Photos: All Blacks World Cup squadKEY POINTS:
The All Blacks' rugby World Cup squad and their new wild card Sione Lauaki have been given the thumbs up by Sir Brian Lochore -- a man who should know better than most.
Former All Blacks captain Lochore was coach when New Zealand were crowned world champions for the first and only time in 1987.
He was then campaign manager eight years later in South Africa as the All Blacks fell just short, pipped in the final by the Springboks.
So what does the man who now fills the role of fourth selector make of a squad of players who have swept nearly all before them for more than three years under coach Graham Henry, but who must overcome a 20-year-old World Cup hoodoo in France.
Lochore believes the All Blacks are on an upward curve after a sluggish start to the season and believed Henry and his men would time their run to perfection.
The buildup period before they leave on August 29, 10 days out from their tournament opener against Italy in Marseille, would be crucial.
"I'm really excited about the depth of talent that we have," Lochore said
"The next five weeks are critical so when we leave New Zealand we're in the best shape possible, physically and mentally.
"If we get our game plan going, I believe we have the squad, and the talent in the squad, to do the business."
Lochore was impressed by the pressure-based 26-12 defeat of Australia on Saturday night, suggesting he had seen it coming, judging by the intensity of training over the past two weeks.
Workaholic loose forwards Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo and Jerry Collins were prominent figures throughout.
Former No 8 Lochore said the addition of powerful Waikato loose forward Lauaki to the squad was an excellent one, providing another option to New Zealand's attacking arsenal.
"I think we've made a good choice, he is a good ball-carrying player and that'll be important at the World Cup," he said.
"In saying that, I thought our three loosies did a hell of a good job against Australia."
Henry added a dire description of what Lauaki's opponents can expect in France.
"He destroys people on defence, and that's helpful," Henry said.
While Lauaki's selection over North Harbour lock Troy Flavell was predicted in some quarters, it was overshadowed by the shock naming of Andrew Ellis as the third halfback ahead of Piri Weepu.
Henry said the selection was entirely form-based, dismissing a suggestion that Weepu and Flavell's involvement in a bout of late-night drinking during the buildup had counted against them around the selection table.
"Halfback is a very contestable position. Jimmy Cowan was also playing well (for the Junior All Blacks). In New Zealand rugby we've got good depth at halfback," Henry said.
"We had a pretty good idea through the Super 14 and the early test matches where we were going.
"Obviously there were one or two last minute changes (because of form)."
The squad is otherwise a predictable one, captained by McCaw and with one spot free for experienced Canterbury prop Greg Somerville, presuming he can prove he has recovered from Achilles tendon surgery by the August 14 deadline for team naming.
McCaw said the hard work would start in a week's time for he and his teammates, most of whom will enjoy a breather this week.
"There's a few years of hard work behind everyone who has made it into this team," he said.
Up to 11 players have been earmarked to play in the opening weeks of the Air New Zealand Cup.
It doesn't include McCaw, who returned to his all-purpose best on Saturday night after a series of slightly under-par test outings by his standards.
"It's good to get the Tri-Nations out of the way. It's a full-on series we've been through but it's been tough to make sure we keep our focus there," McCaw said.
"There's obviously been a lot of talk and interest in what's about to come up (World Cup).
"As a team we've had to make sure we've kept that in check.
"Now that we've achieved what we've wanted to, we can put all our efforts into what's going to happen in a couple of months."
- NZPA
