DarkCypher
06-25-2005, 05:22 PM
All Blacks 21 - British & Irish Lions 3
Sir Clive Woodward's master plan to plot the downfall of the All Blacks unravelled in spectacular fashion here when a first half lineout rout by Ali Williams steered New Zealand home in the series opener in Christchurch last night.
Williams reigned supreme in one of the more complete performances by an All Blacks' pack, eclipsing that against France in Paris last November.
Williams won three opposition throws in the first 40 minutes, including one which led to a Herculean try when an errant Shane Byrne throw stuck to the giant lock's mitts and he charged 10 metres through some sloppy Lions' defence for an epic score.
New Zealand's much-maligned Super 12 has created all sorts of spurious theories that our forward play is a mere shadow of what it used to be.
However, to a man the All Blacks' pack not only outplayed their much-vaunted rivals but outclassed them with better technique in conditions - rain, wind and sleet - that were supposed to suit the Lions. In all, the All Blacks robbed 10 Lions' lineout feeds, screwed their scrum at will and befuddled at the breakdown.
A devastating injury toll for the Lions - their skipper Brian O'Driscoll dislocated his shoulder in the opening play of the match and his tour looks likely to be over while Richard Hill's dreadful run with knee injuries continued - robbed them of two key playmakers.
But Woodward's astonishing decision not to replace Byrne at halftime with back-up hooker Steve Thompson means he too should shoulder considerable responsibility for his side's inept performance.
New Zealand's domination in the territorial and possession stakes meant Woodward's gamble to pair Stephen Jones and Jonny Wilkinson in the halves left his side with few attacking options, when it successfully recycled possession, while the Crusaders' firm of Justin Marshall, Dan Carter and Aaron Mauger were given a dream run behind their well-oiled pack.
Their savvy kicking with the support of an enthusiastic chase game shut out the Lions in such emphatic fashion that Woodward will need a miracle if he's to realise his dream of a series win on New Zealand soil.
Source (http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3325891a1823,00.html)
woot
Sir Clive Woodward should keep his f***ing mouth shut next time.
Sir Clive Woodward's master plan to plot the downfall of the All Blacks unravelled in spectacular fashion here when a first half lineout rout by Ali Williams steered New Zealand home in the series opener in Christchurch last night.
Williams reigned supreme in one of the more complete performances by an All Blacks' pack, eclipsing that against France in Paris last November.
Williams won three opposition throws in the first 40 minutes, including one which led to a Herculean try when an errant Shane Byrne throw stuck to the giant lock's mitts and he charged 10 metres through some sloppy Lions' defence for an epic score.
New Zealand's much-maligned Super 12 has created all sorts of spurious theories that our forward play is a mere shadow of what it used to be.
However, to a man the All Blacks' pack not only outplayed their much-vaunted rivals but outclassed them with better technique in conditions - rain, wind and sleet - that were supposed to suit the Lions. In all, the All Blacks robbed 10 Lions' lineout feeds, screwed their scrum at will and befuddled at the breakdown.
A devastating injury toll for the Lions - their skipper Brian O'Driscoll dislocated his shoulder in the opening play of the match and his tour looks likely to be over while Richard Hill's dreadful run with knee injuries continued - robbed them of two key playmakers.
But Woodward's astonishing decision not to replace Byrne at halftime with back-up hooker Steve Thompson means he too should shoulder considerable responsibility for his side's inept performance.
New Zealand's domination in the territorial and possession stakes meant Woodward's gamble to pair Stephen Jones and Jonny Wilkinson in the halves left his side with few attacking options, when it successfully recycled possession, while the Crusaders' firm of Justin Marshall, Dan Carter and Aaron Mauger were given a dream run behind their well-oiled pack.
Their savvy kicking with the support of an enthusiastic chase game shut out the Lions in such emphatic fashion that Woodward will need a miracle if he's to realise his dream of a series win on New Zealand soil.
Source (http://stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3325891a1823,00.html)
woot
Sir Clive Woodward should keep his f***ing mouth shut next time.