King of 7s receives his crown

By CHRIS RATTUE

George Smith operates on the theory that the last shall be first.

The Wallaby flanker's match superstition involves running on to the field last. At Jade Stadium on Saturday night, he also stood at the end of the hugging line as the national anthem was played.

And after the halftime break he was so late on the field that both sides were standing in kickoff formation by the time his famous dreadlocks came bouncing into view.

Smith's forte, though, is getting to the tackled ball first. For a while, he was threatening to turn world rugby on its ear. Since his test debut in 2000, when he also made his Super 12 start for the Brumbies, Smith has looked so good it seemed other teams would not be able to compete.

Until along came McCaw. Just as Smith was about to dominate, New Zealand unearthed Richard McCaw.

John Mitchell quickly brought in the Colts star after his debut Super 12 season, and there is mounting evidence the All Blacks have the better No 7.

This is not a case of Smith and Clone. McCaw has advanced the openside boundaries because he not only has Smith's anticipation and speed but appears physically stronger and more effective in flinging his body into battle, dislodging and distributing the ball, or forcing penalties.

McCaw won the battle of the sevens at Jade Stadium on Saturday night - vital to a win which has lifted the spirits and confidence of New Zealand rugby.

McCaw and Smith have similar histories in their climb to the top. McCaw is from Dunedin but was snaffled by the ever-alert and influential Crusaders.

Smith was overlooked in New South Wales and, like others, found a new home with the Brumbies in Canberra and helped overshadow his former state.

If it wasn't for McCaw and the Crusaders, they might be talking about King George and his castle right now.

Smith had impact against the All Blacks. His charge led to Australia's first penalty shot, which Matthew Burke missed. There were other examples of his skill, as when he superbly covered an Andrew Mehrtens' chip kick after initially helping to halt a charge by McCaw in the 35th minute.

But he did not rack up as many points in the plus column as McCaw.

McCaw started the match with the first strong tackle on Toutai Kefu, then moments later chased down George Gregan from a lineout, which led to New Zealand's first penalty by Mehrtens.

His all-round skills were evident with a marvellous reflex catch, after big Chris Jack jolted the ball from Ben Tune's arms.

McCaw might also have won the game's most vital turnover, but Mark Hammett threw a shocking pass to blow a three-to-zero overlap with a long-range try in the offing.

Australian coach Eddie Jones, desperate for some penetration, hauled Smith off in the 65th minute, while McCaw, like all his team-mates, lasted the distance.

Smith was one of the Brumbies players contacted early this season by Jones, who was worried about his form.

Australia apparently considered starting blindside flanker/lock Matt Cockbain for Smith in this game, although they could have been foxing. Powerful No 8 David Lyons is also viewed as a test openside, and replaced Smith on Saturday night.

Maybe Jones is worried that Smith lacks physical presence, as he contemplates using bigger men in the position.

Smith, for a short while, was unrivalled as an openside. But it is he, more than McCaw, who retreats unsuccessfully from a contest for the ball, arms flailing, and looking for the next battle zone.

With Smith on the bench, McCaw produced two further examples of his skill in the final minutes, as 14 All Blacks clung to a lead. A tackle on Stephen Larkham secured the ball, and he helped force a turnover from Jeremy Paul which enabled Justin Marshall to kick New Zealand clear of their line.

The exercise in rating McCaw and Smith can be a case of comparing apples and oranges. They are not always chasing the same targets, and they fit into their own side's game plan as they risk a battering and the referee's whistle in their unique job.

Smith is a fine athlete, but it says something for McCaw that he seems to have the edge.

As former All Black and Herald columnist Matthew Cooper said: "Once again we saw that New Zealand has an openside in the finest traditions of Jones and Kronfeld."