By DANIEL GILHOOLY
The All Blacks would have no qualms about playing England's one-dimensional style of rugby, but they don't have the players or the culture to do it, says captain Reuben Thorne.
The philosophical debate over playing style dominated the lead-up to last night's third-fourth playoff at Telstra Stadium between New Zealand and France and Saturday's final between Australia and England at the same Sydney venue.
The All Blacks and France are regarded as the most skilled, expansively minded teams at the tournament, but failed to advance beyond the semifinals.
England, clearly now ranked No 1 in the world, have relied on the power of their forward pack to grind opponents down and the accurate boot of first five-eighth Jonny Wilkinson to accumulate points.
Thorne admitted it had left him pondering whether New Zealand rugby should alter its mindset.
"I've thought about it a lot over the last wee while," he said.
"It's not the type of game we're exposed to often in New Zealand and through our provincial tournaments, even Super 12. We're more of an attacking, counter-attacking, open style of rugby nation.
"We're probably the best in the world at that, but when it comes to the other style of rugby, the real grind, squeeze the life out of a team, it's something we don't do very often."
The All Blacks have scored 75 tries in tests this year, the record for any nation, including 37 to wingers.
But Thorne said they would have no problem transforming to a kicking-based game if it brought success. And he thought the New Zealand public would not mind.
"I think they probably would in certain situations. The public love to see an enjoyable game, they really embrace the Super 12 style of rugby," he said.
"But at the end of the day they still want us to win. If that means kicking 10 penalties then so be it."
Thorne still had the utmost faith in an expansive style.
It was the execution that failed them in last Saturday's semifinal loss to the committed Wallabies.
- NZPA
We can't play England's way, says Thorne
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