KEY POINTS:
English rugby scribes have picked up on the crisis that has hit New Zealand rugby and hold grave concerns for this rugby-mad nation if England can upset the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday.
With a large contingent gathered here for the two-test series between the All Blacks and England, the British media have explained at length all of the problems surrounding New Zealand rugby since the All Blacks' disastrous exit from last year's World Cup.
They have delved into everything from the public resentment of the reappointment of coach Graham Henry to the overseas player drain and the "Carter clause".
"New Zealand rugby is at a crossroads," wrote Alistair Eykyn of the BBC.
"The credibility of their national game is at stake. Defeat to England at Eden Park on Saturday night and the All Blacks may well consider themselves at crisis point," he said.
Eykyn goes on to say that New Zealand has fallen out of love with "their sport", questioning their commitment to the game and to the All Blacks.
Mark Souster, of the TimesOnline, picked up on the dwindling level of support for the All Blacks, enhanced by the retention of Henry over the now Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
"Henry can do no right," he said.
"Indeed some New Zealand fans who still cannot stand the sight of Henry and his insufferable smugness have bombarbed radio phone-ins claiming they are so disillusioned they might consider switching allegiance to Australia.
"The clash between the Wallabies and All Blacks in Sydney on July 26 promises to be an occasion to remember. If Australia wins then Henry will find the attacks will become even more personal," he said.
The London Telegraph's Mick Cleary has gone even further, suggesting it is too late for Henry, no matter what happens in the next few years.
"The All Blacks have been the best team on the planet for at least 80 per cent of the time over the last 20 years. Yet they've lifted zilch in terms of World Cups in that time. 1987, and that's it.
"No matter what Graham Henry manages to do over the next three years, his tenure is already defined by what didn't happen last year in France," he said.
Meanwhile, the London Independent's rugby writer says the biggest issue New Zealand will face is the fallout from the decision to grant Daniel Carter the chance to play in Europe while still being eligible for the All Blacks.
'By allowing (Carter) to stay on contract and remain a test candidate...the union has finally accepted that northern money calls the tune in modern-day rugby.
"Every employment lawyer from Whangarei to Invercargill is alert to the Carter affair, secure in the expectation that other celebrated All Blacks of the day will demand a piece of the same action.
"Heaven knows, the English do not have everything right. But in pure rugby terms, the red rose is enjoying a vastly better time of it than the silver fern," he said.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
