Peter Bills: Good keen men win the day with a little cunning

Of the teams the All Blacks are yet to face, only France might need some careful watching. Photo / Getty Images

The poverty of the Northern Hemisphere game was starkly illustrated by the defeat of Wales and England yesterday. Australia and New Zealand may be by far the two weakest countries in the Southern Hemisphere this year but they both had too much nous, cunning and control for their Northern Hemisphere rivals.

It falls now to the Six Nations Grand Slam champions Ireland, who meet Australia in Dublin next Sunday, to disprove the theory that the Northern Hemisphere rugby lands are entirely barren and bereft of inspiration.

However, when the dust had settled on another Cardiff near miss for Wales, both teams were left largely dissatisfied with the outcome of the test match. Wales had still not broken their 56-year bogey against the All Blacks and the tourists would surely reflect that this performance was not much of a step up from what has been a decidedly modest season.

The All Blacks found points hard to accrue from the match, but where they scored big time was in their intrinsic cunning and the ability to see off opponents in a tight game through their superior belief. Wales were always coming from behind once Andrew Hore, aided by his mates up front, finished off an excellent Zac Guildford burst down the left side. By contrast, New Zealand could always keep just that small step ahead, largely controlling the increasingly desperate Welsh attempts at salvation.

Not that this was a vintage All Black performance. This is a team that has been forced to dig deep from the well of self-belief this year in various critical moments. At present, they cannot handle the South Africans and they have a long way to go to become once more invincible.

But what they do have is absolute tried-and-tested quality in key positions. As someone suggested, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw ought to be wrapped in cotton wool until the World Cup, such is their importance to the team. But outside them, Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu are forming a midfield combination that is potentially the best in the world at this time.

Smith, the thinking man's player, brings a real creativity to the play, Nonu a force, directness and increasing defensive awareness and maturity that are classic qualities for these roles.

What New Zealand also had, in stark contrast to Wales, was a clever way to exploit the weaknesses of South African referee Craig Joubert. McCaw and his mates ruthlessly extracted full advantage from Joubert's naivety, constantly getting bodies over the ball on the Welsh side of the ruck throughout the first half. It killed any prospect of the quick ball Wales craved and it left them utterly frustrated.

You could call it cynical, but if match officials are so stupid as to ignore serial offenders at the breakdown and completely forget to referee the offside line, especially around the fringes of ruck and maul, then good luck to the side that identifies the weakness and preys on it ruthlessly.

New Zealand teams have done that since time immemorial and they did it again to enormous effect yesterday.

Wales shuffled away into the Cardiff night, mumbling darkly about what they called Carter's "head high tackle" late in the game which they felt should have brought a penalty and yellow card. Carter did later apologise to his victim, Welsh substitute Martin Roberts, but it was at most a penalty offence. Wales were clutching at straws to suggest it made all the difference to the outcome.

For sure, the feisty, committed Welsh went right through to the end with their bravery and desire. But, ultimately, they lacked the class to decide the game in their favour. This is the reason that Carter and McCaw are such key men for New Zealand.

The All Blacks have moved on, to Italy where they should enjoy their week. And on yesterday's evidence, England at Twickenham the following weekend, should hold few fears. Only France, in Marseille on November 28, might need some careful watching.

* Peter Bills is a rugby writer for Independent News & Media in London.