All Blacks give due notice

The All Blacks have sent out an ominous warning to the other favourites to win the Rugby World Cup (RWC) in New Zealand by burying France 37-17 at Eden Park in Auckland in a Pool C match on Saturday. The ease with which Daniel Carter, Israel Dagg, Ma’aNonu, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith and Sony Bill Williams broke the defensive line, must serve as a storm warning to Argentina (possible quarter-final opponent) and South Africa (possible semi-final opponent).

Les Blues only threatened the New Zealand try-line during the first nine minutes of the game, but once Nonu had breached the defence with contemptuous ease to set up the Adam Thomson-try, there was no stopping New Zealand.

The hosts not only created havoc in the midfield with bewildering sidesteps, swerves and intelligent running lines, but also used the inside- and decoy runners effectively to outfox the French defence. The All Blacks also won the collisions and the scrums comprehensively.

New Zealand will possibly play Argentina on Sunday 9 October at 09h30 at Eden Park in the fourth of the quarter-finals after securing a second place in Pool B by accounting for Scotland 13-12 on Sunday.

Late in the match, Felipe Contempomi took the ball to the line and sent it wide where dangerous replacement outsid- back Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino was waiting. The elusive flyer took his opportunity by scoring a dramatic try which was converted by Contemponi.

It was a bruising encounter and both sets of forwards put their bodies on the line in the high-impact collisions, but it was a moment of brilliance by Amorosino that won the day for Argentina. He swerved his way past three defenders to dot down.

Ireland were again very convincing in their win against Russia, showing their class out wide.

Australia resurrected their campaign by thumping the United States 67-5, and if everything goes according to plan, the Wallabies will meet South Africa on Sunday 9 October at 07h00 at the Regional Stadium in Wellington in the quarter-finals.

South Africa, looking impressive against Fiji and Namibia, scoring 136 points while conceding only three, will have to do some patch-up work against the dangerous Samoan team in the last Pool D-match on Friday at 09h30 in Auckland. Then it is the quarter-final against Australia and a possible semi-final match against the All Blacks.

Defensively, the Boks missed about 25 tackles against Fiji.

A former Springbok centre, Brendan Venter, remarked recently that the Boks are using the rush defence system incorrectly, thereby opening gaps for teams to utilise. (Source: Die Burger, 22^nd September 2011).

If Fiji had two world-class half-backs, as Australia has, they could have scored several tries against South Africa, Venter suggested.

South Africa’s 87-0 score against Namibia must be seen in perspective, as they are only the 22^nd-ranked rugby team in the world with amateur players in their ranks.

What was impressive though, was the professional approach and focus of the Boks. They attempted to keep their discipline and use the structures expertly to set up tries.

South Africa will probably use a more percentage- and traditional approach against Samoa, with Bismarck du Plessis set to start and Frans Steyn again at inside centre.

The other three questions that dominate the Boks-preparations are whether Bakkies Botha will be fit for the knock-out rounds, whether Francois Hougaard will replace Bryan Habana after the latter scored his record-breaking 39^th try against Fiji and how Morné Steyn will adapt defensively.

It is unlikely that Habana will be dropped to the bench for the Samoa-match, in spite of indifferent form.

Steyn has shown improved attacking form, but his tendency not to tackle his opponent behind the advantage line, and to allow players like Quade Cooper and Carter acres of space in which to operate, is a source of concern.

Can South Africa afford to leave Butch James out of the match-playing group of 22?  It would be a grave mistake if he dropped out completely.

It is also unlikely that Botha will replace the in-form Danie Rossouw in the starting line-up for the knock-out rounds.

South Africa’s forward-play has been excellent so far, but they will need a step up on Friday.

If the Springboks want to account for Australia and the All Blacks, they will have to force these opponents to back-paddle in the collisions and in the tight exchanges, while using their opportunities with turn-over possession.

The All Blacks created five turn-over possession opportunities against France, made five line-breaks and scored five tries on Saturday. That was the ultimate difference between the two teams statistically, as France enjoyed 50% of the possession, and occupied 49% percent of the territory.

The Boks will also focus on refining their kicking game. This department will have to be at 95% when they reach the quarter-final stage. You cannot afford not to find the touch-line with tactical kicks or penalties. Cooper, Kurtley Beale, James O’ Connor (Australia) and Dagg and Jane (New Zealand) will thrive on space and time to counter-attack and set up scoring opportunities – they will punish mediocrity.

Ireland (a possible winner of Pool C) is set to meet Wales (a possible runner-up of Pool D) in the first quarter-final on Saturday 8 October at 07h00, while England, as possible winner of Pool B, could meet France as runner-up of Pool A, on Saturday 8 October at 09h30.

France look a disjointed team at present, while England improved their continuity and passing game appreciably against Romania. Jonny Wilkinson, under threat from Toby Flood for his position, was sublime and convincing against the minnows, Romania.

It is almost too close to call between Wales and Ireland, as both teams boast excellent forwards and a few world-class midfielders. Jamie Roberts, Lee Halfpenny and Shane Williams (Wales) are not to be sniffed at, while Bryan O’ Dcriscoll is still a fine centre for Ireland.

Irieland are the favourites to advance, judging on current form. Another factor in Ireland’s favour is that the Welsh kicking has been below par so far in the tournament.

Fanie Heyns