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The All Blacks Sneak Win In Blackout Test 1 views
09 September 2012 by The Swede Eaters
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The All Blacks won over Argentina in a match more famous for the blackout than the rugby in terrible conditions.
The All Blacks defeated Argentina 21-5 on a wet and windy night in Wellington. Conditions suited Argentina more than the All Blacks with the conditions disrupting any attempts by the All Blacks to throw the ball around. Argentina adjusted far better and thanks to some staunch defence took an early 5-3 lead through the opening try to prop Rodrigo Roncero.
The match was made more famous for the "Blackout" when the lights went out at Westpac Stadium. I was at the game and visiting the toilets when this occurred. They only went out for a few seconds but it was awkward in a packed toilet facility surrounded by about 50 other men. On returning the ground I assumed it was some amazing halftime show, little did I know that it would take another ten minutes to get the lights going again. The stormy weather is thought to be to blame for the power cut. It is funny how in the past the marketers have been trying to get the stadiums to be a "Blackout" with fans wearing black, but now it was a "blackout" because of power failure.
The All Blacks cut down on their errors in the second half and eventually took control against a plucky Argentinian team. They were helped by Argentina having a player sent to the sin bin for ten minutes for a deliberate knockdown which cost the All Blacks a try. Second half tries to wingers Cory Jane and Julian Savea and some great performances from experienced reliable players like Richie McCaw and Conrad Smith were impressive.
The All Blacks won 21 - 5 but their handling and passing was sloppy. Luke Romano, Aaron Cruden and Ma'a Nonu were two of the main culprits. The All Blacks lacked cohesion throughout the match often running into each other or going too wide too quickly and running out of support or having their play covered by the Argentina defence. Argentina were strong at the fringes and the All Blacks couldn't go around them because the wind made long passes difficult. It took the All Blacks a while to change tact and finally settle things down. I think some All Blacks didn't suit the weather conditions like Aaron Smith and Aaron Cruden who would be far better utilised on a hard and fast track. Horses for courses should come into selection.
The Wallabies showed that they are bogey team for the Springboks by winning 26-19. I wonder what the Springboks have to do to beat the Wallabies given that Australia has won their last five encounters. It is funny how the All Blacks have the wood on the Wallabies, but the Springboks don't.
What did you make of The Rugby Championship matches over the weekend?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2012/09/new-zealand-21-5-argentina-all-blacks.html
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Tags:
Wallabies, Springboks, Pumas, All Blacks
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