Four games into this Rugby World Cup and the All Blacks have already distanced themselves from the field. We might as well all pack up and go home now? Well not quite. If the Springboks proved anything in what was undoubtedly one of the greatest ever pool stage games in the history of the tournament, it is that the All Blacks are fallible. But if you want to beat them on the big stage, then you need to be perfect. From the moment TJ Perenara and Kieran Read led the squad with an epic ‘Yokohaka’ – it was abundantly clear that New Zealand will not give up their crown without a serious fight. And that was just the icing on an incredible opening Super Saturday in Japan that saw two thrillers precede the main event. So what did we learn from such a compelling day of action? Well, let’s start with the big guns. BLACK IS BACK The All Blacks will move back to the top of the world rankings on Monday, and that seems somewhat fitting after they made a serious statement on Saturday night. And it was all the more impressive considering the sustained battering they received in the opening quarter from a fired-up Springboks. Rassie Erasmus’ side threw everything at their age-old rivals, blitzing in defence like there was no tomorrow and counter-rucking as if their lives depended on it. The All Blacks were rattled and, in truth, the Boks should have made more of it. But Steve Hansen’s side soon found their mojo, and with two of the world’s best fly-halves in their backline it was surprising it took so long to be honest. FT: @allblacks 23-13 @Springboks What a game!First blood New Zealand - Will any #RWC2019 side be able to prevent a repeat of this fixture in the final? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/aNlxZyG5Yg— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) September 21, 2019 Instead of trying to pass their way through a brick wall, they turned to the boot. And two of the game’s greatest cross kickers in Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga were right on the money. Suddenly the Boks’ backs were turned, and from there it was game over. No-one can match the All Blacks when it comes to seizing on opportunities, their lines of running in support are too perfect and their passing too crisp. Two tries came out of nowhere and from under the cosh, the All Blacks were suddenly off and running. Oh and they can still do the basics alright, in case you were worried! The scrum was sublime on Saturday, one second-half shove in particular ending with No.8 Read forehead-to-forehead with the Boks front row. The rest of the pool stages will be a cakewalk for Hansen’s mob now, Barrett and Mo’unga can take time to bed their double-pivot partnership in further. And then it will be time for the knockout rounds. Anyone think they can stop them? SPRINGBOK WALKING WOUNDED Handre Pollard might have slotted a sumptuous drop goal in the second half. But the fly-half was off-colour for too much of this game, slamming a penalty against the posts when they needed to reward their early dominance with a bigger lead and failing to set his backline alight until the damage had been done. But while Pollard didn’t hit the heights, the Boks have numerous other stars already operating at full throttle. Cheslin Kolbe is just a freak at this point, borderline untackleable and a constant ball of energy both in attack and defence. Up front meanwhile, Pieter-Steph du Toit is now approaching rarefied air.
