Thread: The All Blacks

The All Blacks will win the RWC in Japan. Not because they cheat (which they do). Not because the refs give them a free pass most of the time (which they do). Not because the other top teams are scared of them (Which they aren't). Not because they are stronger and more powerful (Which they are not).

But because they have better basic handling skills than any other team and spend more time keeping these skills sharp.

Thoughts?

I agree with some of that.

Someone sounds a wee bit bitter and envious...

GO ALL BLACKS!!!!!

Course you do. All of it if you are brutally honest. I was going to include strength and depth, but actually, there isn't a huge amount of depth, but those that are in the 35 will be brutally good. But when the shit hits the fan, basic skills win the day.

They are not as tough as they were and were stuffed by the Irish a couple of weeks ago. They might win it but certainly not guaranteed. Other countries no longer regard the Blacks as being invincible and the reality is they look good going forward and when they are winning but look distinctly shaky when other teams take them on.

In all seriousity though, you'd have to say that Ireland are the favorites on current form but then the World Cup is a year way so it doesn't really mean anything (ask the All Blacks about heading into tournaments as the favorites). I also took note of how Schmidt took great pains to play down the favorites tag: I suspect that he suspects it wouldn't sit well with his team, that the pressure would get to them (you can also ask the All Blacks about that).

Anways NZ, Ireland, England, Wales and a few others being outside bets are all a chance I'd say. I wouldn't even completely write off Australia or France -- the latter were an utter basketcase going into and during the 2011 edition and still made the final. That's the nature of tournament rugby.

I would also add that it makes me chuckle every time I read an article or comment about how the All Blacks have lost / are losing their so-called mystique or whatever.

The very fact it's being talked about is like some sort of self-fulfilling prophecy and wasting time trying to beat them off the field when you should be concentrating on beating them on it. I can pretty much guarantee you that the All Blacks themselves never even discuss or consider it.

It's no coincidence that Ireland have beaten them twice under a Kiwi coach because he also pays such thing no heed.

Ireland's biggest problem is strength and depth. They are 2 injuries away from being mid table. This makes them second at best. They also only have one style of play, and unlike the kiwi, when a team hits them hard they don't know how to change it. Half Irish here by the way before the paddies jump on me.

I wouldn't discount the Aussies precisely because they have been written off.

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Ireland's biggest problem is strength and depth. They are 2 injuries away from being mid table.

I thought that the AB's would beat them last time because of no Murphy. Obviously I was wrong about that one though.

But agreed, if they lose a Sexton or someone like that they could really struggle.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

I would also add that it makes me chuckle every time I read an article or comment about how the All Blacks have lost / are losing their so-called mystique or whatever.

there is no mystique really. There seems to be a group of lads same as any other team doing their best to win. I was watching a few 2016 matches the other day and the skills from kids like McKenzie blew me away, and to know that each new player may not be the biggest strongest best or fastest yet, but they all have superb basic skills is what worries other coaches.

its an embarrassment of riches. Basic skills same as the Bokke have a funnel of brutal nasty headcases.

Originally Posted by pseudolus

there is no mystique really.

Yup my point exactly.

Originally Posted by pseudolus

McKenzie

Still undecided on him. Makes me nervous every time he touches the ball: will it be a match-winning moment of brilliance or a match-losing blunder...??

It also bugs me that the coaches seem to have decided they need both him and Barrett on the field so shunt Smith to the wing to accommodate it -- a player who has legitimate claim to being the best fullback in the world being played out of position for a guy who is brave in defense but under-sized and often overwhelmed for it and who may also be a bit suspect under the high ball.

Originally Posted by happynz

Halfback: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Mitch Drummond

Not that I'm calling you a one-eyed Cantabrian or anything (you one-eyed Cantabrian! ) but is Drummond really the third best halfback in NZ rugby? Tahuriorangi anyone??

Trust me on that. By my own calculation I was at one point the 347th best halfback in the country and only a devastating airline disaster of 346 other halfbacks on their way to a halfbacks conference away from an All Blacks call-up.

Originally Posted by happynz

That's a laugh. Players who didn't even make Hansen's traveling roster would likely be starters on any other national side.

It would be nice if New Zealanders were not so disrespectful of the other countries but this is unlikely to change in my lifetime. Making statements like the one quoted makes the All Black fan look petty and stupid. Something like a Man Utd supporter. You know the type ? Always expecting to win, never lose unless cheated. Pathetic.

The way I see it, having one eye and all, I had to put Drummond in there.

555

^^Yeah but he's probably right though. Hartley and Shields for England, Anscombe and Parkes for Wales... the list goes on.

None of them would'e ever likely made the All Blacks.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

^^Yeah but he's probably right though. Hartley and Shields for England, Anscombe and Parkes for Wales... the list goes on.

None of them would'e ever likely made the All Blacks.

You are totally incapable of appreciating the rugby skills of a player unless he is wearing black. It's a shame because a real rugby fan like me can find much to enjoy in the game that your mindset blocks out. I am of a generation where great play was applauded regardless of the nationality of the player.

Originally Posted by can123

You are totally incapable of appreciating the rugby skills of a player unless he is wearing black

That's just completely untrue and really an utterly contrived and specious reading (at best) of my post.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

That's just completely untrue and really an utterly contrived and specious reading (at best) of my post.

You are just a typical All Black supporter and have expressed yourself in the manner all expect you to. Please don't feel that you have been singled out because all Black supporters are the same. You never lose, the other side just scores more points than your own.

Your team was beaten by Ireland just a few weeks ago but you cannot see fit to praise the Irish team. None of the players would be selected for a New Zealand team but all will be remembered for having beaten the Blacks. Not good enough to play in an All Black side, just good enough to beat them. Surely you can see that your support is one-eyed ?

How on earth would or could you possibly know what I did or didn't say about the Irish team beating the All Blacks. Answer: you couldn't and don't, you're talking egregious codswallop and rather hypocritically trading in silly stereotypes. You're actually coming off as all... well, emotional.

However feel free to go ahead and name an Irish player that would be picked for the All Blacks though, A Welsh one while you're at it. I'll wait...

You are just so disrespectful of the other countries. Is it any wonder that people laugh at you when you lose ? Learn to appreciate the game and realise that the All Blacks do not have a monopoly on talent.

You have just made yourself look sillier. New Zealand lost to Ireland and you say that none of the Irish players would fit into an All Black team. Plain daft.

Originally Posted by can123

New Zealand lost to Ireland and you say that none of the Irish players would fit into an All Black team. Plain daft.

However feel free to go ahead and name an Irish player that would be picked for the All Blacks though, A Welsh one while you're at it. I'll wait...

...still waiting.

Maybe take a break from bleating and just making stuff up and have a go at the question?

Also the then Rhodesia, Munster, and a Sydney selection... Also teams to have beaten the All Blacks. By your 'logic' I'd be arrogant for not accepting that they contained better players that would stroll into the All Blacks team.

You are digging a bigger hole for yourself.

How about New Zealand having two teams ? They could play each other for all eternity and never lose. Lots of happy black painted faces until the end of time !

Ireland deservedly beat the All Blacks, learn to live with it.

You still haven't answered the question.

You just keep getting increasingly silly and distracted with things you've made up.

It's a stupid question. It would appear that there at least twenty Irish players who would fit in nicely. The Irish did win, didn't they ? Or, did I "make that up" ?