Taylor J <TJ_boy67>

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mean maori mean293 weeks ago
 
It was an Armistice Day to forget as France disintegrated in the face of an All Black juggernaut, surrendering World Cup favouritism as New Zealand racked up a record 47-3 win at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon.

The seven tries to none trouncing was New Zealand's finest since the second Test win over the British Lions in Wellington last June and matched, if not eclipsed, the equally commanding performance against the French in Paris two years ago.

The stunning triumph came with so much comfort that All Blacks coach Graham Henry was able to pull his two gamebreakers out of the match - captain Richie McCaw and playmaker Dan Carter - with 20 minutes to go.

New Zealand led 37-3 at that stage and the French, ranked No. 2 in the world and tipped as the All Blacks' strongest opposition in next year's World Cup, were in disarray.

McCaw and Carter had turned in typically five-star peformances with the All Blacks dazzling in counter-attack, brutal in the scrum, assured in the lineout and impenetratable in defence.

McCaw scored a vital try in the 36th minute which helped the All Blacks click clear from the French who were hanging in at 16-3 at that stage.

Carter then crossed for an easy try after New Zealand had smashed the French scrum and forced a turnover. His conversion to the All Blacks out to 23-3 at halftime and the French were a dispirited rabble behind the goalposts.

It got no better in the second spell when five minutes in when centre Conrad Smith scampered 70 metres upon his return to the All Blacks from a broken leg.

The try was started from a brilliant one-handed pass from under pressure lock Ali Williams who was one of New Zealand's best.

The All Blacks' peerless counter-attacking skills were demonstrated again just eight minutes later when Joe Rokocoko completed a scinitillating Luke McAlister breakout.

New Zealand's stunning ability to turn turnover ball into tries led to Sivivatu's second with 10 minutes to go.

France simply couldn't handle New Zealand.

All areas of their game simply caved in and desperate coach Bernard Laporte was forced to drag his captain Pelous and put reserves on to try and spark the home team.

But nothing worked as a remorseless New Zealand stunned the French - and the rugby world - with the strongest performance of any Test team this year.

France, who left the field to the strains of the Johnny Cash song Hurt, now faces an enormous challenge in next weekend's centennial test in Paris.

All Blacks 47

Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu 2, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, Joe Rokocoko, Luke McAlister. Pens: Carter 2. Cons: Carter 3

France 3

Drop goal: Florian Fritz

0 Comments 325 days ago



French fire first-test shots
France has launched its first pre-Test missile in the All Blacks' direction with a claim the forwards are getting away with murder.

Jacques Brunel, the French forwards coach, has claimed referees are allowing New Zealand to get away with driving in too early at scrums.

BBC Sport said Brunel believed the All Blacks played with the rules and the referees, and they benefited from a lot of leniency at set pieces and the tackle area.

He said France believed it wasn't the referee who was giving the calls of crouch, stop and engage at scrums.

"The All Blacks impose their own rhythm. They don't bend properly and then go straight from 'stop' to 'engage'.

"Their opponents are kept waiting and when you are waiting before entering a scrum you lose all momentum."

Brunel claimed this allowed the All Blacks to achieve a higher impact against opponents in a holding position who were knocked back as a result.

He said he wanted to have a long discussion with referee Stuart Dickinson because he believed the All Blacks came in on the side of rucks and mauls to slow the ball down.

He continued his wide-ranging tirade by also claiming the All Blacks interfered with the jumper at lineout time. He claimed the All Blacks did it several times against England.

Brunel admitted that raising the matters with Dickinson was delicate because the French did not know how he would react.

"He can think that we want to influence him. All that we will be able to say to him is: we would like you to be especially vigilant."

Brunel joined the list of overseas coaching staff who have had a crack at flanker Richie McCaw's technique at the breakdown.

He said, "Richie McCaw is a wonderful player but to be the great scavenger he is, he has to be always on the verge of foul play.

"He gets three or four penalties per game but should get double."

Brunel said his comments were not a case of sour grapes after the All Blacks 45-6 victory at their last encounter.

"Revenge is not the problem. The players know they are going to face the best team in the world and they are looking forward to the two Tests.

"There is a lot of excitement in our camp but it's a constructive excitement because we know we are going to size ourselves up against the best in the world and when we'll have a year to get ready for the World Cup."

0 Comments 329 days ago



All Blacks snuff out England's fire
Twickenham's refurbished South Stand endured a baptism of fire as New Zealand recorded a handsome 41-20 victory over England on Sunday, with Dan Carter bagging 26 points as the holders of the Rugby World Cup fell to their heaviest home defeat of all time.


The difference between the two sides was black and white, and we're not referring to the jerseys.

England look a million miles away from successfully defending their world crown; New Zealand - who made it 21 wins from their last 23 starts - continue to coast towards a reunion with that coveted gold pot.

The odds were always stacked against England, who have beaten New Zealand just six times in 101 years, and they were duly ushered into the flames as their guests fashioned a funeral pyre on Bonfire Night.

But England were not willing victims, they made a bright and blustery start, even getting Jamie Noon over the whitewash in the fifth minute of the game, only for the try to be disallowed by the fourth official.

The scare seemed to rouse New Zealand from their revelry and they hit back in typical fashion, counterattack from deep whenever the opportunity arose, making their hosts pay for even the slightest mistake.

New Zealand opened the scoring when Carter slotted a penalty inside three minutes, but England were left shaking their heads in disbelief when they were denied a try just two minutes later.

Slick approach work scattered New Zealand's defence and before the All Blacks could regroup, Noon went for broke, brushing off two tackles as he ploughed over, although he ignored an unmarked Danny Grewcock outside him.

With Ma'a Nonu appearing to have a hand under Noon's body and somewhere in the vicinity of the ball, the decision went to television match official Christophe Berdos. But the Frenchman was unable to ascertain whether or not the ball had been grounded and denied England the try.

In terms of England's momentum, it proved a crucial moment as New Zealand simply weathered the storm and stung their hosts through a breakaway score that emphasised a gulf in standards.

Wing Rico Gear ran aggressively into England's half, and even when he ran out of numbers, prop Tony Woodcock had enough about him to keep possession alive before quickly recycled possession saw skipper Richie McCaw send Mauger over.

Carter added the extras, and England had a mountain to climb, 13-0 adrift after 22 minutes, but it was the cue for a vibrant response.

England knew they had to throw caution to the wind, and a try arrived when debutant centre Anthony Allen's break caused enough panic in New Zealand's defence and Noon made amends for his earlier miss by touching down.

The score gave England a glimmer of hope, but New Zealand finished the half in blistering fashion, more than doubling their points tally.

Carter slotted a 50-metre penalty, but that was a calm before the storm as far as England were concerned.

New Zealand had the scent of more tries, and two arrived in barely as many minutes.

Allen's speculative midfield pass was intercepted by Rokocoko, who galloped 50 metres to score, but matters deteriorated for England, when the All Blacks again attacked from deep, utilising Rokocoko's fellow wing Gear.

Gear's angles of running caused mayhem in the England defence, and even though his chief support act was again Woodcock, New Zealand still had enough time and space to work Woodcock's fellow prop Hayman over.

Carter failed to add the extras, yet New Zealand had entered a comfort zone and England were seemingly finished.

The hosts had to strike first after half-time, and they delivered when quality linking between Leicester trio skipper Martin Corry, hooker George Chuter and flanker Lewis Moody sent Cohen across.

It was the Northampton wing's 31st Test touchdown - putting him level on the all-time England list with Will Greenwood - and Hodgson's conversion at least gave England a glimmer of hope.

Such optimism though was snuffed out w
 posted by Taylor J 

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