TOUGH TEST: Conrad Smith says the All Blacks will need to be smarter in coming to terms with Argentina’s unique style of rugby.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and it seems Conrad Smith has missed his old mate Ma’a Nonu during the midfield pair’s enforced break up.
The old firm has been closed for business since Smith broke his hand during the second June test against England, but seems likely to reopen for business against Argentina on Saturday.
Nonu and Malakai Fekitoa had a run during the third test thrashing of England in Hamilton, and again during a dour 12-12 draw against Australia in Sydney while Smith attended the birth of his first child.
Then in Auckland, Smith and Ryan Crotty teamed up for the Bledisloe Cup bash as Nonu sat out with a bruised shoulder.
The Dominion Post
Some much needed depth his building and Sonny Bill Williams is sure to push the incumbents hard next year, but for now it remains difficult to imagine a midfield without Nonu and Smith.
The duo who have started together in 52 previous tests since their partnership began against Ireland at Westpac Stadium in 2008.Only Ireland’s Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll have formed a test midfield more times (54), but that record seems likely be in temporary hands.
It was put to Smith yesterday that he and Nonu did not immediately leap out as similar blokes, that he looked more the type who would listen to British folk-rock band Mumford and Sons, while Nonu might prefer the late US rapper Tupac.
“Well done,” Smith said with a broad smile and a nod.
“I don’t know much about Tupac, but it’s funny in the way the relationship has grown between the two of us.
“Obviously we are pretty tight friends now, but at the start we both admit we started off just fending for ourselves. We were thrown together as a combination, but we were just doing our own thing really.
“Over the years we’ve been encouraged to learn from each other and develop [the relationship] a bit more and I think we’ve done that, probably in the last four or five years since the last World Cup and really benefited from it.”
In other words, they’ve become closer mates off the field and developed a natural on-field relationship where each knows his role instinctively.
“That experience is the biggest thing. We’ve played a long time together at all different levels, but particularly at test level. A midfield is a combination rather than an individual thing and we just know each other’s play really well. Having done it for a while you know what you are looking for and are able to play off each other.”
Smith and Nonu appear to be two blokes in a good place this season. The former is a proud new dad, the latter finally has his immediate playing future secured in his hometown with the Hurricanes.
On the rugby field though, neither is ever content and Smith said they need to be smarter in coming to terms with Argentina’s unique style of rugby.
The All Blacks had been slow to adjust to the Pumas over the past two years making tough work of home wins in 2012, 21-5 in Wellington, and 2013, 28-13 in Hamilton, before more comfortable return wins in South America.
This time around Smith said they had tried to simulate Argentina’s unique inside out defence in training to train themselves not to fall for the trick of taking the space left on the outside, only for it to close too quickly for any gain to be realised.
C Smith. Best Center in the world by far.
@ CoachPete: now there’s a blast from the past. Howzit Pete. Very long time in-between posts old boy. You and family all well up Frisco side?
@ Tassies:
Hey Hozit my friend How is Slaapstad ? I have not shared this with any bloggers except mentioning it to GBS, and since you asked here it is
Things ok except as I told GBS, at the end of May, (memorial day weekend) my daughter who attends UC Santa Barbara college, was one of the girls shot by the young shooter at campus She was walking with her 2 friends and he fired at them killing her friends on either side. My daughter was the one who survived with 5 bullet wounds. So its been hard, but she has recovered physically and doing ok
Just so sad about her friends but I am so grateful she is alive.
Yes a parents worst nitemare, and least expected at Santa Barbara
@ CoachPete:
Howzit coach – so sorry to hear that – as you said, a parent’s worst nightmare. So happy your daughter is alive and with you – but unfortunately those mental scars of her friends who didn’t make it will be with her forever. It is events like these that tend to pull families together as you support her. Hope all is ok with your daughter.
@ CoachPete: my goodness Pete. That is seriously hard to deal with. Heart goes out to you and your family boet. Lesser issues pale into insignificance. Not in the same league as us but yes, the US remains a dangerous place. Even in LA.
Thanks guys. Yes she is very lucky all 5 missed any vital areas, and one went into her bag she had over her shoulder and into a hard cover note book and stopped there.
Some say a miracle?
Shes part Saffa remember 🙂
Well that has put things nicely into perspective. Think I’ll phone my daughter in a short while.
Pete, what has happened/is happening to/with Soda? Don’t see his name around these parts. And Keo really wouldn’t suit him right now I’d think.
@ CoachPete: Yip. You have to carry a bit of luck around with you being of Saffa stock. That’s for sure. On my route to work I have seen four dead people lying in the street. The latest just last week. Sounds hectic. It is. I’m talking about Prince George Drive down towards Muizenberg. The Cape Flats is a war zone. You really don’t want to live there.
Yes call her visit her , hug her. 🙂
Have not heard from Soda at all
I hear Keo is dead ?
Ok good to see you all Cheers
Take care Tassies
9 @ CoachPete:
The site yes, incorporated into SARugbymag, problem is the comments are linked to Facebook comments as well.
Some awful trolls going around there, I hardly read any comments anymore, it’s not pleasant.
@ nortierd: it certainly isn’t the Keo of old. Not close.
@ Tassies:
Yep. Lucky for us we have found a new “home” where we have been welcomed 😀
These ou toppies, Nonu and Smith would make mincemeat of any center combination NZ has had since Umaga and Mauger.
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