All Blacks captain Richard McCaw trains with team-mates at Trinity Grammer. AAP Image/ Joe Castro
With the Rugby World Cup now just six months away, it’s fairly safe to say that, allowing for last-minute surprises, the 30-man squads for the major nations are close to being set in cement.
And I find, as a Wallaby fan, that when I muse on those 30-man squads, the All Blacks come out way ahead.
The current depth in New Zealand rugby is remarkable.
For example, unless you’re a Kiwi tragic, Ben Smith, Siale Piutau, Kendrick Lynn, Shaun Treeby, Kade Poki, Robert Robinson, Jamie Mackintosh, Jason Rutledge, Chris King, Jarrad Hoeata, Josh Bekhuis, Alando Soakai, Nasi Manu are not household names.
Yet, last weekend, these guys, plus Jimmy Cowan and Adam Thompson, defeated the mighty Bulls at the Bulls’ own fortress, Loftus Versfeld.
Kiwi fans might not agree, but I doubt few of these “under the radar 13” will make it into the All Blacks 30. There are just too many good players ahead of them.
Graham Henry, like all the coaches of the Big Five, will mix and match his team throughout the pool games, and solidify it in the quarters and whatever progress it can make from there.
Major players like Carter and McCaw, and potential match winners like Sivivatu and Gear, not to mention Read, Kaino, Thorn and Williams, will be periodically rested in the early stages.
The problem is, and it’s a coach’s nightmare, several key players will be included in the pool games and there’s always a chance that some 110 K flanker, playing for one of the minnows like Canada, Japan or Tonga, will level one of the AB stars.
Injuries threaten all the teams, and it’s one more reason why depth plays a big part in any extended tourney like the RWC. But injuries or no, from where I sit I don’t see any country being able to match the talents of the All Blacks. They not only have the best team, they also have the best A team.
Don’t agree?
Aussies, let’s have your Wallaby 30-man squad. Kiwis, let’s have your All Blacks 30 man squad. That way we can compare them.
Stellenbosched
Guest
What the Kiwi fans don't ever seem to understand is that rugby works in cycles. Last year the AB's were the best team in the world, the year before that the Boks were the best. So far in 2011 you could say the NZ and SA teams in the Super Rugby competition are neck and neck. But reading the AB fans posts you would swear that the Boks and Wallabies have never even played test rugby. They are so desperate to be called the best. It's quite sad really.....
kovana
Guest
Also needs to be mentioned that the 1987 RWC was by 'invitation' so.... Clearly not a genuine WC when some of the better teams were not invited.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Good come back ... and I'm a Wallaby fan
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Fruen (in particular) and SBW were very effective last week for the Crusaders. They well might put a lot of pressure on Nonu and Smith for their AB jerseys however give it a little time and one of the Super 15 teams will find a way to dampen their effectiveness and then they will come back to the pack a little.
Jerry
Guest
Or how thick rugby fans from other countries are....
PeterK
Roar Guru
hahahaha , love it. No matter how over the top I was , people still believe I could be a genuine AB supporter. Just goes to show how one eyed and perhaps arrogant some of them are to have people form that perception :)
Back2Ballymore
Guest
Agreed. Rowdy you are a goose. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Tui
Guest
Rowdy that is quite possibly the most misguided spray I have seen on here in 2011. Congratulations, your a nominee for The Goose Of The Year Award.
Jerry
Guest
Peter's a Wallaby supporter, Rowdy.
Rowdy
Guest
Peter K, hate to remind you but the ABs haven't won the RWC since 1987 despite their supporters thinking they are unbeatable before every single one. I'm guessing you'll only ascribe value to the RWC IF the ABs win it. Good luck (going by previous RWCs you may need it). -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Wall-Nut
Guest
It only takes one game to knock out the ABs, as in previous years!!!! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Ross
Guest
New Zealand have a better chance of winning the World Cup than any other team, but I'd still put their chances at around 40%. With England, France, South Africa & Australia having a 10% to 15% chance each.
allblackfan
Guest
it's quite obvious Wallaby fans can't remember the last 10 Bledisloe Cup games before that HK game! Not to worry. Post-traumatic stress has that effect!:-)
kovana
Roar Pro
Samoa is gonna make the Q-finals again this time round and finish 2nd in the pool with another surprise win over Wales... Woth the Saffas getting 1st place. I see Australia Getting 2nd place in Pool C.. with Ireland topping their pool. So in our Q-final against Ireland we will again shock the irish with another win.. Propelling us samoans into our first ever S-final.. But i predict the buck stops there from the samoans as we will face wither France Or england in the S-final.... Hoping its France as we could have a better chance at beating the frenchies.
MattyP
Guest
Anyone else get the irony, in a team sport like rugby, in talking about the best "team" in the world by starting out by talking about a squad of 30? The All Blacks haven't played a match yet this year, and won't for some months. Have they the best ingredients? No question in my mind. Best team? The proof will be in the pudding. Judging it on the opening rounds of Super rugby? Short memories indeed (Cardiff Arms Park, 2007, anyone?). NZ supporters should hope that Messrs Henry and Co are not so affected by amnesia. A touch of hubris here?
Aussie Fan
Guest
Australians all let us rejoice For we are young and free We've golden soil and wealth for toil, Our home is girt by sea: Our land abounds in nature's gifts Of beauty rich and rare, In history's page let every stage Advance Australia fair, In joyful strains then let us sing Advance Australia fair. Go Wallabies!!! To all black fans ...pliz do not forget Hong Kong Bledisloe 4 on 31/10/10
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I don't mind these debates this early on in the season as I was only thinking about it after last weekends Super games. My mind drifted to the Wallabies chances after watching a rotten weekend for the Australian teams. I also happened to watch a replay of the cracking Highlanders v Bulls game. The physicality and pace of the game was outstanding. None of the Aussie teams are anywhere near that level. The Tahs are a good team and will likely be our only semi finalist. They got monstered by the Saders up front. Not a good sign even for early in the season. As a Wallaby supporter you have to be optimistic at all times and also realistic. We are always a chance at the RWC however if the tight 5 doesn't improve considerably this season I can't see us holding up Bill. The All Blacks are rightly the team to beat.
Afraz Ali
Guest
I am really worried because we don't have any 12 and 13 in our backyard in Australia to match the prowess of SBW and RF, these 2 centres combination is giving me nightmares and head-ache to our coach. Gregon was the only player that put our repetition down. The referees were really happy with his retirement. hahahahaha. I agree it will be All Blacks vs France finals.
Afraz
Guest
yeah bro! I am really terrified with the new centre combination brewed up in Crusaders camp. It is giving me head-ache even if I think of the world cup. We don't have any good 12 and 13 in our backyard in Australia to counter the formidable combination with the powers that SBW an RF possess. I agree that All Blacks will win the World cup, Tri, and the Bleds. We will wait for another 8 years for these school kids to grow up before giving a go.
Afraz
Guest
You right bro...... I am really scared of the new centre combination of Crusaders....... they are the best at the moment, and I am not sure if we can find any opposites in our backyard in Australia. All Blacks are the best bet to win this years world cup and retain the Tri and Bleds. The new centres will run riot in the World Cup. I agree that it will be All Blacks vs France finals.