Dowd gives guarded assessment of the All Black pack

LONDON - Prop Craig Dowd has given the All Black pack a lukewarm assessment on his arrival in England to take up a contract with the Wasps.

Dowd, the most-capped All Black prop, joined the Wasps after getting an early release from his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Football Union.

In an interview with a British newspaper, he made a guarded assessment of the All Black pack that will face world champions Australia in Dunedin this weekend.

"New Zealand has moved away from tight forwards to running forwards, and mauling has virtually died," he said.

"The forwards are still very young, and they will get better.

"But I've always thought you have to be able to mix and match, and I was blessed to play in an All Black front-five where we all complemented each other.

"There was a very strong work ethic among us and we kept each other honest."

Dowd, who made his All Black debut in 1993, played his 60th and final test last year, against Australia in Wellington.

He rejected any suggestion that he had moved to England to pick up a healthy retirement package in an easier competition than the Super 12.

"I played against England six times and they were all physical encounters," he said.

"I've been warned that the forward game in the premiership is tighter than in the Super 12, but I enjoy that stuff, as well as getting my hands on the ball.

"I'm not expecting an armchair ride, and I will give it the respect it deserves."

The 31-year-old was said to have signed a two-year contract worth about £250,000 ($867,000), the biggest foreign off-season transfer.

He and wife Tanya have sold their Auckland house.

"I've done everything with the All Blacks bar win a World Cup, and because my family is very young, this was the least disruptive time to make a move.

"I've come here to be involved in a winning team again."

Dowd will have plenty of responsibility with the London club, because Lion forward Lawrence Dallaglio is sidelined by knee surgery.

Dallaglio said he had no doubt that the Wasps had snapped up a winner.

"You don't get to play 60 times for the All Blacks unless you are something special.

"Craig's got the aggression and nastiness you need in the front line."

- NZPA