Going back to the issue of drop kicks. The All Blacks have in the past have been very reluctant to use the drop kick as they thought they can win games without needing to use it (2007 and prior). This is coming straight from the horses mouth - Richie McCaw. I have been reading Richie McCaw's autobiography 'The Openside'. In the first few chapters of the book he mentions regularly how the All Blacks never had drop kick play in the playbook, they never practiced it. During the 2007 QF the message was sent from the coaches box to the captain to go for drop goals however Richie didn't have the confidence in young Luke McAlister and tried to stick to what worked which was the tight forward play expecting to score a try or get a penalty that way late in the game. Plus the fact they never practiced going for a drop goal, didn't know how to set it up as a team. This was evident as there was one moment late it in game the ABs were right in front of the posts rucking up inch by inch and in the pocket it was Tony Woodcock standing. According to McCaw the referee was too fearful of making and crucial decisions in the last 20 minutes - there was fear in his eyes but McCaw realised this too late.
The point to all this is that the ABs now understand the need for preparing for every situation. They have learned from past experiences that the style of rugby they play between world cups doesn't necessarilly win world cups and thus the need to adapt to in-game situations. BTW the book is a good read.
The point to all this is that the ABs now understand the need for preparing for every situation. They have learned from past experiences that the style of rugby they play between world cups doesn't necessarilly win world cups and thus the need to adapt to in-game situations. BTW the book is a good read.
