Kiwis on the All Blacks' RWC chances

Sivivatu will start-if fit, when that guy is on form there is no better attacking footballer in the world-but he needs games. He has cleaned the clock of every team that he has come up against. His issues are his own (off field and fitness) Poly players are magnificent but they can be put in 2 categories -those you can train to be fit (zinzan, michael jones, liam messam, gear) and those who play games to get fit (sivivatu, weepu) if the 3 blind mice (wise men is a big call!!) realise that, they can make good head wway. Beware of favoritism tag as well for ABS- we have been that for every WC since 1987!!!!

Jesus Wal! For a hooker you're pretty bright! ;-) Agree with almost everything 'cept Richie's replacement-Thompson more a 6 and Messam an 8...I like the look of Matt Todd-he was outstanding in the ITM and looks great already with George Whitelock(incidentally,another contender).The 3 Wise Men may opt for McAllister if his form remains solid-backup 10 but utility value.Slade needs to recover and get back on the park.Cruden gone in my book and Donald-Donald Who? Jane and Gear starting wingmen...with the crowd(Sivivatu,Toeava,Masaga,Rococoko et al)keeping them honest......

Weepu needs to be brought back into the fray ASAP. He had a great season last year. Slade is another to watch out for, if he plays well when he gets back. Alan Thompson & Liam Messan are playing well, and I think both should be considered as McCaw's back ups. Thompson is menacing at the breakdown and a good pilferer and very agile in the loose. Messan again power and pace. I just think they need to work on those combos as an expanded AB pack with those 2 in the mix. Forget Donald he's had too many chances for mine, Slade looked composed during his but brief stint. Dagg needs to be on the bench if Mills is fit, and apart from Jane keep a specialist winger on in (Gear, Siviatu if fit). Or if both fit put em both on, what a lethal combination at 11 & 14. SBW? Well he still needs a bit more time, I reckon Fruean is pressing more for a spot if he keeps going the way he is. There's a ton of depth there for the AB's they just need to get them into camp and work on combos. In Nonu & Smith, SWB & Fruean, its a very good position to be in given DC has an understanding of both partnerships. The sooner they get another real contender for 10 in the better, Slade has my vote if he gets fit and has a good run when he's back. Weepu can play 10 too and has good boot on him, i think they have the depth to win. Its just a matter of belief, look at the Crusaders without McCaw and the current crisis they're enduring.

Franzenhans - Not a great fan of Donalds, gutsy but doesn't have the skill set for a good AB. The French seem to be slipping down a hole at the moment and the loss to Italy will send shock waves through the country. Don't think the Boks can upset NZ at the moment as too many have hit their use by date including the coach. In fact don't think anyone can upset the AB's at the moment too much talent.

I watched the French yesterday mate - you have nothing to fear from them, or England. The French in past times at least could be inventive but this appears to have been leached away from thier team play and spirit over the last few years. So now if they can't beast it up front they are stuffed. BTW I think NZ will win the RWC in a canter this time around. Lessons have been learned, and while a catastrophic injury as per France 2007 cannot be ruled out, its unlikely that you will lose 3 players in quick sucession in a vital game.

Good article. I agree there is a varied opinion in NZ. Personally I think the ABs are not going to make it. Depth is a killer in tournament football...it just allows the coach to hedge and not get real about decisions that have to be made. ABs have been terrible on this front as they try to control all the controllables but forget that luck has a factor to play -and it cannot be measured either, its intagible. Injuries to a Mccaw or Carter will be considered fatal as opposed to Mealamu, what if we get a bad ref?? Plenty to go down yet and I just think that our history and management of these factors IN WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT, has been DEPLORABLE, not just poor. NZ deal in hypotheticals too much because they don't want to be held accountable for a position, and argue it therein. PC culture in full effect. As to the team-get weepu back in the mix ASAP- he is good for business against AUST and STH AF, he is combative and hard but he needs to keep playing. Du Preez gets minimalised when he plays. Ozzie have never won when he plays either (could be off here but the statistic line is in the 90%s I am sure) Nonu stays- SBW has not even played the Ozzie reps ot sth af yet- that was the big oppurtunity lost last year in Hong Kong (bad management IMO) He has not seen the Frech either as a unit. Dagg getting raps but he need s reps at intl level. If Mils Muliaina gets scewed around again at fullback I will shoot someone. Its the common theme in all our failures -switching the centre and fullback roles so you can put the best 15 on but not the best team. Mils got us there to WC yet time and again when things got tight;Leon Mcdonald was brought in.RIDICULOUS. Choose players on intl performance and the body of work. French are out bogey team-nonu and weepu were not at last world cup but they go great against the frogs because they do not like big physical polynesian players. Its about match ups people. not picking a first 15 and holding on for dear life and hoping injuries do not occur-has been and always will be a bad strategy in a tournament that lasts 4 weeks-6 if yr good ie final

Poor old FrueAn....not only can't get a black jersey...he has to get his name butchered in print too! The so-called "A" team mentioned above could contain some very fine players...already this far out Robbie Fruean and SBW look a handy package and will be keeping Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu honest-that's for sure! Similarly the back 3 will pose us armchair(and the real ones)selectors all kinds of headaches with Mils,Dagg,Gear,Jane,Sivivatu,Masaga,Rococoko,Maitland et al pressing for spots. Personally I hope Donald's name isn't mentioned ever again in terms of the ABs.Finally,wish we could leave discussing the WC till later and enjoy the Super Rugby now.........

Don't agree stillmissit. I've always liked McAlister better at 12. Donald could be the 10 if Carter out. But a huge difference between the two. If Carter doesn't play, the All Blacks could be in trouble. And forget the French. Their first 15 is unsettled and their bench no better and they don't like their coach. Only two teams could upset the ABs - Boks or Wallabies.

I'd have Dagg at full back and Fruen in either 12 or 13 at this stage. For me Williams is not a walk on All Black. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.

Sure McCaw and Carter are irriplaceable but look at the depth of talent. There is daylight between other countries and NZ in terms of the production line. I am sure if Carter did get injured they could replace him with a lesser player (McAlister?) and still win easily. McCaw is easier to replace as there are several players who appear close to his level now. From an Australian perspective NZ in any guise is a big ask. Odds are the French and the Aussies are the only ones who could stop them but they would need a very good day at the office. Other teams would need a miracle day or some very poor reffing.

In the Brumby game when DC zipped down the line and got flattened by the winger I had the same reaction a lot of Kiwis mustve had closed my eyes and crosed my fingers that hed get up okay. Thats gonna happen every match he plays aussies and saffers wil be out to do him. Its a big worry.

Keep Dagg at 15 for my money. See him burst onto that ball in the 1st half against the Brumbies? Mils not athletic enough these days for that. Gear and Sivi on the wings with Jane to come on if Sivi's dropping high kicks.

yea Itll take some real upsets for NZ to not meet the Boks in the semis. While Australia have a fairly easy run to the final, where they should meet England in the semi - not saying an Aus win is a foregone conclusion there. \ The competition for spots in the backline, aside from number 10, is immense. I like the idea of SBW linking up with Smith, meaning no room for the like of Nonu, Fruen, Toeava or McAlister, thats some serious depth. With Dagg and Jane in brilliant form, Im liking the idea of three fullbacks in the back three. Their kicking, passing and tackling skills could be invaluable in a world cup. At this stage, this is the backline in looking at, praying that DC can stay fit: 9. Cowan 10. Carter 11. Dagg 12. Williams 13. Smith 14. Jane 15. Muliaina

You're right Sam. It was a mistake on my part. The Kiwis I talked to definitely do not see either the ABs or the Boks losing a game in the pools, so it's the Boks they fear in the semis, and the Wallabies they fear in the final. Not that they have all that much fear of either team, just a very healthy respect

Those Kiwis you spoke to who thought NZ would face SA in the final must either be banking on either side dropping a pool match or haven't looked at the draw because if they win their pools as expected they could only meet in the semi-final.