There was one significant common factor in the performances of both of the winning teams. Both displayed powerful driving defence, featuring huge impact and numbers driving opponents backwards at the tackle contests, and both were still able to produce the same commitment at the 80-minute mark. Next weekend's final will certainly be no place for the faint-hearted!
Auckland Blues are not too bad either in the 'big hit stakes' and Jerome Kaino began just as he left off last week in his team's comprehensive victory over the depleted Waratahs. In fact, the Blues had much the better of the early play, with the Reds lineout struggling and Cooper's goal-kicking sadly astray. The Blues attack though was right on song and they were constantly questioning the renowned Reds' defence. We wondered how long the Reds could hold on. Then, with a huge overlap beckoning on the left wing, a Blues' pass was plucked out of the air by probably the fastest man on the field, Reds' winger, Rod Davies, who sprinted away unmarked for the first of his three tries on the day.
This score was certainly against the run of play, but the Blues were not daunted at all and continued to question the Reds defence. It was in this period that the Reds set the platform for their impressive victory. They defended with huge enthusiasm and numbers in most tackles and for long periods of play. Great teams can do this – they can soak up the pressure, confident that their turn will come and, when it does, "you'd better be ready". Beau Robinson, in his first game back after a lengthy spell with an elbow injury, was instrumental in the Reds' resistance. He understands clearly the meaning of the word 'contest' in the term 'tackle contest' and he secured a couple of vital turnovers in this period. When your team has been called on to make, say, 20 or 30 successive tackles, these turnovers are like 'manna from heaven'.
After yet another such period, Cooper fielded a Blues kick – in his 'other' position at fullback – and, with absolutely nowhere to go, he brilliantly beat three or four tackles to give Rex Tapuai a clear run in for the Reds second try. The Reds counter-attack had been more than dangerous and together with their all-consuming defence, they were leaving the Blues with little or no opportunities. At about this stage, a very strange thought crept into my mind. "Kaplan's not having too bad a game", I mused - and this is not a thought I have too often. "Not fantastic", mind, "but not too bad".
Soon, however, after yet another Cooper-inspired counter, the Blues infringed again and in the 'red zone'. Kaplan called out Kevin Mealamu. "I've been lenient with your team to date, but it won't continue!" Just what does this statement mean? "You've been breaking the laws of the game, but I've let you get away with it." Or, perhaps, "You've committed a few 'yellow card offences', but I haven't accurately applied the laws of the game." I found the remark astonishing. Perhaps I've been wrong. Perhaps he does see things accurately, after all, and just chooses not to apply the laws, sometimes! And then, he decides that, on some strangely particular occasion, the result of a game should be decided on a gentle push in the chest – one prop to another! My advice to all refs, from a quite experienced coach, is "Just apply the laws of the game – all of the laws, all of the time". (Before I get a million unwanted, uninformed reactions, "advantage" is one of the laws!)
The Blues are not short on commitment and self-belief and they fought back with a soft try, just seconds after the half-time siren. It was as if the Reds just 'stopped' on the siren with play continuing. It was a bad lapse and it gave the Blues a much needed lifeline.
Although the game remained a great contest for 15 minutes or so, the Reds gradually began to take control. I speak often about 'enthusiasm' and enthusiasm in defence is a most desirable quality. The Reds had it in bucket loads and it gave them the launch-pad for their precision attack. One such attack – with Cooper (who else) pushing Davies on an 'overs' line, with a pinpoint accurate pass – would have bought tears of joy to their excellent Attack Coach, Jim Mackay. It was a beauty!
I'm not too sure that Jared Payne's chip kick, running out of defence in the 53rd minute, would have thrilled his own All Black selectors. The subsequent counter by the Reds led to an 'overs' run by Cooper and a wide pass for Davies' third try.
Quade Cooper said it all after the match when asked to explain the culture of his team, "It's just having fun with your mates!" 'Twas ever thus!
In the other semi-final match, the Stormers hosted the Crusaders at Newlands Stadium with high hopes of reversing the round-robin encounter earlier in the season. In a superlative performance, the champion Crusaders team simply overwhelmed their fancied opponents in all facets of play. The Crusaders were dominant at the scrum and at the tackle; they won the lineout contests; they had more pace and skill; they were more accurate in the pass and realigned with urgency. They were even fitter, despite their long flight from Christchurch – they made more than 20% more tackles than their opponents, yet they finished full of running against opponents out on their feet.
Continuous play, which accounts for about 80% of the 'ball in play' time in a match, is dependent on pace, support, power in the tackle and at the tackle contest and realignment. The Crusaders were way superior in all on these vital areas. A Crusader ball-carrier never had to search for an 'on-side' team-mate to continue the play. All of his available team-mates were on-side – BEHIND the ball! It's not rocket science, yet its importance escaped the Stormers.
Admittedly, they suffered with the selection of young Louis Schreuder at scrum-half, but he was their selection and, at any rate, all teams have been hit by injuries in this most demanding of competitions. Schreuder does not possess the fundamental techniques of scrum-half play. He is way too slow in clearing the ball – he takes a skip-step and a backswing. Against a team as liberal in there adherence to the off-side line as the Crusaders, this is, and was, fatal. Nic Groom, when he finally got his chance late in the game, looked a far better bet to me.
The Crusaders' scrum was massively dominant and all three front-rowers must have moved even higher in the All Black team reckoning. I had earlier formed the opinion that the NZ selectors had decided that Crockett's illegal scrummaging was too big a risk, despite his outstanding contribution in the loose, but the referees – certainly Craig Joubert – appear to have gone soft again in this area and Stu Dickinson will not be around to sort it out. Breaking the bind, readjusting to an illegal bind, driving in on the angle on the tight-head – in concert with the hooker pincering from the other side – obstruction of the chasers at the restart (from the very first one of the day), were all ok with Joubert. Consistent and constant failure to release and roll away from the ball-carrier was also tolerated by the ref, but obvious to all viewers. It was not until the final quarter of the match that he decided to take a stand. It was an abnegation of his duty, from where I was watching.
Certainly, he didn't influence the outcome – only the margin! The Crusaders were outstanding – committed, determined, ruthless, adaptable, and anything else required. I must give a special mention to their back three of Maitland, Guildford and Marshall. They were everything that you could want – pace to burn, outstanding footwork, enthusiasm, composure, courage, toughness! I'm not sure if there's room for all three in the All Black squad, but I am sure that all three are worthy of selection.
In summary - the game promised plenty, but, in the end, it was men against boys!
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2012