Image by Getty Images via @daylifeCan the All Blacks keep it up?
After watching the All Blacks rip apart the Springboks and then canter past the Wallabies to retain the Bledisloe Cup, I had one thing on my mind — how long can this last for?
I don't want to be negative or jinx the team. There are so many positives to take from the way the All Blacks are playing, but I just can help feeling a little uneasy when things seem to be going a little too well.
I've read a few articles saying New Zealand were a bit "lucky" in the second clash against Australia. Some have suggested the Aussies gave us a real challenge and could have pulled out a win. Really? Am I the only one who was not worried at any stage of that game?
Even when Kurtley Beale tied the match with a break-away try I didn't think they were really back in the contest. He scored via a rare All Black error, not genuine Australian pressure. Despite the Aussies retaining plenty of possession and putting together umpteen phases, the Kiwis tackled and tackled some more. Australian players were always going to sabotage their own chances with a mistake. You could see it coming.
I’ll admit the Australians played better than a week prior, but New Zealand are on another level. As for South Africa, well, they look to be in total disarray. It’ll take a herculean effort on home soil for them to take something other than embarrassment from their Tri Nations campaign.
So where to now for the All Blacks? Can they play at this level all the way into next year and the World Cup?
I'd like to think so, but age and history are working against them. Brad Thorn will be 36, Mils Muliaina 31 and Richie McCaw 30 by the time the World Cup rolls around. All three have been in brilliant form and instrumental in the All Blacks' victories this season. I just hope they can continue to play that way through another Super 14 and international season next year.
Athletes generally don't get better after the age of 30 and rugby's high physicality has to take its toll eventually. For the All Blacks, I hope that toll doesn't hit too soon
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