by Rajitha Ratwatte

47,000 plus fans at Auckland Eden Park for Aaron Smith’s 100 appearance for the All Blacks in the first of 3 Bledisloe Cup games against Australia. A greasy ball and not-so-dry conditions underfoot. Most of the first half was a penalty shoot-out as the All Blacks chose to score through the boot of Ritchie Mo’uanga whenever they got into range. The Wallabies retaliated but sadly missed the services of a reliable placekicker. In fact, the entire game would have had a different result if the Aussies had been able to convert the many penalties awarded to them and slot their kicks at goal. The inclusion of Damian Mackenzie at no15 was not to take the kicks as assumed. Mo’uanga still missed a few kicks from far left of the field and converted some beauties especially from long distance but D’Mac’s real role seemed to be at first receiver off the break downs with Mo’uanga occupying more attacking positions in the backline. The first half was meandering (an Aussie tactic seemed to be to slow the game down) its way to a 9 – 8 score until a good bit of on-field thinking by Sam Whitelock called for a kick to touch instead of taking another kickable penalty. The Blacks were able to score off the resulting line out. Half-time score reading 16 – 8 to the New Zealanders.

Ritchie Mo’uanga who was lurking on the wing, intercepted a long pass by the Wallabies and ran 80 meters to score under the posts showing his class and absolute superiority to anyone else who wears the no10 jersey these days. Shortly thereafter Reiko Ioane made an incisive run, threw a wild pass as is his penchant (and a reason why he is not in the centers) which was collected brilliantly by Aaron Smith who then passed to his skipper Whitelock who activated his three-quarters for a try which was disallowed by the TMO for what was deemed to be a forward pass from Smith to Whitelock. This non-try was the highlight of the game, and the pass was marginal if at all. Points denied, but wonderful spectator entertainment all the same. There was a similar pass during an Aussie try which drew no action from the TMO. Selective involvement from the TMO and the fact that the conversation between the TMO and the on-field referee is broadcast live is something that must be looked at very closely. The current situation leaves the on-field referee who is the person best able to make these calls unable to have his say on marginal decisions.

At this stage, the All Blacks were threatening to run away with the game, but the Aussies were not finished! Some great tactics using long throws and throws to the front of the line out caught the Blacks napping on occasion. There was also a three-quarter move involving a close formation and some quick passing that created a hole in the Black defence. Students of the game may wish to have a closer look at that, undoubtedly signs of some good thinking from the Aussie coaching staff. The All-Black forwards were not getting involved enough at the breakdowns and one wondered if their on-field leadership failed to take the greasy conditions underfoot into account. If they had played the game with more emphasis on the forwards, they may have made a bigger impression on the scoreline. They definitely gave away far too many penalties as they were found offside almost on every occasion that the line came up in defence inside All Black territory.

The Aussies scored twice in the closing stages of the game. All in all, four tries to each side with the Wallaby full back Tom Banks getting two possibly to compensate for the lack of distance of his touch finders. The final score 33 -25. It should be emphasised once again that if the Wallabies had a decent placekicker, they may have changed the result of the game! New Zealand’s tries came through Seevu Reece, Ritchie Mo’uanga, David Havili, and Damian Mackenzie. The All-Black bench did not make the expected impact and in fact, the winning margin was reduced after the substitutions happened. Beauden Barret had a forgettable game with a bad decision resulting in a clearance kick being charged down possible resulting in one of the last-minute Aussie tries. The Ritchie Mo’uanga – Aaron Smith combination as well as their individual brilliance remains unchallenged for superiority in today’s game. No bench player can better that. However, the non-involvement of forwards at the breakdown, particularly in wet and muddy conditions leaves this writer wondering if Rugby Union is looking more and more like Rugby League and if there is room for two such similar codes in the minds of spectators. Or is this the new face of Rugby Union and are we old school thinkers being too conservative?

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