Stand proud, but at the end of the day, still get caned…

The Canadians though, were not dispatched by 100 points, as many thought would happen (including myself).  In fact, they tackled themselves to a standstill, and used up 80 minutes of fuel by halftime, keeping the score pretty handy (23 minutes  12-10, 28 minutes 19-13, HT 26-13) until then.  Conceding a try on halftime to go down by 13, when 6 would have been a fairer indication of the game, ruined the opening spell for Canada.

All Blacks would have been happy with their second half (a real ‘Fitzy’ this match, “a game of two halves”).  Where more up the guts action, ably led by Andrew Hore who had a pretty handy game, and tight loose stuff, with Scary Jerry in the vanguard, and McCaw, who arrived on the scene once Flavell was subbed and Thorne moved into lock.

Anyway, top effort by Canada, played well above their weight, and fair to middling performance by the All Blacks – perhaps one foot on the plane to Boerland already.  Best aspect of the test, not more injuries.  The only two incidents worth mentioning Troy Flavell and a dislocated finger, and, yes, the other lock, Filipo limping a bit after a tackle late in the game!

So the units, how’d they go then…

Forwards:

Was a funny old game up front I thought.  A game of two halves sort of thing.  Even though the pack had dominance in the first spell, it was not used, as the All Blacks were trying to move the ball wide at every opportunity.  Why, buggered if I know, but it gave the tough tackling Canuks the opportunity to fan out and tackle themselves to a standstill.

Second forty and the ball was bought back into the fatties more often, and from here the dominance could be used, and it was.  From set piece dominance at scrum time, where a more comprehensive battering of a scrum has not been seen for a long time, to the rucks and mauls, it was a more commanding performance.

Loose forwards were more prominent when McCaw came on too.  I think we definitely need a second genuine number seven on the paddock, and Masoe is not that man.  Masoe in fact fast showing that he is an ideal bench man, as he can play 6, 7, 8, but, please, no starting him!

Was interesting to note that Cartel move Masoe to eight when Thorne moved into lock.  The more game time there the better I think, and he, behind an even more dominant pack than the first test against the French, went a lot better.  That French test was hopefully just an aberration.  Although, I would not want to test that theory in a RWC knockout match – bring on the specialists I say!!

Lineouts looked pretty standard, nothing to write home about, but we were not disrupted too much – one lazy throw five out from the Canadian line was snaffled, but otherwise fair battle in the air.  Not a bad effort from our two sawn off locks, and some good throwing from Hore.  Only just a pass mark though, as I said, pretty standard, nothing special.

Backline:

In that first half, the backline seemed to be going through the motions of the moves – It looked in that first spell that the All Black backline, once a move was called, was going to follow through with it by hook or by crook - even if a gap appeared that you would be able to drive a Kenworth truck through, it was not being taken, as the move was being followed to the letter.  To much lateral running, and not enough straight hard stuff for my liking.

In the second spell, a bit more natural instinct came into play.  If you see a gap, run at it, have a go!  Also the fact that the backline became a bit more disjointed, with Gear arriving and playing at centre, perhaps less structure and more instinct was a good thing.  They seemed to bring the ball closer into the forward pack for a few phases in this spell too, before going wide and scoring tries!

A solid-ish last hit out before the Boerland test and game two of the Tri Series.  This test will have answered a few questions re selections for that game.  Some players playing their ways out, and some in.

Roll on Saturday week!

All Blacks 64:Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Luke McAlister, John Schwalger, Andrew Hore, Dan Carter (3), Chris Masoe, Doug Howlett, Rico Gear. Cons: Daniel Carter (7).
Canada 13: Tries: Mike Pike. Cons: James Pritchard. Pens: Pritchard (2).