The Wrap: Rugby’s ‘Greatest Rivalry’ delivers as All Blacks draw first blood

Anyone doubting the veracity of ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ as a subject line for the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa plainly couldn’t feel the rumbling from Ellis Park – two jets flying low just before kick off, a brutal physical onslaught from the Springbok pack, and exiting home fans trying to come to terms with how such a dominant first-half performance translated into a 33-16 loss.

Given the earnest propensity of rugby people from both nations to assume ‘guardian of the sport’ status, there’s a danger of South Africa and New Zealand, undeniable world number one and two ranked sides, winners of seven of ten World Cups, disappearing up their own orifices in their haste to celebrate and promote their special rivalry.

At the same time though, there can be no denying that the extended tour, four-Test series construct, has brought an extra dimension to proceedings; evident in the intense build-up and post-match reaction to what was a remarkable match.

Remarkable because all of the pre-match jousting and palaver around influencing the match officials managed to be successfully shunted aside; due in no small part to the competence, composure and communication skills of whistle-man, Matthew Carley.

No matter how experienced a referee, it can’t be easy operating in a pressure cooker. To finish the match equal-first calmest and surest person on the pitch, alongside Jordie Barrett, speaks volumes.

Stripped of the bluster and bullshit, what remained was two sides; still with a distinctly different understanding of how to play winning rugby, but in truth, far closer together than what most people credited.

Hence the All Blacks, with an equal share of possession, kicking as much as the Boks. Albeit not always out of choice, but necessity brought on by a brutal, physical assault on their ball carriers in midfield.

Both sides carry a long list of work-on’s into next week, but near top priority for the All Blacks will be to try to find a way to deliver the kind of fast, front-foot possession they crave, but were so effectively denied.

Sure, the guts and adaptability shown to find a path to five tries and victory was highly admirable. But operating off back-foot scraps and relying on your opponent to spill copious amounts of ball is not a winning strategy for the long term.