New Zealand teams had a poor Super 12 season but the All Blacks are beginning to look ominously good ahead of the Tri-Nations
Grant Shimmin in Wellington
In terms of the Super 12 and specifically the knock-out stages, this year was a case of New Zealand rugby sailing into completely uncharted waters. A few weeks down the line, though, and we’re arguably where we usually are with the Tri-Nations just around the corner with New Zealand looking the best bet for success in the tournament.
Not that one can write off the Wallabies after one defeat comprehensive though their first-Test mauling by the Lions was or ignore the Boks, despite what appears to be a state of disarray similar to the one that accompanied them into the last series.
The New Zealand build-up hasn’t been without its problems, but somehow, when those that have beset them are considered in hindsight, they haven’t turned out as badly for the All Blacks as they might have.
The major problem, which has yet to be overcome, is arguably the lack of form and fitness of flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens. Having finished the Super 12 playing club rugby in Christchurch while Aaron Mauger turned it on for the Crusaders, Mehrtens was predictably still called into the fray by coach Wayne Smith once New Zealand involvement in the tournament ended two weeks early.
He’s clearly not back to his best and has struggled with injury, limping off against Argentina. The flipside is that Tony Brown, after being slightly under par for the Highlanders, has stepped up in a big way since the international season kicked off.
There are similar scenarios in the key areas of fullback and lock. Christian Cullen’s absence, after a knee operation, would normally have a telling effect on the All Blacks and it was noticeable how he was initially only ruled out for the Tests against Samoa, Argentina and France, the unspoken hope of his availability for the Tri-Nations left hanging in the air. He’s still not back and it looks as though he’ll miss at least part of the series, but Leon McDonald, after a stand-out campaign for the Crusaders, has seized his chance and looks the goods.
At lock, Mark Cooksley was about to revive a long-stalled Test career against Samoa, but injury playing for the New Zealand Maori against Australia prevented that. Now, with Norm Maxwell and Troy Flavell both having stepped up, and young Chris Jack champing at the bit in the wings, the man known as the ”Big Rig” may never get the chance, despite returning from injury this week. He’s missed the trip to South Africa and his big chance at international resurrection may have passed him by.
There’s a common theme joining many of those who’ve shone in a gradually more convincing start to the international season they’ve shrugged off sub-par Super 12s to perform at Test level. Then again, some would argue the Test sides the All Blacks have played are at best on a par with leading Super 12 line-ups, so the real test still awaits.
Where there can be little doubt about New Zealand picking a winner thus far is in new captain Anton Oliver. He’s been out to set an example to his troops from day one, and despite a yellow card against the Pumas he wasn’t at all happy with himself afterwards has done an admirable job.
At least, barring injury, New Zealand’s players know who their captain will be throughout the Tri-Nations.