AFTER A performance that threatened perfection, Dan Carter politely revealed the ruthless nature of an All Black and the seemingly limitless desire to maintain their unbeaten record against Ireland.
Most of the Irish public peered into this match with trepidation, after the wildly contrasting form guide of either country, but it quickly became apparent this was going to be a competitive, emotion-fuelled battle.
“When the game is played at that speed and that intensity, it’s only a matter of time before gaps start to open up and we stuck at it and made the most of the opportunities that we were given at the end of the first half and start of the second,” said Carter.
“We pride ourselves on our fitness. When teams are defending it does take quite a lot out of them and it’s only a matter of time before you break them. So we just had to work hard on not being frustrated. We weren’t getting the rewards immediately so we just stayed patient, we knew that it would come, and eventually it did.
“But credit to the Irish guys, they really turned up to play and put us under a lot of pressure at times.”
It was a day of celebration for the All Blacks as Henry recorded his 100th Test match in charge, while Mils Muliaina and Richie McCaw surpassed Sean Fitzpatrick’s 92-cap All Black record.
There was light-hearted stuff about McCaw opting for a late scrum when a Carter penalty would have seen him surpass Jonny Wilkinson’s points scoring world record.
“I don’t want to take the spotlight off him and Mils, given their achievement tonight,” said Carter. “Maybe next week.” Maybe.
With a “Grand Slam” on offer in Cardiff next Saturday, Stephen Donald looks destined to continue his bench-warming duties as New Zealand remain hugely reliant on Carter.
“They are more than lucky players,” said coach Graham Henry of McCaw and Muliaina. “They are outstanding young men who are inspirational to the country and I’m sure the country is very proud of them.”
McCaw enjoyed the experience, not due to his achievement but because it was an ultra-physical contest. “The tries before and after half-time meant we felt in reasonable control,” he said. “But we showed composure and that’s what you’ve got to do in Test-match rugby.”
New Zealand are probably so difficult to outsmart because two former international head coaches act as assistants to Henry. Backs coach Wayne Smith remarked that skill level comes up with attitude, while forwards coach Steve Hansen is still waiting for a meeting with IRB referees chief Paddy O’Brien following a few questionable decisions.
The explosion of the soon-to-be-great Sonny Bill Williams never occurred.
With 22 minutes remaining, rugby’s newest superstar entered a midfield traffic jam where Brian O’Driscoll was having yet another frighteningly physical performance mixed with plenty of delicate brilliance.
On 67 minutes O’Driscoll and the man primed to transcend how centres operate almost collided. New Zealand winger Cory Jane chipped over the green line. The ball bounced awkwardly away from Denis Leamy and ominously into the path of Sonny Bill.
In a flash, O’Driscoll pounced to gather left-handed and slalom away from the out-stretched Williams as a moment to symbolise the changing of the guard was shelved for another day.
“The most impressive feat by the Irish was they completely shut down the All Blacks’ midfield,” wrote the great All Black flanker Josh Kronfeld in the New Zealand Herald. “Sonny Bill Williams came on and it didn’t change.
“You go from Ma’a Nonu, who is incredibly abrasive and a scintillating attacker, especially from loose play, and they shut him down. Then Sonny Bill, who has a similar style but can get his hands free and they shut him down as well. You’ve got to give Ireland some credit.”
It was a rare compliment from a Kiwi despite yet another comprehensive winning margin. For that Irish rugby can take some encouragement.
