Former Wallaby Phil Waugh has done what many have done before – essentially writing the All Blacks off ahead of the 2019 World Cup.
Waugh believes the All Blacks are vulnerable after their indifferent form (by their extremely high standards) which includes a draw to South Africa, narrow win over Argentina and losses to South Africa and England in the past year.
However, the record for the All Blacks is still superb.
Since June last year they’ve had 13 wins, 2 losses and a draw. Hardly calls for panic stations, but Waugh is dreaming about the Wallabies finally lifting the Bledisloe Cup after so long.
“I think they’re not nearly as dominant as what they were,” Waugh said on the Bill and Boz show.
“Are they the best team in the world at the moment? I really don’t know.”
“If we (Australia) win in Perth and then we back it up in Eden Park, haven’t won there since 1986.”
“I know I’m being really optimistic here but things turn around very quickly.”
ShaghaiDoc
Roar Rookie
Phil I knew you had been hit on the head the day you tried to take McAwesome out of the game.
docrugby
Roar Rookie
Oh okay, cheers Wal : )
Wal
Roar Guru
All good Damian it was a dig at Suzy,
docrugby
Roar Rookie
Really? Of course, his name is Kieran Read. My reply was to Suzy Poison...he had said that "REID was at 7" Wrong on two counts. I sent him to the back of the class for such egregious errors Wal. Oh, dear...keep up.
docrugby
Roar Rookie
Indeed it is Mr White ; )
Wal
Roar Guru
Jeez Taylorman there goes another 6 months of intensive counselling. At least they didn't make the same mistake twice by playing Leon MacDonald at centre 4 years later......
taylorman
Roar Guru
Cullen at 13 then?
Wal
Roar Guru
The AB's have recruited in Winston Reid from the All Whites as a shock RWC tactic saying they wanted to use the kick pass more to unlock rush defences. The meantime Kieran READ will be trailed at 6 to give Ardie Savea a run at 8.
Wal
Roar Guru
Based on talent they were never a 57-0 team. Amazing what a change in coach and team culture can do to a team. Has me nervous for 2020...
mr white
Guest
hey! that's my line.
taylorman
Roar Guru
It’s not so much that the ABs have dropped off since 2015 in itself, but SA and oz were so much worse over the same period so that alone should have seen the AB win rate at least stay the same, but it went backwards as well. The ones picking up the form losses are the nh sides, mainly in the AI’s.
Machooka
Roar Guru
And every world cup year (or any other year tbh) them NZers just pray to old St. Anthony... then like bingo 'little lost aura' is found alive and well. You'd think by now old St. Anthony would be cracking the shyts about this, but no... it's good to have faith, ffs! Good luck Person in Perth... and hope you bought tickets for the game ;)
Paulo
Roar Rookie
But then if England beat Wales the next day, they would drop down to 2nd again. Funnily enough if England really smack Wales, they could potentially drop to 3rd... with Ireland taking second spot. So Ireland can move up the chart, but not be their own hand. Even if they smash Italy, Ireland are too far above them to gain any ranking points from it. Seems an accurate system. But then while the ABs ares till #1 I wont complain.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Oh I realise that and am ok with how it works. Will be a very very long time before another side manages 10 years straight at 1 under this system which is weighted heavily against the higher ranked sides by gaining points against those above you more than below. But I’d just like to know which other sport has its number one ranked side losing the last 30 straight against the second. Pretty confident it doesn’t exist.
docrugby
Roar Rookie
A team that hasn't beaten the All Blacks since 1953 could potentially knock them off top spot without beating them in the current era? The vagaries and inefficiency of the ranking system laid bare...
docrugby
Roar Rookie
Reid at 7?lol...Go to the back of the class. Also, we don't care for the word cup. It's World cups we're after...three aaaaaand counting.
docrugby
Roar Rookie
Dream? If they even dream it they should wake up and apologise... ; )
Wal
Roar Guru
Anomalies of the points exchange ranking system. The AB's play so many matches a year where they can gain any ranking points at all. i.e. most home matches but lose a bucket load if they lose a match.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes 57-0 then over the next three an exact split in both the results and points diff. Whaaaat?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Quite surreal isnt it, they've lost the last 30 straight to the ABs and they jump ahead by not even playing them. hard case.