All Blacks: The All Black who underwent a coming-of-age test – Paul Lewis

Scott Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Wallace
Sititi made all-important breakthroughs against Ireland, with Sititi – one of Scott Robertson’s few forays into the unknown and a selection of real insight and significance – receiving some bouquets after the win. 23-13 victory of all blacks. In many ways, however, it was his best performance to date, or rather, the most important.

Already player of the year for his ability to beat defenders, Sititi took a different tack against Ireland. It was blood and guts stuff, tackling with intensity, cutting away in the rucks and mauls and keeping the ball when the Irish rightly singled him out for extra defensive attention. No mistakes, no misjudgments, just clinical hard work.

The All Blacks have been waiting for years to say they have solved the No. 6 blindside flanker dilemma after losing Jerome Kaino and Liam Squire. Now? Hopefuls for that jersey, including Ethan Blackadder, Samipeni Finau and Dalton Papali’i, will have to wait a long time for their next opportunity.

Man-of-the-match McKenzie spoke after the test about the importance of doing the little things – a rugby version of the old adage “take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves”. Sititi did the same – and it must have warmed the hearts of his coaches that he was so capable in the grunt, grind and grapple work, and that he retained the ability to beat the first tackler and break the defensive line. I remain among those who would like to see him at number 8, with Ardie Savea moved to number 7, but we simply cannot argue with the fact that the All Blacks are currently losing their identity and formation.

McKenzie had his coming-of-age moment in the 10 jersey; a performance built around less helter-skelter running and more of a Test-quality first five, using his judgment and skill to find the best way to control the game; his kicking from the hand improved a lot. I was one of the few who lamented the return of Beauden Barrett starting first five against England because I felt – as Robertson often said – that McKenzie should keep the keys to the car for a while. There’s the proof.

However, another standout player of the day was captain Scott Barrett. He hasn’t grown into the role of skipper easily, but he was great against Ireland. Like Sititi, he was heavily involved in the tight work: carrying, tackling, a big influence on the rucks and mauls.

It was encouraging to see him collar Joe McCarthy after Barrett felt the big Irish lock had fired a cheap shot and fell on or near McKenzie’s head. The ensuing confrontation was revealing: Barrett’s body language was that of an insulted leader; McCarthy is someone who knew he had committed a foul. As a leadership moment, Buck Shelford couldn’t have done a better job.

We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that this was Ireland’s first Test since July and their ring rust meant they made even more mistakes than the All Blacks – but this was still a victory of dedication and controlled passion. The famous coach of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi, coined the saying, “Confidence is contagious; This also applies to a lack of trust.” This test match took the All Blacks closer to the former, further from the latter.

They will be playing a better Irish team in better form than this one, even if they were given extraordinary leeway on offsides or ball delays in the rucks. Lombardi also said: “Fatigue makes us all cowards” – and the slightly undercooked Irish blew hard, desperate to loosen the grip and iron defense of the All Blacks.

So getting back to our theme of not one player making a rugby team (but three perhaps), across the canal at Twickenham, Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies achieved a surprise victory over England. Reading some reports of the match, you would think their 21-year-old NRL import, Joseph-Aukuso Suaallii, had won the match single-handedly.

Fullback Tom Wright was the real man of the match, regularly racing through the England defence, which was as poor as it was combative against the All Blacks; Loose forwards Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight had stormy games. However, Sua’alli’i is undeniably the future. When he parachuted into a top Test match for his first game of professional rugby, his 6ft 6in, 225lb frame was one thing; his ball skills another. He was less involved in the game than some thought, but what we saw was quite impressive:

He’s not yet Jonah Lomu – he’s more of Israel Folau – and he hasn’t quite had the debut that the hype would have you believe. But he could be a player who can set the Wallabies on fire.

All Blacks v France, Sunday 9.10am

Live commentary on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio. Live match blog on nzherald.co.nz