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Reading the NZ Herald article written by Chris Rattue this morning, I nearly gagged on my Marmite on toast.
How dare he expose me to all my overseas friends and Union haters who already think that the New Zealand rugby public are ‘arrogant’ and ‘cocky’?
How do I explain this one?
Just when we have become humble, begun to appreciate the opposition and found a way to keep all scores under 35, Rattue comes out with the “All Blacks will win the World Cup” taunt, and suddenly it is 2007 all over again (and 2003, 1999, 1995, 1991…).
Thanks Chris.
My head and my heart, hell even my legs, fingers, kidneys, hair and gall bladder for that matter, tells me that the All Blacks will win it. But will I be so crass and loud to actually say it? Online for all to see as well?
No way, never ever. Been there done that. Got burnt. Hated it.
You see in 2007 we had it all before us, didn’t we? We were going to win. Heck, we had two teams that could have won the Cup that year, such was our depth and such was the skill that Sir Graham had shown with his R-R-R-Rotation.
Yet we lost. We lost playing dumb footy in that last 20 minutes. Sure, we got robbed through a blatant forward pass and a marginal sin-binning of Luke McAlister, but we did not win. We persisted in the ‘one off the ruck’ scenario, ignoring the dropkick.
We were supposed to win, easy. The NZTAB had given us a 10.5 points start, no one gave the French a hope, and we got toasted. A nation in mourning.
What happened in 2003 Chris? We waltzed our way through that years Tri Nations in style, even racking up successive 50-point hidings over the hapless Springboks S and Wallabies. Sure things again.
Until the semi finals,and that no hoper Australian outfit did us like a dinner, and that little annoying, chirping Gregan fella shouted “four more years boys, four more years!” That one hurt.
Chris, oh Chris, you then go on to say “under the circumstances, though, what else can you do – pick Wales?”
Well, yes Chris, we can. It is called being humble and rational. It is called humility. I honestly believe that Australia can still pull the World Cup off.
I still believe that a wounded Springbok is a dangerous beast, especially come WC time.
And England? Write them off at your peril, as we all did in 2007, especially after they were spanked 36-0 in pool play. They made the final. Enough said.
In the same Cup, Argentina defeated France twice! And France beat us.
Finally Chris, you finished your taunting piece with this pearler. “Robbie Deans’ side will be physically dominated elsewhere and won’t win a series of tough games at the World Cup.”
Oh dear. I saw a pretty aggressive and physically willing Australian pack on the weekend against the Springboks. Rest assured, they wont be too far off the pace.
History is just that, history! But experience is the toughest teacher. It gives the test first and the lesson later. I’ve learnt my lesson.
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.