World Cup Rugby 2015

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RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR

04.11.2015

A L L B L AC KS: W I N N E RS O F T H E 2015 W E B B E L L I S T RO P H Y

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We had an absolute ball

Congratulations to the Rugby World Cup 2015 champions #BringingRugbyHome

emirates.com/nz TM Š Rugby World Cup Limited 2008-2015. All rights reserved.

RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR | 04.11.15 | 3

introduction

Foreword

TREVOR MCKEWEN

PICTURE / BRETT PHIBBS

Nobody had ever done it. And for six weeks in September and October, New Zealand was gripped by the notion that the All Blacks might — just might — become the first team in history to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup. That feat would also mean they would be the only three-time winners of the Webb Ellis Trophy. Our confidence waxed and waned through indifferent pool match displays, then soared in a magnificent demolition of France in the quarter finals, banishing forever the ghosts of Cardiff 2007. We gritted our teeth through a dramaladen semi-final with the old foe South Africa. Then came the big one. In this souvenir magazine, the Herald’s writers and photographers pay tribute to Steve Hansen’s All Blacks, relive the great moments and put in context their achievements.

index

Gregor Paul: Why this team is the greatest

P4-5

Dylan Cleaver: World Cup 2015 was the best ever

P14

Pat McKendry: All Blacks dominate Cup statistics

P18

The best-ever All Blacks How the final unfolded The transformation of Steve Hansen Farewell to our stars, plus tournament player rankings It’s ours! Celebration time!

What a World Cup! Snapshot: Best pics of the Cup The full results, plus best of All Black stats Best of social media The Last Word

P4-5 P6-7 P8 P10-11 P12-13 P14 P16-17 P18-19 P20-21 P22

credits Editor Trevor McKewen Art director Rob Cox Designer Lily Vallance Picture editor John Sefton Sub-editor Isobel Marriner Contributors Gregor Paul, Pat McKendry, Wynne Gray, Dylan Cleaver, Chris Rattue, David Skipwith.

Cover image Brett Phibbs

online Review the Rugby World Cup at nzherald.co.nz/sport.

Get the best match video highlights, big-game reviews and analysis. @nzherald facebook.com/ nzherald.co.nz

Twin towers: an ode to Richie and Dan They may be the two greatest All Blacks to play in the jersey. The World Cup could not have been a more fitting farewell, writes Wynne Gray

R

ichie McCaw and Daniel Carter suited up in black together in 89 tests and won 80 of them.

Before each of those internationals you could imagine the collective sigh of their opponents when they faced the prince of marauders and his rapier director.

A flanker and a five-eighths—the two pivotal positions in any All Black side since this nation began its fascination with rugby—remarkable athletes cast in the same team.

Twin diamonds honed on the flatlands in Canterbury and polished to sparkle on the greatest rugby grounds around the planet.

Great players festoon All Black history and these were two of the finest. A reserved country lad from Hakataramea and the quiet kid from Southbridge harvested their considerable talents and, in the same era, delivered a dozen golden years to the men in black.

McCaw loomed into my international focus at Lansdowne Rd, Dublin in the middle of November 2001 in a scrum-capped man of the match performance, and there he was in his 2015 World Cup- winning swansong at Twickenham, bookending his career in similar style.

The openside flanker had played nine tests when Carter was picked for the 2003 All Blacks.

They played their first test together against France on their home track in Christchurch, although Carter started at second five-eighths outside Carlos Spencer.

There was never any doubt they would be picked for RWC 2003, but their partnership was only in three pool games.

After new coaches Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith took over in 2004 they made their big play on the end-of-year tour to Europe, picking Carter as their primary fiveeighths.

In the late afternoon November light, several kilometres from the centre of Rome at a suburban ground with a capacity of less than 25,000, the All Blacks fielded McCaw and Carter together in their regal roles.

McCaw wore his No 7 jersey and Carter had No 10 on his back as they marauded through the match, unpicking their opponents.

A year later they were in their pomp against the Lions to mock the Power of Four tour, especially at the Cake Tin where Carter was in imperious form for a 33-point haul in the 48-18 victory.

The pair’s massive impact — including McCaw’s rise to the team captaincy — brought a great vibe to the 2007 World Cup campaign, but some curious picks and a leg injury to Carter before the quarter final bit into that target.

No matter, the 2011 tournament was on home soil — and was going to plan, until Carter injured his groin and was replaced, while McCaw was hampered hugely because of a broken foot.

The All Blacks claimed the top prize but there were missing pieces for the golden partnership and no guarantees would be around Great players both for a repeat tilt at this festoon All Webb Ellis Trophy.

Black history Injury slowed Carter and these were who struggled to add two of the very 17 tests to his tally in finest in the three seasons, while McCaw churned same era. through more than double that tally.

But determination allied to buckets of conditioning pulled their talent to the verge of one final foray at this year’s World Cup. The All Blacks equivalent of Lille and Thomson, Redgrave and Pinsent, Joe Montana and Jerry Rice was back —but in how much business? They worked strongly through pool games then poured it on in the play-off demolition of France .

In the final minutes Carter damaged his knee.

Not 2011. Not again, surely.

Someone without his resilience or all that experience might have lost confidence.

Instead the champion captain and five-eighths added to their legacy as the All Blacks won successive titles and their first one offshore.

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Ben Smith was imperious in the aerial battles.

Top: Sonny Bill Williams with one of his trademark offloads against Georgia.

Left: You bewdy Beauden! Super sub Beauden Barrett seals the World Cup final triumph to the delight of Julian Savea.

PICTURE / BRETT PHIBBS

THE GREATE

Gregor Paul is in no doubt where this All Blacks team stands in the debate over the best rugby team in history

T

he thing with monumental achievements is that it takes a while for their scale to be realised. The enormity takes time to sink in — like a pint of Guinness, it is only once everything has settled that the majesty of it all becomes clear.

And this is why the All Blacks are being assessed with any number of qualifiers in relation to their place in history. There’s been a lot of ‘probably’ and ‘perhaps’ and ‘maybe’ when trying to determine whether they are the greatest side that has ever played the game.

It is certainly a big call to make, so the qualifiers are there more to reflect the size of the question rather than the doubt within the

answer. It’s also true that no one wants to be the first to be definitive. It’s like the school disco – it’s best to make any approach ambiguous so it can be denied without a loss of face. It’s best to be unclear and open-ended rather than direct and affirmative.

Convention kind of sucks, though, especially in this case. There’s reason enough already to be definitive: if there has been a better international rugby team in history, they should come out now and show themselves.

Which team would be able to stand comparison with the All Blacks of the past four years? If the qualifiers are going to remain, from where is the doubt arising?

In the modern era at least, no other team has won back-to-back World Cups and that in itself is reason to see the current All Blacks as a cut above everything there has been before.

Of those sides who have previously won World Cups, would any be able to compare on the strength of their solitary title? The toughest competition to the current team would come from the 1987 All Blacks, who didn’t lose again until 1990.

They were a special team with special players and in much the same way as the current crew, they kept challenging themselves to be better.

Their big thing was the quest to play the perfect game.

When they were in their pomp, there wasn’t a side on the planet that could contest them, so the challenge for Buck Shelford’s team was to be their own enemy: to never be happy with outcome and only judge themselves on the quality of their performances.

For three years they were magnificent but they

RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR | 04.11.15 | 5

Top: The bus arrives.

Julian Savea bounces an unfortunate Frenchman during the quarter final.

Rookie All Black winger Nehe Milner-Skudder set the tournament alight with his free running.

PICTURE / BRETT PHIBBS

TEST EVER fell away sharply in the end, not doing enough to inject new blood and fresh legs which became a problem at the 1991 World Cup. Their defence of the title was far from impressive and on those grounds, they didn’t have the same durability and longevity as the current team.

The 1991 Wallabies had plenty of class and were deserving winners, but they didn’t dominate world rugby before or after, and that was definitely the case with the English team that won in 2003.

Between late 2001 and 2003 Martin Johnson’s side were supreme: tough, resilient and way more talented than they were given credit for. But in 2004 they were diminished, without their captain who had retired.

None of these champion sides were able to carry their excellence through an entire World Cup cycle. All of them sustained a level of excellence for a period before slowly falling from their peak.

The truly amazing thing about this All

The truly amazing thing about this All Black era is that the team who won the 2015 tournament were better than the team who won four years earlier. That’s unheard of. How many teams, in any era, have done that?

Black era is that the team who won the 2015 tournament were better than the team who won four years earlier.

That’s the unheard of part of what they have done — finding the resolve and desire to keep improving from an already high base.

How many teams, in any era, have managed to do that? How many have been able to sustain excellence for so long? None in the professional era and it gets a bit messy delving into the amateur era trying to compare and contrast such vastly different landscapes and apply meaning.

So best not to. Maybe just say this All Black side is the best the professional era has seen.

If there are doubts about that, there won’t be in six months or a year. Time helps everything become clear and with distance, comes clarity.

What the All Blacks have achieved is unprecedented and that is surely the definition of being the greatest? Reaching a point no one else has.

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The final moments ALL BLACKS 34

AUSTRALIA 17

7th minute

Dylan Cleaver recounts the key moments of the World Cup final

After a bright start, the All Blacks are in the lead after Dan Carter opens the scoring with a penalty, expertly slotted from out wide.

All Blacks 3-0

13th minute The first scrum of the game barely has a chance to get set before Nigel Owens penalises Owen Franks.

Bernard Foley ties it up from a handy range.

3-3

14th minute Australian lock Kane Douglas suffers a knee injury and is replaced by Dean Mumm. The All Blacks appear to have dodged a similar injury bullet after Kieran Read went down with what looked like a serious ankle injury in the first few minutes.

25th minute Stacks on the mill as the All Blacks celebrate Beauden Barrett’s matchsealing try in the World Cup final.

PICTURE / BRETT PHIBBS

This is starting to look grim for the Wallabies with playmaker and backline general Matt Giteau leaving the field after being knocked cold. He is replaced by the mercurial Kurtley Beale.

26th minute Scott Sio, who earlier thumped Carter with a late tackle, is at fault again as a lazy arm catches Ma’a Nonu high. Owens shows admirable restraint in not reaching for his pocket, as there was no malice. Carter puts the All Blacks back in the lead.

All Blacks 6-3

35th minute Will Genia harries at the base of the breakdown but it comes at a cost as he is caught offside. Carter is on song with the boot. All Blacks 9-3

38th minute A moment of simple training ground magic conjures the first try of the final and it is no more than the All Blacks deserve. Conrad Smith’s nicely angled inside ball momentarily frees Aaron Smith, who looks outside to Richie McCaw. He has the pleasing task of putting world breakthrough player of the year Nehe Milner-Skudder over in the corner. Carter converts from wide and the All Blacks have a solid halftime lead.

All Blacks 16-3

RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR | 04.11.15 | 7

41st minute

63rd minute

78th minute:

Sonny Bill Williams replaces Conrad Smith and is too much to cope with. His second popped ball finds Nonu, who is busted free with only Beale coming across in cover. Nonu sidesteps him with ease and though Carter misses a fairly easy conversion, with an 18-point lead this final looks as good as won.

All Blacks 21-3.

Will Genia takes advantage of open turf at the back to neatly box-kick into space. The ball sits nicely for powerhouse centre Tevita Kuridrani, who beats Carter a little too easily on the inside. Foley’s conversion means that, having dominated for most of the match, the All Blacks are left nursing a four-point lead.

All Blacks 21-17

Australia are throwing the kitchen sink at this, but the otherwise impressive Mitchell spills the ball in the All Blacks 22m. Ben Smith turns defence to attack and toes ahead. Replacement utility back Beauden Barrett makes Pocock look like he’s running through quicksand as he smoothly motors past, before cushioning the ball with his knee and gleefully collecting the bounce. This final is over, but not before Carter signs off from international rugby with a rightfoot conversion.

All Blacks 34-17.

51st minute

69th minute:

High drama. The Wallabies are stringing some phases together and the All Blacks are forced to defend their line. Ben Smith, probably the least likely player to lose his head, tips Drew Mitchell beyond the horizontal. It looks like Smith is going to be penalised and nothing else, but under pressure from TMO Shaun Veldsman, Owens takes another look and reaches for the pocket.

It’s harsh, but fair.

For the second week in a row, the left peg of Carter is the talk of Twickenham. With the All Blacks in midfield, Carter feints to run and gets the defensive line to hesitate for a split second. He uses that time to hit a 40m drop goal on the move and wills the ball over in a moment of rare animation.

All Blacks 24-17.

80th minute The Wallabies turn the ball over, SBW gets one more offload on his stat line and Ben Smith kicks for touch.

The Webb Ellis Trophy is New Zealand’s again.

74th minute:

52nd minute From the resultant penalty and lineout drive, the All Black pack is splintered and David Pocock breathes life into the final with a simple try. Foley converts.

All Blacks 21-10.

This is quickly becoming Carter’s final. He calmly slots a penalty from near the halfway line. New Zealand can start to breathe again as Australia need two scores in six minutes to turn this on its head and that’s unlikely.

All Blacks 27-17.

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the experts

8 | 04.11.15 | RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR

Richie McCaw and head coach Steve Hansen share a private moment after the Rugby World Cup Final. Inset, a younger Hansen in 2001.

PICTURE /BRETT

Handsome is as Hansen does Coach Steve Hansen is leaving his mark on the rugby world in more ways than one, writes Gregor Paul

F

rom being the grumpy assistant who was at war with everyone outside the camp, Steve Hansen has become the man to whom the nation has warmed and come to understand.

His irascible dry wit was one of the best features of the World Cup. There the All Blacks were, under the most intense scrutiny and pressure, and there wasn’t a flicker of it in any of Hansen’s public dealings.

He talked a little of the trickery involved — of there being plenty going on beneath the surface — but it was hard to tell. Impossible to tell.

Each time he was wheeled out to talk, there was a joke or memorable one-liner somewhere in the act.

His best lines were genuinely funny and signalled the confidence he had in himself, but more importantly, the confidence he had in his team.

Of all the things he has given the All Blacks since he took over in late 2011, two stand out as more important. The first is his determination for the All Blacks to be perceived holistically, not just by what they do on the field.

He has hammered home the need for his team to be humble and grateful for all that they have. He

Since he took over in late 2011, two things stand out.

His determination for the All Blacks to be perceived holistically, not just by what they do on the field, and to allow his players to have fun.

hasn’t wanted to build aloof, machine-like rugby players – he’s built good men, or at least he’s made sure that the good man he has picked are able to show the world they are good men.

The sporting, inclusive nature of the All Blacks at this World Cup has been picked up on and they will leave England a much better-appreciated and no doubt better-liked team than when they arrived.

The second thing Hansen has done, which is connected to the first change, is allow his players to have fun.

It is black and white with Hansen. When it’s time to train and play, it is time to be deadly serious.

When it is time to have fun, it is time for the players to relax and be themselves.

They are encouraged to switch on and off and that was crucial at this World Cup. No one came off the rails as a result of the intensity. When the final whistle went, the players were elated rather than relieved.

This World Cup was savoured by the players and enjoyed — not endured like the last one and that is maybe the biggest contribution Hansen has made.

He has allowed the All Blacks to find their place and be who they are.

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Thanks for the m

Tony Woodcock

Ma’a Nonu

There’ll be some mirth when the front-rowers’ club convenes and Tony Woodcock is asked to talk about the hamstring injury that ended his test career.

Who knows if they will get a detailed explanation, as the 118-test prop has been a staunch advocate of word economy when he is drawn into public conversation.

Woodcock has been remarkably consistent on the field since he got his national call-up alongside Keven Mealamu on the 2002 tour, when they debuted together against Wales. Woodcock missed the RWC in 2003 but has been a fixture since. His work on the family farm at Kaukapakapa subsidised his natural fitness and a frame made for propping, while his excellent technique has been the model embraced by national scrum coach Mike Cron.

Curious form has followed Ma’a Nonu for much of Super Rugby but in the black jersey he has been magnificently reliable. That paradox levelled out more this season as Nonu blasted through repeat episodes of quality with the ‘Canes before he pushed on with the All Blacks. His second five-eighths duties demand a physical edge to rival any loose forward and the sort of attacking footwork and pace he showed with his outstanding try in the RWC final. He is the one who straightens attacks, takes the heat when the All Blacks need to set up phase play, and the link to wider attacks. Nonu departs after 103 tests where he added layers of subtlety to his physical threats. He became utterly reliable and the rock of the glittering backline.

Rating our All Black heroes Ben Smith 9

Superb in everything he did from specialty kick chasing, involvement in the line and defence. There might never be another Christian Cullen, who played in an era where there was more space on the field, but Ben Smith is close to being the next best thing. A black mark for the stupid yellow card in the final, although thanks to New Zealand’s dominance, he got away with it.

Nehe Milner-Skudder 8 A revelation and sensation. Runner, stepper, playmaker. A Cory Jane type, and even trickier in the running department. Could do with Jane’s high ballcatching prowess though.

Julian Savea 7

Guardian writer Robert Kitson called the quarter-final destruction of France “cruel beauty”, and Savea’s try on halftime, stampeding through and past a trio of defenders, summed this up perfectly. Wingers must be a versatile lot and he worked hard in the centre of the field in the first half of the final, but was less influential in the second. A decent but uneven World Cup and to be harsh, not the tournament star he might have been.

Waisake Naholo 4

Was always a bit of a punt, and one that was never fully tested. Started with a magnificent try against Georgia, but looked well short of match alertness after a long injury break. Charles Piutau was a better option.

Conrad Smith 7

Went out on a very good note in the final, despite only lasting half the match against Australia. A crucial influence, especially given Dan Carter’s limited role in recent years. In truth, his observable contribution was limited, but the bottom line is this: it worked.

Malakai Fekitoa 4

Was always going to struggle to break in and didn’t overly help his cause on limited chances against weaker pool opponents. A couple of good moments against Namibia.

Ma’a Nonu 9

Came up with the biggest moments of the World Cup, both involving long angled runs. Pundits favourite as man of the tournament. He set up Beauden Barrett against the Springboks in the semifinal, then went on a never-to-be-forgotten charge off an SBW pass in the final to score himself. His playmaking might have been a touch limited, but he often got the All Blacks on the front foot.

Sonny Bill Williams 8

Strong in the pool, important moments in the playoffs.

Got to partner Nonu as a replacement, which was an unexpected plot twist. Did the job with offloads and straight running. A classic bench option.

Dan Carter 9

His calm authority in the semifinal against South Africa’s limited tactics stands out. Carter finished in style, and his restrained running was later explained, partly, by a knee injury. Carter has always been a consummate defender and excelled in the final. Nailed the goals and didn’t overplay his hand. His late-career shift included a penchant for drop goals. A full part in a World Cup triumph is what the great man so fully deserved. He is for many people’s money the finest No. 10 in rugby history, even if he lacked the sharpest footwork of Phil Bennett and co.

Beauden Barrett 7

The super-sub’s late try in the final, where his highspeed shuffle gave the Aussie chasers no chance, was the icing on an okay cake. Struggled to join the party against France in the quarters but did the bizzo when required in the semifinal and final. Given a start against Namibia but couldn’t lift himself above the messy affair, and goalkicking again proved a worry.

Colin Slade 3

A start at fullback against Namibia was his World Cup, an ugly game as it turned out. He was always going to be cover for the cover, and a low injury rate put paid to his chances.

Aaron Smith 7

Still a terrific halfback, but not his finest work. His sharp passing was again pivotal, but his running was down and some kicking astray. Time for a wee reboot after a rapid rise to being the best halfback in world rugby.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow 6

A big mover in an understated way. After a long injury break, he established himself as the No. 2 halfback behind Smith. His running ability makes him an ideal bench proposition.

TJ Perenara 5

One of the flops, to be honest. Went as the No. 2 halfback, came back as No. 3. Looks like one of those players who might have trouble bringing his best stuff to the test stage. Almost needs to loosen up.

Kieran Read 7

Very difficult to judge. On one hand, he did a decent job in the trenches and was a lineout-stealing ace. On the other, nothing like the player whose ball playing and running made him the IRB player of the year in 2013. He is also making a lot of handling errors and a weird up-and-under in the final epitomised his confused game. McCaw set the standard for going on and on and on . . . but we can’t expect that from everybody. Maybe head knocks have also taken a toll.

Richie McCaw 9

What more can be said? He has pulled New Zealand rugby along with him, setting standards in longevity that can’t be matched. And yet there has hardly been a big head or wrong word along the way. In a sport of continually loose contests for the ball, he has worked out all the angles while enduring pathetic claims about cheating and stupid attacks from some opponents. The man is a miracle, and he has also re-shaped the ethos within the test camp. It is now all about respect, egalitarianism and hard work. You have to wonder where New Zealand rugby might have been without him. As for this World Cup, it was simply business as usual from Richie McCaw.

RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR | 04.11.15 | 11

PICTURES / BRETT PHIBBS

e memories

Conrad Smith

Keven Mealamu

Conrad Smith is the poster-man for intelligence matching brute force in test rugby. His midfield partnership with Nonu reached its premium value on the test fields. He is the most capped centre in All Black history, which even amazes his strong intellect and many who look at his frame. The qualified lawyer is very fit, has enough pace and all the courage needed to direct his teammates into areas of advantage. Smith manages the defensive patterns while his prying runs, anticipation, support play and unselfish distribution help build attacking pressure. He pushes teammates to think about life after rugby, while his contribution for the All Blacks stands as a beacon for persistence.

Keven Mealamu’s infectious nature will be a golden weapon in his next campaign as an ambassador throughout the Auckland region. It’s time he had a spell after signing off from top rugby and a record 375 first class games — more than anyone in NZ history. He’s traversed highways and cul de sacs in club, provincial, Super and test rugby and retained his decency, perspective and standards throughout that glorious career even when fate and his weary calves tried to make him stop. After 132 tests, this Christian father of two who is a talented artist and business owner will use his mana to encourage more people in Auckland to embrace rugby. The limelight is not Mealamu’s domain but his remarkable exploits have cancelled his wishes. — Wynne Gray

by Chris Rattue

Sam Cane 6

Charlie Faumuina 7

Serving one of rugby’s longest modern-day apprenticeships behind McCaw. His stature within the camp was emphasised by his being named captain against Namibia. Had a poor stint in the semifinal, and got a token gesture minute in the final so can’t be said to have had a great tournament. Just making the bench was a mini-triumph though. In some ways, his test career really starts now.

Considering he was coming off a neck operation and extended break the big tighthead did pretty well in his impact role, both with and without the ball.

Ben Franks 6

The utility prop saw loosehead replacement Joe Moody literally fly over him and into the starting lineup. Crockett’s injury got him to the final 23.

Adequate.

Victor Vito 6

Tony Woodcock 6

Steve Hansen resisted throwing Vito into the fray when a moderately performing Read suffered an injury problem during the final. That tells a story — background at the highest level. Some big challengers are rising — Akira Ioane, Ardie Savea, Elliot Dixon and co.

Never got to test his old legs in the big games, having scored a try then wrecked a hamstring in the final pool game against Tonga. Limped out of his test career in distress, an unfortunate end for an All Black great.

Wyatt Crockett 6

Liam Messam 3

A quarter of an hour against Tonga was his lot. Fell off the radar, a situation magnified by the modern-day trend of using players as waterboys. Picked up an early injury and couldn’t force his way in. One of those players with a really decent mid-level test career, for whom the World Cup glory just didn’t happen, through back luck or timing or form.

Jerome Kaino 9

Kapow and wow. What a tournament, starting every game. He had a huge influence in the big playoff matches. His sheer physical impact stood out. He made his presence felt from the outset in the semifinal and final. In hindsight, his Japan sojourn worked a treat, for his bank balance and for freshening the big loose forward up. Deserves to be regarded as an All Black legend for his contribution to successive World Cup crowns.

Brodie Retallick 8

Lineout stealer, defender, ball carrier, turnover merchant, crusher of Matt Giteau . . . i.e. a raw-boned star. Is he playing up to his very best? Maybe not.

Whatever, he was still very good. Already talked about as one of the finest locks ever at the tender age of 24.

Dane Coles

A big opportunity to make his mark after Woodcock was injured, but was hit by injury himself and Moody then zoomed into the team and prominence.

Joe Moody 7

Sam Whitelock 9

The consensus is that he got better as the tournament progressed, which is quite some rap, and he started in every match. Will long be remembered for that crucial lineout steal on defence against South Africa. Terrific tackler, and has worked his way back to level-pegging with Retallick.

Luke Romano 5

The ball-carrying lock dropped out of the picture after the group stage, when the coaches decided to select two loose forwards on the bench. Whether this reflected his form or their team formation is hard to tell, but was a bit surprising.

Owen Franks 7

The scrum bulwark held off what seemed, briefly, to be a challenge from Charlie Faumuina. Some improved work around the field as well, although he will never be a great ball-carrier, which is where the game might be heading.

Excellent effort, having been rushed in from New Zealand when Woodcock went down. Produced a top offload for a try against France, and did the job against South Africa and Australia. Good scrums and quite agile around the field, although some errors.

Dane Coles 8

Superb in many ways, a highlight being his lineout throwing in the final. No classic long-range Coles tries, but lots of other good stuff, including low defence. He stayed healthy, luckily for the All Blacks.

Keven Mealamu 6

All things being equal, a younger backup for Coles should have emerged. But the 36-year-old veteran filled the gap well in small doses.

Codie Taylor 3

One average match against Namibia does not make for a great score. Still something of a mystery man.

The hooker questions remain unanswered.

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2015 PATH POOL MATCHES

All Blacks 26 (Aaron Smith, Sam Cane tries, Dan Carter 2 cons, 4 pens) Argentina 16 (Petti Pagadizabal try; Nicolas Sanchez 3 pens, con) Halftime: 12-13

All Blacks 58 (Victor Vito, Nehe Milner-Skudder 2, Malakai Fekitoa, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea 2, Ben Smith, Codie Taylor; Barrett 4 cons 1 pen, Slade con).

All Blacks 43 (Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea 3, Dane Coles, Kieran Read, Malakai Fekitoa tries; Dan Carter 4 cons)

Namibia 14 (Johan Deysel; Theuns Kotze 3 pens)

Georgia 10 (Beka Tsiklauri try; Lasha Malaghuradze con, pen).

Halftime: 34-6

Halftime: 22-10

RU R UGB U GB G

BY W WO OR RL LD C CU UP S SO OUV O UV UVEN U UVE VE EN NIIR R | 0 04 4..1 11 1..1 1.1 15 5 | 1 13 3

TO GLORY All Blacks 47 (Ben Smith, Tony Woodcock, Nehe Milner-Skudder 2, Sonny Bill Williams, Sam Cane, Ma’a Nonu tries; Dan Carter 6 cons) Tonga 9 (Kurt Morath 3 pens) Halftime: 14-3

QUARTER-FINAL

SEMIFINAL

FINAL

All Blacks 62 (Julian Savea 3, Tawera Kerr-Barlow 2, Brodie Retallick, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read tries; Dan Carter 7 cons, pen)

All Blacks 20 (Jerome Kaino, Beauden Barrett tries; Dan Carter 1 pen, 2 cons, 1 dropped goal)

All Blacks 34 (Nehe MilnerSkudder, Ma’a Nonu, Beauden Barrett tries; Dan Carter 4 pens, 2 cons, dropped goal)

France 13 (Louis Picamoles try; Morgan Parra 1 con, 1 pen, Scott Spedding pen).

Halftime: 29-13

South Africa 18 (Handre Pollard 5 pens, Patrick Lambie pen) Halftime: 12-7

Australia 17 (David Pocock, Tevita Kuridrani tries; Bernard Foley pen, 2 cons) Halftime: 16-3.

Story lines

14 | 04.11.15 | RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR

A rugby feast to remember The best World Cup? Dylan Cleaver weighs the evidence

W

e know it was the biggest, most profitable World Cup of the eight, but the best? Depends what set of measurements you want to use.

The rugby was good, it was more competitive and, all bias aside, the best team in the world won. So it ticks most of the boxes there.

The tournament was set alight on the opening weekend when Japan, who will host the Cup in 2019, tipped over two-time winners South Africa.

It was a seismic moment for the sport, the first real evidence that those outside the 10 Six Nations or Rugby Championship sides could make quantifiable improvements and be more than plucky losers.

And this is World Rugby’s next great challenge: how do you keep the countries outside the two big annual tournaments — like Japan and Georgia — competitive?

Although it was the closest tournament, there was still an average margin of 22 points between teams and, to be brutally honest, this was really only kept in check because the big teams like New Zealand take a far more scientific attitude into games against minnows and have little interest in trying to pile on points or boost individual stat lines.

There were disappointments, too. Italy steadfastly refuse to make any progress and manage to play a deathly dull style while doing so. The Pacific Island teams were poor, although Fiji did show positives and were hamstrung by an unfair draw and placement in the Pool of Death.

On balance, in terms of the quality of the rugby, this tournament shades the rest, helped by having two sides in the final who like to score in multiples of seven. It was arguably the best final — though 1995 and 2003 were nerve-shredding affairs.

Off the field, the crowds have been fantastic,

PICTURE / BRETT PHIBBS

with empty seats a rarity (as you’d expect with 98 per cent of tickets sold and total attendance of 2,474,584).

Revenues of more than $570 million were generated by ticket sales alone, creating a surplus of more than $180m. So this tournament has been a cash cow that has dwarfed even France 2007 in terms of financial return.

There is something dismally unromantic about judging a tournament by the ledger, but make no mistake, those who run the game will be smitten by these numbers, which keep the wheels of the sport turning in the four years between events.

It does make you fear that “smaller” tournaments, such as New Zealand 2011 might now be seen as unfeasible. That will be great shame.

In a strange way, tournaments thrive on minor controversies, and this one was no different — from a draw that was so slanted towards the major teams it made of a mockery of the concept of fair play.

There were the usual judicial head-scratchers, like England’s Tom Wood not being cited for carelessly kicking Welsh fullback Liam Williams

This year was arguably the best final, though 1995 and 2003 were nerve-shredding affairs

in the head and knocking him out, while Samoa’s Alesana Tuilagi was whacked with five weeks (reduced to two on appeal), for running into someone while carrying the ball.

The biggest controversy, however, belonged to Craig Joubert, who erred in awarding Australia a penalty that it kicked to win a pulsating quarterfinal against Scotland.

Sprinting from the field in the immediate aftermath was not wise, but the opprobrium heaped upon him afterwards was ugly and disproportionate.

Rugby’s rules make it a hard game to officiate and that is not going to change in a hurry, but it was great to see Nigel Owens, one of the sport’s good guys, take control of the final.

So the controversy meter ticked along to an appropriate level.

Finally, there is the intangible metric: how much did the hosts get into it?

All reports suggest England and Wales were exceptional hosts, even when they went out at the pool and quarter-final stages respectively.

Rugby in England is far from allencompassing, so it’s unlikely the tournament made a huge impact in the outer reaches, like it did here four years ago.

You’d seriously question whether the kids of Ipswich and Felixstowe have swapped round balls for oval as a result of the tournament — certainly, England going out early wouldn’t have helped in this regard — but it looked like party time in the host cities.

Again, without being there to soak up the revelry in places like Exeter, Brighton and Newcastle, it is difficult to definitively gauge, but for total community buy-in New Zealand 2011 will always be hard to beat.

England 2015 the best ever?

Yeah, nah.

Congrats boys

Champagne of Champions! available at ‘true supporter’ wine retailers

Pictures / Brett Phibbs

16 | 04.11.15 | RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR

The All Blacks and Australia line-up for the national anthems, as the Red Arrows fly above at the start of the Rugby World Cup final.

Sonny Bill Williams giving his winner’s medal to 14-year-old Charlie Line was one of the tournament’s feel-good stories.

Steve Hansen watches on.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen and captain Richie McCaw take the Webb Ellis Cup for a spin at Pennyhill.

RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR | 04.11.15 | 17

Pictures / Brett Phibbs Sonny Bill Williams during the fan day event, at the All Blacks’ training ground at Darlington.

Daniel Carter kicks for goal, during the Rugby World Cup final.

18 | 04.11.15 | RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR

Stats

ALL BLACKS RAMPANT ALL OVER THE PARK

By Patrick McKendry The All Blacks’ class and superiority throughout the Rugby World Cup was reflected in their dominance of both team and individual player statistics from the two-month tournament.

Along the way to winning their third Webb Ellis Trophy, the All Blacks led the way in both overall points (290) and the amount of tries scored, in both the pool (25) and knockout (14) stages, and excelled in a wide range of match statistics.

Man of the Match from the

tournament final, five-eighth Dan Carter, finished third-equal in the points scoring with Australian No10 Bernard Foley, with both players posting 82 points, and Carter also topped the goal kicking stats with 23.

Right wing Julian Savea’s eight tries gave him the most five-pointers for the tournament and his left-wing partner Nehe Milner-Skudder finished a close second with six of his own.

Fleet-footed MilnerSkudder’s attacking spark also saw him register the

most clean line breaks with 15, and most metres made with 561.

Fullback Ben Smith was close behind in both categories with 13 and 526m respectively, while Savea’s 437m saw him finish as the fourth most effective metre maker.

Savea’s ability to put the All Blacks on the front-foot was also evident in his 30 carries over the gain line (fourth best), while 36 powerful runs saw No8 Kieran Read finish second behind abrasive South African loose-forward Schalk Burger’s 38.

MOST CLEAN BREAKS Nehe Milner-Skudder New Zealand Santiago Cordero Argentina Ben Smith New Zealand Anthony Watson England Bryan Habana South Africa

MOST TRIES SCORED Julian Savea New Zealand Nehe Milner-Skudder New Zealand Bryan Habana South Africa Gareth Davies Wales JP Pietersen South Africa

8 6 5 5 5

MOST POINTS SCORED Nicolas Sanchez Argentina Handre Pollard South Africa Bernard Foley Australia Dan Carter New Zealand Greg Laidlaw Scotland

97 93 82 82 79

MOST METRES MADE Nehe Milner-Skudder New Zealand 561 Ben Smith New Zealand 526 Santiago Cordero Argentina 514 Julian Savea New Zealand 437 Joaquin Tuculet Argentina 433

MOST CONVERSIONS Dan Carter New Zealand Greg Laidlaw Scotland Nicolas Sanchez Argentina Bernard Foley Australia Ian Madigan Ireland

23 13 13 12 10

CARRIES OVER GAIN LINE Schalk Burger South Africa Kieran Read New Zealand Michael Leitch Japan Julian Savea New Zealand Duane Vermeulen South Africa

38 36 36 30 29

6 6 4 3 3

MOST TURNOVERS WON David Pocock Australia Francois Louw South Africa Leone Nakarawa Fiji Damian De Allende South Africa Thierry Dusautoir France

17 13 9 9 9

MOST LINEOUTS STOLEN Kieran Read New Zealand Brodie Retallick New Zealand Dean Mumm Australia Rob Simmons Australia Geoff Parling England

ARGENTINA NAMIBIA GEORGIA TONGA FRANCE SOUTH AFRICA AUSTRALIA ALL BLACKS CONGRATULATIONS BOYS! They travelled halfway across the World, they played seven matches, they won every game, they fought hard and they’ve become the first team in history to claim back-to-back titles.

#blacktoblack

15 13 13 11 10

Read and lock Brodie Retallick both proved the most effective at combatting opposition lineout throws, stealing six each, two more than third-ranked Australian lock Dean Mumm.

There are just three key statistical areas where the All Blacks failed to claim a topfive berth – turnovers, most penalties, and tackles made – but the 2015 Rugby World Cup Champions were among the pacesetters in every other department.

MOST TOURNAMENT POINTS SCORED BY A TEAM

by New Zealand

290

MOST POINTS SCORED

BY A TEAM IN THE KNOCKOUT STAGE

by New Zealand

116

BEST POINT DIFFERENCE

by New Zealand

+176

MOST TRIES SCORED BY A TEAM IN THE POOL STAG

by New Zealand

25

MOST TRIES SCORED BY A TEAM IN THE KNOCKOUT STAGE

by New Zealand

14

MOST WINS ACHIEVED BY A TEAM

by New Zealand

7

MOST POOL POINTS

by New Zealand

19

Julian Savea

RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR | 04.11.15 | 19

THE POOLS Sep 20 Sep 21 Sep 24 Sep 27 Sep 28 Oct 2 Oct 4 Oct 7 Oct 11 Oct 11

England 35-11 Fiji Wales 54-9 Uruguay Australia 28-13 Fiji England 25-28 Wales Australia 65-3 Uruguay Wales 23-13 Fiji England 13-33 Australia Fiji 47-15 Uruguay Australia 15-16 Wales England 60-3 Uruguay

Pool B

Sep 20 Sep 20 Sep 24 Sep 27 Sep 28 Oct 4 Oct 4 Oct 8 Oct 11 Oct 12

South Africa 32-34 Japan Samoa 25-16 USA Scotland 45-10 Japan South Africa 46-6 Samoa Scotland 39-16 USA Samoa 5-26 Japan South Africa 34-16 Scotland South Africa 64-0 USA Samoa 33 v 36 Scotland USA 18-28 Japan

Sep 19 Sep 21 Sep 25 Sep 26 Sep 30 Oct 3 Oct 5 Oct 8 Oct 10 Oct 12

South Africa 23-19 Wales New Zealand 62-13 France Ireland 20-43 Argentina Australia 35-34 Scotland

Tonga 10-17 Georgia New Zealand 26-16 Argentina New Zealand 58-14 Namibia Argentina 54-9 Georgia Tonga 35-21 Namibia New Zealand 43-10 Georgia Argentina 45-16 Tonga Namibia 16-17 Georgia New Zealand 47-9 Tonga Argentina 64-19 Namibia

Pool D

Brighton Brighton Gloucester Birmingham Leeds Milton Keynes Newcastle London Newcastle Gloucester

Quarter-finals Oct 18 Oct 18 Oct 19 Oct 19

Pool C

London Cardiff Cardiff London Birmingham Cardiff London Milton Keynes London Manchester

Sep 20 Sep 20 Sep 24 Sep 27 Sep 28 Oct 2 Oct 5 Oct 7 Oct 12 Oct 12

Ireland 50-7 Canada France 32-10 Italy France 38-11 Romania Italy 23-18 Canada Ireland 44-10 Romania France 41-18 Canada Ireland 16-9 Italy Canada 15-17 Romania Italy 32-22 Romania France 9-24 Ireland

Gloucester London London Gloucester Exeter Cardiff Leicester Exeter Newcastle Leicester

Cardiff London London Leeds London Milton Keynes London Leicester Exeter Cardiff

Semifinals

London Cardiff Cardiff London

Oct 25 Oct 26

South Africa 18-20 New Zealand Argentina 15-29 Australia

3rd place play-off Oct 31

Stats

Pool A

South Africa 24-13 Argentina

Kieran Read

Final

London London

Nov 1, London

New Zealand Australia

London

Final Pool Standings Pool A Australia Wales England Fiji Uruguay

+/+106 +49 +58 -17 -196

Pts 17 13 11 5 0

Pool B South Africa Scotland Japan Samoa USA

+/+120 +43 -2 -55 -106

Pts 16 14 12 6 0

Pool C New Zealand Argentina Georgia Tonga Namibia

+/+125 +109 -70 -60 -104

Pts 19 15 8 6 1

Pool D Ireland France Italy Romania Canada

+/+99 +57 -14 -69 -73

34 17 Pts 18 14 10 4 2

Pictures: Brett Phibbs, Getty Images / Herald graphic

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social media

ENGLAND IN A HUFF

When hosts England were eliminated in the pool stage of the competition, their poor performance quickly made them the butt of a multitude of jokes — and one of the players didn’t make things any easier for the team. When 2003 champion Neil Back tweeted “don’t take your selfie stick out on to the pitch before the game like you did against @ fijirugby on 18th Sept”, James Haskell, the selfie-stick wielding player, responded angrily.

“General negativity towards myself and the team is appalling,” he tweeted, adding that Back was “old and out of touch”. Haskell was widely ridiculed for his response, proving the dangers of sports stars on social media.

England’s poor performance and early elimination made them the butt of jokes and Twitter fodder.

Feeling sociable in the

TWITTER WORLD Social media’s influence globally is growing every year, and 2015 was the year of the Social Media World Cup. Eli Orzessek reports.

The Rugby World Cup has been a great stage for the world’s best players — as well as some of the world’s best amateur comedians.

While social media was alive and kicking during the 2011 World Cup, platforms like Twitter and Instagram have since come of age.

Where heated discussions about rugby might have been restricted to the dinner table or the pub in the past, a modern World Cup includes a constant online discussion.

And it’s also been a great creative outlet for fans, whose memes and tweets have provided a constant, unofficial commentary for the tournament.

JAPAN’S BIG WIN! Japan’s stunning win against South Africa was aptly representated in an image of a pair of chopsticks delicately plucking a tiny Springbok from the plains of Africa.

RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR | 04.11.15 | 21

Obsessive All Blacks’ fan and Prime Minister John Key also received the meme treatment when he was snapped in the changing rooms looking rather hobbitlike while shaking hands with a hulking Sam Whitelock.

KIWI COMEDIANS And when the All Blacks emerged victorious in the final against the Wallabies and claimed the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time running, Kiwis were quick to respond with a steady flow of humorous memes and tweets. Because if there’s one thing we do best, it’s making fun of our neigbours from the West Island.

Twitter was also a great platform for celebrity fans of the All Blacks to show support. Wales fan David Hasselhoff took up the black jersey after his team were eliminated, and even tweeted a picture of himself wearing it to Dan Carter. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kevin Costner and Piers Morgan were among other famous fans showing support online, with even Russell Crowe choosing the All Blacks over Australia.

And last but not least, Justin Bieber was quick to congratulate the team when they were snapped dancing to his music in the changing room after the final.

social media

OUR SMALL BLACK

The last word

22 | 04.11.15 | RUGBY WORLD CUP SOUVENIR

Black magic show

Set for sequel Ma’a Nonu has played his last game in black but the Kiwi talent factory will undoubtedly find a worthy replacement.

The next World Cup will be held in Japan in four years from now. Don’t bet against an All Blacks ‘three-peat’ in Tokyo in 2019

T

he dynasty will go on. Standards will not drop. Success will continue. That is New Zealand’s firm belief, despite an imminent overhaul of coaching staff and players.

The epic events at Twickenham provided comprehensive proof that the modern-day All Blacks are the greatest team in the sport’s history.

Rugby may not see their like again.

Indeed, they deserve recognition in the pantheon of all sports and all eras.

In the aftermath of their deserved triumph at the home of English rugby, the first side to retain the World Cup were being spoken about in the same breath as Brazil’s champion footballers of 1970 and the West Indies cricket kings who owned the Eighties and early Nineties. Placing them in such exalted company is entirely justified.

Here are the facts. In terms of win percentage, no country come close to Steve Hansen’s men.

Since winning the 2011 tournament, they have triumphed in 49 of the 54 tests they have played, drawing two and losing three.

They have been the undisputed No.1 team in global rankings throughout that period.

Putting aside their collective class, they possess two icons who bestride the sport. Hansen has acclaimed his captain, Richie McCaw, as the best player the world has seen. That is fair comment about the flanker who has twice lifted the Webb Ellis Cup, and stayed at the pinnacle of his profession over a record-breaking career.

Close behind is Dan Carter; leading scorer in tests, best No.10 ever, poster-boy and the playmaker who finally broke his World Cup jinx in comic-book fashion.

After a week of playing down the raft of retirements from their ranks, the All Blacks gave them a worthy send-off. In fact, they gave themselves the ultimate farewell gift.

Carter illuminated the grand occasion with 19 points — capped by the left-footer striking a right-footed conversion as his last act in test rugby. Ma’a Nonu scored a slaloming try from long range, McCaw was everywhere and Conrad Smith dazzled before being replaced at half-time.

Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock are the other veterans They have standing down. swept aside They have swept all-comers but aside all-comers, now a period but now a period of of transition transition looms. New looms. New Zealand must replace Zealand must the irreplaceable. Yet, replace the despite the scale of irreplaceable. that task, Hansen is Yet, despite confident about that the scale of process. that task, “At some point Hansen is we’ve got to ask: Where confident. do we go next?” he

PICTURE / Brett Phibbs

said. “Once we do that, it’s back to the drawing board. We know we’re losing five guys with over 100 test caps. We’re in pretty good shape to replace most of them.”

The Kiwi talent factory continues to churn out players capable of excelling in the international game. Despite that, it would be understandable if the phenomenal win-rate achieved in recent years now dips. Yet, Hansen won’t contemplate such a scenario.

“I guess if we allow ourselves the luxury of saying it’s okay to take a step back, then that’s what’s going to happen,” he said. “But if we’re strong enough in our beliefs we’ll say, ‘No, just because those guys are leaving doesn’t give us the right to step back. We’ve got to continue at that level, if not improve’.

“That’ll be the attitude I’ll be driving. If we don’t, everyone will just whoosh past. We don’t want that.” The message to the chasing pack is clear: don’t expect an easy ride from new-look New Zealand. Hansen will preside over a changing of the guard but he, too, is contemplating the end of his personal journey. His contract runs until the end of the 2017 season.

Asked whether he would seek an extension, Hansen said: “Well, there’s a reason why it only goes to 2017, because I’m not sure about that. I wouldn’t say no, but I’m certainly not saying yes.

It is more likely I won’t be there after 2017. It’s been a good trip so far and we’ve just got to finish it off.

“I like the idea of changing the guard halfway through a cycle with a World Cup in the middle of it. When people come in, it is easy to get some really dramatic shift early and it is a lot harder to keep that momentum going.”

— Daily Mail

Cheers George.

#FOURMOREYEARS

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Congratulations from the team at Ford NZ.

The Driving Force behind the All Blacks for 21 years.