All Blacks have chinks in their armour

In the first of our six profiles on the main World Cup contenders, Jacques van der Westhuyzen looks at New Zealand.

Cape Town - In the first of our six profiles on the main contenders for the World Cup title (other than the Springboks) Jacques van der Westhuyzen looks at New Zealand.

Analysis

They’re the best team on the planet. They have been for many years and they know it. The All Blacks ooze confidence and know how to win.

Since lifting the World Cup at the end of 2011, Hansen’s team have played 47 Tests and lost only three - to England in 2012, the Springboks last season and the Wallabies this year.

They’ve also drawn twice - against Australia in 2012 and 2014. That’s 42 wins from 47 matches; a phenomenal record that sets them apart from every other team on the globe.

The All Blacks are the hot favourites going into the tournament and rightly so. They’ve been the dominant force in the game over the last four years and have shown they don’t fear playing away from New Zealand, even if they’ve come unstuck on the odd occasion and relied on an as-close-as-it-gets-to-a-miracle to win away (think Ireland in Dublin a few years ago).

But with a captain who’s only ever lost on 15 occasions in his 142 Tests, the All Blacks are again the team to beat if someone else is to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

Hansen’s men have a fairly easy pool, with matches against Argentina, Georgia, Namibia and Tonga, which will set them up nicely for the knockout games. But then some will say they won’t have played enough hard matches before the proper stuff gets under way.

That is true and they may get to their quarter-final a little undercooked, but then they might also still be fresh and hungry and, most importantly, be brimming with confidence, the ingredient they most thrive on.

It’s a formidable All Black squad, with most bases well-covered. They’re a powerful scrumming unit and in hooker Dane Coles, they boast the most athletic No 2 in the world game. He’s been the nemesis of a few teams in recent times, while in the second row, Brodie Retallick is the best in his position.

In scrumhalf Aaron Smith they’ve got the best tactical No 9 in rugby; his box-kicks are always pin-point accurate, and it’s no exaggeration when Bok coach Heyneke Meyer says the Kiwis kick more - and are far better at it than his team.

They’re masters of playing smart rugby, but then they’ve also got dangerous outside backs who have the ability to run teams off their feet.

Once in their stride, they’re difficult to break down. But the All Blacks have also shown vulnerabilities in recent times, most notably against Australia and the Boks when two fetchers were employed against them, who slowed down their ball and prevented them from playing at their preferred pace. Also, get in their faces and rush them and they can come horribly unstuck.

Hansen will have some big calls to make when the big games arrive, especially regarding his flyhalf. Carter hasn’t been too flash this season, but the coach will also know that if “DC” is on song not too many teams will beat them.

If the All Blacks play to their potential, no one will stop them from going all the way.

Strengths

For such a small country they’ve got unbelievable depth and to think they’ve been able to leave out the likes of Cory Jane and Israel Dagg proves just how strong rugby is in New Zealand.

Coach Steve Hansen has assembled a fairly predictable, but good squad that includes 14 members from the group that won the title in New Zealand four years ago. Captain Richie McCaw, hooker Keven Mealamu, prop Tony Woodcock and flyhalf Dan Carter have all played more than 100 Tests, so there’s experience aplenty in the squad; a total of 1 484 Test caps. Add to this the exciting talents of Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick and Dane Coles and the All Blacks look to be the team to beat.

Weaknesses

The All Blacks’ biggest Achilles heel is themselves. They’ve been the best in the business since rugby began, yet they’ve only managed to bag two World Cups. They’ve shown they can freeze on the big stage and when put under serious pressure they can also unravel quite quickly. They’re not at home this time, so there won’t be that pressure, but they’ll feel the weight of expectation of attempting to be the first team to defend the title.

Question-marks abound about the fitness of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, while some will feel too many senior players have been picked. Selection-wise there’s only one fullback in Ben Smith, while up front Hansen will rely on just three locks to see him through the tournament.

Fixtures

Sunday, Sept 20 v Argentina Wembley Stadium, London (5:45pm)

Thursday, Sept 24 v Namibia Olympic Stadium, London (9pm)

Friday, Oct 2 v Georgia Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (9pm)

Friday, Oct 9 v Tonga St James’ Park, Newcastle (9pm)

Squad

Backs: Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow Forwards: Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Richie McCaw (capt), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor

Coaches

Steve Hansen (head coach), Ian Foster (assistant), Wayne Smith (specialist defence), Mike Cron (forwards), Mick Byrne (skills)

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