International News: All Blacks ready for World Cup in England

They didn’t convert it into meaningful silverware in 1999 and 2003, but New Zealand has the opportunity to do what South Africa did in 2007 by enabling Vodacom Super Rugby domination to create the momentum for World Cup success.

The World Cup is of course a curious beast. One mistake and you’re gone, and in 1999 the fact two Kiwi teams contested the Super 12 final counted for nothing when the All Blacks were blown away by France in the semifinal in one of the greatest World Cup shocks of all time. It was a similar story in Australia four years later, with the hosts being their nemesis on that occasion.

But while the pressure that applies to World Cups will always make that tournament a bit of a lottery once you get to the play-off phases, there can be no denying that right now it is New Zealand of the southern hemisphere nations that possesses the armoury and the depth required for a confident challenge for the Webb Ellis trophy.

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