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SYDNEY - Former New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu believes the All Blacks need to get back to basics and start enjoying their rugby again if they are to end their reputation as World Cup chokers.
New Zealand won the inaugural World Cup in 1987 but have failed to win the title since, despite going into each edition among the favourites.
The All Blacks have dominated international rugby for the past three seasons but, with the World Cup just a few months away, cracks are starting to emerge.
They struggled to beat South Africa in Durban last month and then threw away a halftime lead to lose to Australia in Melbourne.
Lomu, who played in the All Blacks side that lost the 1995 final to South Africa and in the 1999 semi-final defeat by France, said he was confident New Zealand would end their drought this year but the players needed to stay calm.
"They have just got to relax and enjoy the game," Lomu told reporters in Sydney on Friday.
"They need to get back to enjoying the game and running it -- it's what comes natural to them.
"If they relax and start chucking the ball around like they usually do and (showcase) the skill set they have been chosen for, it becomes second nature for them. They have that second nature in them."
New Zealand will face an early test of their nerves when they host Australia at Auckland on Saturday in the deciding match of the Tri-Nations.
Australia upset New Zealand to win in Melbourne last month but the Wallabies have not won in Auckland for 21 years and first five-eighths Stephen Larkham said a win would provide the visitors with a psychological boost.
"As a stepping stone to the World Cup I think it's very important that we get some of these wins away from Australia," Larkham told reporters in Auckland.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry says Saturday's match will not have any bearing on the World Cup other than to provide a measuring stick for both teams for what they need to work on.
"I think it's the ideal time to have a fixture like this," he said. "It's the right time in the calendar for both teams to analyse where they're at."
- REUTERS
