Former Wallabies World Cup hero Elton Flatley has fired a psychological shot across the Tasman, claiming the ageing All Blacks are under increasing pressure to keep pace with Australia’s all-conquering youngsters.
Flatley believes Queensland’s gun halves Quade Cooper and Will Genia have turned up the heat on New Zealand superstars Dan Carter and captain Richie McCaw, in particular, after guiding the Reds to a Super Rugby crown and the Wallabies to a streak-busting win over the All Blacks.
Flatley on Thursday claimed Genia and Cooper had won the “pressure moments” against both the All Black-laced Crusaders last Saturday night and also in Australia’s last-up Bledisloe Cup triumph over New Zealand in Hong Kong in November.
Such important breakthroughs could leave the All Blacks with mental scars heading into the Tri Nations starting next week and ultimately the World Cup in New Zealand in September-October, according to Flatley.
“George Gregan always used to talk to us about winning the pressure moments and those guys (Cooper and Genia) did that on the weekend,” said Flatley, whose ice-cool goalkicking for Australia sent the 2003 World Cup final against England into extra time.
“So if winning those big moments is invaluable – and (Wallabies coach) Robbie Deans has spoken about it a few times about how important those finals games are because they’re Test-match situations – it’s a great learning curve for those guys that they came out on top in the pressure moments.
“I think it’s a great sign and it’s happened twice in over about a month that the Reds got over the top of their key players – Dan Carter, McCaw.
“They’re their two big players for them in the big moments.”
Not wanting to provoke the World Cup hosts into retribution, Flatley was initially reluctant to comment on whether or not Australia’s victory over New Zealand in Hong Kong, after 10 straight Test losses, had exposed cracks in the All Blacks’ armour.
“I’m not going to give them any ammo at all,” he said. “(But) they’ll be under pressure, there’s no doubt about it.
“You can the see the press starting to put pressure on them already.
“You look at their World Cup history, they’re at home, their team’s not getting any younger, they’re going to be under pressure – but as will Australia.
“Internally, every team and every Australian in that squad, their expectation is to win the World Cup.
“So there will be pressure on all teams and it’s all about who wins those big moments.”
Hence why Flatley believes Cooper and Genia’s recent wins over Carter and McCaw and company will give the Wallabies a huge lift heading into the 2011 Test season, which kicks off with Australia playing Samoa in Sydney on Sunday.
“You’ve got to get out on the field, but rugby’s also a big mental game,” Flatley said.
“Dan Carter’s got some big runs on the board and Will and Quade, they’ve got to do those moments and winning that (Super Rugby) trophy is a great confidence booster not just for Queensland but for Australian rugby.
“The thing about the Wallabies, there’s still got a bit of growth (to come) in our team from when they get into camp now and to when they get to the World Cup.
“The New Zealanders are probably more of a mature team but there’s definitely … but there’s definitely a lot of pressure on New Zealand – over there, World Cup time.”
Sammy22
Guest
haha yeah dirty trick them poms wearing black ..... guess they figure it worked for the french so they would give it a go. Not sure anyone 'hates ' the AB's but everyone has to taunt them to try and catch them so take it as a compliment. Bit like the days Aus used to be by far the best at cricket but didnt always win the world cup.
Justin
Guest
True true. Certainly not taking anything from the Reds. A very well deserved win indeed!! But come on and give us a break. People all over the world. Oooo the pressure is on you. We have only won 1 world cup and everyone still hates the All Blacks to win another world cup. I bet even if we were 5 world cup wins behind OZ and SA we would still get taunted. Ooo the pressure is on. Just to set things straight I wasn't dismissing England, just in a hurry to write my piece as I was at work. England as always will be a huge threat at this world cup...especially since now they are wearing a pure Black strip!?!?
allblackfan
Guest
DV, promise you, Kiwis haven't forgotten the rest of the world. AT RWC, we are more wary of the French threat than the Wallaby threat. We're just sparring with Aussie roarers here. We will take no-one for granted.
Sammy22
Guest
Yes Fatly indeed ...... or is that part of your spell check from above ..... :) Now if "England have only won one ......." written in a dismissive way yet "Australia and the Springboks are only 1 world cup ahead of us Kiwis...." written as is we all have 10 world cups and " ...... if us Kiwis win this one then Aus will be pannicking" I've lost altogether who is close to who :) Guess if the French or Argies win we are all stuffed ...... Best thing off the Reds win is that all these conversations actually have some substance now
Sammy22
Guest
Too funny ...... thank you
Spencer
Guest
Fatly???..although he did look a little overweight.
Spencer
Guest
You think that hurt?? That is nothing compared to the hurt when "we" lost to France in the QF!!
warrenexpatinnz
Guest
You had to bring up Eddie didn't you Thurl! Campese with a chip on each shoulder would sum up Eddie.
Justin
Guest
Lets see where would we rather play in a world cup tournament overseas or a world cup tournament at home...errr its a no brainer AT HOME!!!! Fatly can taunt all he wants its not like us Kiwis haven't heard of all that schoolyard talk before and its all a bit of a yawn now. My team is better than yours! No, no my team is better than yours! Lets face it no one knows who's going to win do they. The pressure is on everyone. Australia and the Springboks are only 1 world cup ahead of us Kiwis, you're not like Brazil who are light years ahead in the football world cup and if us Kiwis win this one then Aus will be pannicking. England have only won one and France, Ireland, Wales and Scotland are yet to win. At least we have won one world cup. Amateur or not but the writing is on the wall and the cup. So keep taunting us Fatly, because like Richard Hadlee used to say, When they abuse me they obviously think I'm pretty good otherwise they wouldn't bother. So thanks Fatly!!!
Darth Vader
Guest
You people (kiwis/aussies) seems to have forgotten that the world cup isnt a tornament thats just held between Australia and New Zealand. Theres other countries too, France , England, South Africa and others. Such arrogents I have never seen in my existance. Blogging like you two are are the only empires in the world. But still.....may the Force be you guys.
Eric
Guest
George do you really think the odd comment from various members of the rugby community has such an influence on the results? Yeah, Richie McCaw is fired up, just after the haka, but suddenly remembers something Elton Flatley said, and he and his team suddenly grow another foot tall! Or, do you think a totally predictable comment from a former player is indicative of a complacency in the Wallaby camp. The best team will win, regardless of the millions of observations from millions of people.
BennO
Guest
Well done!
George Shirling
Guest
An elephant has entered the room... see my column tomorrow!
Taniwha
Guest
For me, the game at Eden Park on August 6 is shaping as the biggest game of the year outside of the RWC. The two AB games against the Boks are likely to have one team resting significant number of players, so will not have the same significance. The game at Eden park however, will feature both teams at largely full strength. If the AB's win, the Bledisloe secured and the fortress of Eden Park maintained - the venue of finals games at RWC. A Wallaby victory would really open up a can of worms, be a significant physiological boost for the Wallabies and put one hand on the Bledisloe. Whilst, super 14 results can not be directly corresponded to test level, the fact that Reds beat the top two NZ sides four times can not be blindly dismissed. A win at Eden Park by the AB's will re-affirm ascendancy.
Winston
Guest
lol, CraigB, you missed my point.
Tui
Guest
McCaw was well off the pace in the final as were most of the Crusaders. Whether it was due to travel exhaustion or if they are in a form slump who knows. Guess we will find out soon.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
McCaw is entitled to the odd quiet game (Final ) which is rare for him. The AB's will be more than ready for the Big Dance.
Amateur Hour
Guest
Just like the Super Final, you're comment did not feature Richie McCaw.
Jerry
Guest
They got past a young talented side, largely made up of a team that had just won the Super Rugby title playing an expansive style largely based around a flashy Maori first five with lots of tattoos. Hmmm......
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I don't agree with Flats comments re Genia and Cooper winning the pressure moments in the Final or HK Bkedisloe. Re the Final, take Genia's try out of the equation and he was under pressure for most of the game. His incessant Box kicks in the first half were aimless. Cooper did some good things but didn't out shine Carter IMO. Carter did make a few rare errors however still produced his usual class for the try. Of course the pressure is on the AB's ( stating the obvious ), as it is for all the contenders.