Andy Capostagno Rugby
It is something which the Americans realised early. If you’re going to play games regarded as little more than school-yard pastimes in other countries, best you instil a sense of tradition sooner rather than later.
The Superbowl is all of 30 years old, yet it is spoken of with awe, to quote John Wayne on the set of The Greatest Story Ever Told. Add in the plethora of TV-driven statistics to the 30 years and you have a product which sells itself.
Across the pond in Britain, 30 years is small potatoes. The Open Golf Championship has been played for since 1860 and the Grand National since 1836. Which makes rugby’s oldest rivalry, the Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland, a comparative toddler, since its inception was as late as 1871.
England have played Scotland 115 times since then, which rather puts into perspective the hyperbole surrounding the 50th test match between New Zealand and South Africa taking place at Athletic Park in Wellington on Saturday.
And that is as it should be. Hyperbole, as the Americans have proved many times, is something required to sell a product which is fundamentally flawed. Hyperbole is what they use on TV infomercials to sell you the bells and whistles kitchen blender which takes so long to assemble that it quickly becomes a dust- covered ornament while you wear out another of granny’s favourite knives. Hyperbole has no place in an event as genuinely special as Saturday’s encounter.
Which is not to say that it is special because it is the 50th match, but that every match between New Zealand and South Africa is special. It is a rivalry that has been going on since 1921 and, until recently, the Springboks had the upper hand.
Since the end of isolation, however, the All Blacks have dominated. South Africa have won only twice in that time, both at Ellis Park. The second time was in a meaningless match at the end of a rubber which the All Blacks had already won. I won’t insult your intelligence by reminding you of the other occasion.
And if history tells us anything, it is that history tends to repeat itself. So who says the Springboks are favourites on Saturday?
In the history of games between the sides in Wellington, New Zealand have won three, South Africa have won two and the 1921 sides fought out a 0-0 draw. One can only wonder at how bad the weather must have been on that occasion.
For the weather is always a factor at Athletic Park. Don Clarke, the former All Black fly-half, calls it the most difficult rugby ground to play on in the world. Local weather reports have highlighted flooding in the region, although not in Wellington itself.
But a Springbok team which has just survived the mudbath of Newlands and the torrents of Perth in successive tests will not care too much if it rains. Rather like the retired gentleman who avoided brussels sprouts, it is the wind which they do not want.
Wind can make a lottery of professional sport, although Mark O’Meara’s Open victory at Royal Birkdale last week reiterates the old saying that cream rises to the top even in extreme conditions.
If it blows at Athletic Park, pray for Percy Montgomery. He has made it thus far in a settled side despite never once reminding us of his glory days in Europe last year. Now would not be a good time to be reminded that Montgomery is a richly gifted rugby player who often needs to be told where to stand.
Coach Nick Mallett cannot be faulted for sticking with the players who have now done the job for him in 10 successive matches, but if it blows at Athletic Park he needs to be reminded that Monty needs the kind of help not available from Pieter Rossouw.
He will need the kind of help available from Chester Williams. Help in defensive positioning and in knocking down anything that moves, help in adding adventure to security without Rossouw’s apparent need to fling the ball dangerous distances in the air.
In addition to a disciplined back three, Mallett needs an heroic performance from his tight five.
The news that Os du Randt is back in training and possibly available for the August Tri-Nations matches should be enough to galvanise the Natal pair of Robbie Kempson and Ollie le Roux at loosehead prop. But memories of the disintegration caused by Ireland’s Paul Wallace could resurface if Olo Brown has the kind of massive match he is well capable of for the All Blacks at tighthead.
James Dalton is fortunate to still be in the side. He was responsible for too many penalties against Australia and had Matt Burke brought his kicking boots to the Subiaco Oval the Springboks would be singing a very different tune this week.
And Mark Andrews is still regarded in New Zealand as the perfect lock. We know different. He should prepare for this game by plugging in his walkman and playing a tape loop of Janet Jackson singing, What Have You Done For Me Lately?
All of which might seem unduly pessimistic, but no one ever got rich by betting on the All Blacks to lose a rugby match. If you’ll pardon me for sitting on the fence, history tells us of a nil all draw in 1921. This one could be draw as well, although it’s more likely to be in the region of 25 all.
ENDS