All Blacks

[eash]

Great aren't they? Especially when they do the Haka :-)

[sn�gged]

If only they could play as well in World Cups as they do the rest of the time...

[joggerjayne]

I think they rely too heavily on Richie McCaw to win loose possession

And Dan Carter to make open play.

They're a bit of a one trick pony.

And whilst they are a good team at the moment ...

... I think they will struggle in the next World Cup ... even at home !

J x

I ... LOVE ... THE ... NEW ... SPORTS ... SECTION ... !!!

[sn�gged]

Still the most exciting team to watch... although since Tana Umaga retired as Captain they've lost something...

Richie McCaw... best open side flanker around at the moment... even though he 'stretches' the rules...

[joggerjayne]

No, snagged ... he "breaks" the rules.

In the game against England, the ref had his number, but most ref's can't see when he enters tackle areas from the side instead of the back, because he is so clever with his foot positioning, and the refs are watching the ball on the ground.

But it is illegal, and it gives NZ an illegal advantage in open play ball retention.

He's been getting away with it too much.

But I agree, he is probably the best player in the World in any position at the moment.

[sn�gged]

Rules are there to be broken lol... as you say 'he is clever with his footwork'...

Not sure how you can predict 'now' they - or any other team - will struggle at the next WC... in over 3 years time...

[joggerjayne]

Because New Zealand are serial chokers ...

... and we LOVE it !!!

[sn�gged]

True... although anything can happen between now and then... (note my eternal optimism when it comes to the ABs)...

Be interesting to see how Martin Johnson shapes England between now and then, once he has settled in to the role better... Ciprianni should be 'at his peak' in 2011... if his ankle holds out that long...

[joggerjayne]

Ciprianni could continue to be a disappointment.

Snagged ... are you a Kiwi? If so, could you ask Sean Fitzpatrick if he'll go out with me. I'd ask him, but I'm too shy.

Look, if we're going to have rugby debates, I'm going to read up on the rules a bit.

[sn�gged]

Not a Kiwi... just a long term AB fan...

and Sean Fitzpatrick?! I doubt he'd keep up with you now...

[joggerjayne]

He's very good looking, and he smiles all the time. He's lovely.

[China Doll]

Oh yes... But I maintain a bunch of 18 stone blokes doing the macarana would be vastly more scary and quite a lot more entertaining.

[sn�gged]

'hand bags at dawn' China? :-)

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/07/hakah andbag060706_600x336.jpg

[Chris007]

If only we could win another world cup, maybe 2011 here in New Zealand.

[ShaghaiDoc]

There is a pattern. NZ has never lost a RWC match under a southern hemisphere referee. Only English and Scots can officiate poorly enough for them to lose.