Loss Leaves A Sour Taste For ABs Fans

The 1 point defeat in Rustenburg has left both a sour taste in the mouths of All Blacks fans, as well as resurrected a few fears from past failed World Cup campaigns. And well it should. While Steve Hansen can be philosophical after the loss and spout on about winning 8 out of 9 tests this year, being astonishingly blase about the All Blacks lineout saying it was a problem common throughout all New Zealand rugby, and fans should get used to it. Pardon? What the hell is he talking about? Mr Hansen is the present All Blacks forwards coach. At the moment it is his job to make the lineout function. He's already got specialist advice about the scrum, and Graham Henry's assertion that Hansen is a specialist lineout coach seem ludicrous at this point. Hansen's suggestion is 'get used to the lineout being bad'? Goodbye RWC 2007 if that attitude is allowed to flourish within the All Black camp.

Graham Henry and the wise men that have been developing this team toward winning the competition have so far learned well from events that have taken place, and learned the lessons that needed to be learned to make the team perform better. In this case, they are wallowing in denial if they think they can just leave the problem alone and win test matches with a malfunctioning lineout. Every international side will now target the All Blacks lineout and they ought to be practising it like never before, not hiding their heads in the sand and saying "get used to it". If I were an All Blacks fan, I would be crying out for someone to tell Hansen needs in no uncertain terms that he has to do whatever it takes to get the lineout sorted, right now.

The rotational policy hasn't helped much here, and combinations need to be worked on. It seems that the All Blacks have decided that if they make the lineouts more and more complex, the opposition wont be able to figure out what is going on. Unfortunately for them, the opposition decide to send up number two or four and see what happens. Now it seems most of the time they can get the ball off an All Black throw. The All Blacks need to figure out why going to number 2 or 4 is not an option at lineout time. If they are running scared then I would sack the locks, but mostly I would drop Ali Williams and give mullet boy a go, he's won better lineout ball than the clown, and has a better hairstyle hands down! Chris Jack is usually up to it, and if he had a decent partner they'd probably be right.

All Blacks fans must be in a difficult position now. A good campaign is completed by their team, however some of the old demons have clearly come back to haunt them. I'd be nervous about the end of year tour to France, although the French are more likely to cruelly dash New Zealand hopes actually in a final, rather than in the lead up to a competition. It'll be interesting to see how the ABs perform, and if they can in fact build on their performances and be a more complete unit in anticipation of the RWC tournament.

Elsewhere interest is being feigned in the final game of the Tri-nations competition. Yes, I will still watch it, but it really is a game between the also rans. It would be difficult to maintain that South Africa can play out of their skins and beat the Wallabies. There is nothing in it for Aussie, so that may give the Africans a slight edge, at least if they want coach White to stay at the helm. The teams are to be named today so it will be interesting to see what changes are made. Habana is apparently suffering from concussion, and may need to be replaced. Shame really, he is their most potent attacking weapon. Especially when passed the ball by an opposition number 8, with no defenders in sight between him and the try line.

Connolly is likely to experiment with some new combinations, and may use this as an opportunity to try a new half back in preparation for the end of year tour sans Gregan. The Wallabies must be liking their chances of competing well at RWC 2007 after the All Blacks loss to a clearly inferior South African side last week. The Wallabies have been shwon how to do it, and all they need to now is prepare.