Ben Smith of the All Blacks scores a try during the Bledisloe Cup test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Australian Wallabies. Photo / Getty Images.
Ben Smith of the All Blacks scores a try during the Bledisloe Cup test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Australian Wallabies. Photo / Getty Images.
The All Blacks completed a predictable 2018 clean sweep of the Wallabies in Yokohama. Here's a few things you may have missed.
1. Ardie Savea grabs his chance
With ball in hand, on defence and at the breakdown, Savea was everywhere. Stuck behind Sam Cane is a place no one wants to be. Savea has, therefore, been forced to wait his entire career for a consistent run in the All Blacks' seven jersey. While Matt Todd also made an impact off the bench, this performance will ensure Savea deservedly starts again against England. This is his time.
2. Scott Barrett, Codie Taylor not far behind
Going the full 80 is no small feat for a lock. Think about the energy exerted pushing in every scrum alone. The All Blacks will be grateful to get Brodie Retallick through his first match back unscathed, but with Sam Whitelock struggling somewhat after a big season, Barrett gave a reminder he is perhaps closing the gap. Barrett can do it all. He was enormous on defence, knocking over the Wallabies' ball carriers, defending well in the middle of the park and pulling off and early try-saver on Dane Haylett-Petty. He contested the lineout regularly, and continues to display hands as soft as babies' skin at or before the line.
Beauden Barrett of the All Blacks scores a try during the test match between New Zealand and Australia at Nissan Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Photo / Getty Images.
3. Yokohama Stadium
At first glance, the venue for the World Cup final has plenty of work to do. Firstly the pitch cut up rough very early, and only deteriorated as the match wore on. And what about the horrible virtual signage? No sponsor should ever impose their presence to the point it is difficult to make out the players. Throw in the underwhelming turnout, despite a host of tickets given away, and this was hardly a successful dress rehearsal.
Credit to Ian Foster here. The Beauden Barrett-Rieko Ioane switch move from a scrum midway through the second half caught the defence napping on the short side. This, as much as anything else, killed off the Wallabies. Strike plays are a huge part of the modern game, and you can bet the All Blacks have a few more like this more up their sleeve.
Sky Sports Advertising at the All Blacks V Wallabies Test Match in Japan 27 October 2018.
5. Three tests one too many against Wallabies
Do we really need a third Bledisloe? Until the Wallabies find some semblance of patience on attack, the answer is no. The Wallabies created enough chances to win this game. They regularly broke the All Blacks open, often with inside balls. Desperate, scrambling defence saved the All Blacks but on far too many occasions the Wallabies were guilty of looking for the miracle ball. Set and go again.
6. Romain Poite not up to it
The Frenchman has no feel for the game, and at this rate could ruin a number of World Cup matches.
7. For the most part, Israel Folau good at centre
Doesn't seem to matter where Folau plays he is always a threat. Wing is not his best position – he's too far from the action. One spot in at centre he enjoys many more touches. Tonight, he caused the All Blacks a number of problems until one late offload went astray, by which point the Wallabies were chasing the game. Using him in the midfield negates his brilliance in the air but it is certainly a viable option.
8. Rugby needs to bring back common sense
Tolu Latu's yellow card was unnecessary. Yes, he made 'contact' with Codie Taylor's face. But it was an open palm, and a reaction to Taylor stalking him down. Dumb response, sure. But can two front-rowers not blow off a bit of steam anymore? The All Blacks already had the penalty from the scum. In this case, that was more than sufficient.
A lost ball off the restart, a couple of missed tackles and a botched grubber. Williams is not so much playing poorly as not hitting lofty expectations yet. The All Blacks will, however, give him every chance to regain rhythm.
