THE HURT HARNESSING
Something went wrong in Yokohama on October 26 2019. It wasn't just that the All Blacks lost to England in the World Cup semi-final, it was the way it happened.
The All Blacks, so dominant and dynamic the week before against Ireland, were meek and mild against England. They didn't find much, if anything at all, to throw at their opponents and the All Blacks didn't have the ability to stop England making the gainline over and over again.
It wasn't such a surprise that the All Blacks struggled to play with the same pace and intensity as they had the week before against Ireland as backing up a great performance with a great performance is the toughest thing in rugby.
But it was a surprise that they didn't manage even short periods of intense rugby that night.
The All Blacks had plenty of games between 2016 and the semi-final where they were flat, outplayed for long periods and hanging on.
Typically, though, they would come to life at some stage in those game and haul themselves back in front. All Blacks teams never turn up and roll over and yet that's almost what happened in Yokohama
They were 13-0 down after 50 minutes and hadn't looked like scoring. When an England overthrow on their own lineout went straight to Ardie Savea and he flopped over to make it 13-7 with 25 minutes to go, it was possible to imagine that the All Blacks would suddenly lift, click up a gear and conjure a miracle try to sneak home.
That's how the All Blacks roll – they absorb the pressure, look dead on the ropes and then land killer blows on the back of a bit of a luck and their attacking genius.
They never need much ball or opportunity to save a seemingly hopeless cause and that's why they are so dangerous – they can flick a switch and score from anywhere.
Except they
