Simplified game plan a winner

By TAINE RANDELL - Sunday News

OPINION: THE All Blacks aren't playing at the same level they have been in recent years and, as a result, heading into last night's test at Eden Park the Wallabies were justifiably confident.

This was always going to be a massive game for the All Blacks and their fitting victory came on the back of a performance centred around simplicity.

The biggest advance made by the All Blacks last night compared to their recent tests was their approach to international rugby changed.

In the first 20 minutes, the All Blacks were all over the place and looked like a team trying too hard. They made a lot of mistakes and the Wallabies took advantage and kept the pressure on.

One of the reasons the Wallabies dominated the opening exchanges was because they did their homework. Having seen the French and Italy tests against the All Blacks, they followed suit and put a heap of pressure on first-five Stephen Donald.

In a sense, they were employing a rush defence on him and whenever he had the ball in hand he had guys flying at him. He had no time to get going.

That was almost a blessing in disguise because it forced the All Blacks to simplify their game plan. They didn't try to do anything fancy and, as a result, their forwards got into the game.

From that stage on, the All Blacks began to play a percentage style of footy.

Basically, they started to take on the Wallabies and it was enough to get them back in the game.

In the second half, what stood out for me was how tough and mean the All Blacks forwards were. It was impressive to say the least.

It was the first time this year we've seen our guys really take it to the opposition. They really took the game by the scruff of the neck and squeezed the life out of the Australian forward pack.

The All Blacks dominated territory and possession, leading, naturally, to points.

Obviously a big talking point heading into this test was the return of skipper Richie McCaw.

After a lengthy stint on the sideline he was always going to be rusty. He wasn't bad, however.

Yes, he missed some tackles, dropped the ball a couple of times and gave away penalties. But what he did do as he always does was bring the All Blacks a real sense of organisation and focus.

With him back in the mix, the All Blacks dominated the ruck and mauls.

People also shouldn't underestimate the effect our bench had on the game.

Keven Mealamu, Kieran Read and Piri Weepu were all excellent.

Despite the win, I expect one of the talking points today will be how patchy the All Blacks' line-out was early on.

There were a couple of times during the first half where hooker Andrew Hore overthrew the ball. Isaac Ross, I noted, was calling the line-outs and I'm not sure why he wasn't calling more to himself. He's our best line-out forward and should have been getting the ball more.

He should be the All Blacks' go-to man in the line-outs.

Looking ahead to next week's test against the Springboks in South Africa, you would expect the All Blacks to be riding a wave of confidence after beating the Wallabies.

At the same time, they will know they still aren't anywhere near their best.

To go to South Africa now and play two tests is going to require a monumental effort from the men in black.

In terms of what they should be doing to win, they basically need to look at what the Lions recently did in the second and third tests of the just-completed series. To put it bluntly, Tony Woodcock needs to absolutely destroy John Smit.

Smit is not renowned as a strong scrummaging hooker. The `Boks are playing him on the tight-head side of the scrum. The Lions noted this and duly pulverised their rivals in the front row.

That had a ripple effect.

Last night, Woodcock was outstanding in winning the battle up front and he needs to do that again next week against South Africa.

I think he can.

Donald simply the bestStephen Donald can hold his head up high this morning after a job well done against the Wallabies last night.

I've said it before and I'll say it again he is still the best No 10 in the country at the moment.

Last night in a test when the pressure was on, he performed ably.

From the word go, it was obvious the Wallabies had planned to target Donald.

And the Springboks will do exactly the same next weekend; someone will fly at him whenever he gets the ball.

At Eden Park last night, what I liked was how uncomplicated Donald played. Once he realised he had a big target on his chest, any notion of trying to be clever and work intricate moves went out the window. Instead, he put the ball up and created opportunities for himself.

If you consider that he is always going to have guys rushing up to put pressure on him, the door opens for Donald in terms of opportunities.

It will happen again next week against the Springboks in South Africa but, if his performances against the Wallabies was anything to go by, he will be up to the challenge.