Has Woodward lost the plot?

A JUDGEMENT on just how good this New Zealand side is will have to wait until the forthcoming Tri Nations series.

The simple fact to emerge from Wellington last Saturday is that they are just far too good for the Lions.

When England won the World Cup in 2003 there were many who felt that, at long last, the gap between rugby in the northern and southern hemispheres had been breached. The simple fact is that the game has moved on since then.

England’s success was based on the dominance of a forward unit of immense quality allied to the kicking skills and points scoring machine that is Jonny Wilkinson. Sadly, Clive Woodward carried that blueprint with him when analysing how to beat New Zealand.

History will show that, as a concept, it was severely outdated.

I am reminded of the immortal words of Kevin Keegan when commenting on his great rival Alex Ferguson a number of years ago when he said: “I would love it if we beat them. Love it!”

As a result of Woodward’s vitriolic attacks on Graham Henry four years ago, I have no doubt that this series victory will mean everything to the former Welsh and Lions coach.

Once again, Woodward’s mishandling of the Brian O’Driscoll affair throughout last week also served to galvanise the entire All Blacks team for the second test. Despite their comprehensive opening test victory, they were the team hurting. They can thank Woodward for that.

While an analysis of the structure of this tour must wait until the conclusion of the third test next weekend, throughout the series so far, Henry won the battle comprehensively.

As professional athletes, the home countries have now matched the All Blacks in terms of physical power and fitness. However, the skill levels the New Zealand players possess are a class apart.

For a number of years, the structure of Super 12 rugby was berated in this part of the world for the lack of set piece efficiency. The emphasis on keeping the ball in hand however has enhanced their skill levels immeasurably. When Henry and Steve Hanson returned from Wales, they recognised that for the All Blacks to win the next World Cup they will have to address their set piece limitations. They have achieved this and the mix they now have is extremely potent. For this All Blacks side, parity of possession is more than enough.

The other key decision in Henry’s reign has been the switch of Daniel Carter to out half. In the last World Cup, John Mitchell employed the then 21-year-old as a centre.

Henry had other ideas. There was surprise from many quarters in New Zealand when Andrew Merthens was deemed surplus to requirements for their European tour last autumn. For this series even Carlos Spencer failed to make the All Blacks’ squad. One now understands why.

In scoring 33 points, Carter produced one of the most outstanding performances ever witnessed in a test of this magnitude. If the 1971 series produced “King Barry”, the Welsh legend Barry John, this series has launched the career of another iconic All Black figure.

From the Lions perspective, at least a modicum of satisfaction can be derived from the fact that on this occasion they went out to attack New Zealand from the word go. Having achieved a dream start with a captain’s try within two minutes, the Lions failed to sustain their momentum by the concession of needless penalties. It was a measure of the maturity within the All Blacks side that not only did they weather the anticipated storm and the concession of the early try but turned it into a six points lead after the vital opening 20 minutes.

Individually, many of the Lions performed well in this contest. The underlying difference between the sides was that the All Blacks played as a team. Nowhere was this more evident than in the influence of the respective back rows. Throughout the game Simon Easterby, Ryan Jones and Lewis Moody all had their moments. However as a unit, the All Black trio had a far greater influence on the game, none more so than the outstanding Richie McCaw. Despite being singled out for some heavy treatment early on, McCaw grew in stature as the game progressed. How fitting that he should score New Zealand’s final try.

Playing their tenth game on tour, the Lions had a midfield combination that had never played together before, a halfback pairing that had only combined once previously and a hooker throwing to a lineout combination for the first time. With eleven alterations to the side that lined out in the first test, this combination had no chance.

With two former Welsh coaches on board, New Zealand were primed with insider knowledge on how to exploit the deficiencies of the tourists. Nowhere was this more evident than in the constant bombardment of Shane Williams. Physically he was blown away and the Lions management failed by not replacing him with Shane Horgan earlier in the game.

Likewise, Gareth Thomas has played precious little rugby at outside centre. Defensively he was found wanting and it was a regular theme that the All Blacks attacked his inside shoulder. While Thomas has done an outstanding job in maintaining morale in the absence of Brian O’Driscoll, he was also compromised by poor selection.

For the Lions, the next week will feel like an eternity. With Auckland lying in wait tomorrow, the decision to add an additional game between the second and third test now looks like another poor decision. This squad needs three days off. With one test to go, all that remains is the opportunity to heal wounded pride.

This week represents Woodward’s last in rugby union before his well-publicised move to new challenges in soccer. He had envisaged leaving on a high. So far, it couldn’t have gone much worse.