All Blacks - What We Learned

 A treat for 89,019
What a treat the New Zealand vs Argentina game was for the 89,019 spectators who packed into Wembley to form Rugby World Cup’s biggest ever crowd – and for TV viewers around the world. Playing themselves close to a standstill, Los Pumas were magnificent until they ran out of steam, but the All Blacks showed why they are the number one team in the world by overcoming adversity to win well in the end.

All Blacks did what Springboks failed to do
Under pressure from Argentina’s intensity and carefully orchestrated game-plan, the All Blacks didn’t panic. They got right against Argentina what the Boks couldn’t get right against Japan – they maintained composure, remained patient, stuck to their plan, trusted their skills and their teammates, became more clinical, and made good decisions. That’s the professional formula for turning fortunes around.

Subs can add huge value
Too often substitutes add very little or even disrupt their team’s rhythm instead of bolstering team performance by making decisive impact, but Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett, and Sam Cane were superb, playing a pivotal role in changing the momentum of the game.

Superstars play like superstars
When the game is not going well, it helps to have your superstars step up to lift the team performance. Conrad Smith and Ben Smith had moments of magic, and Richie McCaw and Brodie Retallick imposed authority, but it was Aaron Smith and Kieran Read who were the biggest heroes. Aaron Smith could turn out to be the most influential player at RWC 2015.

Lock issue?
Selecting only three locks in a 31-man squad may not have been wise, since having to move Kieran Read or Victor Vito or Jerome Kaino to lock – as happened against Argentina – is not ideal.