All Blacks not yet complete package

BY TOBY ROBSON IN LONDON

At last the All Blacks are creating tries, but in order to gain the redemption they crave, the class of 2009 must start scoring them.

They have become a very good team. They have a great defence. Yet as they trudged off Twickenham yesterday they reflected again on the missing link.

This side lacks the killer blow of a truly world-class side and it knows it. It is why a subdued mood prevailed in the team changing room after its 19-6 win over England.

"We're not far away. We're not quite over the hump, but we can feel it coming," halfback Jimmy Cowan said before succumbing to one of his brutally honest appraisals.

"It's not a happy changing-room at the moment. We thought we could play a lot better. We'll move forward and put this behind us and look forward to Marseille.

"But I tend to be saying the same thing week-in week-out to you guys, saying we are close but not quite reaching it."

It was another solid effort, perhaps a step up from Wales, but All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and his men know they again failed to deliver the killer blow.

Great sides go for the jugular when they sense they are on top. Tries are scored when on offer, line breaks are turned into tries.

England, like Wales in Cardiff, should have been put away.

Mils Muliaina should have finished in the corner. Zac Guildford should have turned the pass inside after catching Carter's crosskick and Conrad Smith likewise, after Muliaina's electric second-half break.

The All Blacks will not be considered, or consider themselves, a complete team till they convert their opportunities.

There were positives and negatives to come out of their latest effort. Most encouraging was a renewed confidence to counter-attack.

The back three of Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Guildford had their best tests of the year. Kick high and hope was replaced by a willingness to move the ball to the space and back up, and it blunted the effectiveness of England's kicking game.

This test was no thrill-fest, but it boded well for the future of the game as a spectacle. There were also signs the All Blacks have the ability to change their game plan within a test match.

Against England they did it several times. The attack was widened after an early assault round the fringes failed, and in the second half they went to the pick and go when England fanned their defence against their width.

The negatives were the inability to get clean ball. Cowan often had unwanted attention from the English pack as he tried to pass and too much ball continues to bobble from the back of rucks.

It should be noted that England fronted physically to their challenge and even attempted to play some rugby in the first half.

But ultimately, they simply lacked the creativity to threaten the All Blacks line and never looked like winning.

France will not carry such lowly ambition this weekend in Marseille. Nor will the All Blacks.

For them it will be the last chance to put their frustrations to rest.

They can gain revenge for the early season loss in Christchurch and keep their unbeaten tour record intact.

More importantly though, they might walk off the field without the nagging feeling they have played well, but not to their true potential.

The Big Questions

WHERE WAS IT WON? The All Blacks simply shut England out of the match, while they had more imagination on attack. Only one try, but plenty of chances created meant it never really felt like England were a chance.

WHERE WAS IT LOST? England lacked ideas on attack. For all their bulk they had the subtlety of a sledgehammer and were easy pickings for the All Blacks defensive line. Kiwi hooker Dylan Hartley didn't help his side with lineout throwing that would have made a pretzel look straight.

WHO PLAYED WELL? The All Blacks' back three of Mils Muliaina, Zac Guildford and Sitiveni Sivivatu were a constant threat and made England reluctant to kick. Richie McCaw had a big match at the breakdown, No8 Kieran Read was heavily involved early in the match and Brad Thorn tackled his heart out. Special mention for referee Jonathan Kaplan, who controlled the match with aplomb. Hardly a scrum was reset.

WHO NEEDS TO IMPROVE? Loosehead prop Tony Woodcock had a quiet match round the field and there were also a couple of shaky scrums from the All Blacks. Jimmy Cowan scored the only try of the match, but will be disappointed he got caught with the ball around the rucks at times and with some of his clearing kicks.

- © Fairfax NZ News