KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Snokiw (Sydney)
As a kiwi living in Sydney, we absolutely have to win the Bledisloe this weekend, preferably by a huge margin! Yes the world cup is all important, and to go into it with a very real chance of meeting Australia in the semis - we don't want two losses to them hanging over our heads. Also, if we win the world cup but have lost the Beldisloe, the Aussies will go on and on about it, (cause that's just the way they are) and I, along with the other 400,000 kiwis living in Aussie don't need that (we hear enough about the 400,000 of us as it is).
Peter (Waiheke)
To me the world cup is just a nice to have - I wouldn't say no to having it but the Bledisloe cup and the Tri-Nations are the bench mark. Only one Northern Hemisphere team has won the world cup so really the competition is down south anyway. Also for me the All Blacks must win every time they go on the field - I couldn't stand a supporting a team that looses most of their games like all the other nations do.
Andy (London)
After conceding the 3N, looks like JW is now conceding the RWC. You can win tests without the ball? The fact they had all the possession and just beat Australia proves defence is more important? What planet is this guy on?
Perhaps if he caught on to the fact his players don't have the game plan and frankly aren't good enough to score tries then he might identify the problems and begin sorting them. Looks like he has no intention of taking Luke Watson to the RWC as he's been released back to his provincial side. One of their better running loose forwards and he won't take him. Is it political, or he just can't stand the sight of a Bok charging up the field with ball in hand? Whether Watson is good enough for test rugby is to be decided, but isn't it sad that such a small, petty little man like White can effectively ruin a promising young player's career? Hopefully we'll see what Watson can do next year when White is gone, but then how many other promising young players will lose out because of the colour of their skin? SA rugby needs to sort their own backyard before they lobbing rocks around. They need to remember that world rugby got along just fine without them for over a decade.
NZ fan in US
The question is wrong. It should be "is the World Cup as important as the Tri-Nations or Bledisloe?"
And the answer is - no. Let's remember that the World Cup is a pure publicity stunt, basically a knockout tournament once every four years. It is dominating the international game way too much. Am I the only one who is sick of seeing only two games matter every four years? (the semi-final and final). If we truly wanted to judge the best team, what's wrong with the Tri-Nations winner playing the Six Nations winner every year, home and away? It boosts the two regional competitions and gives us an annual monster game. And the WC goes back to what it should be - a festival-style knockout event that celebrates the international nature of the game. Of course, there is now too much cash tied up in the WC, so we're probably stuck with the damned thing.
Pete.G
Win or lose, the Tri-Nations, & Bledisloe Cup will pale into insignificance if we lose the world cup final (we should make the final?). But the mighty All Blacks must bury the Wallabies in the turf of Eden Park and win convincingly, because as Graham Henry so aptly, and beautifully stated, we, the Abs, would only want to win the world cup, playing attacking rugby. How bloody boring it has been to watch a hybrid rugby league defensive screen set-up by the Wallabies and SA to combat the attacking style of All Black rugby game. We NZ know that it's more than just the winning, it's how we win that really matters. It's our passion, the beautiful game Rugby Union.
Coogee
Any game in any sport is important when it comes to playing New Zealand. However, this game will have no influence on a possible semi-final clash at the Rugby World Cup.
Evz
Attack not the way? Come on, that's why the game has gone dull for how many years now. If the only way to beat the All Blacks is defence and that's all South Africa have, what's the point in having good backs? You can't use them except for defence. That explains their poor quality in backline moves in recent years and the way the game has been played boring. That's the tactics they'll use come world time. As I've said before the All Black game is speed, that's where countries like South Africa and co have problems with, speed and pace and all they've got is defence. All I know is that there gonna need more than defence, that's for sure.
Sione (Auckland)
No, not in a World Cup year. The WC is the pinnacle achievement of world rugby and we haven't had won it in 20 years. However we have won the Tri-Nations & Bledisloe before so we know we can be SANZAR winners, now we must be world champions just to cap it off.
Winston
It is defence and attack that wins games
Digger (Melbourne)
Don't let the Saffas and Aussies get in your head again. Aussie's want to win 3N and Bledisloe really badly - you only have to imagine what they are going to be like if they won. Going into RWC with wins behind you has to be better than losses. AB's will have to turn up on Sat and play to win and win well.
RugbyBoy (Jakarta)
This game on Saturday ranks in the top three games the All Blacks must win during this world cup year. We need the psychological advantage over the Aussies. The All Blacks will need to treat this as the world cup final or semi-final. Anything short of a good thrashing could have the Aussies starting to believe in themselves and we don't want to give 'em that. This Bledisloe and Tri-Nation final is huge and anyone suggesting otherwise needs their head read. This is big! This is huge. Go the All Blacks.
London
No, if we lost the Bledisloe and Tri-Nations it wouldn't bother me if we won the World Cup as that is the main aim this year! In previous World Cup years we have won Tri-Nations and or Bledisloe as well and look what happened! Personally I don't think the Tri-Nations should be played in World Cup years. Why not play the Northern Hemisphere sides now as they are playing warm up matches here as our warm ups as well? It would mean playing them at full strength and also get us used to conditions up here in the north which aren't that summery at the moment!
Lara
Each time a professional athlete competes it should be to win! The RWC should not devalue any annual fixture in anyway and so the All Blacks should be just as determined to win the Bledisloe and Tri-Nations as they are the Rugby World Cup!
Rob Whitehead
Of course it does! What's the point of having an international team that only focuses on the one competition every four years? I'm sure there are a lot of past greats turning in their graves at what has been allowed to happen to in NZ Rugby.
Nelster
It would be devastating for me if NZ did not get through to the final for the world Cup. Not just because I really want them to win. But most of all because I have tickets to the final in Paris and if NZ aren't in it, I don't know what I'll do!
K1w1brf (Brisbane)
What ever happened to when my father used to wake me up 40 years ago living in Auckland (aged 6) in the middle of the night to watch the All Blacks play in the Northern Hemisphere somewhere? Any game the All Blacks play is an international, any international means pride in the mighty AB's, this weeks game combines the two best games on the calendar into one game, second to RWC. Go the Blacks.
Daks
To be honest I couldn't really care if we lose the world cup. At the end of the day the world cup is a really hard competition to win. A one-off game is all it takes to end a team's campaign, and that's all they got to do to win, win when it counts.
Simon
Latham > Kelleher && Collins && Oliver.
Magic ma
All Blacks can't win the World Cup. They play bad.
Steve (Auckland)
You watch Sterling Mortlock walk straight through MacAlister again this weekend!
Cazz, The Bay
Of course it matters! We should want to win it all! We want to leave no doubt in anyone's mind that we are the best
Neill R
Of course the 3N and Bledisloe count! We have absolutely no guarantee of winning the World Cup and to somehow think that giving up on tournaments and trophies will get us the all-important one is woolly thinking.
Kevcole
I still believe that the ABs will win. I think our best strength is the depth of players we have available, the fact that the coaching staff are very level-headed, open. honest about the team and its capabilities, they are prepared to drop non performing players. The games have not been pretty but we have won. I also believe we need to focus on winning rugby not being the perfect team, playing perfect games. The fact is, the opposition do not want us to play perfectly. They want to upset, spoil, aggravate the ABs. At the end of the day so long as we win. I believe the hallmark of a good team is when we have made as many mistakes as the AB against South Africa and Aussie and 9/10 times we still win. I also believe the South African management is going to scuttle their team by politically appointing a player who does not have the skills to Captain the Boks. And the lack of depth in Aussie will be their undoing at the Cup. Does not mean they can not win on the day. But consistently? No.
Jan Sydney
Of course this Saturday's game means a lot. Bledisloe Cup games are the ultimate must see for Aussie and NZ Rugby fans. I was in Melbourne and will be in Auckland to see the Wallabies win again and take back two cups. Just let's hope it is a good, try scoring game and the referee lets things flow. Bring it on!
Grant James (Perth)
From an Aussie perspective, it is the prestige of the World Cup as the pinnacle of world rugby that middle Australia is interested in - we don't care for rugby as a spectator sport that much (with the exception of some remnant areas in Queensland and NSW) is a bit stop-start for the Aussie Rules palate. We consider the Tri-Nations a relatively boring and incestuous competition, that is nonetheless necessary for use as a platform for the World Cup.
Kiwiruz
Of course loosing any game wouldn't matter as long as the ABs bring home the World Cup, but winning is a great habit to have and a lot of NZ pride is hung to the shoulders of the "Men in Black" and winning is surely a nice psychological advantage to have going into Sept and Oct, not to mention what a bad habit loosing is. Thankfully it seems Henry has finally put what (barring a couple of injured players) seems to be the strongest team, and he's giving the backs line a chance to get their combinations a shot. Hooraay!
Melb Dude
Forget the World Cup for now! I am sure this is what Henry and co will be saying to the team this week. Deal with the now, and the now is making a statement saying we are the custodian of the Bedisloe Cup and we play every Bledisloe game for all who have gone before us and we play to the highest standard we can. NZ will win on Saturday there will be some "unfinished business" some "payback time" for the Wally's come Saturday. Scrum time will be our strongest area. Let's hope we get a ref with more savvy on seeing who is the most weaker pack. The scrums in Melb were a shambles the fault of the ref and weak Wally's team. AU won't have the same luxury at Eden Park. I think the team has been going well. You feel like they (NZ) are just a pass away from getting it together on the paddock. Once these passes stick then the flood gates will open up. I hope NZ Herald will blog a "Best Wishes All Blacks" board like they did with the America's Cup. Be proud of the All Blacks! We are the best!
Shaun (Coffs Harbour)
Every test match is one country against another, National pride against National pride. Never allow that to be tainted by chasing potential honours in the future. Don't count your chickens before they hatch, never take away the importance of every test match!
Fili (Sydney)
Of course it matters. Even in a World Cup year, we have every right to continue our domination no matter who we're playing and what we're playing for, enough said. Go the All Blacks.
J Rock
I think the Tri-Nations matter as much as the World Cup we win. This is a huge stepping stone towards the big cake we all want. Get Nick Evans in there. He needs a chance to show his elusive skill, even at first five.
Tani Taniwha (Sydney)
Regardless of what happens on Saturday,(and I reckon NZ 20+) I believe the All Blacks are only millimetres away from getting their act together. Once those passes begin to stick, there will only be daylight second. The Aussies say we are anxious but I believe it's the excitement causing the passes to go astray. The ABs know what they can do but need to be a little more patient first. Then the rest of the world better look out!
Greg
I am not sure where JW the SA coach is coming from as I see in the current Tri-Nations that SA have conceded in excess of 100 points in 4 games while the AB's have the best defence and, oh yes, the best attack. I find the mind games boring and a pathetic attempt to win the game in the media rather than on the field where it should be one. I am from the generation bought up on SA versus ABs battles and whilst I appreciate the more recent transtasman battles the prior is still the pinnacle for me. Austrslian rugby is only where it is as a result of NZ. It is time to make history, bury the kiwi knocking machine and prove the doubters wrong. Call me greedy but I believe we can have all the trophies in the cupboard by the end of this year so stay firm behind your team and believe in black.
Freezinghot
Yes, it would matter, especially if Australia win against us before heading to the world cup. It gives them more belief that they can win and we don't need to give them any encouragement. A good win Saturday will go a long way towards winning the world cup, whether we want it or not. So winning is very important this week!
Vesi Tagoiaega
Yes it matters if they lose. I will like to see them win the Tri-Nations and the Bledisloe Cup by thrashing the Wallabies and go on and win the World Cup in September.
Leggs (Sydney)
If the All Blacks win the Bledisloe and Tri-Nations and lost the RWC, then no one will care about the Bledisloe and Tri-Nations win for 2007. Big picture is what is required here.
Hugh
All Blacks win the world cup? Favourites to win it! Good run up to the world cup! How many times have we heard these things before? And how many times have we seen the ABs come away empty handed? If my counting is correct, four times. The Tri-Nations and the Bledisloe Cup are important because it gives us All Black supporters something is celebrate. Don't get me wrong I really do hope this time they (ABs) can do it, soccer has England, rugby has New Zealand that's all I will say.
Nick (Auckland)
There are plenty of stars in the All Blacks team but the most important ingredients are lacking! Teamwork and brains. Against opposition ranging from very ordinary to poor (at least on paper!) they have struggled to gain the traditional NZ ascendancy, domination and intimidation factors. Their tactics (is there a team plan Mr Henry?) are easy to counter with the 'rush defence' and neither the captain or the current so-called senior players appear to have the withal or intelligence to change the plan. No, this team will not win the 2007 World Cup, and mark my words, with so many leaving NZ to chase 'gold' overseas, 2008 could be the most boring season ever! The basis of the game still lies in our tradition, the schools and the clubs. We have been conned by money moguls and a boring, largely stupid media to believe that the four-yearly World Cup is the only thing that matters. Ask virtually anyone with a modicum of intelligence (not many of them in NZ anymore, they have all left the country!) what really is the most exciting thing about rugby and what will ensure its survival and they will say good hard provincial stuff (where players put skill/technique/toughness ahead of shaving their legs and turning out with pathetic hair styles) and visiting team tours where the provinces as well as the major cities can get a look at a decent game played by genuinely motivated players who love the game rather than the money and their own ego!
Fatcat (North Harbour)
I'm not quite sure why we seem to taking the approach "it's all about the World Cup". Isn't every game important? Should we be teaching the future generations in NZers that you don't have to win all the time,that it's about playing the game and improving? Bulls***, I'm sorry. When I was playing representative football - you played to win. I hope they get it right otherwise the ABs are going to have no players left soon to win anything. It's a must to beat the Aussies and retain the Bledisloe. It's about now.
Anton Vernall (Seattle)
This must be a joke. They started Thorne at home last week and he absolutely failed to impress in any facet of the game, he was not explosive on attack with the ball in hand, which is a key role of a no.6, he was not dominant at ruck time, completely unnoticable at cleanouts, zero yardage made in the tackle, no turnovers and was not required as a lineout option with Robinsons return. And don't tell me this is because he's too busy to be noticed, because good players are always noticed by people who know the game. If you can't notice him failing to impress then you should take up supporting the All Whites. We in the real rugby world know that the bench is now a tool which is used to make an impact at a crucial stage of the game it is not for mere replacements. If you consider that Thorne is able to make an impact of the bench at 6 let alone lock at this level, you have been watching the wrong game. Flavell is the impact no question. He is a lock Thorne is not and there is already a six cover on the bench so no need for Thorne, plus the fact it is Flavell's home turf. Thorne had his chance at home last week and proved again it should be his last game in black. This isn't a mistake but a major blunder and in a game so finely balanced this could cost the All Blacks the match. With all the other selections I know we have our favourites but most of them are 6 to one half dozen to the other but this one they clearly have wrong. We need mongrel not mana, wake up Henry.
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