SARrugby.com

thereby showing a lotmore realism than certain kiwi bird brains and apologists!

The All Blacks' humbling 38-21 defeat at the hands of England "ruined" their European tour and took the shine off a successful season, New Zealand press reports said on Sunday. (Now please dont shoot the messenge kiwis!!)

The world champions' run of 20 tests without defeat was brought to a shuddering halt by a rampant home side at Twickenham on Saturday, who recorded their record margin of victory and biggest score against the All Blacks.

"We don't have an excuse -- we just got beaten by a better side," said coach Steve Hansen, whose team were vastly more experienced that the England line-up.

But Fairfax rugby correspondent Liam Napier said the performance was a "sour way" to end the year and was comparable to a first-year student turning the tables on the head prefect.

It was the All Blacks' first loss on their end-of-year northern tour in a decade and their first defeat this year but Napier said the "timid display ruined the European tour, tainted their season".(Hear hear all ye deaf!)

He questioned whether the "fallout and claims of thuggery" following Andrew Hore's five-week suspension for striking Wales lock Bradley Davies the previous week had affected the team. (Dont think so)

There was a distinct lack of physicality and aggression in the collisions, the All Blacks were bullied at the breakdown and "pinned up against the wall by a raw and inexperienced English side. It was astonishing to watch." (Can't think why it was astonishing as the same thing happened at Dunedin. Its amazing how a "win" glosses over all these shortcomings if the score is the only measure of the rugby played!!!)

Writing in the New Zealand Herald, Wynne Gray said the result turned a strong season into one with some doubts as the All Blacks "felt the cold fear of failure". (All this shock and dismay could have been avoided if the Kiwi bird brains had read my landmark writing on the wall pieces of literature! Or Mike's noteworthy pieces on the ageing ab side and the need for renewal etc)

They were beaten at their own game as "England put a hammerlock on the All Blacks progress and never relented.

"They squeezed with their big men, taking the venom out of the All Blacks so much they made several decisive defensive blunders."

Gray said England won the crucial battle up front where they were "direct, rugged and bludgeoning. They drove their lineout ball and showed a taut scrum which sapped much of the All Blacks vigour."

Radio New Zealand said the All Blacks were outplayed in every department but noted that most of the team had been affected by a stomach bug earlier in the week.(None of that please - note Hansen's comments above re no excuses and also mccaaaaaw saying he felt fine etc etc) 

Twenty-one-year-old England flyhalf Owen Farrell was one of the England stars, with his intelligent reading of the game and contribution of 17 points -- an eye-opener for the New Zealand writers.

Both Fairfax Media and the New Zealand Herald produced columns, written before the test, questioning Farrell's right to be included among the nominees for the International Rugby Board Player of the Year award alongside All Blacks Richie McCaw and Dan Carter and Frenchman Frederic Michalak.

"What he is doing on this list is way beyond me," Former All Blacks prop Richard Loe wrote in his Herald column.

"It smacks of a political statement rather than a sensible assessment of the world's best players through 2012," Fairfax said.

Well as I said please no shooting the messenger here. Surprsing realism shown by nz rugby writers and hopefully what they say will be taken to heart by the kiwis here battling to come to grips with the fall of their idols.

Muncher please note the comment re the "crucial battle up front". This is where it all starts. This is where Meyer has been getting it right at the start of his term as Bok coach. Also defence has improved markedly. Some players have been sifted. All in all a very satisfsactory season given the CONTEXT!!!!!.

As for the abs can they come back. We shall see how they responnd and it will be a point of interest for rnext year. Can Hansen read the writing on the wall and make the necessary adjustments etc. Or does he think that this result is merely an abberation as ou saSUE and some other kiwi bird brains imagine. Hahahhahahaha lets hope they think it an abberation.

 there, there Beeno let it all out - I hear venting (like ranting and raving) is good for the soul! From you article, it is hard to miss the point that you are more disappointed than we are :D :))

Interesting comments in the New Zealand media - but one wonders what Hansen is going to do next about it?

hAkwa how are folk bearing up in nz. this is probably having more effect than the Christchurch quake!

Hansen by his looks and looks can be deceiving, doesnt look like the sharpest pencil in the box?

Such is the lot of an AB in NZ. Worshipped as near gods when winning, vilified whipping boys when they lose, such is the fickleness of the NZ rugby public. No where on earth do I know where the public enjoy pushing someone off their public assigned pedestal. Comes with the territory I suppose. Bastards need to earn their money!!!!! Just joking,  AB's rule.

polyboy

Believe e the South Africans are worse losers than New Zealanders.   Here there are some who wanted the coach fired after the first test - despite a win.  Aside from their fikleness the public here suffers from provincialism as well.   Don'r feel bad - it was a rare loss and after the next vicroty, the AB'a will be back on their pedestal

thing is in NZ we expect to win every test no matter what...because we usually do, not saying that to be a smart ass, just saying that becuse its a fact NZ have the worlds best success rate. We are ruthless when we lose, God you did not want to live there in 07 that was bad, We have high standards so NZ culture is dont screw around get the job done. We forgot all the other tests all ready   RWC....what RWC we just lost to the F##king poms for. F##ks sake!!

333

Papamoa as some of us said this loss could be a good thing for nz. Fortuitous ab wins were covering over some cracks that needed attention. This loss will shake things up I reckon.

However give the Poms some credit. To me they are looking like serious WC contenders and they have a young side to boot.

Beeno

I watched a replay of the Re-Union programme last night and the only real contribution made as a reason for the All Black loss was the one raised by Justin Marshall on the issue of player fatigue.    The impression gained was that the panellists all found no reason for criticism of the All Black team or players involved - but rather that they were surprised that the POMS could raise there performance to beat the All Blacks.   They seemingly think that the result was a one-off abberation not worth any future attention. 

That being the case - it is indeed doubtful whether there is any degree of criticism of performances in the test in New Zealand Rugby circles at all.   However, to get back to reality - it was not the fact that the POMS won - it was the margin of victory that should raise eyebrows.  However, since the game is not regarded as a yardstick to deal with potential negatives - I don't think Hansen will do anything at all.

Consequently everything will go on like it was in the past and any negatives will not be addressed.   However, if the trends in evidence during the game in London continues during the 3 June 2013  tests against the French - they will not be able to paper it over and some actions could be taken that would be to the benefit of All Black Rugby.  

Finally one thing must be admitted - you never know in advance which French side turns up in games - the champions or the losers - so no real forecast is possible at this stage

 don't be fooled Mike - right now below NZRU Headquarters in a secret bunker, we're using intel from that last test to plot and plan our next assault on world rugby 2013 so be afraid, be very afraid! Our sleeper cells everwhere are getting activated as we speak - you never know when, you never know where!

hakwa

Very appropriate post - I am sure.   However, if the placard is anything to go by with George W Bush on it - it may misfire badly.   Bush started the Iraq war because of weapons of mass destruction - and none was found.   Maybe you should plan as indicated - Etzebeth as a weapon of mass destruction may be a good pretext for your planning exerise.   LOL

clevermike..thanks to great invention of video they can analyze the test and the last tests to smooth out the wrinkles. Dont worry they will improve as they say after pretty much ever test "we still need to improve". And they do. 2012 is over 2013 is a new chapter, a clean slate for all so we have to wait and see i bet SA will be far tougher as with the ozzies. We lost one..big deal we still had one of the best years in history..but your only as good as your last outing.

papamoa

You obviously are correct about the planning issue - Hansen of all people will study the videos frame by frame  - to be sure.   I was just taking the mickey out of Hakwa with my post.

I have no doubt the Aussies will be more competitive next year - since their injured players are slowly coming back.   I also saw that Copper signed with the ARU for the next two years - but he could turn out to be a liability.  With his card record and conduct off the field - is boxing lessons a good way to contibnue his rugby career?????

As for the Springboks - heaven only knows.   They are strong enough in forward play - but this year suffered badly from a "dead" backline.   Will the latter problem be solved in 2013?   We would not know until June 2013