At the end of a week in which internal politics have once more obsessed English rugby came yet another reminder that the game's real power base is on the other side of the globe.
In the 50th Test between rugby's two heavyweights, New Zealand and South Africa once more looked worlds apart with the visitors winning 13-3. But like their toiling cricketers, South Africa were on the back foot for much of this compelling game in Wellington on Saturday.
As in the last World Cup final, the Springboks' victory was built around their fierce offensive tackling. One moment epitomised the game. With the seconds ticking away, Christian Cullen set off on a run deep within All Black territory. But the fullback was engulfed by a tackle by the South African flanker Andrew Aitken. And every time Jonah Lomu was launched on dangerous touchline runs, green limpet-like tacklers attached to his bulky frame.
South Africa lead the TriNations after their 12th successive Test victory. Last year the All Blacks had a dozen straight wins before their epic draw with England at Twickenham and they looked the best side in the world. Now with those totems Sean Fitzpatrick, Zinzan Brooke and Frank Bunce consigned to history, they look vulnerable. A third successive defeat against Australia in Christchurch next weekend would put their coach John Hart and new captain Taine Randell under enormous pressure from a disgruntled public.
Graham Henry, the New Zealand A coach being courted by Wales, may think twice about burning his boats, as he might step into Hart's shoes should New Zealand's indifferent form continue.
The All Blacks played exhilarating 15-man rugby last year, epitomised by the counter-attacking running of Cullen. But if another moment summed up this game and their current safety-first approach it was when Cullen caught his first ball in the opening moments and chose to find touch.
The All Blacks had much the better of the forward exchanges but their lack of midfield creativity is a real worry. Carlos Spencer, who was controversially preferred to Andrew Mehrtens at fly-half, had a wretched time, missing five kicks at goal in Wellington's capricious winds. Spencer's game began to unravel alarmingly as he failed to find touch and his ability to move the ball completely deserted him. Mehrtens replaced him eight minutes after half-time and 12 minutes later kicked an equalising penalty. But it was to be New Zealand's only score.
Ten minutes from time the Springboks scored a try of great skill and simplicity. From a scrum close to the All Blacks' 22, Henry Honiball popped the ball into the hands of Pieter Rossouw, who had wrong-footed the New Zealand defence, and he burst through unopposed to the line.
Scorers: New Zealand: Penalty: Mehrtens. South Africa: Try: Rossouw. Conversion: Montgomery. Penalties: Montgomery (2).
New Zealand: Cullen; Wilson, Mayerhofler (McLeod, 65 min), Little, Lomu; Spencer (Mehr tens, 48), Marshall (Tonu'u, 28); Brown, Oliver, Gowd, I Jones, Brooke, M Jones (Maka, 66), Kronfeld, Randell (capt).
South AfriSnyman (Smith, h-t), Muller, Rossouw; Honiball, Van der Westhuizen; Garvey, Dalton, Kempson (Le Roux, 52), Andrews (Skinstad, 52), Otto, Aitken, Venter, Teichmann (capt).
Referee: E Morrison (England).
Nine leading French clubs - including former winners Brive and Toulouse - have reportedly decided not to compete in this season's European Cup.
They are hoping instead to take part in a new tournament with the top English sides, Toulouse president Rene Bouscatel said yesterday. The nine French clubs are Stade Francais, Brive, Bourgoin, BeglesBordeaux, Pau, Toulouse, Narbonne, Castres and Perpignan. All are members of an umbrella organisation of French professional sides (GCPRE).
With the leading English clubs already having ruled themselves out of the European Cup because of financial disputes with organisers European Rugby Cup Ltd (ERC), Bouscatel made it clear the top French sides now feel exactly the same.
He said: "We want a European competition organised by the federations with the commercial aspects left to the clubs."
According to initial projections, up to 16 French clubs would compete in the new tournament, along with 14 English teams and Swansea and Cardiff.
The nine professional clubs are also opposed to plans by the French Rugby Federation for the French championship, which is set to feature 24 teams, in two groups, next season. The clubs favour a competition with 16, or, at the most 20, clubs.
The conflict over European competition ensures the season format for both English and French clubs remains undecided just six weeks before the start of the new season.
