ABs slade by Bokke

With the All Blacks trailing 15-5 at the break in yesterdays test in PE, assistant coach Wayne Smith commented that the ABs had created enough opportunities in the opening stanza to have won two games. But for the Boks scramble defence which was typical of the fight and desperation that they brought to yesterdays test, New Zealand could have been two tries to the good within the opening 10 minutes. Had they been more clinical in converting their line breaks, which came at a frequency which will concern PDV, they would have forced the springboks outside their kick, chase, smash, penalty comfort zone.

The selection of Morne Steyn at 5/8 was indicative of the designs that De Villiers and his side had for the afternoon. Prior to the reverse fixture PDV came out and told how Steyn was drinking at the last chance saloon with regard selection for the world cup. However given the failure of the 'more creative' Butch James to create anything at Kings Park the previous week Steyn was handed another chance as  the Boks returned to their tried and tested blueprint of how to win test matches. I would imagine the briefing for Steyn was simple kick it long and/or high and kick your goals when they come, so that is what he did. If Steyn's goals made him the hero of the hour then he must give thanks to the Bokke pack that fed him the opportunities. The stand out performer within the green eight was the bloodied Heinrich Brousow, who put in the type of performance that McCaw watching on back home in New Zealand would of been proud of. Probably the biggest compliment a back rower can be paid in the current era. 

Graham Henry on the other hand will have more to ponder on the flight home than his choice of film. In particular he must again ponder the lack of depth he has in the pivot position. The performance of Colin Slade was at best unconvincing. Despite a couple of neat touches that demonstrated potential, his afternoon ended with a sloppy forward pass to Kahui that reflected a lack of accuracy that is a given with Daniel Carter at 10.  Slade was replaced by Piri Weepu who despite his skill level and ingenuity is in reality no more than  a 9 who can play 10 if your short. Is it too late for Henry to review the faith he has placed in Slade? Should he ask the heads of NZ rugby to ignore policy and allow him to call on Nick Evans who in reality is still the best backup option available, it would after all be for the greater good of the host nation. If he is to stick with Slade he has to expose him again against Australia next week as back to back tests will accelerate the development of Slade as a test match footballer. The performances of Rhys Priestland in two recent tests against England evidence of the benefits that can ensue from throwing young talent into a high pressure environment. 

Henry must also take positives from the Port Elizabeth test. The level of competition for places that exists amongst the midfield and outside backs is driving the level of performance sky high. Israel Dagg showed he is fully recovered from an injury troubled season and ready to stake his claim for a back three spot with Isaia Toeava also putting his hand up with some explosive broken field running from the right flank. In midfield Sonny Bill who has built his reputation on his ability to promote the ball in contact showed time and again yesterday the kind of 'D' on which he built his fame in the league code. Although it may be late in the day to toy with combinations one can't help wonder what a partnership of SBW and Nonu could do if paired up. The bash brothers in mighty ducks immediately springs to mind!  

As it was the failure of the All  Blacks to convert on all but one occasion where Kahui finished off a fine set piece play, allowed the men in green to grow in stature and belief with every kick and collision. On another day and with a referee that stuck to the letter of the law the Blacks would have had a second when Dagg found Cowan with a forward pass which should have been overlooked by the TMO. The world cup favourites will see this as one that got away with their lack of control and failure to dominate the collision area perhaps no coincidence given the absence of you know who. For the Boks this win was vital not so much in terms of their Tri Nations which was perhaps never a priority for De Villiers given the squad he picked to tour Australia and New Zealand, it will give them much needed confidence and belief that they can still squeeze even the worlds finest outfit into submission.