The All Blacks are not fazed by going behind on the scoreboard. Instead they continue to concentrate on the basics by moving forward with variation in their attacks, which isolates opposition defenders and puts them in vulnerable positions. Both wingers are hungry for the ball and frequently appear in support in midfield, especially Caleb Clarke.
Quality technique, be it passing or tackling, enables them to keep the attack going forward with “X Factor” players in both Barrett brothers and Will Jordan. The latter is a try scoring enigma whose timing on to the ball from full back is exquisite and whose pace on the wing is blistering.
For Australia, Joe Schmidt is trying to plant some firm roots in their style of play, a mixture of flair and toughness up front. At times in the first half the Wallabies played with high intensity and some copybook support play. However, the story ends there. They tend to start well but then almost predictably the intensity drops, time in possession decreases and the opposition start to score leaving one asking whether conceding points is a result of poor defence or the opposition raising their game?
Australia will continue to improve under their Kiwi coaches and the acid test will be the quality of their performances on the upcoming tour of the Northern Hemisphere.
Meanwhile, South Africa won their first rugby championship since 2019 when they defeated Argentina 48-7 last Saturday, with Eben Etzebeth earning his 128th cap to become the Springboks’ most capped player.
The result speaks volumes about the formidable squad coach Rassie Erasmus is building. Despite a strong set of scrummaging forwards and robust defence, it is their backline attack that is starting to purr, often receiving the ball on the front foot with power, evasiveness and pace meaning half chances have now become real chances. They too will measure their improvement on the upcoming tour of Europe.
Elsewhere, week 2 of the Gallagher Premiership in England produced few surprises. Saracens head the table and despite the loss of established high-profile players, have a younger talented squad coming through and winning.
Harlequins easily disposed of Newcastle, who despite the confidence of Director of Rugby Steve Diamond, look destined for a tough season, while Gloucester won the Southwest derby, beating Bristol away, with Christian Wade scoring 3 tries.
Last season’s champions Northampton Saints inflicted a second loss on Exeter, whose coach Rob Baxter admits to being a little perplexed by his team’s performances.
Meanwhile, Bath sent out a message of intent that they want to go one step further this season by winning at Leicester Tigers, something few teams do.
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.