Frankly, it is good to know that unknowns can still make an impact. Countries meet each other so often these days that almost anyone ascending to a top coaching job is known throughout the planet. But to me and, I am sure, to many others, Jake White is a new face. Granted, he will be made king of South Africa shortly after his achievement in forging a winning team from a background of alleged racism, political in-fighting, backstabbing and bad feeling.
He has also taught his team about maturity in an incredibly short time. South Africa could and should have beaten New Zealand in New Zealand at the start of the Tri-Nations but it was their lack of experience and confidence that cost them that close game. Yesterday, after a rather ropey first half, when they were eager to the point of panicking, they were reasonably calm, made the right decisions and held on with coolness at the end. Very impressive, and a fantastic tribute to White and to John Smit, who is the leader they have been looking for.
The team appears to be the perfect blend of old-style South African hardmen and youthful promise. Marius Joubert, the centre who has impressed me tremendously, tried to bash through a New Zealand defender last week after he had already crossed the line on the way to one of three tries — that was pure old-school Springbok. But on the other hand, Joubert and his colleagues in the scrum have given South Africa the attacking power that they have lacked for so long. The backs did not show so strongly yesterday, but the whole point about this Springbok team is that they appear to have very few weaknesses.
Some of those forwards yesterday were remarkable and I suppose Victor Matfield typified their effort.
What a player. He seemed to be everywhere in the set play and around the field but even someone as small as Breyton Paulse on the wing took an amazing part in the defensive effort. I can hardly wait to see if the South Africans can measure up in the autumn, though I tend to think that if we had a World Cup this week, South Africa would win it.
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Australia? They always play it by numbers, they work out their tactics and they play to them relentlessly. However, South Africa’s defence had the bite of a whiplash yesterday.
Australia were probably correct in deciding to switch their attack to the blindside channels, and they picked up a good try when Clyde Rathbone chipped through for Lote Tuqiri. However, they went on trying to use the same tactic for too long and played into South Africa’s hands. Eddie Jones will be losing Matt Burke to Newcastle Falcons very soon, and he has to decide whether to restructure his team and tactical approach.
New Zealand played no part in the final weekend of the competition, but if their play was poor enough, then their public relations were pathetic. Coach Graham Henry whined that there was too much public pressure on his team. Pardon? Rugby is a professional game and New Zealand is a proud country, Mr Henry. Surely, your team can block out that expectation and get on with the job? My impression is that the All Blacks are so lacking in street wisdom they are almost infantile. It seems they have become hung up on playing a certain brand of rugby which they and some observers believe entertaining. That is not necessarily a winning brand of rugby and entertainment for its own sake is a wasted concept.
In this Tri-Nations, the All Blacks dominated large periods of games but did not score. Easy opportunities to drop goals were passed.
You have to find a style that is going to win a World Cup. New Zealand choked in the last one, and if they continue to put style over substance, they won’t win the next. If Henry doesn’t start to make changes, he might have to go.
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But back at the top of the table, a great rugby nation is back at the top of the sport and this morning, the heartbeat of everyone in the game will be racing as a result.