All Blacks poised to win Grand Slam, Wales chances slim
The battle of All Blacks against Wales this weekend at the Millennium Stadium promises to be a match of tremendous historic importance. In retrospect, it could become the match that led the All Blacks to victory or got them out of the running.
It will be a kind of dual victory for the All Blacks if they manage to win. For it will result in them holding a record of four Grand Slam tours, the same as that held by South Africa. Although, this year South Africa was thrown out of the running in its
Grand Slam bid due to their defeat at the hands of Scotland last weekend.
The All Blacks won their first Grand Slam victory in 1978. They also won tours against all four home unions in 2005 as well as in 2008. This astounding achievement of the All Blacks has to be appreciated in its entirety for in the total of 26 Grand Slam
tours played by New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, the Grand Slam has been won only 8 times.
Considering the fact that in the 27 matches that have been fought between Wales and All Blacks the latter have won a total of 24 times. There is very little doubt regarding, who will take away the title, in the upcoming match.
If the total points won by both teams are compared, the conclusions drawn are even more shocking. In the total of 27 matches played, Wales have only managed to win 256 points against the All Blacks, while the latter have scored an astounding 812 points against
the former. All rational betting will have to take the aforementioned stats into account.
The leading players of the All Blacks therefore seem ready to thrash Wales once more. Richie McCaw, the two time winner of the IRB Player of the Year award has made 49 tackles and 21 ball carries in addition to being amongst the first three to reach the
breakdown in 82 occasions.
In spite of playing a very active game he has conceded only a total of 6 penalties. Another top player in the team Kieran Read beats Richie McCaw in ball carries with a record of 31 while coming second to him in his total tackles, which number 43.
Tony Woodcock, another classic player, has made 32 tackles, 13 ball carries and has been amongst the first three at the breakdown 62 times. Brad Thorn and Jerome Kaino, although having played only two games each on tour, are nevertheless competing for 2nd
and 3rd behind McCaw for ruck arrivals.
Sam Whitelock too has the high tackle count of 38 that places him third right after Richie McCaw and Kieran Read.
Meanwhile, Dan Carter could, after this match, become the highest point scorer in test Rugby ever. The irony in this is that the team against which he will be setting his world record is the same team against which he played his international debut in 2003.
All in all, the All Blacks seem to be very well prepared for the upcoming match. Fans supporting Wales are highly likely to be disappointed.
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