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<blockquote data-quote="Melhor Time" data-source="post: 421123" data-attributes="member: 20116"><p>Peat, </p><p></p><p>I simply don´t think the All Blacks are what they are cracked up to be - a world class side who could win the RWC. Not unbeatable though and Argentina will defeat them in the new Four Nations within five years. Every RWC is the same. In the years leading up to the event most sides use the time to prepare for the RWC while NZ keep it in the back of the mind as the team is under so much pressure to win every match and play entertaining rugby. A 15 point win over Italy is deemed disaster. A home loss unthinkable, etc. One of the consequences of this is that the All Blacks always have players who, rather than stick to the responsibilities of their position, try to go beyond what the position entails and as such lack some of the fundamentals. The props in 2003 were below par. Picked for their mobility more than anything else. </p><p>In 1999 trying to be as attacking as possible rather than winning games. Playing the best fullback of the time at centre and the best winger at fullback to have Umaga and Lomu on the wings which meant two big guys but not great defensive players as wingers (tackling aside) and what do you know, France took Umaga apart in what must be the worst game of his life.</p><p></p><p> The 2011 team has issues in the frontrow. The props are not bad at all. Solid players but its familiar in that they are playing all over the park rather than doing text-book work for props. This is the eternal NZ trap of playing entertaining rugby. Props are there for the purpose of winning scrums, lifting in lineouts, tackling, rucks and being a ball carrier in close contact. Seeing props as recievers in midfield to try to scatter the defence may be good for playing attacking, beautiful, entertaining rugby but its a trap. Teams can take you apart as has happened to NZ at previous RWC´s. Carl Hayman in 2007 was at the top of his game and was not like this. I can´t say the same for Dave Hewat and Greg Sommerville from 2003. The current players are like the 2003 props. </p><p></p><p> This time around the NZ side is not as strong as from the three previous RWC´s. For me they can be defeated. France and South Africa have won there recently. This is not normal.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Melhor Time, post: 421123, member: 20116"] Peat, I simply don´t think the All Blacks are what they are cracked up to be - a world class side who could win the RWC. Not unbeatable though and Argentina will defeat them in the new Four Nations within five years. Every RWC is the same. In the years leading up to the event most sides use the time to prepare for the RWC while NZ keep it in the back of the mind as the team is under so much pressure to win every match and play entertaining rugby. A 15 point win over Italy is deemed disaster. A home loss unthinkable, etc. One of the consequences of this is that the All Blacks always have players who, rather than stick to the responsibilities of their position, try to go beyond what the position entails and as such lack some of the fundamentals. The props in 2003 were below par. Picked for their mobility more than anything else. In 1999 trying to be as attacking as possible rather than winning games. Playing the best fullback of the time at centre and the best winger at fullback to have Umaga and Lomu on the wings which meant two big guys but not great defensive players as wingers (tackling aside) and what do you know, France took Umaga apart in what must be the worst game of his life. The 2011 team has issues in the frontrow. The props are not bad at all. Solid players but its familiar in that they are playing all over the park rather than doing text-book work for props. This is the eternal NZ trap of playing entertaining rugby. Props are there for the purpose of winning scrums, lifting in lineouts, tackling, rucks and being a ball carrier in close contact. Seeing props as recievers in midfield to try to scatter the defence may be good for playing attacking, beautiful, entertaining rugby but its a trap. Teams can take you apart as has happened to NZ at previous RWC´s. Carl Hayman in 2007 was at the top of his game and was not like this. I can´t say the same for Dave Hewat and Greg Sommerville from 2003. The current players are like the 2003 props. This time around the NZ side is not as strong as from the three previous RWC´s. For me they can be defeated. France and South Africa have won there recently. This is not normal. [/QUOTE]
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