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New Zealand's Piri Weepu looks to offload the ball under pressure from Australia's Benn Robinson (left) and Stephen Moore in the first Tri-Nations rugby test of the year, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, July 18, 2009. (AAP Image/NZPA, Ben Campbell)
Like most other rugby fans, I see the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup as being very important and hope that the All Blacks can pull through. But I would happily swap them both for the Webb Ellis Cup.
Does New Zealand actually think Graham Henry doesn’t know what he is doing with this young All Black team?
Blooding Players
We are a team building towards a World Cup. We are blooding players, making sure these players will be able to perform at peak Test level come 2011.
Think of players like Isaac Ross, Bryn Evans, Stephen Donald, Corey Jane, Aled De Malmanche, and Kieran Read. Notice how there are a lot of new faces that are starting to pop up in the black jersey?
We can see how much we miss the likes of Aaron Mauger, Nick Evans, Carl Hayman, and Dan Carter, but in their absence, haven’t other players really stepped up?
I watched Owen Franks’ game closely last weekend and believed he did a good job. 21 years of age playing a pack of South African Mongrels and marking “The Beast.”
Not a bad effort.
Isaac Ross has come on nicely, and with Chris Jack coming back as well, as Ali Williams coming back from injury, I think Steve Hansen will be licking his lips with the amount of line-out talent we are going to have next year.
Stephen Donald has played well in parts and I am glad they gave him the nod as he is a specialist first five and his form has been solid enough.
Donald makes a few mistakes here and there. But once he works these out, then he can start to establish himself as a World Class Number 10.
Players getting the niggles right
We are getting players that have little niggles and injuries fixed. For example, Daniel Carter, Richie McCaw, Rodney So’oialo, Ali Williams, Richard Kahui, Rudi Wulf, and Adam Thompson.
All of these players will play a huge role in the All Blacks come World Cup year.
Are New Zealand panicking too early?
We lost two games against a very strong South African team who have been together for years now.
New Zealand needs to sit back and chill for a bit. Putting pressure on the All Black coaches is not going to work. They know what they’re doing.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.