By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff
Last updated 23:28 12/06/2010
Irish No 8 Jamie Heaslip was facing a searching examination from his management and an IRB judiciary after being sent off for kneeing All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.
The Irish admitted that with Heaslip gone after just 14 minutes and Ronan O'Gara sin-binned soon after they had no chance against a rampant All Blacks side in New Plymouth on Saturday night.
The All Blacks showed no mercy to jump out to a 29-nil lead and eventually a comfortable 66-28 win.
"The All Blacks were in mid-stride at that stage and it didn't help matters. It's difficult enough against them with 15 players," a disappointed Irish skipper Brian O'Driscoll lamented.
O'Driscoll hadn't seen a replay of the Heaslip incident and coach Declan Kidney had only had a brief look at it by the time they fronted the media after the match. Neither wanted to comment until they had run over the tape with a microscope.
With injuries compounding their problems Kidney said they faced a long night.
Heaslip will front the judiciary in New Plymouth at noon on Sunday.
McCaw was similarly reluctant to comment but did confirm he had been kneed.
"He got sent off for a knee. It's before the judiciary and I've been told not to talk too much about it. The issue was dealt with by what the ref saw," McCaw said.
"I guess the disappointing part is it put them under pressure. When they were down to 14 the game was over after that really. But I guess that's what happens - it makes it hard on your team when ill-discipline gets in the way."
O'Driscoll said the Irish had to take the yellow card on the chin after O'Gara had a brain explosion and impeded Cory Jane's chase for a ball with the try line open.
"There can't be any complaints on the yellow card. He pulled Cory Jane back and probably stopped a try. I don't want to get into the fairness of them (the decisions) ... you have to deal with the cards you are dealt."
Ireland are left searching for the first win over New Zealand after 23 attempts. They never looked like it at Yarrow Stadium although they did present some problems to the All Blacks in the second half when Graham Henry emptied his bench.
"It was a bad defeat. But I'm ever positive and you have to take some good things out of this. We showed some bottle in the second half," O'Driscoll said.
Kidney was more concerned with the general discipline of his team, particularly with their defensive systems, than Heaslip's act of thuggery.
"We had to work our way through it the best we could but I think we lost discipline in what we wanted to try to do when we were down a man. Our discipline in our defensive shape wasn't good.
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"We let ourselves down and we will have to take a good look at that."
Kidney was angry with the first half and seemed only slightly happier with the second half revival.
He spoke highly of O'Driscoll's stirring talk at halftime that he believed lifted the team to try to gain some respectability from a forgettable night.
"We were in a fairly dark place. So yes I was pleased with the second half but I wouldn't be running away from the damage we did to ourselves in the first half," Kidney said.
Ireland's night was complicated by a broken arm to blindside flanker John Muldoon.
Kidney said it was likely they would seek a replacement, especially with the back row likely to be reduced further after Heaslip appears before the judiciary.
Ireland have to play New Zealand Maori in Rotorua on Friday night and the Wallabies in Brisbane the following weekend.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
The stuff of Graham Henry's nightmares
By MARC HINTON - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 05:00 02/05/2010
NIGHTMARES: There are times when the All Blacks coach's lot must be an unhappy one.
OPINION: There are times when the All Blacks coach's lot must be a happy one. Wins eight times out of 10. Nice seats on the plane. Best suites at the hotel. And the holidays aren't half bad.
Then there are times when your life must get so complicated and so darn worrying that, gee, that long, hot summer swanning round your slice of paradise on Waiheke must seem like an eternity ago.
It's hard to see how right now Graham Henry isn't veering more towards the latter category than the former. That his job isn't living up to its reputation as the most demanding in New Zealand.
The All Blacks coach, like the Prime Minister, is paid to worry. A lot. That is to say, he's paid a lot, but he also gets to worry a lot. No other sporting figure in New Zealand faces more pressure to win, or more expectation to do so in style. More so, Henry knows better than anyone that history will judge him on one thing and one thing only -- whether his team lifts that shiny gold trophy in just under 500 days' time.
He's had one crack, and failed. That's simply not an option this time round.
Thus the worrying. Henry is coming up to his last full international campaign before World Cup year rolls round, and must settle on his squad makeup and make the call on any fresh talent that may, or may not, be worth including. It's a time when he must arrive at some fairly important conclusions, both in terms of personnel and playing style.
And right now if Henry was the superstitious type, he might be a little concerned with how his moons are aligning. Certainly by the dark clouds that seem to be gathering in his crystal ball.
Jeepers, there are times that this job weighs heavily on good old Uncle Ted. It strains his normally delightful sense of humour and cheery disposition. Sometimes it can even make him grumpy.
Like now. It's hard to see how the All Blacks coach isn't lying awake at night wondering if he isn't observing some sort of ugly trend that's going to see the biggest party this country has ever known ending in tears.
Not to be a party-poor or anything. But Henry's year hasn't exactly started rip-roaringly.
His Super 14 teams are struggling to put together quality performances from one week to next. A fortnight out from the end of the round-robin there's the distinct possibility that there will be no New Zealand semifinalists.
Not in itself a killer blow. But certainly a disturbing trend. Who's setting the pulses racing in this competition? The Stormers. The Bulls. The Reds. That's who. Certainly not our lot, all of whom appear off the pace at the sharp end of things.
Then there's injuries. The opposition to consider. And a few problem positions cropping up.
So, for what it's worth, here's my stab at the top 10 things keeping Graham Henry awake at night:
1 Injuries. He's already lost Ali Williams, Jason Eaton, Corey Flynn and Sitiveni Sivivatu for the year, and has Mils Muliaina and Tom Donnelly not due back till close to June. At a time when All Black depth is more paddling pool than diving well, these are worrying defections. Plus, Williams now requires a third surgery on his Achilles, further delaying any potential return date. Sivivatu must also be a worry given a) his importance; and b) the serial nature of his afflictions. Injuries are part of the deal in this sport, but Henry does not need any more of his heavy-hitters going down long-term.
2 The Crusaders. The old reliables are in full wobble mode and this can't be a good sign. They could still sneak into the semis, but have their work cut out now and there are some strange goings-on in their midst. Dan Carter is awful, Richie McCaw is ineffective and even the tight five is struggling to impose its will on people. They're playing with little discipline and are getting badly beaten at the breakdown. Plus their basics are letting them down. The All Black axis comes from this team, and right now it's a less than rigid one.
3 The South Africans. The Bulls, Stormers and latterly Sharks are all playing outstanding, winning rugby. We all figured the Boks didn't have four more years in them after peaking in '07. Could we be wrong? Certainly the way Andries Bekker, Fourie du Preez, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Jaque Fourie and many, many others are playing, Peter de Villiers is going to have an embarrassment of riches at his disposal next year. More so they play a consistent brand that they believe in, is established and they execute beautifully.
4 The young Wallabies. Will Genia could be the most exciting young player in world rugby but there's a lot more than a classy, X-factor halfback on Robbie Deans' list. Quade Cooper could be the No 10 he's been looking for, allowing Matt Giteau to operate where he's most effective, they have a cast of improving loose forwards coming through, some big second-rowers playing well and a loosehead prop being touted as the best in the business. The TAB believes in Deans' new wave, and they could start paying dividends this year.
5 Halfback. The rivals may have the best in the business, but right now New Zealand's No 9s are not setting the world on fire. Jimmy Cowan is top option, but remains a flawed player who relies more on grit than greatness. Three ABs from last year -- Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis and Brendon Leonard -- can't even get starts for their Super 14 sides and the form guy is Alby Mathewson, who has yet to play a test.
6 Tighthead prop. The coaches wanted Carl Hayman. Badly. But they didn't get him, and won't bend their rules to allow him to play from offshore. That leaves Neemia Tialata's dodgy knees, Owen Franks' inexperience and John Afoa's suspect scrummaging. Hayman they ain't.
7 No 8. Kieran Read has played well there for the All Blacks. But who else is there? Er, the ageing Rodney So'oialo. A real concern.
8 Backup options. There's a reason Daniel Braid has just agreed to come back. The plan to find a successor/backup to McCaw has not worked. Same with Dan Carter, except last I heard Nick Evans hasn't signed anything with Steve Tew's signature on it. Does anybody remember Cardiff?
9 The forwards. Let's be honest. There's no collective menace about the All Black pack as it shapes now. That has to be found over this season. And with Steve Hansen back in charge.
10 Dad's Army. Brad Thorn, Rodney So'oialo, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu and Mils Muliaina are all the other side of 30. Do they have two more big campaigns in them? Others in the national squad have a lot of miles on the clock. At the very least workloads must be managed.
Last updated 05:00 02/05/2010
NIGHTMARES: There are times when the All Blacks coach's lot must be an unhappy one.
OPINION: There are times when the All Blacks coach's lot must be a happy one. Wins eight times out of 10. Nice seats on the plane. Best suites at the hotel. And the holidays aren't half bad.
Then there are times when your life must get so complicated and so darn worrying that, gee, that long, hot summer swanning round your slice of paradise on Waiheke must seem like an eternity ago.
It's hard to see how right now Graham Henry isn't veering more towards the latter category than the former. That his job isn't living up to its reputation as the most demanding in New Zealand.
The All Blacks coach, like the Prime Minister, is paid to worry. A lot. That is to say, he's paid a lot, but he also gets to worry a lot. No other sporting figure in New Zealand faces more pressure to win, or more expectation to do so in style. More so, Henry knows better than anyone that history will judge him on one thing and one thing only -- whether his team lifts that shiny gold trophy in just under 500 days' time.
He's had one crack, and failed. That's simply not an option this time round.
Thus the worrying. Henry is coming up to his last full international campaign before World Cup year rolls round, and must settle on his squad makeup and make the call on any fresh talent that may, or may not, be worth including. It's a time when he must arrive at some fairly important conclusions, both in terms of personnel and playing style.
And right now if Henry was the superstitious type, he might be a little concerned with how his moons are aligning. Certainly by the dark clouds that seem to be gathering in his crystal ball.
Jeepers, there are times that this job weighs heavily on good old Uncle Ted. It strains his normally delightful sense of humour and cheery disposition. Sometimes it can even make him grumpy.
Like now. It's hard to see how the All Blacks coach isn't lying awake at night wondering if he isn't observing some sort of ugly trend that's going to see the biggest party this country has ever known ending in tears.
Not to be a party-poor or anything. But Henry's year hasn't exactly started rip-roaringly.
His Super 14 teams are struggling to put together quality performances from one week to next. A fortnight out from the end of the round-robin there's the distinct possibility that there will be no New Zealand semifinalists.
Not in itself a killer blow. But certainly a disturbing trend. Who's setting the pulses racing in this competition? The Stormers. The Bulls. The Reds. That's who. Certainly not our lot, all of whom appear off the pace at the sharp end of things.
Then there's injuries. The opposition to consider. And a few problem positions cropping up.
So, for what it's worth, here's my stab at the top 10 things keeping Graham Henry awake at night:
1 Injuries. He's already lost Ali Williams, Jason Eaton, Corey Flynn and Sitiveni Sivivatu for the year, and has Mils Muliaina and Tom Donnelly not due back till close to June. At a time when All Black depth is more paddling pool than diving well, these are worrying defections. Plus, Williams now requires a third surgery on his Achilles, further delaying any potential return date. Sivivatu must also be a worry given a) his importance; and b) the serial nature of his afflictions. Injuries are part of the deal in this sport, but Henry does not need any more of his heavy-hitters going down long-term.
2 The Crusaders. The old reliables are in full wobble mode and this can't be a good sign. They could still sneak into the semis, but have their work cut out now and there are some strange goings-on in their midst. Dan Carter is awful, Richie McCaw is ineffective and even the tight five is struggling to impose its will on people. They're playing with little discipline and are getting badly beaten at the breakdown. Plus their basics are letting them down. The All Black axis comes from this team, and right now it's a less than rigid one.
3 The South Africans. The Bulls, Stormers and latterly Sharks are all playing outstanding, winning rugby. We all figured the Boks didn't have four more years in them after peaking in '07. Could we be wrong? Certainly the way Andries Bekker, Fourie du Preez, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Jaque Fourie and many, many others are playing, Peter de Villiers is going to have an embarrassment of riches at his disposal next year. More so they play a consistent brand that they believe in, is established and they execute beautifully.
4 The young Wallabies. Will Genia could be the most exciting young player in world rugby but there's a lot more than a classy, X-factor halfback on Robbie Deans' list. Quade Cooper could be the No 10 he's been looking for, allowing Matt Giteau to operate where he's most effective, they have a cast of improving loose forwards coming through, some big second-rowers playing well and a loosehead prop being touted as the best in the business. The TAB believes in Deans' new wave, and they could start paying dividends this year.
5 Halfback. The rivals may have the best in the business, but right now New Zealand's No 9s are not setting the world on fire. Jimmy Cowan is top option, but remains a flawed player who relies more on grit than greatness. Three ABs from last year -- Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis and Brendon Leonard -- can't even get starts for their Super 14 sides and the form guy is Alby Mathewson, who has yet to play a test.
6 Tighthead prop. The coaches wanted Carl Hayman. Badly. But they didn't get him, and won't bend their rules to allow him to play from offshore. That leaves Neemia Tialata's dodgy knees, Owen Franks' inexperience and John Afoa's suspect scrummaging. Hayman they ain't.
7 No 8. Kieran Read has played well there for the All Blacks. But who else is there? Er, the ageing Rodney So'oialo. A real concern.
8 Backup options. There's a reason Daniel Braid has just agreed to come back. The plan to find a successor/backup to McCaw has not worked. Same with Dan Carter, except last I heard Nick Evans hasn't signed anything with Steve Tew's signature on it. Does anybody remember Cardiff?
9 The forwards. Let's be honest. There's no collective menace about the All Black pack as it shapes now. That has to be found over this season. And with Steve Hansen back in charge.
10 Dad's Army. Brad Thorn, Rodney So'oialo, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu and Mils Muliaina are all the other side of 30. Do they have two more big campaigns in them? Others in the national squad have a lot of miles on the clock. At the very least workloads must be managed.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Martin Snedden predicts RWC sellouts
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 16:25 18/12/2009
JOHN SELKIRK
SELLOUT PREDICTION: Scattering teams across the country should ensure packed houses at matches, says Rugby World Cup New Zealand boss Martin Snedden
Rugby World Cup team hosting announcement
1 of 5
JOHN SELKIRK Zoom
Rugby World Cup's New Zealand boss Martin Snedden is predicting plenty of sellouts after the tournament's tentacles stretched even further through the country on Friday.
With hosting cities being added to the match venues to total 23 centres across the two islands, Snedden believed New Zealanders were set to embrace the teams and the tournament.
He said he had no fears that the smaller cities and towns would take up the "once in a lifetime opportunity" to get involved and that included filling seats at their stadiums.
"I reckon just about every match outside of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will be sellouts or close to," Snedden, RNZ 2011 chief executive, said.
"The local communities will just climb into it and they are not big stadiums. I'm not worried about those ones at all. And I'm not worried about the big finals. It's just big pool matches in big stadia that don't involve All Blacks ... the ones we need to get New Zealand to buy into."
He said marketing would step up from March to increase public consciousness.
For now there was plenty to enthuse as the tournament operated from the Bay of Islands to Invercargill.
There were more winners than losers with Timaru and Whakatane the two cities to miss out because of accommodation problems.
Hamilton gets to see the All Blacks as well as Wales, Fiji, Samoa and probably Japan.
New Plymouth hosts Ireland, the United States, Wales, Namibia and another European side.
Wanganui and Masterton are part of the action as well as Kerikeri and Ashburton.
All have come through a stringent process and won approval after first-hand visits by management from the bulk of the 20 teams.
The All Blacks will hit the road from Auckland to Hamilton and on to Wellington.
"They said to us we just want to keep moving from community to community and that sounds fine to us. As long as it goes according to plan they'll be in Christchurch a bit later on," Snedden said.
But they won't match the Irish who will spread their popularity wide. They will start in Queenstown and then go to New Plymouth, Auckland, Taupo, Rotorua and Dunedin.
Even non-rugby venues were included in the training areas to be used - cricket grounds in Dunedin and Nelson and the famous Cooks Gardens in Wanganui.
Ticket revenue is Snedden's only income so he needs the feelgood factor to turn into cash, hoping to offset the government's $39.3m grants. But he classes that as "an investment not a loss".
Gerry Brownlee, Associate Minister World Cup minister noted that when he said: "The underwrite is of some concern but the spinoff benefits could be enormous."
As the World Cup machine starts to gather momentum the next phase will be travel packages released in January followed by corporate hospitality in February. Ticket sales will open in March and April.
The host cities with the number of nights teams will stay in them - and the training venues - are:
BAY OF ISLANDS
Asia1 (like to be Japan) 4, Canada 6, Tonga 4
WHANGAREI
Asia1 2, Canada 3, Tonga 10
RODNEY
Asia1 11 Namibia 3, Samoa 5
NORTH SHORE
France 5 + 10, South Africa 2 + 2
AUCKLAND
Australia 4, England 7, Fiji 8, Ireland 6, New Zealand 7 + 8, Samoa 7, Scotland 5, Tonga 5
HAMILTON
Asia1 3, Fiji 2, New Zealand 7, Samoa 2, Wales 7 + 6
TAUPO
Ireland 4, South Africa 3 + 6, Wales 5
ROTORUA
Europe2 2, Fiji 2, Ireland 4, Namibia 7, Samoa 6
TAURANGA / Mt MAUNGANUI
Europe2 3, Fiji 4+ 5, Samoa 4
GISBORNE
Namibia 7 + 5
NAPIER
Asia1 6, Canada 15, France 3
NEW PLYMOUTH
Europe2 3, Ireland 4, Namibia 4, USA 10, Wales 3
WANGANUI
USA 6
PALMERSTON NORTH
Argentina 7, Europe1 7, Playoff winner 3
MASTERTON
Europe1 7
WELLINGTON
Australia 6, Canada 3, Fiji 7, France 3, New Zealand 8, South Africa 17, Tonga 6, USA 5, Wales 9
BLENHEIM
Europe2 10
NELSON
Europe2 2, Italy 7 + 14, USA 4
CHRISTCHURCH
Argentina 15 + 8, Australia 8 + 8, England 19, Europe1 3, Europe2 6, Italy 7, Scotland 11
ASHBURTON
Playoff winner 6
DUNEDIN
England 3, Europe1 11, Ireland 7, Italy 3, Playoff winner 8, Scotland 5
QUEENSTOWN
England 3, Ireland 6, Playoff winner 4
INVERCARGILL
Argentina 3, Playoff winner 4 + 3, Scotland 4
Last updated 16:25 18/12/2009
JOHN SELKIRK
SELLOUT PREDICTION: Scattering teams across the country should ensure packed houses at matches, says Rugby World Cup New Zealand boss Martin Snedden
Rugby World Cup team hosting announcement
1 of 5
JOHN SELKIRK Zoom
Rugby World Cup's New Zealand boss Martin Snedden is predicting plenty of sellouts after the tournament's tentacles stretched even further through the country on Friday.
With hosting cities being added to the match venues to total 23 centres across the two islands, Snedden believed New Zealanders were set to embrace the teams and the tournament.
He said he had no fears that the smaller cities and towns would take up the "once in a lifetime opportunity" to get involved and that included filling seats at their stadiums.
"I reckon just about every match outside of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will be sellouts or close to," Snedden, RNZ 2011 chief executive, said.
"The local communities will just climb into it and they are not big stadiums. I'm not worried about those ones at all. And I'm not worried about the big finals. It's just big pool matches in big stadia that don't involve All Blacks ... the ones we need to get New Zealand to buy into."
He said marketing would step up from March to increase public consciousness.
For now there was plenty to enthuse as the tournament operated from the Bay of Islands to Invercargill.
There were more winners than losers with Timaru and Whakatane the two cities to miss out because of accommodation problems.
Hamilton gets to see the All Blacks as well as Wales, Fiji, Samoa and probably Japan.
New Plymouth hosts Ireland, the United States, Wales, Namibia and another European side.
Wanganui and Masterton are part of the action as well as Kerikeri and Ashburton.
All have come through a stringent process and won approval after first-hand visits by management from the bulk of the 20 teams.
The All Blacks will hit the road from Auckland to Hamilton and on to Wellington.
"They said to us we just want to keep moving from community to community and that sounds fine to us. As long as it goes according to plan they'll be in Christchurch a bit later on," Snedden said.
But they won't match the Irish who will spread their popularity wide. They will start in Queenstown and then go to New Plymouth, Auckland, Taupo, Rotorua and Dunedin.
Even non-rugby venues were included in the training areas to be used - cricket grounds in Dunedin and Nelson and the famous Cooks Gardens in Wanganui.
Ticket revenue is Snedden's only income so he needs the feelgood factor to turn into cash, hoping to offset the government's $39.3m grants. But he classes that as "an investment not a loss".
Gerry Brownlee, Associate Minister World Cup minister noted that when he said: "The underwrite is of some concern but the spinoff benefits could be enormous."
As the World Cup machine starts to gather momentum the next phase will be travel packages released in January followed by corporate hospitality in February. Ticket sales will open in March and April.
The host cities with the number of nights teams will stay in them - and the training venues - are:
BAY OF ISLANDS
Asia1 (like to be Japan) 4, Canada 6, Tonga 4
WHANGAREI
Asia1 2, Canada 3, Tonga 10
RODNEY
Asia1 11 Namibia 3, Samoa 5
NORTH SHORE
France 5 + 10, South Africa 2 + 2
AUCKLAND
Australia 4, England 7, Fiji 8, Ireland 6, New Zealand 7 + 8, Samoa 7, Scotland 5, Tonga 5
HAMILTON
Asia1 3, Fiji 2, New Zealand 7, Samoa 2, Wales 7 + 6
TAUPO
Ireland 4, South Africa 3 + 6, Wales 5
ROTORUA
Europe2 2, Fiji 2, Ireland 4, Namibia 7, Samoa 6
TAURANGA / Mt MAUNGANUI
Europe2 3, Fiji 4+ 5, Samoa 4
GISBORNE
Namibia 7 + 5
NAPIER
Asia1 6, Canada 15, France 3
NEW PLYMOUTH
Europe2 3, Ireland 4, Namibia 4, USA 10, Wales 3
WANGANUI
USA 6
PALMERSTON NORTH
Argentina 7, Europe1 7, Playoff winner 3
MASTERTON
Europe1 7
WELLINGTON
Australia 6, Canada 3, Fiji 7, France 3, New Zealand 8, South Africa 17, Tonga 6, USA 5, Wales 9
BLENHEIM
Europe2 10
NELSON
Europe2 2, Italy 7 + 14, USA 4
CHRISTCHURCH
Argentina 15 + 8, Australia 8 + 8, England 19, Europe1 3, Europe2 6, Italy 7, Scotland 11
ASHBURTON
Playoff winner 6
DUNEDIN
England 3, Europe1 11, Ireland 7, Italy 3, Playoff winner 8, Scotland 5
QUEENSTOWN
England 3, Ireland 6, Playoff winner 4
INVERCARGILL
Argentina 3, Playoff winner 4 + 3, Scotland 4
All Blacks dominate decade, sans World Cups
By DANIEL GILHOOLY - NZPA
Last updated 19:04 20/12/2009
One hundred tests won in a decade of rugby, yet still the long faces from All Blacks supporters.
The past 10 years has seen one team dominate the international landscape more than any team in the game's history.
An 82 percent win ratio since 2000 is a triumphant feat in a professional age which was supposed to bring all the top nations closer together. All of New Zealand's nearest rivals have winning percentages in the low 60s over the same period.
Two of them, however, have held aloft the Webb Ellis Cup.
It's a matter of conjecture whether New Zealand, England or South Africa should feel most satisfied as the "noughties" draw to a close. The latter teams have endured their fair share of slumps but have claimed rugby's holy grail - England in 2003 and the Springboks four years later.
Perhaps most galling for New Zealand is that they fell short in three World Cups through the 1990s as well. Their quarterfinal and semifinal meltdowns are well entrenched as a subject of international mirth and are an elephant in the room for those who try to portray the All Blacks as the world's premier team and rugby brand.
The 2003 semifinal loss to Australia in Sydney stung. They were opponents the All Blacks under John Mitchell had thrashed earlier in the year but it took just one early intercept try by Stirling Mortlock to usher the big freeze.
But for sheer shock value, look no further than the 2007 calamity in Cardiff.
Coach Graham Henry had moulded an experienced team of genuine quality. The middle years of the decade had been New Zealand's finest - they won 15 consecutive tests at one point and notched a world record 30 straight wins at home.
The team who ran onto Millennium Stadium would supply a large chunk of any All Blacks team of this decade. Against them was a limited French outfit who had been New Zealand's bunny in prior seasons.
Yet the tournament hosts tackled themselves to a standstill in the most remarkable of tests. New Zealand's players, who had been controversially placed in cotton wool by Henry for much of the year, dominated the 80 minutes yet were unable to conjure a try or dropped goal in the frantic dying minutes, nor earn a penalty from controversial English ref Wayne Barnes.
The fallout supplied the story of the decade as Henry went against the prevailing public mood by reapplying for his job, winning it despite the excellent credentials of Crusaders supremo Robbie Deans - who then threw his lot in with the Wallabies.
The records of Mitchell, who succeeded an uncertain Wayne Smith in late 2001, and Henry can't be denied.
Between them they snaffled six of the 10 Tri-Nations titles on offer while Henry's teams have dominated northern hemisphere opponents both home and away.
Both coaches also stuck by a maxim that New Zealand play an attractive style.
There have been 526 All Blacks test tries in a decade that began with a 102-0 thumping of Tonga at Albany and ended with the dashing 39-12 defeat of France at Marseille.
But those expansive efforts seem more admired beyond these shores, with the typical New Zealand supporter prone to putting analysis on the 21 losses rather than 100 wins.
Many outstanding players have graced the black jersey since 2000.
Tana Umaga proved a popular captain after replacing the successful but maligned skipper Reuben Thorne in 2004.
Flanker Richie McCaw claimed the leadership in 2006 and, with another unassuming Cantabrian in first five-eighth Daniel Carter, two genuinely great All Blacks are still plying their trade.
McCaw, Carter and Henry will shoulder a massive burden when New Zealand hosts the World Cup in 2011.
Win there and they - and a nation - can actually enjoy the rest of the decade.
NZPA'S DANIEL GILHOOLY'S TEST RUGBY TEAM OF THE DECADE
FULLBACK: Mils Muliaina (New Zealand)
Not a vintage decade for fullbacks but few could quibble with the safe-as-houses All Blacks custodian, who mixed enduring reliability with a timely sense of adventure.
Hard-running Wallaby Chris Latham eclipsed Muliaina as an attacking force, league convert Jason Robinson was dynamic in a too-short career for England and Percy Montgomery piled on the points for South Africa.
RIGHT WING: Doug Howlett (New Zealand)
Quite sparse in world class options, with the sharp Howlett's consistent form easily winning the nod.
Next best was Springbok livewire Breyton Paulse, with the rest of the world's premier wingers preferring the left flank.
LEFT WING: Bryan Habana (South Africa)
The Springbok with jet shoes beats off a strong field through his ability to create tries from nothing, allied with tough defence and leaping skills.
Somewhat unlucky are diminutive Welsh wizard Shane Williams, whose 50 test tries are the most in any decade of the sport, Wallabies powerhouse Lote Tuqiri and All Blacks flyer Joe Rokocoko.
CENTRE: Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
You have to be pretty good to shut out Australasian greats Tana Umaga and Stirling Mortlock but Irish star O'Driscoll has shone brightly from decade's start to finish. The lynchpin of a golden era by Ireland standards, he is the rare exception - a modern-day British or Irish back packing pace and attacking instinct.
Others to feature were Springboks bruiser Jaque Fourie and clever yet underrated Englishman Will Greenwood.
SECOND FIVE-EIGHTH: Yannick Jauzion (France)
Again, Umaga and Mortlock miss out through lack of tests in the No 12 jersey. The hulking Jauzion brings a physical element mixed with some typically unexpected French touches, including a mean offload.
Classy perfomers included Springbok Jean de Villiers and All Black Aaron Mauger.
FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH: Daniel Carter (New Zealand)
Superboot Jonny Wilkinson had the decade's No 10 jersey to himself until Carter announced his genius from 2004 - about the time England started to crumble. A tough call due to Wilkinson's massive role in the 2003 World Cup triumph but Carter provided an extra dimension to better all but a select few playmakers in rugby history. His 994 points eclipse the 936 of Welsh marksman Neil Jenkins last decade but Carter's influence is so much more than pointscoring.
Gifted Wallaby Stephen Larkham was replaced by another brilliant Brumby, Matt Giteau, while Frederic Michalak was French flair personified and Juan Martin Hernandez was the decade's most exciting Puma. Ireland's Ronan O'Gara and Welshman Stephen Jones served their nations admirably.
HALFBACK: Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
A class above any other No 9 in terms of game management. Taunted New Zealand teams this year with his kicking for the Boks and Bulls, yet has vision and a running game suited for any occasion.
George Gregan's marathon career only faded a little at the end and Ireland's Peter Stringer provided yeoman service. Matt Dawson was a snappy English schemer while Justin Marshall and Byron Kelleher brought physicalty to the New Zealand scrum base.
NO 8: Lawrence Dallaglio (England)
Tough call ahead of athletic Italian Sergio Parisse but Dallaglio's muscular influence can't be played down in an English pack that bulldozed their way to a 2003 climax.
Rodney So'oialo was a non-stop All Blacks workhorse, Imanol Harinordoquy a spring-heeled Frenchman and Simon Taylor promised plenty for Scotland but progress was foiled too often by injury.
OPENSIDE FLANKER: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Seemingly plenty left in the tank yet McCaw has already forged his name as one of the All Blacks' greatest. Enormous heart, strength and a ruthless streak when it comes to the game's laws. McCaw's importance is emphasised every time he doesn't play.
Perhaps the unluckiest player to miss selection in this team is Wallabies scavenger George Smith, whose lofty standards rarely slipped in 110 tests. A case could be made to include him and shift McCaw to another loose forward role.
Among the better opensides were Springbok Schalk Burger, Aussie Phil Waugh, France's Olivier Magne and Martyn Williams of Wales.
BLINDSIDE FLANKER: Juan Smith (South Africa)
Smith emerges from a clutch of quality options courtesy of his lineout prowess and allround attributes. All Black Jerry Collins and Wallaby Rocky Elsom were hard nuts while Richard Hill was the glue in England's early-decade forward dominance.
LOCKS: Victor Matfield (South Africa) and Martin Johnson (England)
Perhaps the position with more world class options than any over the past 10 years.
Lineout lord Matfield gave nightmares to nearly every pack he encountered, most notably the English eight in the 2007 World Cup final. His lineout preparation and execution were exemplary, allowing him to cast a giant shadow over a crucial element of the game.
Johnson was one of the great leaders of men and massive presence in the giant white pack.
Among a coterie of standout locks were Frenchman Fabien Pelous, Ireland's Paul O'Connell, Springbok Bakkies Botha, All Blacks Chris Jack and Ali Williams and Wallabies Nathan Sharpe and Daniel Vickerman.
TIGHTHEAD PROP: Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
The scourge of opposition scrums through the middle of the decade, All Blacks fans are desperate he return home from England ahead of the 2011 World Cup.
Leading a decent chasing pack is English nugget Phil Vickery while Frenchman Peter de Villiers, Wales' Adam Jones, Italian Martin Castrogiovanni and All Black Greg Somerville all stood strong.
LOOSEHEAD PROP: Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
The loosehead side isn't as flush with options. Woodcock's work around the field helps pip other noted scrummagers such as France's Sylvain Marconnet, Argentine Rodrigo Roncero and England's Andy Sheridan. Welshman Gethin Jenkins had his moments and it was hard not to admire the second coming of Bok favourite Os du Randt.
HOOKER: John Smit (South Africa)
Unchallenged in this position, Smit would also captain this side in a tight call over Johnson. A strong enough scrummager to start big tests at prop and forged an enviable lineout combination with Matfield, Botha and Juan Smith.
Keven Mealamu was brilliant at times for New Zealand while England's Steve Thompson and French rake Raphael Ibanez excelled in the tight.
PLAYER OF THE DECADE:
A shortlist of three would probably comprise O'Driscoll, Matfield and McCaw. All are proven matchwinners, carry enormous influence in their teams and rarely play a bad game.
The nod goes to McCaw for an equally dominant career at the next level down with the Crusaders, the rugged No 7 somehow powering on in rugby's most demanding position.
Last updated 19:04 20/12/2009
One hundred tests won in a decade of rugby, yet still the long faces from All Blacks supporters.
The past 10 years has seen one team dominate the international landscape more than any team in the game's history.
An 82 percent win ratio since 2000 is a triumphant feat in a professional age which was supposed to bring all the top nations closer together. All of New Zealand's nearest rivals have winning percentages in the low 60s over the same period.
Two of them, however, have held aloft the Webb Ellis Cup.
It's a matter of conjecture whether New Zealand, England or South Africa should feel most satisfied as the "noughties" draw to a close. The latter teams have endured their fair share of slumps but have claimed rugby's holy grail - England in 2003 and the Springboks four years later.
Perhaps most galling for New Zealand is that they fell short in three World Cups through the 1990s as well. Their quarterfinal and semifinal meltdowns are well entrenched as a subject of international mirth and are an elephant in the room for those who try to portray the All Blacks as the world's premier team and rugby brand.
The 2003 semifinal loss to Australia in Sydney stung. They were opponents the All Blacks under John Mitchell had thrashed earlier in the year but it took just one early intercept try by Stirling Mortlock to usher the big freeze.
But for sheer shock value, look no further than the 2007 calamity in Cardiff.
Coach Graham Henry had moulded an experienced team of genuine quality. The middle years of the decade had been New Zealand's finest - they won 15 consecutive tests at one point and notched a world record 30 straight wins at home.
The team who ran onto Millennium Stadium would supply a large chunk of any All Blacks team of this decade. Against them was a limited French outfit who had been New Zealand's bunny in prior seasons.
Yet the tournament hosts tackled themselves to a standstill in the most remarkable of tests. New Zealand's players, who had been controversially placed in cotton wool by Henry for much of the year, dominated the 80 minutes yet were unable to conjure a try or dropped goal in the frantic dying minutes, nor earn a penalty from controversial English ref Wayne Barnes.
The fallout supplied the story of the decade as Henry went against the prevailing public mood by reapplying for his job, winning it despite the excellent credentials of Crusaders supremo Robbie Deans - who then threw his lot in with the Wallabies.
The records of Mitchell, who succeeded an uncertain Wayne Smith in late 2001, and Henry can't be denied.
Between them they snaffled six of the 10 Tri-Nations titles on offer while Henry's teams have dominated northern hemisphere opponents both home and away.
Both coaches also stuck by a maxim that New Zealand play an attractive style.
There have been 526 All Blacks test tries in a decade that began with a 102-0 thumping of Tonga at Albany and ended with the dashing 39-12 defeat of France at Marseille.
But those expansive efforts seem more admired beyond these shores, with the typical New Zealand supporter prone to putting analysis on the 21 losses rather than 100 wins.
Many outstanding players have graced the black jersey since 2000.
Tana Umaga proved a popular captain after replacing the successful but maligned skipper Reuben Thorne in 2004.
Flanker Richie McCaw claimed the leadership in 2006 and, with another unassuming Cantabrian in first five-eighth Daniel Carter, two genuinely great All Blacks are still plying their trade.
McCaw, Carter and Henry will shoulder a massive burden when New Zealand hosts the World Cup in 2011.
Win there and they - and a nation - can actually enjoy the rest of the decade.
NZPA'S DANIEL GILHOOLY'S TEST RUGBY TEAM OF THE DECADE
FULLBACK: Mils Muliaina (New Zealand)
Not a vintage decade for fullbacks but few could quibble with the safe-as-houses All Blacks custodian, who mixed enduring reliability with a timely sense of adventure.
Hard-running Wallaby Chris Latham eclipsed Muliaina as an attacking force, league convert Jason Robinson was dynamic in a too-short career for England and Percy Montgomery piled on the points for South Africa.
RIGHT WING: Doug Howlett (New Zealand)
Quite sparse in world class options, with the sharp Howlett's consistent form easily winning the nod.
Next best was Springbok livewire Breyton Paulse, with the rest of the world's premier wingers preferring the left flank.
LEFT WING: Bryan Habana (South Africa)
The Springbok with jet shoes beats off a strong field through his ability to create tries from nothing, allied with tough defence and leaping skills.
Somewhat unlucky are diminutive Welsh wizard Shane Williams, whose 50 test tries are the most in any decade of the sport, Wallabies powerhouse Lote Tuqiri and All Blacks flyer Joe Rokocoko.
CENTRE: Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
You have to be pretty good to shut out Australasian greats Tana Umaga and Stirling Mortlock but Irish star O'Driscoll has shone brightly from decade's start to finish. The lynchpin of a golden era by Ireland standards, he is the rare exception - a modern-day British or Irish back packing pace and attacking instinct.
Others to feature were Springboks bruiser Jaque Fourie and clever yet underrated Englishman Will Greenwood.
SECOND FIVE-EIGHTH: Yannick Jauzion (France)
Again, Umaga and Mortlock miss out through lack of tests in the No 12 jersey. The hulking Jauzion brings a physical element mixed with some typically unexpected French touches, including a mean offload.
Classy perfomers included Springbok Jean de Villiers and All Black Aaron Mauger.
FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH: Daniel Carter (New Zealand)
Superboot Jonny Wilkinson had the decade's No 10 jersey to himself until Carter announced his genius from 2004 - about the time England started to crumble. A tough call due to Wilkinson's massive role in the 2003 World Cup triumph but Carter provided an extra dimension to better all but a select few playmakers in rugby history. His 994 points eclipse the 936 of Welsh marksman Neil Jenkins last decade but Carter's influence is so much more than pointscoring.
Gifted Wallaby Stephen Larkham was replaced by another brilliant Brumby, Matt Giteau, while Frederic Michalak was French flair personified and Juan Martin Hernandez was the decade's most exciting Puma. Ireland's Ronan O'Gara and Welshman Stephen Jones served their nations admirably.
HALFBACK: Fourie du Preez (South Africa)
A class above any other No 9 in terms of game management. Taunted New Zealand teams this year with his kicking for the Boks and Bulls, yet has vision and a running game suited for any occasion.
George Gregan's marathon career only faded a little at the end and Ireland's Peter Stringer provided yeoman service. Matt Dawson was a snappy English schemer while Justin Marshall and Byron Kelleher brought physicalty to the New Zealand scrum base.
NO 8: Lawrence Dallaglio (England)
Tough call ahead of athletic Italian Sergio Parisse but Dallaglio's muscular influence can't be played down in an English pack that bulldozed their way to a 2003 climax.
Rodney So'oialo was a non-stop All Blacks workhorse, Imanol Harinordoquy a spring-heeled Frenchman and Simon Taylor promised plenty for Scotland but progress was foiled too often by injury.
OPENSIDE FLANKER: Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
Seemingly plenty left in the tank yet McCaw has already forged his name as one of the All Blacks' greatest. Enormous heart, strength and a ruthless streak when it comes to the game's laws. McCaw's importance is emphasised every time he doesn't play.
Perhaps the unluckiest player to miss selection in this team is Wallabies scavenger George Smith, whose lofty standards rarely slipped in 110 tests. A case could be made to include him and shift McCaw to another loose forward role.
Among the better opensides were Springbok Schalk Burger, Aussie Phil Waugh, France's Olivier Magne and Martyn Williams of Wales.
BLINDSIDE FLANKER: Juan Smith (South Africa)
Smith emerges from a clutch of quality options courtesy of his lineout prowess and allround attributes. All Black Jerry Collins and Wallaby Rocky Elsom were hard nuts while Richard Hill was the glue in England's early-decade forward dominance.
LOCKS: Victor Matfield (South Africa) and Martin Johnson (England)
Perhaps the position with more world class options than any over the past 10 years.
Lineout lord Matfield gave nightmares to nearly every pack he encountered, most notably the English eight in the 2007 World Cup final. His lineout preparation and execution were exemplary, allowing him to cast a giant shadow over a crucial element of the game.
Johnson was one of the great leaders of men and massive presence in the giant white pack.
Among a coterie of standout locks were Frenchman Fabien Pelous, Ireland's Paul O'Connell, Springbok Bakkies Botha, All Blacks Chris Jack and Ali Williams and Wallabies Nathan Sharpe and Daniel Vickerman.
TIGHTHEAD PROP: Carl Hayman (New Zealand)
The scourge of opposition scrums through the middle of the decade, All Blacks fans are desperate he return home from England ahead of the 2011 World Cup.
Leading a decent chasing pack is English nugget Phil Vickery while Frenchman Peter de Villiers, Wales' Adam Jones, Italian Martin Castrogiovanni and All Black Greg Somerville all stood strong.
LOOSEHEAD PROP: Tony Woodcock (New Zealand)
The loosehead side isn't as flush with options. Woodcock's work around the field helps pip other noted scrummagers such as France's Sylvain Marconnet, Argentine Rodrigo Roncero and England's Andy Sheridan. Welshman Gethin Jenkins had his moments and it was hard not to admire the second coming of Bok favourite Os du Randt.
HOOKER: John Smit (South Africa)
Unchallenged in this position, Smit would also captain this side in a tight call over Johnson. A strong enough scrummager to start big tests at prop and forged an enviable lineout combination with Matfield, Botha and Juan Smith.
Keven Mealamu was brilliant at times for New Zealand while England's Steve Thompson and French rake Raphael Ibanez excelled in the tight.
PLAYER OF THE DECADE:
A shortlist of three would probably comprise O'Driscoll, Matfield and McCaw. All are proven matchwinners, carry enormous influence in their teams and rarely play a bad game.
The nod goes to McCaw for an equally dominant career at the next level down with the Crusaders, the rugged No 7 somehow powering on in rugby's most demanding position.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Martin Snedden predicts RWC sellouts
Martin Snedden predicts RWC sellouts
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 16:25 18/12/2009
JOHN SELKIRK
SELLOUT PREDICTION: Scattering teams across the country should ensure packed houses at matches, says Rugby World Cup New Zealand boss Martin Snedden
Rugby World Cup team hosting announcement
1 of 5
JOHN SELKIRK Zoom
Rugby World Cup's New Zealand boss Martin Snedden is predicting plenty of sellouts after the tournament's tentacles stretched even further through the country on Friday.
With hosting cities being added to the match venues to total 23 centres across the two islands, Snedden believed New Zealanders were set to embrace the teams and the tournament.
He said he had no fears that the smaller cities and towns would take up the "once in a lifetime opportunity" to get involved and that included filling seats at their stadiums.
"I reckon just about every match outside of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will be sellouts or close to," Snedden, RNZ 2011 chief executive, said.
"The local communities will just climb into it and they are not big stadiums. I'm not worried about those ones at all. And I'm not worried about the big finals. It's just big pool matches in big stadia that don't involve All Blacks ... the ones we need to get New Zealand to buy into."
He said marketing would step up from March to increase public consciousness.
For now there was plenty to enthuse as the tournament operated from the Bay of Islands to Invercargill.
There were more winners than losers with Timaru and Whakatane the two cities to miss out because of accommodation problems.
Hamilton gets to see the All Blacks as well as Wales, Fiji, Samoa and probably Japan.
New Plymouth hosts Ireland, the United States, Wales, Namibia and another European side.
Wanganui and Masterton are part of the action as well as Kerikeri and Ashburton.
All have come through a stringent process and won approval after first-hand visits by management from the bulk of the 20 teams.
The All Blacks will hit the road from Auckland to Hamilton and on to Wellington.
"They said to us we just want to keep moving from community to community and that sounds fine to us. As long as it goes according to plan they'll be in Christchurch a bit later on," Snedden said.
But they won't match the Irish who will spread their popularity wide. They will start in Queenstown and then go to New Plymouth, Auckland, Taupo, Rotorua and Dunedin.
Even non-rugby venues were included in the training areas to be used - cricket grounds in Dunedin and Nelson and the famous Cooks Gardens in Wanganui.
Ticket revenue is Snedden's only income so he needs the feelgood factor to turn into cash, hoping to offset the government's $39.3m grants. But he classes that as "an investment not a loss".
Gerry Brownlee, Associate Minister World Cup minister noted that when he said: "The underwrite is of some concern but the spinoff benefits could be enormous."
As the World Cup machine starts to gather momentum the next phase will be travel packages released in January followed by corporate hospitality in February. Ticket sales will open in March and April.
The host cities with the number of nights teams will stay in them - and the training venues - are:
BAY OF ISLANDS
Asia1 (like to be Japan) 4, Canada 6, Tonga 4
WHANGAREI
Asia1 2, Canada 3, Tonga 10
RODNEY
Asia1 11 Namibia 3, Samoa 5
NORTH SHORE
France 5 + 10, South Africa 2 + 2
AUCKLAND
Australia 4, England 7, Fiji 8, Ireland 6, New Zealand 7 + 8, Samoa 7, Scotland 5, Tonga 5
HAMILTON
Asia1 3, Fiji 2, New Zealand 7, Samoa 2, Wales 7 + 6
TAUPO
Ireland 4, South Africa 3 + 6, Wales 5
ROTORUA
Europe2 2, Fiji 2, Ireland 4, Namibia 7, Samoa 6
TAURANGA / Mt MAUNGANUI
Europe2 3, Fiji 4+ 5, Samoa 4
GISBORNE
Namibia 7 + 5
NAPIER
Asia1 6, Canada 15, France 3
NEW PLYMOUTH
Europe2 3, Ireland 4, Namibia 4, USA 10, Wales 3
WANGANUI
USA 6
PALMERSTON NORTH
Argentina 7, Europe1 7, Playoff winner 3
MASTERTON
Europe1 7
WELLINGTON
Australia 6, Canada 3, Fiji 7, France 3, New Zealand 8, South Africa 17, Tonga 6, USA 5, Wales 9
BLENHEIM
Europe2 10
NELSON
Europe2 2, Italy 7 + 14, USA 4
CHRISTCHURCH
Argentina 15 + 8, Australia 8 + 8, England 19, Europe1 3, Europe2 6, Italy 7, Scotland 11
ASHBURTON
Playoff winner 6
DUNEDIN
England 3, Europe1 11, Ireland 7, Italy 3, Playoff winner 8, Scotland 5
QUEENSTOWN
England 3, Ireland 6, Playoff winner 4
INVERCARGILL
Argentina 3, Playoff winner 4 + 3, Scotland 4
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 16:25 18/12/2009
JOHN SELKIRK
SELLOUT PREDICTION: Scattering teams across the country should ensure packed houses at matches, says Rugby World Cup New Zealand boss Martin Snedden
Rugby World Cup team hosting announcement
1 of 5
JOHN SELKIRK Zoom
Rugby World Cup's New Zealand boss Martin Snedden is predicting plenty of sellouts after the tournament's tentacles stretched even further through the country on Friday.
With hosting cities being added to the match venues to total 23 centres across the two islands, Snedden believed New Zealanders were set to embrace the teams and the tournament.
He said he had no fears that the smaller cities and towns would take up the "once in a lifetime opportunity" to get involved and that included filling seats at their stadiums.
"I reckon just about every match outside of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will be sellouts or close to," Snedden, RNZ 2011 chief executive, said.
"The local communities will just climb into it and they are not big stadiums. I'm not worried about those ones at all. And I'm not worried about the big finals. It's just big pool matches in big stadia that don't involve All Blacks ... the ones we need to get New Zealand to buy into."
He said marketing would step up from March to increase public consciousness.
For now there was plenty to enthuse as the tournament operated from the Bay of Islands to Invercargill.
There were more winners than losers with Timaru and Whakatane the two cities to miss out because of accommodation problems.
Hamilton gets to see the All Blacks as well as Wales, Fiji, Samoa and probably Japan.
New Plymouth hosts Ireland, the United States, Wales, Namibia and another European side.
Wanganui and Masterton are part of the action as well as Kerikeri and Ashburton.
All have come through a stringent process and won approval after first-hand visits by management from the bulk of the 20 teams.
The All Blacks will hit the road from Auckland to Hamilton and on to Wellington.
"They said to us we just want to keep moving from community to community and that sounds fine to us. As long as it goes according to plan they'll be in Christchurch a bit later on," Snedden said.
But they won't match the Irish who will spread their popularity wide. They will start in Queenstown and then go to New Plymouth, Auckland, Taupo, Rotorua and Dunedin.
Even non-rugby venues were included in the training areas to be used - cricket grounds in Dunedin and Nelson and the famous Cooks Gardens in Wanganui.
Ticket revenue is Snedden's only income so he needs the feelgood factor to turn into cash, hoping to offset the government's $39.3m grants. But he classes that as "an investment not a loss".
Gerry Brownlee, Associate Minister World Cup minister noted that when he said: "The underwrite is of some concern but the spinoff benefits could be enormous."
As the World Cup machine starts to gather momentum the next phase will be travel packages released in January followed by corporate hospitality in February. Ticket sales will open in March and April.
The host cities with the number of nights teams will stay in them - and the training venues - are:
BAY OF ISLANDS
Asia1 (like to be Japan) 4, Canada 6, Tonga 4
WHANGAREI
Asia1 2, Canada 3, Tonga 10
RODNEY
Asia1 11 Namibia 3, Samoa 5
NORTH SHORE
France 5 + 10, South Africa 2 + 2
AUCKLAND
Australia 4, England 7, Fiji 8, Ireland 6, New Zealand 7 + 8, Samoa 7, Scotland 5, Tonga 5
HAMILTON
Asia1 3, Fiji 2, New Zealand 7, Samoa 2, Wales 7 + 6
TAUPO
Ireland 4, South Africa 3 + 6, Wales 5
ROTORUA
Europe2 2, Fiji 2, Ireland 4, Namibia 7, Samoa 6
TAURANGA / Mt MAUNGANUI
Europe2 3, Fiji 4+ 5, Samoa 4
GISBORNE
Namibia 7 + 5
NAPIER
Asia1 6, Canada 15, France 3
NEW PLYMOUTH
Europe2 3, Ireland 4, Namibia 4, USA 10, Wales 3
WANGANUI
USA 6
PALMERSTON NORTH
Argentina 7, Europe1 7, Playoff winner 3
MASTERTON
Europe1 7
WELLINGTON
Australia 6, Canada 3, Fiji 7, France 3, New Zealand 8, South Africa 17, Tonga 6, USA 5, Wales 9
BLENHEIM
Europe2 10
NELSON
Europe2 2, Italy 7 + 14, USA 4
CHRISTCHURCH
Argentina 15 + 8, Australia 8 + 8, England 19, Europe1 3, Europe2 6, Italy 7, Scotland 11
ASHBURTON
Playoff winner 6
DUNEDIN
England 3, Europe1 11, Ireland 7, Italy 3, Playoff winner 8, Scotland 5
QUEENSTOWN
England 3, Ireland 6, Playoff winner 4
INVERCARGILL
Argentina 3, Playoff winner 4 + 3, Scotland 4
All Blacks seeking ring-ins for Carter, McCaw
By TOBY ROBSON - The Press
Last updated 05:00 08/12/2009
Sunday Star-Times
WILY VETERAN: The return of experienced prop Carl Hayman would be a welcome addition to the All Blacks front row as the World Cup approaches in 2011.
Headaches for Graham Henry
Dear Santa, please send us a first five and openside flanker capable of filling the boots of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.
Oh, and can you also throw in Carl Hayman.
The All Blacks coaches' Christmas wishlist isn't as long as it could be as the tricky pre-World Cup year approaches.
There is acceptable depth in most positions, the aforementioned areas aside. At lock, the midfield and the outside backs in particular things are rosy.
Make no mistake, 2009 was no oil painting. Five losses, whether tests or otherwise, isn't flash by All Blacks standards.
But it was tough, too. Injuries created a vacuum at the start of the season and young men were thrust forward beyond their means.
Isaac Ross was suddenly a test lock. Liam Messam was the starting No8, Adam Thomson the openside and Mils Muliaina the captain.
And Stephen Donald was shoved on to the stage as the starting first-five and told to try on a pair of boots about 20 sizes too big.
It made for a delicate situation and as the new men struggled, their coaches grappled with the game's laws and a South African side at the top of their game.
It's no guarantee of World Cup success to be team of the year two years out.
Henry knows looking back won't help New Zealand end their World Cup drought.
Adversity often builds character.
It cruelly claims its victims, but it also sorts the wheat from the chaff.
Think Kieran Read and Cory Jane for the former. Throw Thomson and Tom Donnelly into the mix too and hand Owen Franks a voucher.
A pat on the back to the three wise men for adapting to the new laws and forging ahead, their efforts rewarded in Marseille.
The most glaring failure of 2009 is the failure to develop creditable backups to Carter and McCaw.
It is like watching a train wreck approach. World Cup knockout match, one or both injured, tournament over.
In 2005, Henry toured the north with two teams worth of players that were the envy of world rugby.
Five years later he did not have that luxury. The reality is that if Henry doesn't test his next tier they will fall further behind their peers and further down towards their international rivals.
The challenge now for the All Blacks is twofold.
They must maintain the standards set in Marseille and they must find some insurance policies for Carter and McCaw.
Fullback A
Mils Muliaina is back to his best. Cory Jane's a more than worthy backup. Ben Smith has come on albeit on the wing. Israel Dagg is nipping at their heels.
Wings B +
Sitiveni Sivivatu was brilliant, Jane not far behind. Zac Guildford has potential and Smith had his moments. Hosea Gear was unlucky, Sean Maitland looks the goods.
Midfield B +
Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith continue to improve. Luke McAlister is heading in the right direction and Tamati Ellison made strides in Europe. Richard Kahui and Isaia Toeava await their chance.
Five eighths C
Still no backup to Dan Carter. Stephen Donald's on thin ice. Mike Delany's yet to convince. Aaron Cruden is on everyone's lips. Does Stephen Brett have what it takes?
Halfbacks B-
Jimmy Cowan is entrenched, but not complete. Andy Ellis is a competitor. Brendon Leonard almost disappeared but finished with a bang. Piri Weepu and Alby Mathewson stayed home.
No 8 B
Kieran Read has come on in leaps and bounds.
The position is his to lose. Rodney So'oialo remains a good bad backup and Richie McCaw provides legitimate cover too.
Could Sione Lauaki rise again?
Blindside B
Liam Messam is still too light for test rugby. Adam Thomson and Jerome Kaino provide a nice balance of styles. Read can play six too.
Openside C+
Richie McCaw, then daylight. Tanerau Latimer holds his own, but only just at test level. Karl Lowe still appeals.
Lock A
What a turnaround. Tom Donnelly has established himself at test level, Anthony Boric looks promising, Ali Williams will be back and Brad Thorn is keen to go through till the World Cup. Isaac Ross only just gets a mention and there's a guy called Bryn Evans too.
Props B-
Wyatt Crockett's a mixed bag. John Afoa's there or thereabouts. Neemia Tialata's back. Tony Woodcock was quiet. Owen Franks is a comer. Carl Hayman would fit in nicely.
Hooker B
Andrew Hore is streets ahead. Corey Flynn's solid, but still injury prone. Aled de Malmanche must learn to throw to the lineout. Hika Elliott's lurking and Keven Mealamu is sure to return.
Last updated 05:00 08/12/2009
Sunday Star-Times
WILY VETERAN: The return of experienced prop Carl Hayman would be a welcome addition to the All Blacks front row as the World Cup approaches in 2011.
Headaches for Graham Henry
Dear Santa, please send us a first five and openside flanker capable of filling the boots of Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.
Oh, and can you also throw in Carl Hayman.
The All Blacks coaches' Christmas wishlist isn't as long as it could be as the tricky pre-World Cup year approaches.
There is acceptable depth in most positions, the aforementioned areas aside. At lock, the midfield and the outside backs in particular things are rosy.
Make no mistake, 2009 was no oil painting. Five losses, whether tests or otherwise, isn't flash by All Blacks standards.
But it was tough, too. Injuries created a vacuum at the start of the season and young men were thrust forward beyond their means.
Isaac Ross was suddenly a test lock. Liam Messam was the starting No8, Adam Thomson the openside and Mils Muliaina the captain.
And Stephen Donald was shoved on to the stage as the starting first-five and told to try on a pair of boots about 20 sizes too big.
It made for a delicate situation and as the new men struggled, their coaches grappled with the game's laws and a South African side at the top of their game.
It's no guarantee of World Cup success to be team of the year two years out.
Henry knows looking back won't help New Zealand end their World Cup drought.
Adversity often builds character.
It cruelly claims its victims, but it also sorts the wheat from the chaff.
Think Kieran Read and Cory Jane for the former. Throw Thomson and Tom Donnelly into the mix too and hand Owen Franks a voucher.
A pat on the back to the three wise men for adapting to the new laws and forging ahead, their efforts rewarded in Marseille.
The most glaring failure of 2009 is the failure to develop creditable backups to Carter and McCaw.
It is like watching a train wreck approach. World Cup knockout match, one or both injured, tournament over.
In 2005, Henry toured the north with two teams worth of players that were the envy of world rugby.
Five years later he did not have that luxury. The reality is that if Henry doesn't test his next tier they will fall further behind their peers and further down towards their international rivals.
The challenge now for the All Blacks is twofold.
They must maintain the standards set in Marseille and they must find some insurance policies for Carter and McCaw.
Fullback A
Mils Muliaina is back to his best. Cory Jane's a more than worthy backup. Ben Smith has come on albeit on the wing. Israel Dagg is nipping at their heels.
Wings B +
Sitiveni Sivivatu was brilliant, Jane not far behind. Zac Guildford has potential and Smith had his moments. Hosea Gear was unlucky, Sean Maitland looks the goods.
Midfield B +
Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith continue to improve. Luke McAlister is heading in the right direction and Tamati Ellison made strides in Europe. Richard Kahui and Isaia Toeava await their chance.
Five eighths C
Still no backup to Dan Carter. Stephen Donald's on thin ice. Mike Delany's yet to convince. Aaron Cruden is on everyone's lips. Does Stephen Brett have what it takes?
Halfbacks B-
Jimmy Cowan is entrenched, but not complete. Andy Ellis is a competitor. Brendon Leonard almost disappeared but finished with a bang. Piri Weepu and Alby Mathewson stayed home.
No 8 B
Kieran Read has come on in leaps and bounds.
The position is his to lose. Rodney So'oialo remains a good bad backup and Richie McCaw provides legitimate cover too.
Could Sione Lauaki rise again?
Blindside B
Liam Messam is still too light for test rugby. Adam Thomson and Jerome Kaino provide a nice balance of styles. Read can play six too.
Openside C+
Richie McCaw, then daylight. Tanerau Latimer holds his own, but only just at test level. Karl Lowe still appeals.
Lock A
What a turnaround. Tom Donnelly has established himself at test level, Anthony Boric looks promising, Ali Williams will be back and Brad Thorn is keen to go through till the World Cup. Isaac Ross only just gets a mention and there's a guy called Bryn Evans too.
Props B-
Wyatt Crockett's a mixed bag. John Afoa's there or thereabouts. Neemia Tialata's back. Tony Woodcock was quiet. Owen Franks is a comer. Carl Hayman would fit in nicely.
Hooker B
Andrew Hore is streets ahead. Corey Flynn's solid, but still injury prone. Aled de Malmanche must learn to throw to the lineout. Hika Elliott's lurking and Keven Mealamu is sure to return.
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