All Blacks: They Will Try. We Will Score.

It is the Friday morning in a week that has acted like a diverted plane, far from its intended destination. It all started matter-of-fact after the All Blacks pushed, go, for a 15 minute spell against Scotland in the First Half, which both plundered and restored the playing senses from word-makers, further north.

Total rugby.

Dan was near rugby divine. His intercept to help the Scots, the personal catalyst to make gold in them their fields; sporting redemption-like, and it would be so. We have spoken on these scribal-shores about the completeness in his ability at the pivot. As the years grow, they have not wearied him, but they do underscore what genius he has in his game. Historically, and seemingly each year, names have been offered for the next big thing pushing for the top 10 mantle. However, they have proven akin to this our present fireworks, which seem to know no end in the neighbourhood; plenty of noise; never so bright. Carter’s ability to create in contact & under pressure has always separated his game. This continues.

We should pay credit to Scotland, gritty in spirit and committed in the contest, although it must be admitted, it was a cheap shot by Strokosch to attack Thomson’s foot with his head. Chortle as you may, this has gone down like a hot-air balloon, as the fomenting continues to rise and rage. The IRB, always committed to good causes, have also confirmed a review. The All Blacks think they’re above the game, some claim. Those Kiwis are in control; in cahoots; all else, extras in their play.

Speaking of such, it was a sight for sore eyes to see Wayne blowing his whistle for a team in Black over the weekend. For all our purported power, it is interesting he is still a controlling influence five years on. It’s a good thing we are a forgiving bunch. Occasionally, the Bryce was Right. Gone. The therapy moves on.

Now, it is all about when in Rome, Bro.

We knew there would be plenty of change versus the Italian Stallions. Hansen has made it apparent that rotational rugby would return after exile in the first two. While sporting decorum would have us offer many platitudes to the opposition, the All Blacks side named has enough spanking to offer no stay of execution. This Italian job should play better in the movies. They will look to their set-piece and the tight exchanges to exact some revenge for these words, but there is a band of black-shirted brethren that have got this back.

They will try. We will score.

If anything else transpires but a solid All Blacks victory, the Mayans may have beaten William Webb Ellis to this rugby thing and passed it on in Italian code. While any other result will prove shocking, there is more power-to-ya, for watching early Sunday morning, NZ time.

Read all about him.

The battle between the two elite 8s in world rugby does have the glands salivating. Many are still consumed with the specimen, Sergio Parisse, an all-purpose man-in-the-boot. He will lead his side in name and by nature, looking to make a statement about the man we believe has jacked his spot. Any talk of the potential of Kieran Read has now become reality. He has long been the deputy in role and impact in this All Blacks group. His time will come into the longer term, but against Italy, we get the first sign of how he leads his men; when his name is at the front. Captain Our Captain. Congratulations.

Richie’s Heir Apparent.

Sam Cane has been anointed, now he must play like it. Yes, he has stood the Test when given the chance, but now is his moment to confirm. The Italian Test may provide more David Stern than expected, as the Romans are starting Favaro in 7, also having one Bergamasco brother, on the Bench. Not only does this mean potential and specialist fresh legs, with Victor Vito expected to cover all three in the opposition, the moment for Cane to take hold of the mantle has categorically arrived. With McCaw sitting out the 3-Test French interrogation in early 2013, and with Matt Todd still very much pressing, the hour has come. He must be the man. The man-child needs to grow.

If you were still wondering if it is a different rugby terrain, when the two inside men of the Manawatu have to combine in All Black to get some game time together, you know this is a changing time.

However, one thing remains; two, if this includes you.

While the boys have been enjoying the sights; check their twitter accounts; it will be business somewhere near usual when their class starts. I would not be surprised if there is again some fits with the starts; these two internationals starting this Air NZ European Tour feel like the home leg in the Investec Rugby Championship. Remember what happened when we went away?

Firecracker. Soweto; the high point. Twickenham awaits.

Join us online for the Test, early Sunday morning - @BackingBlack - where I will be tweeting it LIVE!

What Say You?

Until Next Time

iamjonnyking