We are barely a week away from the biggest sporting event to be held on New Zealand shores, since probably the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.
And for the umpteenth time, the All Blacks are once again odds-on favourites to take out the World Cup – especially on their home ground.
However, bar 1987 – the inaugural competition – the million-dollar question that exists is why do the All Blacks choke at World Cup tournaments?
Seldom are there sufficient answers to comprehend the underlying appearance of those losses during the latter stages of Rugby World Cup, from way back in 1991, right up to 2007.
Sustained pressure is obviously ‘enemy territory’ in the All Blacks’ case, compared to the self-belief that perhaps goes missing too often when it is needed the most.
Australians are a prime example of rising to the occasion with their hard-edged, mental toughness and downright, sheer determination; hence the remarkable results of many of their sporting individuals’ and teams’ success.
That fantastic Aussie spirit should never be underestimated.
Curiously though, if the All Blacks have been so good for so long, why is it that they fold on the big stage when they are in fact, the biggest stage themselves? Quite literally, it just doesn’t make sense.
But if history is anything to go by, indeed it may be comforting to recognise that the last time the All Blacks reigned supreme, was exactly where they are now, back to where it all began, in the land otherwise passionately known as a ‘Slice of Heaven’.
Surprisingly, take the 2007 group which was amongst one of the greatest squads in New Zealand history, and yet, incredibly, they performed their worst-ever efforts, bowing out in the quarterfinals – albeit in controversial circumstances.
The All Blacks remains the only nation to have never lost a Pool game, although six World Cup tournaments later, only once have they managed to engrave New Zealand on the William Webb Ellis Cup. A pitiful profit considering their total domination.
Plenty had been said leading up to Rugby World Cup 2011, and certainly, plenty of stunning results had ensued, be it Super Rugby, Top 14, Six Nations, Heinekin Cup, Tri Nations or warm-up games going on elsewhere in other parts of the world.
In a nutshell, we all now know that it is undoubtedly not a one-horse race, as many observers had attempted to make out it would be.
After demolishing a Springboks reserve side to oblivion to kick-start their Tri-Nations campaign, the All Blacks put on a masterful demonstration a week later, when they blew the Wallabies off the pristine turf of Eden Park.
Suddenly, a complete role reversal immediately followed, when the All Blacks travelled away from their homeland, suffering a dreadful loss to a fired-up South African outfit at full strength, only to realise a psychological blow when the Wallabies put them in their place on the return trip via Brisbane.
Unfortunately, it has been a real concern to see some uncharacteristic behaviours stemming from the NZRU domain.
For the coaches to be talking up their chances and getting ahead of themselves, openly expressing how they want to win this, win that and so on, is it any wonder why the players have consequently played accordingly, with far too much expectations on them?
Add in the Adidas fiasco, the Telecom stupidity and not to mention the sponsorship stand-off involving our newest All Black sensation, who now supposedly want out?
If team selection process is not difficult enough, the All Blacks coaches are under a lot of pressure to pick up the pieces after back-to-back losses, and to rejuvenate the side, or to borrow a Jessie Owens, Ayrton Senna or Phar Lap classic, bringing them home, strong on the straight.
Just a thought on the World Cup squad; I personally couldn’t understand the non-selection of powerful winger Hosea Gear.
You don’t become the “best winger in the world” – as Graham Henry himself stated hardly a year ago – to virtually unwanted.
For me, Gear, Liam Messam and Wyatt Crockett were more ‘probables’, than the lucky ‘possibles’ Zac Guildford, Adam Thomson and an injury-laden Tony Woodcock.
But what’s done is done, and the time has come for New Zealand as a whole, to get right behind our team and wish them well, because put simply, that is all we can do.
Mike
Guest
WQ, normally I would agree with you, but I was thinking of RWC, which is a different set-up to e.g. a 3N series. In RWC is where I would say the ABs have no more consistency than anyone else. Which is not to denigrate their achievements. Getting to the quarter finals every RWC is a significant achievement. Its coming slowly, but there will come a day when NZ-Aus-SA-Eng-France are no longer guaranteed of making it past the pools every RWC (whether or not we live to see it!)
WQ
Guest
"They are no more inconsistent than anyone else" Accept the All Blacks Mike, which is the point I was trying to make!
Muzza
Guest
Naturally we all have an element of doubt but bottom line is that the winner of this tourny will have the hardest and fittest forward out in the final. I have faith the the AB's play their best when they have doubts as they go all out a la the first matches of every TN. Expect the AB pack to go up a gear in the knock out stages: at home, backs to wall. Can't wait!!
Mike
Guest
I am stunned that ABs wouldn't start Dagg at 15. Not that anyone pays me for my international coaching skills mind you...
Mike
Guest
Don't worry about WQ, he likes to take refuge in New Zealand's historical record since the beginning of international Rugby, and then tell himself that this means NZ MUST win the next tournament or match, whatever it may be! The team that holds up the cup will have to win three finals matches in a row, against three different teams, and probably each of the three having an approach to rugby nothing like the others. That is quite different to the 3N hothouse that ABs have become so good at, and different also to most test tours. You are right, the Wallabies have as good a chance as any team to win it, and they are no more ïnconsistent than anyone else.
Mike
Guest
You are correct, I think it was about fourth overall. Very impressive ratings. But that was world figures. Blinky Bill was referring to Australia and sadly, he is right also.
Mike
Guest
We've debated the ABs vs the Wallabies ad nauseum. It would be good to get some articles on the opening pool teams - Tonga for the ABs, and Italy and Ireland for the Wallabies. We aren't expected to lose these, but they are tests, and will be enjoyable in their own right. We also tend to forget that the lower ranked teams look forward to these matches - they don't often get to measure themselves against the top teams. A decent loss can mean more to them than the win does to us.
Ai Rui Sheng
Guest
Are you suggesting that Aussies cannot think?
Red Chief
Roar Pro
Obviously it is behind league and afl in australia, but saying "a vast majority dont even think about rugby" is crap. Correct me if im wrong but wasnt the 03 final one of the most watched things ever?
KiwiDave
Guest
03 england vs Samoa
jeznez
Guest
DC, as long as we are playing 'wotif' - we'll one up your Vito surprise element by bringing a rampaging Palu on to replace Samo after he's pulled off another barnstorming 50mins.
dc
Guest
Hodgo, thanks for your insights. I am comfortable with Dagg, Jane and Kahui at the back, and I am sure Henry has been testing alot of these types of combinations in training. My 76 year old father in NZ is a strong believer that Henry has been holding some surprise packages back...and chose not to reveal new tactics in Brisbane. I think Cowan has to start, purely for his defenisve work. He has also been doing more of the sniping runs if you watch closely. I have been a long time fan of Weepu, but he can be slow with distribution and on defence. We know what wins World Cups!
Jerry
Guest
He started in Auckland.
Will
Guest
Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought Weepu came off the bench in that match? There is definite worth in his ability to come on second half. I am just not a fan of first half weepu
Argyle
Roar Guru
Gives a whole new meaning to the crutch bind.
Bazza All Black
Guest
So true - the North Island Sheep put on all sorts of airs as well, like their dags don't stink! I prefer the bigger lassies, Freisian anyone??
Argyle
Roar Guru
Interesting read mate. I agree with the selections, I would have probably done for Woodcock over Crockett as he will get back into the swing of things come finals time. However Gear and Messam were unlucky. Who knows with Read and Thompson wounded he may get a re-call yet. I hope so for him as I thought he had an outstanding year for the Chiefs and was sad to see him faulter a little against SA. He is quality.
Argyle
Roar Guru
I think the south island sheep are particulary good looking this time of year. Those north island sheep are not much chop.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Hodgo Weepu had a quiet game, but the previous time completely outplayed Genia and made breaks the like of which on other NZ scrum-half is capable.
Hodgo182
Guest
DC I agree, we can live without Hosea. There is no doubt the Guildford now has to miss out.... I agree with Wynne Gray's NZ Herald article this morning that suggests Kahui should be in the frame for a wing spot. It would seem that Mills will hold onto his spot, Dagg still has to play and should therefore play on the wing, leaving one spot. It's Jane everyday of the week. If for some reason we do put Dagg at 15, then I would like the wings to be Jane and Kahui. Vito, hmmmm, has so much explosiveness and was definitely impressive against the Wallbies. But, come finals time, hopefully Read is fully fit and Thomson's elbow has recovered. He makes the bench for me over Vito everyday of the week. One more thing, throw me your thoughts on halfback. If Piri starts another game, I might not cope. So much wasted time while he assess the situation. Probably a greater rugby brain, but Cowan is powerful and fit, he will make a decision in attack and not let Genia through when defending.