Ever since we arrived in New Zealand a couple of days ago this has been the major if slightly obvious question on our minds. Can the All Blacks succeed at the Rugby World Cup on home turf?
We decided to take up the challenge of asking some regular Kiwi shop keepers of Dunedin to get the pulse of the nation when it came to this most important of questions.
“We can win it… but I’m nervier now than two weeks ago.” Brent at Otago Sports Depot.
Brent was nervy about the All Blacks chances in the forthcoming tournament starting tomorrow. “I think we shouldn’t be experimenting with our side in our first group games. This should have been sorted out before the first game against Tonga.”
We also spoke about the prices of the brand new All Black shirts for the impending tournament. Many people have been angered by the high retail price of the shirt, but Brent disagrees. “To be honest I cannot get enough of them at the moment. We are currently sold out and I have twenty people waiting for the new order to come in.”
When asked about his second choice team surprisingly he chose Australia because of Kiwi coach Robbie Deans. He also felt that if the All Blacks could not win on home turf then “It would be a long time before we can lift the Webb Ellis again.”
“I want the All Blacks to win but I think we will bottle it… again” Jasmine Barakah Dunedin.
Jasmine was pretty forthright with her views. “New Zealand just always seems to bottle it anyway. I think the pressure will definitely get to them.” I was really surprised at her reaction and asked her why she thought it wouldn’t work out for the All Blacks. “I’m not a rugby expert but I just think they choke, the whole country want them to win I can’t see them getting to the final.” Importantly she did admit she would go mad if the All Blacks would lift the Rugby World Cup, but just felt that it was not meant to be.
“I think we’ll get to the final but will lose, in the final stages it’s all about luck” Mary of Bed, Bath and Table Dunedin.
Mary seemed sure that the All Blacks will cruise past the group stages and the initial knockout stages but was unsure when it came to the final match. “We’ll destroy our pool matches and do well to begin with. But I think the media will hype up the players and set them up for a fall.” She certainly thinks the All Blacks will have a strong tournament but will fall at the final. “I think it’s all about luck. The smallest fumble or penalty can make the difference; it’s that tough in the big games.”
When asked about his second choice Mary went for an outside shot in Wales. “I just remember when they had great players like Gareth Thomas playing for them, they are not the same players as before but I think they can pull an upset.”
So it seems from my brief gauge of the public mood that the All Blacks are destined for failure at this year’s RWC . Noted for falling at the final hurdle by two of the people I asked it seems that New Zealand are set to loose again but this time on home soil.
Personally I think that The All Blacks are dead certain to win the Rugby World Cup this year. The passionate home support coupled with a strong overall squad seems to point to a repeat of the 1987 victory in my eyes. Let’s hope they can repeat the glory of twenty four years ago.
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