KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks are far from certainties to win the rugby World Cup, says UK's Daily Telegraph rugby writer Paul Ackford. One of Britain's top rugby scribes, Ackford says Sunday's error-ridden Tri-Nations test in Durban will give other nations hope for September and October.
"The striking conclusion from this absorbing test match is that the World Cup, less than 11 weeks away, is wide open," says Ackford.
Do you agree? Here is a selection of Your Views:
Danz (Queensland)
Blah blah blah, more pommy crap coming out before the Cup. The Poms have not won a bloody chook raffle since Prince Johnny won it for them in 03. No, we did not look that good in some areas during the game with the Boks, but we still beat them by 5 points in the end. We don't want to show our full hand just yet anyway. The ockers will be tough this weekend but we will still win by 15-21 points. Get up them Black - and Mr Ackford!
Marco from Nelson
England have very little chance of making any impact at the world cup and it is natural that Paul Ackford is looking for any positive to cling to. Can we also please "get over" the fact that England won in 03 and accept that they deserved it. In the 2 years leading up to the cup they had beaten everyone including the All Blacks. Lets have the good grace to acknowledge that.It's our turn in 07!
Ed
This is just another English rugby commentator trying to give a reason why the badly under-performing English rugby team might still have hope in the World Cup. The main point is that the All Blacks may not win the World Cup, but the English sure does not have a hope on earth after their fortuitous win four years ago.
2-toof Tiwhu from Tolpuddle
Ackford is clutching at straws. The ABs needed only 14 minutes of real rugby to beat a strong bunch of Boks. Henry has a mine of gold in his playing staff and the seam runs deep. The Poms have gold as well but it is in the form of words and empty money. They are a danger to the game.
Tommy K
So Paul Ackford doesn't understand the SA or NZ psyche or know anything about international rugby, eh? Fair enough, but unlike any current All Black, he knows what it is like to play in a world cup final. You ask the Brooke brothers or Sean Fitzpatrick how hard Paul Ackford was.
Russ
Give credit where credit is due. The Boks, like Canada, put up a sterling effort for 40 to 65 minutes before being over run. The claims of White that the Boks are exhausted is a poor excuse this close to a world cup, and in the professional era. Graham Henry and his coaching team are due a lot of praise for their planning and preparation which began 3 years ago when he began his mission for 2 players in every role. He has accomplished this and the others are now running in their belated efforts to be ready. Many will be competitive, and credit to all these men who will proudly represent their countries. Also remember every game of rugby is 15 athletes on 15 athletes, and all other teams have nothing to lose when they play the ABs. That aside the ABs have "consistently" been able to over turn all pretenders to their position as rightful number 1 in world union. The ABs are often pushed for 60-70 minutes, and only in the last 10-20 do they finally push past to deliver the record they have maintained for the past 100+ years. They are a proud bunch going about their business, and I believe they are a far more balanced and less one dimensional team. Give credit where credit is due. They will be ready, they know everyone is and will be after them until the end of the Web Ellis Tourne, but I think they want it more than ever this time and are without the arrogance of past crusades. History is exactly that, in the past, and when 15 men run on against 15 men in France later this year lets let the rugby talk and not these old has beens who know nothing more than you and I about what will really be the end result.
Rex Hapimana
Jeremy from UK is an idiot. Is he really an ex-pat or just another Pom telling us for the millionth time during Henry's reign that the ABs have "peaked too early" Don't they get sick of churning out that line. When we thrashed the 05 Lions, we peaked too early, when we 05 grand-slammed them, we peaked too early, when we rolled through Eurpoe in 06, we peaked too early. Now we're 3 months away and he says we're peaking too early. Give it a rest buddy. At least we "peak"!
Jimmy (London)
Ackford is a clueless as his compatriots when it comes to analysing rugby. For starters there is not a team in the north with any chance of winning it, forget France and Ireland, they have far too many weaknesses in their games, down south the Aussies don't have a forward pack and the Saffas simply do not perform away from home. We were rusty and made lots of mistakes and still managed to come from behind and win. We have thrashed every single one of our opponents over the last 4 years and the only losses we have had were close and came when we were fielding below strength sides. There is not a side in world rugby who can beat us if we play to 80 per cent of our ability let alone 100 per cent. Nothing is ever guaranteed but what has happened in the past is irrelevant this time around. We have the fastest, fittest, strongest, most experienced, most talented, most successful and best coached team that will be making the trip to France. To all of you saying we will meet the Saffas in the final, take a look at the draw, we most likely will meet them in the semi-final and the Aussies and French will meet in the other, so October 20, Gregan and co will be watching on as Richie McCaw holds up "Our Cup".
Kiwi rugby fan
All the talk about SA having 5 of their best players out blah blah blah. Okay, we only had two missing locks but we played poorly, missed kicks at goal, gave away a stupid intercept try and still won! Against a fired up confident Bok side playing at home! Everyone knows they are not the force away from home that they are in front of their fanatical home fans. In fact, whilst SA and Australia have been our toughest opponents in the Tri Nations have a look at their away record in recent years. It's appalling. They haven't beaten us at home since 2001 (Aus) and 1998 (SA) and they've lost to everyone up in the northern hemisphere on a regular basis. England, Ireland and France have all beaten them and even Wales have given them tough games. I believe France will beat the Boks in the semi and assuming we get through it will be an AB v France final.
Bosco
It was interesting to see South Africa show proper respect and intrigue for the haka. Same for the French who always do this to. Does anybody know why these two nations who are traditionally the dirtiest in the way they play, become the most respectful when observing the haka?
Diamond drillers and offsiders wanted
the All Blacks have just secured a short term contract in Melbourne and require the services of drillers offsider using new technology and equipment to help drill the Wallabies scrum deep into the ground so the All Blacks can take home some precious diamonds for their wives. You can apply for this position Mr Ackford as you have that experience of the All Blacks drilling you into the ground, but you have to be hardworking Mr Ackford, a handsome package will be rewarded along with penalties. You can send your resume to the NZRU Mr Ackford. P.S. may be the world cup trophy is down there too. All Blacks all the way mate.
Mike
Who is the World Cup open to? Not England. Nor France. Actually none of the Northern Hemisphere teams. One of the three Southern Hemisphere teams, definitely. But that's always been the case. You have to be a mug if you think Australia are going to lie down and let the All Blacks walk this one. On their given day, SA can beat anyone (although I do doubt their ability playing away from their crazy supporters). Most people think the All Blacks will walk it, but to do this they could learn a lot from what Australia and SA offer - all out never give up, give it everything, when the chips are down, nutter mentality. Combine that with skill and you have a winning combination. Skill alone will not win the world cup, as proven in previous campaigns.
J Mac
Should it not be called the Commonwealth Cup with Argentina and France thrown in? I think NZ are the only country in the World where Rugby is the national game? Fiji perhaps? I thought last Saturday's game was pretty scrappy. Lot of errors. And the winning try came off a deflection that was flukey rather than skilled. To win at the "WC" you need win three major knock-out games in a row. Playing as they did - NZ and SA would not do that. Improve and they may. Long way to go.
Mike
Lets not get too carried away with a five-point victory. The Boks had heaps of guys out with injury, and the rest of them were fatigued. On top of that they had a man in the bin for ten minutes. They would take a lot of confidence coming out of that situation only five points down.
Pam from Sydney
Totally agree with Fred Tans comments, I just dont want the Allblacks or their supporters to become complacent. That has wiped us out previously in World Cup years and I think we need a loss in the Tri-Nations to keep our feet on the ground. I just don't want that loss at home, because the guys are deserved of their record in N.Z.
AB
On reading Mr Ackford's views although I agreed in general that neither Sth A nor NZ are anywhere near where they would hope to be at World Cup time. It highlighted a deeper concern we as nations read too much into foreign writers' views. Mr Ackford appeared for all the world like a child looking through a window. Not belonging to the world he viewed. It is rapidly apparent that Mt Ackford has no real understanding of the Sth A nor NZ physie. Never do either country claim to be perfect it is always a work in progress. We can always improve attiude. We have the utmost respect for the opposition. We are glearingly critical of ourselves. We are aware of our weaknesses. We do not need a foreigner to show us..we know. And come the World Cup both nations will be better. Mr Ackford if either of us were the best we wouldn't say it. we would do it and then say "we did okay..but could have done better"
Fred Tan
It's great to hear that the All Blacks played badly. And they still win the game. It means that they have yet to peak. I am really looking forward when they are at their peak, at the World Cup.
big brad (Chile)
Ackford...get a real job,because with a comment like that you obviously know little about international rugby.You were kidding..right?
JC (Dubai)
I couldn't agree more about the fact that the All Black scrum was far superior to the Boks which gave us a good psychological edge over them, had we better continuity through the backline the score may have been a forgone conclusion. The missing link in that back line is at the Centre position. Toeava is a good player but not yet at the test level standard. Another option for Graham Henry to consider for that position could be Rico Gear...he has played as a centre most of his Rugby career and reminds me of another All Black player who started his test career on the Wing before he went on to become an All Black great.Tana Umanga I believe Rico Gear can offer the same maturity and certainly the skill required for what is a key position and pivotal role if the backline is to be more cohesive on attack and defence. As an individual Toeava is a brilliant player, however he has trouble reading defensive lines and like Ma'a Nonu is sometimes found wanting in this area.When on attack he (Toeava) also has a tendency to run away from support or look to setting his outside backs the room to move crowding their attacking lines. knowing how to create space for your wingers takes experience .
Jeremy from UK
Can the ABs win this time around? Unfortunately, no. As a former Kiwi, who resided in Australia, and now the UK - I think I have a 'balanced' view. I think that the ABs have peaked too soon with the world cup three months away. Also, the mind-games come into play, and the fact is that the ABs are now widely regarded as 'chokers' when it comes to the world cup. I think the Aussies will take out the world cup due to: prepared to trial various combinations, excellent defence, a mix of youth and experience, leadership, self-belief, and like it or not...the best track record at the world cup. Top tip for ABs GH - invite former AB greats to address the team to provide increased motivation. For example, have Buck Shelford address the team prior to the world cup final...just Buck and the team (no managers or officials present) to 'explain' what it means and how to win the final i.e. ABs must win at all costs!
Narkee from penrose
NZ will return from France in October with the rugby world cup.
Feel (Honiara, Solomon Islands)
As a All Black fan, I usually try as much as possible not to miss all their matches live on TV. The weekend match against the Springboks was a typical All Black-Springbok match. High intensity, errors and alot of pressure. The AB's showed alot of composure and patience to outsmart the Springboks. The All Black bench has so much strike/firepower compared to their rivals. The AB's still remain firm favourites to win this years RWC in France. They will only have to put in the performances displayed on their European tours and the last three years. When all the players in the black jersey perform to thei abilities, I don't think any team will cope with them.Good luck and all the best for this years RWC. Go AB's. You can win it this time.
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