Conrad's more than all white

From the Hip

It took all year, but it was worth the wait.

The All Blacks finally got the rugby recipe right, coming up with an attacking mix of power and speed to demolish France 39-12 in the final test of the year, played in Marseille on Sunday.

Gone was the aerial assault, with both teams opting to throw the ball around.

But it was the All Blacks who had the skill out wide to expose a woefully inept French outside back division.

Taranaki hooker Andrew Hore was outstanding at the breakdown winning plenty of ball and a couple of penalties.

But it was another with strong Taranaki connections, centre Conrad Smith, who was the player of the match.

Smith ran the backline, was strong on defence and quick to spark counter- attacks.

It was probably his best game for the All Blacks.

And the refreshing approach couldn't have come at a better time - the All Blacks' next test match is in New Plymouth when they take on the Irish at New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium on June 12. A full house would appreciate a free-flowing match.

I'M picking there will be a few smiling faces around with the news that Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper is returning home to take over the coaching job for Taranaki rugby.

Cooper knows the province well and the knowledge he can bring to the job will be crucial if Taranaki is to push for a semifinal spot in 2010. With Taranaki Rugby celebrating 125 years next year, his return could not have been better timed.

HE didn't get the numbers he had hoped for, but Taranaki Dynamos basketball coach Angelo Hill was happy with the talent that turned up to the open trial in New Plymouth at the weekend.

While the big names stayed away, he may have unearthed a couple of prospects. If he has, Taranaki basketball fans can optimistically look ahead to a more prosperous season.

Already Hill has made giant strides, signing Tall Black Jeremiah Trueman, and he is close to signing his first import. That's a turnaround from this year when the hunt for imports started way too late.

SURFING sensation Paige Hareb was a double winner at the Taranaki Daily News Sportsperson of the Year Awards in New Plymouth last Friday night.

The 19-year-old not only won the junior award from a quality line-up, but also took out the supreme overall award - the first junior ever to do so. With a spot already guaranteed on the 2010 World Tour pro circuit, she looks a reasonable bet for the main title again next year.

The junior nominees - both women and men - again highlighted the depth of talent in Taranaki and any of five or six in each division would have been worthy winners.

THEY'RE a hardy bunch, those vets.

The men trundled out at Manukorihi and the women at Waitara on day one of the New Zealand veterans' golf tournament yesterday. They braved the rain and wind for a few holes before play was abandoned with the greens flooded at both courses.

Here's hoping the weather gods are a little more friendly over the next few days.

- © Fairfax NZ News