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All Blacks coach, Graham Henry. AAP Images
In an article by Toby Robson in the Dominion Post a few days back, the All Black coach claimed that New Zealand were behind the eight ball in their preparation for the coming internationals.
Henry said that the South Africa and Australian teams were ahead of the Kiwi teams in terms of experience and consistency.
Maybe so, but he gave the impression that not only was it going to be hard to field a decent All Blacks team to face Ireland and Wales in June, but that the team might still be unsettled come the November tour and the Tri-Nations.
He says that the ranks are thin at 10. He’s got Carter, Donald and Delany, and he’s worried about the thickness?
As for McCaw, Steve Hansen said that he “couldn’t see Richie playing 6 for us in the immediate future.” Maybe he’ll just have to play some terrific 7, as usual.
Bottom line is, apart from, by my count, 11 or 12 experienced, top-rank internationals, he’s got the following players waiting in the wings and hungry for that form-fitting black shirt: Bekuis, Brett, Crotty, Dugg, Faumina, Fotuali’i, Franks, Latimer, Mathewson, Patterson, Ranger, Retalick, Vito, Whitelock.
Add to this list, for the World Cup anyway, Sonny Bill – the NZRU are trying like mad to lure him back home.
I think Graham Henry is walking into a bar and saying to the Aussies and Saffers: “Hey, they got a pool table. I got two busted thumbs but you wanna shoot a coupla racks for beers?”
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.