Super 14 not such a tough test

BY TOBY ROBSON

The not-so-Super 14 has taken a verbal hammering in the aftermath of France's 27-22 win at Carisbrook on Saturday night.

It seems players and coaches from both sides are in agreement that northern hemisphere competitions provide a closer reflection of test match rugby.

All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen got the ball rolling when he suggested the test had been "four or five rungs" above anything his young charges had experienced.

"It takes time to get used to that and we paid a price early on," he said.

But it was the comments of French debutant, halfback Julien Dupuy, who played for Leicester in England's premiership this year, which should have alarm bells ringing in the south.

"It was about the same," the 78kg 25-year-old said when asked how his first test compared to England's top domestic rugby.

"It depends which players, Ma'a Nonu is very strong, but mostly it was the same physicality as Europe, maybe a semifinal, final [in the Heineken Cup]."

As if that wasn't enough, Dupuy, who kicked three conversions and two penalties in his first test, appeared to make a mockery of New Zealand players' constant complaints of burnout.

"We dominated the All Blacks forwards, but maybe we are a bit tired because we play for the last eight months, the All Blacks play 10, 12 games you know," he said.

"I play 30 games. We spoke about that before the game that we had to start hard, to get the score early because we thought in the last 10 minutes would be hard for us to play."

In stark contrast, rookie All Blacks lock Isaac Ross admitted the All Blacks had struggled with the jump in physicality from Super 14 to the international arena.

"That's northern hemisphere rugby at its best. We practised to combat that, but they were a bit better than we expected. We will have to bring something better to the table than we did tonight," he said.

"It was [a big adjustment]. I was playing a faster level in the Super 14, but with the rules that are changed, like you are allowed hands on the deck, it just slowed the game right down."

All Blacks coach Graham Henry did not think the contrast meant the Super 14 was a poor competition.

"Look, the Super 14 produces quality rugby players," Henry said. "But certainly it was a big change to play a team that put us under intense physical pressure at times."

The All Blacks have this week to adapt or there will be plenty more crowing in the north about the supremacy of the domestic competitions where so many New Zealand players now ply their trade.

- © Fairfax NZ News