All Blacks setting the standard

PRIOR to Saturday’s clash of France and New Zealand I met a number of former French internationals invited to the stadium to celebrate the inaugural game between these two great countries 100 years ago.

Despite the hammering the French suffered the previous week, it was interesting to note how many people expressed a belief this game could be a dress rehearsal for the World Cup final next October.

While there were concerns over the form of their side, the feeling was that with a full summer to prepare, the French will still have a major say in the destination of next year’s trophy.

The main concern was that the French must avoid New Zealand prior to the final. To do so requires for them to win their pool, not an easy task given the presence of both Ireland and Argentina. The reward for winning Pool D is a quarter-final clash, almost certainly against Scotland, in the Stade de France. The prize for finishing second is a date with New Zealand in Cardiff.

Whatever chance they have of beating Graham Henry’s men in Paris, one feels that psychologically the French could not see themselves winning at the Millennium Stadium.

The whole of French rugby seems mesmerised by the quality of this All Blacks team. The ease with which they despatched their hosts in Lyon induced panic stations in the home camp all week. In the build-up to the Paris encounter, injured captain Fabien Pelous and Bernard Laporte painted a gloomy picture. Consequently they played a damage limitation game. Nowhere was this more evident than when Dimitri Yachvili elected to kick a penalty when France trailed by 15 points with one minute remaining.

The other interesting fact to emerge from my brief visit to the French capital was the respect New Zealand have for the Ireland. Despite losing their last Tri Nations game to South Africa when they had already secured the trophy, there was a general acknowledgement that Ireland posed them the most problems this season.

Watching this New Zealand side in the flesh is a great rugby experience. From numbers 1 to 15 they ooze quality. If a World XV were picked in the morning, New Zealand would provide at least three of the front five in props Tony Woodcock and Carl Haymen along with second row Chris Jack. This is an incredible turnaround given that their set piece was in turmoil less than three years ago.

The return of Graham Henry and Steve Hansen after their experiences in the Northern Hemisphere convinced them that to compete successfully on the international stage required a dominant scrum and lineout.

With the Lions touring in 2005, they feared the strength of the four home countries in that department. It focused the mind to such a degree that the New Zealand management convinced their Super 14 franchises to pay particular attention to the set piece. The rewards are now there for all to see.

As a unit, New Zealand’s the first choice back row of Jerry Collins, Rodney So’oialo and Richie McCaw provides an outstanding blend of pace, power and aggression. Their only shortcoming is the lack of a guaranteed ball winner at the tail of the lineout. For me, watching Collins in action was worth the trip to Paris alone. He is a human wrecking ball with a phenomenal work rate. The regularity with which he succeeds in getting ball in hand is incredible.

The key to the New Zealand game at present is the speed at which they recycle possession. Their physicality at the breakdown is the principle reason for this and the New Zealand backs are as proficient at the cleanout as any of their forwards.

I have often made reference to the fact that the majority of the New Zealand tries are scored from turnovers. Once they recognise that they have turned possession in this manner, the response is instantaneous. Support runners immediately overload one side of the field and once they break the initial defensive line, tries are inevitable. The acceleration and foot work of Sitiveni Sivivatu and Joe Rokocoko are incredible.

If Ronan O’Gara’s continued health and well-being is central to Ireland’s World Cup aspirations, then Daniel Carter remains the key figure for the All Blacks. It is the one position where Graham Henry lacks cover. Carter’s pace and awareness are outstanding and he offers a constant threat.

While the All Blacks play tests against England and Wales on the current tour, their whole focus has been on the dress rehearsal for next year’s visit to France. Henry has even insisted that his players take French lessons so that when they return next September they can interact at ease with the locals.

Their attention to detail is incredible and nowhere is this more evident than in the performance of the Haka. They spend hours practicing it. With so many different cultures in existence within the squad the Haka has become the representation of their unity. It is rugby’s equivalent of Riverdance.

If the World Cup was starting next month Eddie O’Sullivan would probably be more concerned with his clash against Argentina than that with France. Their back-to-back victories over England and Italy, despite extremely limited preparation, have been very impressive. To make six changes from the team that defeated England for the clash in Rome shows they have quality in reserve.

They now have over 60 professionals plying their trade in Europe.

With the likelihood that South Africa and Australia will improve before next year’s event, the World Cup promises to be highly competitive, despite the fact that New Zealand remain overwhelming favourites.

The challenge for Ireland is to continue their rate of progression to ensure this talented squad reach a peak at the right time.