Frustrating.
That sums up the All Blacks performance against the Springboks last night. Despite creating the vast majority of the play, the Blacks were unable to take their chances and succumbed to a 18-5 loss to the 2007 World Cup champions.
With the 2011 edition of the World Cup set to begin in September—in New Zealand, to boot—the pressure is mounting on the host side.
The reliable boot of Morne Steyn provided the Springboks with all their points, kicking five penalties and a drop goal in a flawless display.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks could only manage one try after a set move saw Richard Kahui cross for a well-worked score.
But it was their inability to break through the final "Bokkie" defense that proved their undoing.
Time and time again, the men in black would make a break, only to be let down by poor execution. Their passing was merely average, and too many times the ball was dropped in contact.
Up front they weren't much better, lacking the intensity and physicality that they've shown over the past two years, which has been one of the key factors in their dominance of a number of top-quality teams.
Only once did we see it, and its effectiveness showed in the way it kept the Springboks from scoring, despite pressing hard on the All Blacks line.
The Springboks employed the predictable strategy of looking to kick for territory, but executed far more efficiently than they have done in recent times. Fourie Du Preez and Morne Steyn were both key in this, pinning the All Blacks deep in their half for large periods of the game.
Defensively they looked merely average, as the All Blacks were able to cut through like a knife through butter numerous times, but desperate scrambling saw them hold their line valiantly.
In the end, it came down to an inability by the All Blacks to capitalize upon chances.
While the match was a failure, it does provide an opportunity to rate some different players, who haven't had the same opportunities thus far, some of whom took their chance by the scruff of the neck, while others missed their shot.
The biggest plus came in the performance of Israel Dagg. After months off, Dagg made his return to top-level rugby and was outstanding. He was safe under the high ball, while he was also the most dangerous of the All Black backs.
Isaia Toeava also made his return and showed some brilliant glimpses too, however his hands let him down at times. Despite this, he will most likely still feature in the World Cup Squad to be named this week.
Richard Kahui had a strong game at centre and showed why he should be the back-up midfielder to Nonu and Smith.
Sonny Bill Williams meanwhile was only average, failing to threaten on attack. Twice he threw good offloads, but he seldom looked dangerous besides these. His tends to look to distribute in big games rather than create for—or run—himself. In comparison to Nonu he offers little going forward, and did nothing last night to add to his case to feature in the World Cup.
Two good touches aren't enough to warrant a squad selection.
The other point of interest would be how Colin Slade would perform wearing the No. 10 jersey.
While he did some good things, he also looked unsure at times, and that comes down to a lack of experience. He'll get his confidence, however—he's too good not to. But he'll be better for it, and showed enough that he will be a reasonable player.
Up front the Blacks matched the Springboks, but didn't gain the dominance they have come to expect in recent years.
Jerome Kaino was his usual physical self, but lacked support in what he was doing. Thomson gave a passable performance on the openside, but showed that he is no Richie McCaw. Liam Messam meanwhile was average, failing to impose himself on the game the way Kieran Read has come to.
Ali Williams selection continues to be questionable. To often is he found standing off, not committing himself to the breakdown as needs to be done in the tight five. His lineouts were good, but aside from this he offers little else.
The scrums seemed to suffer from not having any grunt coming from the locking pair, showing the importance of a Brad Thorn type player in the team.
Of the front row Keven Mealamu gave a passable performance, but Tony Woodcock and John Afoa both looked out of sorts. Woodcock in particular seemed to do little and his fitness remains a big question mark ahead of the World Cup.
But it was the way they played as a team that let them down. The forwards didn't provide a good platform to work from, while the backline combinations didn't fire.
Next week the All Blacks will head to Australia where they will welcome back the services of many of their established stars. The game will decide the Tri-Nations tournament, and will be the team's last hit out before the World Cup.
Ana Beatriz Barros Ana Hickmann Ana Ivanovi Ana Paula Lemes Ananda Lewis
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