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Stuart Barnes has high praise for New Zealand who played with pace and invention to destroy France.

New Zealand end tour on a high

What a wonderful Saturday night that was; New Zealand played with a pace, an invention and an ambition which made complete idiots of those who think organised defence and daft rules are killing the game. The tackle law is a farce and rucking should be re-introduced but even with these hindrances the All Blacks produced a vintage performance. Players drove BEYOND the ball and allowed the scrum half a clear sight at whisking quick possession away. The fly half, the majestic Dan Carter, stood FLAT (according to Jonny Wilkinson's Times column this England are not in favour of such positioning) and the back three COUNTER ATTACKED rather than kicked aimlessly back. On the debit side it was all a little old fashioned, these skills used in a bygone age. I expect a few of the more technical, scientific coaches laughed at the sheer naive nature of it all. Players not securing ball but risking leaving their scrum half exposed at the base....clearly the All Blacks have lost the coaching plot.... Some of Wales and all of England's woes are shown up by the zip and aggression of the All Blacks although England needs not worry too much as it is apparently closing the gap....spare us. Rob Andrew and Martin Johnson do not have a clue what they are on about or they are lying - and lying badly. Johnson keeps claiming 'the critics' don't understand. Then he changes the debate by talking about the constant demand for mavericks and 'exciting' rugby. This is an invented enemy which he uses to explain the real simplicity of thinking which emanates not from the fans and the critics but his own management team. Still the Second Division of international rugby, the Six Nations is coming and England will doubtless improve and claim that they have answered their critics as they did last year before a two nil hammering in Australia (leaving good players at home to give their selves an excuse and then an autumn series where they lose twice at Twickenham before promising better in the Six Nations and then....etc. Cue 2011 and the RFU make a brave decision to alter the management which has such a poor record since all of them were appointed. Yes, I am a little angry with the spinning evasive tactics of Messrs Johnson and Andrew. I work on this sport for a living; I am no team's fan but those of you that are have a right to some honesty at the very least. Well done Ireland; beating the world champions is no small achievement but the woeful lack of variety in the Springbok 22 could prove an Achilles heel in the next few months. It was so frustrating because there was genuine invention and sharp attack from all over the pitch for much of the game. Still, Ireland looks in decent shape to add an extra dimension to their game and prove a tough champion to dethrone in the next Six Nations. Don't forget France either; they were hammered by New Zealand but have several key men to recall and a determination to keep developing their game style. They will probably lose one game but they will also smash a few others. Italy has shown a few signs of being obstinate opponents while Scotland's defeat to a weakened Argentina brought them crashing down to earth after beating Australia. Inspired by the excellent Graham Steadman, they will be hard to crack defensively but there's not much creative edge to their play. As for the current club game, it was wonderful to see Shane Geraghty playing flat at fly half and tearing an in-form Newcastle to shreds with the timing and mix of his game. It doesn't suit the England model but it sure looks the part in Northampton.

Stuart answers your emails...

Got a question for Stuart? Email him at skysportsclub@bskyb.com or use the feedback form below...Stuart, I would be interested in any comments you have regarding the choice of this year's player of the year Richie McCaw; he lost to the Boks 3 times as well as a drawn home series against France. BOD was overlooked having won the 6N/triple crown; he also won the Heineken Cup. For me Du Preez should have won it (He has the Super 14, Currie Cup, Lions series as well as the 3N trophies this year. I know it is player of the year but with rugby being a team sport it should be the influence that individual player has on the team and the results. Du Preez should have won it, Do the IRB have an axe to grind with South Africa?
Graeme McQueen STUART REPLIES: Graeme, Richie McCaw is one of the finest players of this era but he was not the player of the season. The system makes the award a farce. A panel of respected rugby names give a numerical vote for the internationals played that season. Heineken Cup and Super 14 are irrelevant (which tells you the lack of respect the world body shows for anything non international). The best open side this year has been Heinrich Brussow. I would agree that it should have been Du Preez over O' Driscoll but remember last season Shane Williams won it over McCaw. The IRB are just not very good at things. Stuart, Do you think the arrogant and selfish decision by Wasps to refuse to play a Premiership match, despite the referee passing the pitch fit for play, sums up the prima donna attitudes that still prevail at the heart of English Club rugby? Do such attitudes partly explain the recent demise of the England Rugby team? Would a New Zealand Club or National team ever refuse to go onto rugby pitch because the players might get muddy, wet and may be slide around rather more often than on a hard, dry surface? Has English rugby gone soft when team managers start to pick and choose when and where they will play matches?
Adrian Neeves (A disillusioned Sale Sharks season ticket holder and England fan) STUART REPLIES: DSSSTH, What has Wasps refusal to play got to do with the current demise of the national team? Wasps are one of the cutest teams at spotting loop holes. They were first and foremost exploiters of the uncontested scrum and they have a small habit of refusing to play when their side is struggling for form (as they are on soft ground right now). Four points should be awarded to Sale because the referee decided the pitch was fit for rugby and a code of contact which places the decision of referees above the threat of legal action must be drawn up with all the clubs signatories. As for the 'prima donna' attitude of the Premiership....its many things but soft it is not! Stuart, Ireland gave a wonderfully combative performance against SA but I don't think I saw a single off-load in the tackle all game (probably a slight exaggeration but....). With the shambles at the breakdown becoming worse all the time, would you agree that one way round it is to off-load immediately before or in the tackle, as demonstrated by Australia and NZ on Saturday? You can score tries as long as you do this and provided you don't kick away most of your possession! I always look forward to your analysis, please keep it coming.
Bob S STUART REPLIES: Bob S, The game is designed to be played with the ball off the ground. The more time it is, the harder for defences to reorganise. It is a simple truism that coaches cannot admit. All these manuals and 'isms' so little stark logic. The All Blacks were devastating on Saturday night and the rules were the same ones which have apparently killed the game. That is not to say the tackle law is right but it is to say that the coaches have a role in the lack of attacking intelligence. These are the dark ages of attack but we'll come out of them... Hi Stuart, I gather the lawmakers are convening to discuss the rules and the apparent lack of attacking play recently. Due to professionalism I believe the rules need to change in order to change the mindset of players and coaches. Some critics seem to be blaming the new directive that the first defender to the breakdown is allowed to use his/her hands. However in due time I believe this will encourage good openside play and lead to more counter attacking ball. However what I don't agree with is the under use of the yellow card by refs. If every penalty that cynically prevents a team scoring points is punished by a yellow card then surely we will see less offending and more attacking play?
Tim STUART REPLIES: Tim, I think the last answer deals with the first part of the question - as for the yellow cards - you preach to the converted. Staggeringly I hear referees have been encouraged to use less cards and manage the game. This is crass stupidity at best or a decision to reward the more negative side at worst. Fifteen against fifteen does not mean a better game if one side is killing the ball. Keep binning players until they stop committing cynical fouls - Pavlov's Dogs and not sympathetic management is the order of the day...