Scotland the naive

Iain McGregor/FAIRFAX

AWAY YOU GO: Neemia Tialata fends off Scotland second five-eighth Nick de Luca at Murrayfield yesterday. The All Blacks brushed off the Scots comfortably, but won't be content with their patchy supply of ball.

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The chasm of difference in the levels of satisfaction said it all.

Going into yesterday's rugby test, Scotland had never beaten the All Blacks. They still haven't, but were busy patting themselves on the backs after the 32-6 thumping at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

They'd played well, created chances, had a good scrum that forced the All Blacks to deliberately collapse and generally outplayed the men in black. Or at least so the Scots said.

Sorry. What was the score again? The All Blacks outscored Scotland four tries to none from a patchy supply of ball and with a largely second-string team.

They also kept Scotland scoreless in the second half while they roared in for two tries.

Yet they weren't happy. The win was satisfying, but there was plenty to work on.

Too many penalties were conceded and too much ball turned over. The attack didn't function properly because there wasn't enough ball.

These were areas that had to be improved and resolved ahead of the tests to come against Ireland, Wales and England.

Man-of-the-match Richard Kahui even described the All Blacks' performance as mediocre. "But we took a lot of good stuff out of it and we know what we have to work on, so we're pretty happy."

In short, the All Blacks' eternal quest to play the perfect game continues.

They took satisfaction from winning by 28 points, but they know it wasn't their best performance. So it's back to the training paddock.

To gauge the difference between these two sides, you have only to listen to Frank Hadden. He really is something. His only gripe yesterday was that Scotland hadn't converted the chances they had created.

The Scottish coach was pleased he had spotted a trend that tries are being scored from turnover ball.

Bizarrely, he even derived some pleasure from the fact that the All Blacks were forced to score three of their tries from turnover ball. He seemed to have ignored the fact that they still scored those tries.

A rather incredulous Wayne Smith said later that, for the past decade, 45 per cent of tries have come from turnovers. "It's hardly new," he said with a shake of the head.

It is also hardly surprising that, since the 2003 World Cup, the Six Nations teams have won only 13 of the 79 tests they have played against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. France can claim five of those wins, while some of the losses that have been suffered by all six countries were thrashings.

The reason is simple. Defeat for those Tri-Nations teams is about as attractive as a tighthead prop in a negligee. It is simply unacceptable.

Sadly, the same cannot be said in Wales, Scotland and Ireland, where defeat, especially to the All Blacks, is accepted even before kickoff.

England are different and, under the gnarly Martin Johnson, will have the ruthless intolerance for mediocrity that took them to glory in 2003 and has long been the hallmark of the All Blacks.

Imagine, just for a minute, the outcry if the All Blacks had lost to Scotland by 26 points. Graham Henry's lynching would be televised live.

It is why Henry was happy with the result yesterday, but not the performance.

He knows he played his second-string team and was pleased they had created four slick tries, had a good lineout and fantastic defence.

But he also knows the All Blacks will have to be better to achieve the grand slam.

It's why they will probably achieve it - or at the very least, have it in hand when they meet England in three weeks' time.

Then, at least, it will be only the winners who are grinners.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Peter   #27   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Errr....a Southern Hemisphere team won it.....like the last 5 out of 6 so normal service resumed.

Gordon   #26   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

At least the Northern Hemisphere teams win when it is required. Need we mention the last world cup.

Peter   #25   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I'd hate to see Wayne adjudicating the Under 10's.

isa   #24   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Scotland could've done without all the pre-hype that the AB's were beatable with a new team. They tried but were just not good enough. A more experience team would've finished off those half chances that went begging! They should get on with what they do best and leave the media to come up with pathetic storylines to sell to Joe Public.

Socrates   #23   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I think one of the most interesting things about the game was that prior to it even kicking off, Scotland complained that the All Blacks were fielding a "B" team? ... I wonder then if they are taking this into consideration as they "pat themselves on the back" for only losing by 26 points ... you know, to a "B" team? Don't get me wrong, I agree the Scots played some awesome rugby, and their halfback (Blair?) was sensational, but when you read the almanacs say in 5 to 10 years time, the score will still read 32-6 to the All Blacks! Unfortunately, much like New Zealand's lack of recent World Cup success, that's just the black and white of it all!

Me   #22   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

What planet are you living on?? Only win of the tour, hahahaha.

There is no arrogance in this article. It is merely a fact. The ABs have a lot to work on and they will only get better. I feel for Wales and England already. It is about time that those teams put their money where their mouth is and do some talking on the field.

I still have to read an article by a kiwi journo that is half as arrogant as one of Stephen Jones. He is not worth the ink they put on paper for his trash!!

I am European btw

Carsi   #21   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Are you serious?!! What planet are you on...or do you usually follow darts?! The AB's have trounced South Africa - supposedly the #1 team in the world - and with a team that included a handful of new or near new (to the AB's) players, just kicked Scotland to touch. Do you really think they wont do the same with Ireland, Wales and most likely England you ignoramus? I suggest you stick to knitting.

John   #20   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Typical arrogant Scots!!!

Ask your English overloads for permission to play us next time, gimps!

Lee   #19   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Have to agree with you on the forward passes but I think it may be a Northern Hemisphere ref thing. The Irishman refering the South Africa - Wales game missed a blatant forward pass that resulted in Wales making a line break and getting 3 points, in what was a close game. Add that to the forward pass in the HK bledisloe(by a different Irishman) and Barnes one, and you have to wonder why they are not picking up these things. It seems like a very simple call especially when they are in line with the ball carrier.

Buster   #18   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Typical arrogant kiwi rugby journalism!!! It's unfortunate that this will probably be the AB's only win on tour and it was done with a young team.

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