• Howick and Pakuranga Times
WHILE Bryan Habana’s brilliance for the Barbarians destroyed the All Blacks farewell party to their European rugby tour, several of the vanquished still had cause for personal satisfaction despite the 25-18 defeat last Sunday at Twickenham.
None more so than dynamic halfback Brendon Leonard, whose quick passes and penetrating runs quashed fears that he had lost his old sparkle.
Although fiery Jimmy Cowan remains the first choice No 9, Leonard’s sharp attack puts him ahead of Andy Ellis and Piri Weepu.
Luke McAlister was another to take this last gasp chance to prove his sidestep and ball distribution skills are still good enough to offer Ma’a Nonu serious competition for the second-five berth.
Overall, though, Nonu was a consistent performer who defended strongly throughout the year, but whose attack was largely blunted on this tour when he appeared jaded.
While injuries nearly wrecked McAlister’s year, he remains a better kicker and ball distributor than the tough Wellington juggernaut.
With Cory Jane and Zac Guildford having demonstrated their class in earlier games, others needed to show against a strong Barbarians team that they were worthy of the black jersey.
Others to sign off on a good note were Rodney So’oialo, John Afoa, Anthony Boric and Jason Eaton, although the two locks remain a few rungs below test incumbents Brad Thorn and Tom Donnelly.
With further challenges expected from Ali Williams, Isaac Ross and Chris Jack next year, the second row depth is amazing.
Wing Ben Smith had a satisfactory international introduction without reaching the high standard set by Jane, Sitiveni Sivivatu and 20-year-old Guildford.
First-fives Stephen Donald and Mike Delany failed to cement their position as Dan Carter’s understudies and should be fearful of the challenge young Aaron Cruden should pose playing for the Hurricanes in next year’s Super 14.
With Conrad Smith proving he’s a world-class centre, neither will Tamati Ellison fancy his chances of staying in the squad ahead of the likes of Richard Kahui or Isaia Toeava.
Nor will Wyatt Crockett and Corey Flynn sleep peacefully over the summer, although I still believe 21-year-old Owen Franks is a better 2011 World Cup tighthead prospect than Neemia Tialata, if Carl Hayman is not going to make himself available to claim a starting berth.
So’oialo’s gutsy leadership and non-stop tackling makes him a vital member of the squad despite losing his test spot to an impressive Kieran Read, who offers more thrust to the attack.
Losing four of 14 tests this year, three to South Africa, wasn’t a great record. But, thankfully, the improvement in lineout and taking of the high kicks since the Blomfontein debacle has been satisfactory.
South Africa have set the benchmark with a magnificent Tri-Nations victory, which not even their disappointing northern hemisphere tour could tarnish.
Meanwhile, the gulf between the All Blacks test team and second stringers remains immense, although there’s no cause for pessimism.
At 34, Thorn’s commitment and toughness, along with that of Richie McCaw and Andrew Hore, was inspirational in a pack which saw Donnelly, Franks, Read, Jerome Kaino and Adam Thomson make heartening progress.
With Smith, Jane and Mils Muliaina peaking against France to reach the sublime heights of Carter, there’s cause for optimism when pondering the future of the backs.
