Stu Wilson: This style can win the World Cup

The All Blacks might be the first modern team to prove running rugby can win a World Cup. Photo / Getty Images

Former All Black captain Stu Wilson shares his thoughts on the All Blacks' Grand Slam securing win over Wales.

Out of all of the Grand Slam games that was the best to watch. I was more intrigued with this one, it caught my attention and it delivered.

Credit must be given to the Welsh who were in the game for the first half and looked strong until the big turning point when Daniel Braid was sin binned at the start of the second half.

At that point I was thinking what can we do here?

We had 10 minutes with 14 men, if we can get through this period without giving away any points then that will help us win the game. As it turned out in those 10 minutes we got a converted try and a penalty with 14 playing 15 and that was the difference. Game over.

It was getting to the stage that we were playing so well with 14 men we could have told Braid to keep sitting there.

We were clinical, we knew exactly what we were doing. McCaw and the senior players all contributed and no one panicked. When we had to defend we defended and we took the opportunities when they presented themselves.

The resounding statistic is that the All Blacks scored 18 tries in their four games, with only four scored against them. They say kicking and defense wins the World Cup. What we're going to do next year is go with the same tempo we've got, the same game plan that suits us. Which is the plan of using the athletes we've got and their skill sets, using the ball sensibly and using the width of the park.

If we can score 18 tries in four games at the end of the season when we're a bit tired, mentally more than physically, and the best of the four Home Unions can only put four tries up against us then that gives me a bit of hope. As Henry has always said we can win a World Cup next year while playing a high tempo 'ruck and gun' game.

World Cups will tell you that running, high tempo games will not win you the title. History tells you that it's won by penalties and drop goals. Very few tries have been scored in World Cup finals.

However that's our style and we can't change it. Do we go back to a very defensive, kick chase game? No. That doesn't suit us.

I'm pleased in seeing that we've taken four good scalps in winning the Grand Slam, I've seen enough from those four Home Unions, apart from Scotland, that come next year they'll all be competitive. More of a threat in October next than they all were in October this year.

I loved the way the Welsh won the ball to the line. They were very flat and took our defensive lines on they weren't deep. Which makes it easier to defend, they took us on and all they've got to do is keep continuity in selection and keep self-belief and they'll be a good side. But yet again they can't go 80 minutes. Not one of those Home Unions could go 80 minutes with us.

Look at the second Hosea Gear try. The last set of hands went Keven Mealamu, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric who then set up Gear with the try. That's a hooker and two locks creating space for a winger to score. Did you see a hooker and a couple of their locks running out in the backs?

Occasionally you might but they always look a little bit out of place. For our guys they don't, that's the way we play. You watch kids playing rippa rugby all the way through secondary school, club rugby, provincial rugby, Super Rugby and the All Blacks. We all play the same. We like to run and pass with the ball. It's in our DNA. We can't change that.

If it's good enough to win the World Cup next year then Graham Henry deserves to get a knighthood because by the time the World Cup rolls around teams will know how to defend this.

We were very undecided and confused in how to counter the Welsh banana rushed defense in the backs. Their defense rushed up quick to force our guys to do something on the inside and we looked a bit confused in that area. That was probably the downside in the performance.

Kaino had a standout game today and has been huge all year. Mils was involved everywhere, scored a try, got involved in defence and organised things.

They all had their moments, but they had some dumb moments. Six years in the All Blacks and Isaia Toeava still doesn't understand you can't dive on a player on the ground when a ruck is forming as well as Brad Thorn giving away a few silly penalties. Our penalty count was too high and in the World Cup if you give away plenty of penalties they'll kick you off the track. So it wasn't the perfect performance.

The minute's silence was very remarkably stunning. The Welsh showed a huge amount of respect to New Zealand and it was good to see the All Blacks respond with Kapa o Pango. A haka they usually reserve for special moments. That was a classy move.

Stu Wilson was talking to nzherald.co.nz sports editor Cameron McMillan.

- Herald online