Is NZ conspireing against themselves??

Like the previous World Cup years New Zealand are once again the favourites by unanimous opinions to win it come 9 September this year. I just can’t help thinking that if they don’t take the honours this time round they could be tagged as the chokers of rugby. Not unlike the South African cricket team was earlier this year when they bombed out of the Cricket World Cup in such glorious fashion against an underdog team.

Of course the pressure is immense, yet I think that THE LEADING team in world rugby should be able to handle it. Or maybe they are so used to beating all other opponents with such relative ease that they loose the plot entirely when the big moment arrives to kick on and smash other contenders. I believe that New Zealand is heading towards a downhill spiral with key players wanting to leave for richer hunting grounds and others losing form slowly but shoorley during the course of the Super 15 season.

Recent comments from Graham Henry stating that he would still consider staying on as NZ coach after the WC will be causing some awkwardness between Henry and his long time assistant coach Steve Hansen. Less than a month ago Hansen said in the media that he would be more than willing to take over from Henry and one could assume that he was really looking forward to it. Knowing about Steve Hansen and his relationship with the NZ media Henry should get a vote of confidence from the fans rather than Hansen. Some healthy competition for the top job in NZ rugby could very well be just what the other contenders are hoping for.

It’s a well known principle world wide, whether it be business or sport, if management is hostile towards each other then the attitude of the workers or in this case players will suffer because of it.

Let’s just wait and see if they can really pull it together this time.