll see next year how well they will go. At the moment the main question is how many of the All Blacks, Wallabies, and Springboks will be playing the Super 14 competition next year. There is a lot of talk that the public wont be watching if the stars aren't playing. For my money, a competition without the stars will be well worth a look as we will get to see stars of the future and gague the strength of teams in the coming years, and of course the depth of rugby in the respective countries. Bring it on, but for now I will make do with the Tri-Nationans competition.

Full credit to the All Blacks for notching up their first win of the season against a strong Australian team. Many were expecting the Aussies to truly be put to the sword by the World Cup 2007 Favourites, however my reading of the game was that but for the weakness at scrum time, the Australians were very competitive. They plan to remedy the weakness with the introduction of Rodzilla into the frame against the Springboks this weekend. We shall see what difference a few extra kilos makes.

Fans of the All Balcks might have overlooked the fact that they were running scared at lineout time, and that Dan Carter and the back three had clearly been told not to kick for touch. A sure sign of weakness, and this has plagued the All Blacks for the past few years since the total meltdown at the last world cup in the lineout department. In addition, the All Balcks seem to score only from turnover ball and opposition mistakes. Building pressure, working back line moves, and even occaisionally a good forward drive off a dominant scrum does not seem to be part of the repetoire, or at least not often enough for my liking. Far too much pick and go, one out running from the base of the ruck to the many waiting Aussie tacklers. Make no mistake, any win will be taken, and the All Balcks did play well. The encouraging thing is that there is room to improve, and it appears that the coach has a plan on how to improve the team in the lead up to the World Cup. All must be directed toward winning that competition.

So, check back here from time to time. I will be making a concerted effort to report on the trinations matches that I see and provide some comment on how the match went, areas to improve on, and possible developments for the World Cup next season. Be posting again soon, and until then, enjoy the rugby...nothing better than international test matches to keep you going.