CANTERBURY’S 36-14 domination of Wellington in their Ranfurly Shield challenge offers a glimmer of hope for the All Blacks’ 2011 World Cup chances of repeating their 1987 success in their own backyard.
That won’t be easy given South Africa’s current supremacy. But Canterbury’s ruthless, mistake-free execution in crushing Wellington’s scrum was mightily impressive.
It helped that Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn and Daniel Carter were back from All Blacks duty to assist the red-and-blacks cause. But so too were Rodney So’oialo, Ma’a Nonu and Corey Jane for Wellington, although Nonu and Jane barely saw the ball until the final minutes when the shield defenders rattled on two grand converted tries.
Of special interest to the national selectors will have been how well McCaw performed at No 8 after the highly regarded George Whitelock was retained at No 7.
While the forwards improved dramatically in the All Blacks last test one-point win against Australia, the 2011 World Cup pack could look vastly different if Carl Hayman and Ali Williams are fit and available.
Rookie internationals Owen Franks and Isaac Ross have been the finds of the international season, but neither are guaranteed a starting berth in the top team ahead of the vastly more experienced Hayman and Williams.
Others expected to challenge the lanky Ross and muscular Thorn for a locking berth are Chris Jack and Anthony Boric.
Whether Jack returns to Ross and Thorn’s Crusaders territory remains a moot point given the scarcity of top class New Zealand locks outside of Christchurch and Blues country, where he would be a major asset and assured of more Super 14 action.
Meanwhile, with Nonu best suited to centre and Luke McAlister having stuttered in his comeback from injury, Daniel Carter is the best first and second-five-eighths in the country.
While Stephen Donald did a fine job for the Chiefs in the pivotal role, he struggled at international level, although, in fairness, he was handicapped by a sub-standard All Blacks pack.
Comparable to Carter as a long punter and elusive runner is gifted first-five Nick Evans, if he was to consider a return to New Zealand, though he lacks Carter’s outstanding defensive qualities.
Beyond that, however, Evans is a class act whose combination with the left-footed Carter would improve the team’s kicking and passing skills, offering more space to the likes of Nonu and Sitiveni Sivivatu.
Other first-fives really making their mark in the Air New Zealand Cup are Manawatu’s incredibly talented youngster Aaron Cruden and Bay of Plenty’s rejuvenated Mike Delaney.
Cruden, in fact, could challenge Donald for a place as Carter’s back-up during the northern hemisphere tour if Graham Henry and co-selectors are prepared to take a punt on his rich promise.
Meanwhile, it was good to see Auckland play to something like their potential in inflicting upon Bay of Plenty their first defeat of the season, a comprehensive 29-14 win.
It was achieved through a strong, hard-driving pack that set the foundation for a free-flowing backline offering further confidence to the performance of two-try scorer Joe Rokocoko.
Paul Williams is also good value as a cool, hard-running fullback who takes smart options.
What a pity, though, the enigmatic Isaia Toeava too often spoils magical moments of brilliance in setting up tries with a butterfingers touch on other occasions.
