They’re doing it again. The All Blacks are peaking too soon before their home World Cup. Why? Well, simple really. New Zealand is a proud rugby nation, who prides itself on a successful rugby team.
It’s their national sport and defines the fabric of a nation. Unfortunately for All Blacks, the one thing they lack is timing.
The problem with having such a rugby rich nation is the weight of expectation. Not only from the public, media and intrinsic pressure that the players place on themselves, but rather the pressure that the hierarchy places on the coach.
Graham Henry has been under the microscope, there’s no doubting that. Although the blowtorch remains firmly on the belly as results are expected all year round. Unfortunately, the human body doesn’t respond all year round.
Henry has no choice but to have his team at their best for each match. One slip up and the flame begins to draw ever so close to his un-tanned flesh.
I’m of the opinion that Australian’s are more patient with their rugby team, content that Robbie Deans has proceedings under control.
Sure, there has been whispers that perhaps he’s not the messiah. However, unless there’s a major catastrophe between now and the World Cup, he’s the man that will remain at the helm.
Australians seem accepting of the fact that we’ve been through a rebuilding phase, lacked depth at times, and struggled with injury and suspension to key players.
The All Blacks have had many successful coaches, but have struggled to win a World Cup since 1987.
The era in which rugby wasn’t really professional, since the introduction of professionalism in rugby the All Blacks have continually stumbled before rugby’s true elixir, the William Webb Ellis trophy.
Money has been their kryptonite, despite arriving to each World Cup with the best coaching staff and team, by the end of the tournament they are too burnt out mentally and physically to hoist the cup.
Tonight is a great litmus test for both sides.
It’s clear the All Blacks form is on point, and the Wallabies are putting together some nice combination’s coupled with a terrific brand of running rugby.
I think it’s fitting Quade Cooper is unavailable. This will allow Deans further time to develop other combinations whilst keeping his trump card firmly placed against his chest.
For me, the biggest battle and perhaps the changing of the guard, will be between David Pocock and Richie McCaw. This Test series will be a pivotal moment in the changing of the mantle for the world’s best flanker.
I’m of the opinion that McCaw still has a few more seasons at the top level. However, his aging body will prove no match for the freakish genetics of Pocock.
Not only is he physically more gifted than McCaw, he has age and a fresh attitude on his side.
As I said earlier, Richie McCaw has been at the peak of his seemingly endless capacity of powers for many years, however, they say age shall not weary them, but the years do condemn, and Richie has been around for a long time now.
This Bledisloe Cup series is merely an appetiser for the big tournament that will hit the shaky isles like an earthquake. The pressure will be on for all, but especially the All Blacks.
Will they handle it? The legendary Australian cricketer Keith Miller, when asked about the pressure of Test cricket famously replied: “Pressure is a Messerschmidt up your backside.”
I wonder how the All Blacks describe pressure?
I predict they will beat the Wallabies. However, they will have cooked their form by the World Cup.
My long range World Cup prediction – the All Blacks will meet the Wallabies in the final, and lose in extra time.
dbnzski
Guest
what a toss piece. '91 & '99 wallaby "peaking"....my god, if WCs existed pre '87, the Boks and ABs would probably have 10 titles each. there's only been 6 titles, NZ and Eng have one each, aussie and Boks two. well done...but that AB record will soon correct itself over time, just like every other record held the the ABs (grand slams, TNs, Bledisloe utter domination, Lions, age group, etc, etc). wishful thinking. after last night, you're lucky the wallabies have qualified for next year. worst since '67!! hahaha....the days when ABs used aussies as a practice match en route to real opposition in the north. 'hang onto your "yeah but we've got 2 x WCs"...enjoy the final 15 months of that tiresome comeback, used whilst losing 17 from past 21....embarrassment and hollow
Stan Morris
Guest
Actually it's a myth that the All Blacks are the best team at each tournament. They are perennial favourites simply because their winning % is so high year in year out. That doesn't help though when it all comes down to one game. Looking at All Black World Cups teams year by year: 1987 - They were the best and proved it. (Even though I'm an Aussie, Michael Jones was always my favourite player as a kid) 1991 - They didn't have the best team at this tournament (anyone remember Bernie Cahill?). Australia were marginally better and proved it the following year in one of the best Bledisloe series ever. 1995 - Yes this one's a choke. The All Blacks really should have won this one and they proved it the following year by winning a test series in SA for the first time in their history. 1999 - Again, they just weren't the best side in 99 and were kind of re-building because the previous year they lost 5 tests in a row! 2003 - Should have beaten the Wallabies in that semi but were they better than England that year? I think so, only just. Although England did beat the All Blacks in NZ prior to the cup. In that game England had two players sent off at one stage, a five metre scrum from their own tryline and the Poms held them out...somehow. 2007 - I think they were the best team that year and thought they'd win the cup easily so maybe that's another choke.
Smart money
Guest
1991 & 1999
Tui
Guest
Enyoy the game Paddy??????
Ben S
Roar Guru
Go and read something else then. It's good manners to respond to people who have repsonded to you.
Colin N
Guest
"We’re happy that the All Blacks try to win each test match. We’re not sitting around waiting for the World Cup." I don't think anybody thinks that way to be honest, but everyone is really building towards a World Cup, do you not think? The object of building is getting a consistant team and winning, which builds confidence towards their main objective. "I’d venture to say that SA don’t think that way either. There is always plenty of pressure if they aren’t winning tests (like now)." Similar to what I said in the first para, everyone has pressure on them to produce results and performances. England haven't produced results which has put pressure on Johnson. When Australia lost to Scotland and then England earlier in the summer, that has put pressure on Deans. De Villiers is now under a certain amount of pressure, as is Gatland etc etc.
Nick_KIA
Guest
I guess my point is that the World Cup isn't "the main goal" in rugby. I think most all black fans are like cinematic above. We're happy that the All Blacks try to win each test match. We're not sitting around waiting for the World Cup. I'd venture to say that SA don't think that way either. There is always plenty of pressure if they aren't winning tests (like now). I don't think there's many SA fans saying "well it doesn't matter if we lose now because we're the world champs and we're building for the next cup".
Parrot
Guest
And Kiwi's are the only one's who try and suggest the WC doesn't matter. But you're right. We Aussie are the only idiots here.
Max
Guest
Love your work OJ
Parrot
Guest
"... the also-rans of sport who clutch at any available straw they can find." Moaman - Is that why Kiwi's cling so fervently to the All Blacks? They're all you've got?
Sam Taulelei
Guest
The All Blacks peaking too early for the world cup are opposition rugby fans favourite game. If this was 2011 people would still be claiming that we've peaked too early, that or we're due to choke under pressure or weight of expectation. Even if we do win the world cup next year the taunts will simply change to "All Blacks can only win a home world cup" It's all part of the game and fun of supporting your team. It's a glorious sunny day in Melbourne, a bit on the cool side at the MCG. Hopefully I'll get a quinella today with wins to the Pies and the Blacks.
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
As asserted by who? The ARU. Neither an All Black or an All Black supporter. Shame on you Ben for being so disingenuous.
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
No thanks.
Colin N
Guest
On which bit? I assume you agree with the idea that winning the World Cup is the main goal in rugby? In Tennis, the Grand Slams are what they strive for and not the thing that comes around every four years. There's a difference.
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
Hence my question about Ben's age below...
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
Gold.
Nick_KIA
Guest
Says who?
PastHisBest
Roar Guru
Exactly how old are you Ben? Because you're reading like a tween with your nose out of joint.
Colin N
Guest
Actually that video backs up what Ben S is saying. The analysis displayed his ability to get his hands on the ball, counterruck and tackle, but didn't show much of him carrying or linking play.
Taniwha
Guest
Who was the starting hooker in the 1987 world cup final winning team. Granted it was 23 years ago, but if you are going to sprout statements, at least get them right.