(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The last word that comes to mind when describing the 2009 All Blacks is vintage, but they possess a fighting quality that has ensured they may still defend their Tri Nations title.
New Zealand is looking at recording an unprecedented fifth consecutive trophy that signifies supremacy in the Southern Hemisphere, and their ninth overall.
However, their back to back losses against the Springboks in South Africa have ensured that their destiny is not in their own hands.
It is a chillingly simple equation.
The All Blacks must rely on the Wallabies to inflict at least one victory on the World Champions in either Perth or Brisbane. If this is achieved, assuming that Australia doesn’t whitewash the Springboks on home soil—then the clash on 12 September in Waikato will be for the 14th Tri Nations title.
But irrespective of this, there would be a grim satisfaction residing with Graham Henry, with the fact that he is now 5-1 against Robbie Deans, well and truly putting to bed any concerns over whether or not the NZRU made the right decision in their then controversial decision to reappoint the former headmaster of Kelston Boys.
While there are still concerns moving forward for this All Blacks team, there are plenty of foundations to work with, especially from their match in Sydney. As the Springboks themselves have proved in this year’s competition, you do not need the complete game plan, as long as the established pillars of your technique are strong enough to win matches.
In this, we can sum up the All Blacks' issues this year.
Unlike the South Africans, they have not been clearly dominant in one aspect that has allowed them to build into match winning control.
But the manifesto laid in Sydney, if built upon, could well change this.
The most fundamental appears to be there, the bedrock in which All Blacks teams throughout history have relied on, an unwillingness to accept defeat and a pride in the silver fern embossed on their left chest.
Even in the face of a Springboks onslaught, this All Black team has not folded.
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