All Black Codie Taylor is well versed in the skill of not allowing the rugby furnace to scramble his brain.
This isn’t just about the topic of leadership. The occupation of hooker means he, or she, often has to wrench their head out of a ruck or scrum and forget about the dramas that have just taken place and focus on throwing a straight arrow into a lineout.
A smack on the nose, a scrape on the skull, a twisted knee or elbow. Forget that. The call is coming and the hooker had best get it right, or everyone – the opposition and the crowd – is going to give it to them between the eyes.
Add to that the screeds of information fed to them by coaches and analysts ahead of a match; how the opposition jumpers attack the lineout throw, the way they defend a drive off the set-piece and whether their team should execute a move that’s never seen daylight outside a training field.
That’s just the start of it.
It’s common knowledge a captain is rarely left isolated on the rugby field; there’s usually a team of lieutenants to provide support.
Captain Sam Whitelock provided an insight when explaining why he permitted Damian McKenzie to kick his 57m penalty during the All Blacks’ 57-22 win over the Wallabies in Auckland on August 14.
So much for that All Blacks aura being compromised, or whatever it is the Australians had suggested in the leadup. This was a much more accurate and sustained effort from Foster’s men and the head coach will be very happy as he and his team likely play out the rest of this Rugby Championship campaign in Australia. They head next to Perth for Bledisloe III, which must seem a daunting prospect for the men in the gold jerseys.
The All Blacks had plenty of standout players. Ardie Savea and Akira Ioane produced difference-making performances in the loose and Brodie Retallick took another huge stride back towards the form that made him the best lock on the planet for a while there. Codie Taylor, with his two tries, was also all class in an impressive display by the home forwards.
Skipper Sam Whitelock was also magnificent, both around the park, and in his leadership. The All Blacks took some shots from the Wallabies, but they absorbed them and bounced quickly back. The ‘Cap’ led the way splendidly on that front.
In the backs, Aaron Smith was fabulous, sniping and scything to repeatedly expose the sagging Wallaby defence, Richie Mo’unga ran the show well and David Havili and Rieko Ioane combined efficiently in midfield. Sevu Reece and Will Jordan also nabbed a try apiece with their finishing class.
