Outstanding Dane Coles

Outstanding Dane Coles

Ray and John McBeth

The try scored by All Blacks hooker, Dane Coles, was one of the special highlights of the team's gutsy win against the Springbok over the weekend.

But his sprint to the tryline really was just the most obvious part that he played in the match. Even if Coles had not scored that wonderful try which emphasised his remarkable skills and pace, he would still have won my man of the match award.

I haven't watched a replay, but my initial reaction after the game was that the All Black hooker was quite outstanding. His throwing to the lineout was accurate- 100% accurate possibly- which helped immensely in making this a strong part of the team's play.

His defence was extraordinary. I'll be interested to see the official match statistics, but if Coles is not up near the top for the number of tackles made, I'll be very surprised. It was one of his best games in the test team and one which surely promotes him as one of the best in the world, and certainly the most explosive with ball in hand.

I took time to study him for a few minutes, ignoring the ball but just watching what Coles was doing. When he admitted, in the aftermatch interviews, to being exhausted when he left the field, it was totally understandably. His work rate was enormous, constantly tackling, getting to his feet immediately, attacking the tackle area, sprinting to a defensive position, tackling again. He never stopped. How he found the energy to sprint, sidestep, fend and swerve on his way to the line I'll never know.

What Dane Coles was doing in Johannesburg was, of course, what every player was doing throughout the match. The committment they showed under enormous pressure, particualrly in the first half, their calmness even when mistakes were being made and their total belief in themselves is what makes this team so very difficult to beat.

The Springbok were very competitive. They would have beaten most teams with that performance. If they manage 80 minutes of their highest quality play at the World Cup, they'll be a huge threat.

But that'll just be the sort of challenge that Dane Coles will love.

As an aside, I was encouraged to notice the referee and his assistants taking special note of the offside line. Too often in tests this year they haven't been vigilant enough but perhaps the message has got through now. Let's hope so.

ends

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