posted Jul 12, 2009

I am not a big Henry fan although I think that his time in charge of Auckland was pretty special.

I think that his current stint with the ABs has been pretty poor. The players that have come through the grades during his time have been amazing with many of them having won either or both of the U19 and U21 World cups prior to entering the senior team. But even with these players, the ABs still never managed an unbeaten year and had their worst ever performance in a senior world cup.

The rotation policy almost certainly had something to do with this - NZ may have had the best second XV in the world by miles, but test rugby is played between the first XVs! And some of the selections have been "intriguing" - Rico Gear must be asking himself what he had to do to keep his shirt.

As a NZer, I hope we can begin to play some better rugby soon, but I think that any improvement and success will be due to the players rather than the coaching staff.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 12, 2009

hmm, interesting to hear that NZ and SA dont look scary, especially given SA did for the lions, supossedly the best the Northen hemisphere has to offer.

Cant see any team in northen hemisphere bar wales on top form troubling NZ. The northen hemisphere is more a place for SA and NZ to build there own form up in atm.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 12, 2009

panamaro

All this proves is that they underachieve when it matters. Only 2 final appearances, is an abysmal record for a team with the players they have had at their disposal

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 12, 2009

Abysmal,they have reached the semi-final stages at least.In every final bar one,France are the only NH side to beat them [2 matches each in RWC].England have lived on the reputation since they won in 2003. But the ALL BLACKS won both tests after RWC against them.When they won the RWC the ABs went 4 years un beaten.England have NEVER beaten the ABs in a world cup.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 13, 2009

Finbarthedog

I see your profile is still awaiting moderation....interesting.

I don't know about "players at our disposal" we have a fairly small pool of very good players, I's say.

Our record in the LYC is not good, wouldn't go so far as call it abyssmal.

Do games outside the LYC not cound for anything at all? Seems that way. If that is the case why were so many keystorkes wasted on this site just before the Autumn Internationals?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 13, 2009

panamar

My profile will be in moderation a long time. I don't remember ever filling one out

What do you want to know

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 13, 2009

emac

Sorry, my aplogies, I should have been aware how proud the NZ nation are of their fantastic record in the RWC. While it is one most sides in the NH would like, it must be a bit a joke among those you consider to actually be competition. Even England for Gods sake have a better record, (and it gives me no pleasure to highlight the fact), having played in more finals.

Who exactly are you trying to convince

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 13, 2009

Eh? What? The All Blacks could lose to England?? Oh be still my aching sides.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 13, 2009

Finbar

The profile would tell us who you support, but with a name like Finbar i'm guessing Ireland.

I don't think any of us are particularly proud of our record in the World Cup - we just object to it being termed abysmal. If we were not to get out of our Group then I think there would be a case to answer.

I suspect the World Cup gives the NHers the chance to take a poke at a team that regularly hands them their *rses. All except the French, who curiously enough are never that critical of the All Blacks World Cup Record.

Until this year I think Nottingham Forest had as many European Cups as Barcelona.

I know who I would consider to be ( generally speaking and over time ) the better team.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Jul 13, 2009

panamar

Team Wales and the Dragons (just love the spirit of the underdog)

NZ have been the best team in the world on balance for the past 30 years if use of the word abysmal offends, then sorry but its not far of the mark. Its where you set the bar. For us getting out of the group is a highlight. Also disgraceful and also abysmal

You are absolutely right. Of course the failure of NZ to claim what should be theirs gives perverse pleasure and comfort for the batterings received in between RWCs

add comment | complain about this comment