The All Blacks lost the final Tri Nations match 25-20 to the Wallabies today. The Australian team will delight in being the last team to hold the trophy before Argentina join next year for some much needed variety in what will become the Four Nations Rugby Tournament.
With two consecutive loses, after falling to a full strength Springboks in South Africa last weekend, there will be some panic. But that will mostly be from the media and some public, no doubt dishing up the term “chokers” like candy. But I don’t think the players or management will be quite so worried.
O.K, they wouldn’t have planned to lose this match. But you have to figure they can’t win them all…and if you’re going to drop a game this one was preferable to a small tournament about to start in under two weeks.
The All Blacks can, and I think will, still win the Rugby World Cup. Here’s why. They played poorly last night but were able to change tactics mid match, mount a serious comeback and almost win the match.
And they did it with Dan Carter having a pretty poor match (shocking by his standards in fact) and without two of our most under rated but key, players – Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read.
Kaino was left out due to the birth of a son and Read left the field injured after 10 minutes. If Read is fit, and with Kaino’s serious muscle to beef up the forwards, the All Blacks will get back to doing what they do best – wining the breakdown for quick ball on attack and slow ball to defend.
Adam Thompson also went off injured but looked out of his depth prior to that. Balancing that was Victor Veto’s impressive display. He’ll make for a great backup who can play all three lose forward positions if needed.
Israel Dagg has to come into consideration too. If it’s not to start at fullback surely his impact is needed on the bench or even at wing.
The loss will hurt, no doubt. Richie McCaw will be hearing the cocky sledging of Quade Cooper in his nightmares. But they’re be stronger and wiser for this loss. And with a few personal changes Richie will have the last laugh when he holds the Web Ellis trophy aloft in October.
So, no, it’s not panic stations, the All Blacks aren’t choking. It was just a slight obstacle on the way to the big prize.