DURBAN - We should probably stop sniggering right about now.
Ever since the dawn of professionalism in rugby we’ve been able to crow about the sustained superiority of the southern hemisphere. Our players have always been bigger, faster and more skilled, notwithstanding occasional flurries by England (2003 World Cup) and Ireland (Chicago, last year). Sometimes even Wales and Scotland came to the party.
But the wheel has turned. The rampant All Blacks were famously smashed at Soldier’s Field by Ireland last year and the Springboks limped through Europe, collapsing against Italy, England and Wales. Australia got in on the act, too, losing to England.
For good measure, Wales, Scotland and England all scored wins over Argentina late last year. It was a far cry from events in 2015 when the four Rugby Championship teams reached the semi-finals of the World Cup. Teams from the north were dire.
It’s not just that northern hemisphere teams have caught up; some appear to have edged ahead. England are the obvious example. While they’ve always been big and bruising, Eddie Jones has added invention and imagination to their play. They have a sharp edge to their attack and possess the priceless ability of all good teams of being able to grind out wins under severe pressure, Cardiff last weekend being a case in point.
England’s soft underbelly is gone and in its place is a team that looks ready to face the number one All Blacks front-on. The pity is they won’t get to do so this year.
Ireland’s tactics last November were inspired. Whereas they normally bag any three points on offer, they rather kicked to touch and used their maul to break down the All Blacks. Their attitude at the breakdowns was telling: they were physically dominant to the point of being violent, exploiting New Zealand playing with only their fourth and fifth best locks.
The past weekend again offered visceral evidence of teams up north casting off the shackles. France rumbled hard against Scotland and England and Wales dished up a moving feast in the Six Nations. The rise in standards was plain to see. Even France appear to have woken from their prolonged slumber.
Teams like Scotland have often scrapped hard, but they now play with an ambition that will give them a chance against anyone.
The irony of this resurgence is that much has been engineered by coaches from New Zealand and Australia. Jones, born in Tasmania, has had the most impact, transforming bedraggled England into a team banging down New Zealand’s door.
New Zealand’s Joe Schmidt has been the architect of Ireland’s rise and already has two Six Nations trophies in the cabinet. And Vern Cotter, who will soon succeed Jake White at Montpellier, has given Scotland a sharp edge, as you’d expect from a no-nonsense New Zealander. Even Wales, who have a local man in charge, admit that Kiwis Warren Gatland and Steve Hansen, who both coached them a few years ago, fundamentally altered their approach.
France’s belated return to the party must also be welcomed. Once asked why Les Bleus sometimes never turn up, former lock Olivier Magne said, “I am not a psychiatrist”.
This perfectly sums up the French philosophy and ought to frame the challenge that awaits the Boks in mid-year when the Tricolors head our way for three matches. France might be awful. They might be awesome. It depends on their mood.
Yet the heavyweight championship of the rugby world will not be decided in South Africa. It will be decided in New Zealand. This is because the British and Irish Lions will tour there for the first time in 12 years. Eleven times the pale northerners have taken the long haul down there; 10 times they have lost, the exception in 1971 when John Dawes’ Lions won 2-1.
Gatland will take the coaching reins again after his success in Australia four years ago. He has an embarrassment of riches to choose from. If he gets his selections right and suffers no major injuries, Gatland will ensure none of his New Zealand countrymen are able to sleep easily.
The beasts from the north are at our door. What will we do?