With the World Cup just short of two weeks away rugby fans are nearing frothing point on the excitement scale. The apps have been downloaded, schedules stuck up on walls, sick days from work arranged and girlfriends broken up with in anticipation of this magnificent showpiece. Now all we do is wait. In the words of Gandalf the gay "it is the deep breath before the plunge".
New Zealand play host to the 2011 edition and are nothing short of desperate to emulate their 1987 success when the tournament last visited their shores. The All Blacks have arguably entered each World Cup since as favourites and have failed on each occassion, reaching the final only once in 1995. The situation is no different this time round as the find themselves number one on the IRB rankings. Is their anything different, however, between now and before each of the last few World Cups? They have seemed unbeatable this year but Australia proved otherwise with a fantastic win last weekend. I discount the previous match against the Springboks because they truly did field a 'B' side. A 'B' side that most nations would happily accept as their best but not New Zealand.
One note of encouragement for Kiwi supporters is that they havent selected a fullback at outside centre. Mils Muliaina and Leon MacDonald have occupied the spot in past tournaments and the plan came unstuck. Conrad Smith is a deadly force in midfield and in the form Richard Kahui they have a more than adequate replacement. Their squad just looks too deadly. Graham Henry even had the nerve to leave out the likes of Hosea Gear and Sitiveni Siviviatu deeming them surplus to requirements. Wyatt Crockett; tipped as one the world's best scrummagers after his impressive Super 15 can't find a place with Henry opting for the more experienced Tony Woodschlong. I'm not too convinced with this decision but all we can do is wait and see.
The lineup that featured against Australia is likely to be largely unchanged when Henry picks his first-choice XV against Tonga with only potential changes being Ali Williams perhaps, Jerome Kaino for Adam Thomson and possibly a change at scrumhalf with Piri Weepu and Jimmy Cowan still vying for the number nine jersey. An unfortunate liability for the All Blacks could in fact be veteran fullback Mils Muliaina. The World Cup has come about a year too late for Mils who has struggled for form all year and really only gets a spot based on what the coach knows he can do, or rather what he has done in the past.I know in saying this Mils could rip it up and I could end up looking like a knob but I would still stick my neck out and go for Izzy Dagg at the back if it were up to me. The man has a tattoo on his back that says "Dagg". How can you not put him in the team?
The other point of controversy regards inside centre and the ominous Sonny Bill-Ma'a Nonu debate. It is no secret that Henry loves Nonu. I believe that old Grazie has yellow braids for arse hair and they spend their summers together on a secluded beach somwhere in the Pacific. That saying there is no denying that Nonu is a world class player and has developed tenfold under Henry's watchful eye and caressing hand. He has the experience that Sonny Bill lacks and the combination with Conrad Smith that does in the end justify his selection over rugby's new phenomenon. Despite this he will pose a terrifying figure coming off the bench and will probably get a start against the blind school team of the pool. In New Zealand's case they have two in the form of Japan and Canada. Expect big points in those with Sonny Bill and others like Dagg, Kahui and Guildford racking up the tries.
So returning to my earlier question; have the All Blacks a side, albeit packed with outstanding players, that can win the Wolrd Cup? The simple answer is yes. Home ground advantage is nothing to be sneezed at and New Zealand have one of the most impressive records at home. They have a team experienced in the right positions and in Dan Carter they have the world's best number 10. An area of potential concern is their tight five but in all honesty it is simply me picking nits. There are others, however, and their path to glory is obstructed by a number of exceptional teams. Over the course of the build up we will be having a look at some of these potential challengers and how they figure against the Kiwis.
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