Stuart Barnes' talking points: More plaudits for New Zealand
Monday 10 October 2016 14:25, UK
New Zealand's demolition of South Africa shows just how far ahead they are, says Stuart Barnes.
1. I went too early on New Zealand. A whole top ten talking points dedicated to them when they wrapped the tournament up with two games to go. Where left after Saturday's summary execution of South African rugby in Durban? Well, a little reiteration won't do any harm. All the old legends of New Zealand rugby can chunter away in defence of their great teams but this one is THE best. They are changing the way the game is played. Where are all those cynics who used to claim defence was the only way to play test rugby?
The narrow-minded ninnies have been left behind by the ambition and excellence of New Zealand. We can talk about the glory boys all day and night but if you want to see how New Zealand has left the rest behind, then study the second rows...astonishing.
2. Argentina and Australia gave it their all but the game at Twickenham looked another sport altogether. One that was slower and lacking in some of the consummate skill on display in Durban. Argentina and Australia are rebuilding ahead of the World Cup but so too are New Zealand. Someone offer me evens about the All Blacks in Japan, please.
3. Let's talk about Beauden Barrett again. You can't win test matches without a top class goal kicker; in fact it is madness to go into such games without 'world-class' kickers...oh really?
Barrett is, at the moment, blindingly bad compared to say, Owen Farrell. But when your team scores nine tries in South Africa and the kicker has a hand or foot in six or more of them, well that's a lot of credit in the bank. Morne Steyn kicked five from five but his contribution was next to nothing in comparison to Barrett's.
4. Now to England; there is absolutely no excuse for them not winning all four games this autumn. Yes, there could be a few injuries but South Africa, Fiji, Australia and Argentina will doubtless be a few players short of their best as well. Additionally, we have to factor in that three of these teams have been mauled by New Zealand. The Wallabies looked wobbly at times on Saturday, but with three wins from their last four games appear in best shape for the challenges of Europe...ah but they have a match against the All Blacks in Auckland before flying to the Old World. Scratch that mild confidence in Michael Cheika's 43 man squad.
5. To more mundane domestic matters and the Friday night game between the Ospreys and Cardiff Blues. The Ospreys made a good impression and so did the referee, one Nigel Owens. There is way too much pandering to the big name players. Our increasingly youthful referees have me wondering sometimes who is in charge. Not with Nigel. Nope, Alun Wyn Jones may be one of the greatest professional rugby players in Wales but to Owens he is 'No 5' during the course of the game. Young referees, follow the maestro's example.
6. While we are talking Alun Wyn Jones, it is encouraging to see such development in his off loading game. He has always been an inspirational leader in the Paul O' Connell mode, but never a renowned man for the sleight of hand. But in the spirit of Retallick and Whitelock, this old dog is learning some impressive new tricks.
7. I am not one for sport books - to put it mildly - but I think I'll buy Paul O' Connell's and not just because it was written by my old mate, Alan English. The great man tells us of trips to bookshops in Wellington in 2005 where he reads contentious French novelists over coffee. The ghost of Samuel Beckett is alive and well. I knew the 2005 Lions tour was an awful experience for the British and Irish contingent but I didn't know of Paul's literary side...
8. There's been quite a lot of moralising in the last week. Aaron Smith, to quote Monty Python, has been 'a very naughty boy'. But when you think about it, at least he has been making love not war. We, in the press have jumped on the story but I bet you Steve Hansen has told him just to keep his head down.
9. Europe this week and while I was watching the Kiwi master class in the TV truck at Twickenham, the struggling Harlequins were beating the even more sluggish Northampton Saints. There is real pressure on Jim Mallinder and Dorian West to get their season into gear when they face the inconsistent Montpellier team on Saturday evening. It should be a nervous night for Saints fans at the Gardens; just the sort of excruciating tension the neutrals love. Obviously the game of the weekend has to be Toulon versus Saracens but it should be lively enough in Northampton.
10. And finally, Munster. They have not impressed me in the slightest so far. Under Rassie Erasmus it is true that they have improved from the shambolic season that was their last one but while they do have a little more structure to their game, they don't have a whole lot more. They won a lot of ball against Leinster and did little with it. On Sunday, they are in Paris (as am I) to face the French champions, Racing 92.
The champions are embroiled in their own off field controversies at the moment as we make a headline off the fact that Dan Carter was playing with an injury most of last season. Throw in the word 'steroid' and hey presto, a headline. Must we slur blokes who are pressured to play and do what we've all done through the ages, doing what you have to do for the sake of your team and mates. Carter's a star in this quarter, full stop.
