Henry sees value in 'Test' farce
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:10
No easy passage: NZ coach Graham Henry
The All Blacks, despite running in 15 tries to two in a record 101-14 romp against a hopelessly outclassed Samoan side in New Plymouth on Wednesday, still believe there was good value in the hit-out.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry went on the offensive when the status of the match, officially listed as a Test despite not being sanctioned by the International Rugby Board (IRB), was questioned by the media.
Samoa were always going to struggle against the No.1 team on the IRB rankings, especially in the absence of their top players due to European club obligations.
The men in black constantly exploited big holes out wide to set up a procession of tries, and after some early glitches in the line-outs secured complete dominance in the forwards.
According to Henry the 'Test' was a vital step in their build-up ahead of their Tri-Nations decider with the Wallabies in Brisbane on September 13.
Henry quashed a suggestion that the glorified training run didn't deserve to be called a Test.
"Where is the line drawn at what should be a Test and what shouldn't be a Test?" Henry told NZPA.
"I think it would be belittling for the Samoan boys if you didn't make it Test status.
"At the World Cup we played Romania and Portugal and I'd imagine this Samoan team would give those two teams a real good game and probably win."
The intensity was a world away from what to expect in Brisbane, something acknowledged by veteran prop Greg Somerville after his final Test on home soil.
"With all respect to the Samoans, they haven't had a lot of time to prepare," he told NZPA.
"You can't put them in the same league as the Aussies, that would be a bit unfair.
"We got the running into our legs that we needed before we play Aussie. It's definitely better than having nothing at all... it was better than hitting the scrum machine."
Samoan-born fullback Mills Muliaina, who scored three of his team's 15 tries, believed the game served its purpose and said he found the occasion more emotional than he had expected.
"I didn't actually realise [how much so] until the Samoan national anthem was played," he said.
"It was pretty special to play against the country where you were born. With mum being from there, it was a special night, I'm just pleased with how the guys got out there and did it."
It was a no-win affair for the All Blacks, coming up against opponents featuring 10 players in their starting 15 from the Samoan domestic competition.
Visiting skipper Filipo Levi said the step up was too great for his players to make, particularly as they had limited time to prepare.
Nevertheless, the outcome was a shock to the veteran former Highlanders lock.
"It is weird for me. It is the first time I have had such a big loss in a Test match," he said.
"There are no excuses, we just fell short and the All Blacks were just too good.
"It is still good for the guys to experience this match against the All Blacks and hopefully we can get better and play them more often, rather than every 10 years."
