The next stop in the All Black quest for the William Webb Ellis Trophy is Toulouse
The Graham Henry-coached team leaves the south of France tomorrow afternoon, shortly after the match 22 to take on Romania in Toulouse is announced.
The most notable selection will be that of Keith Robinson at lock, ending a painful three weeks on the sidelines for him at the World Cup to date.
But aside from giving Robinson some much-needed game-time, what else can be achieved against Romania.
In days gone by the Romanian side had a feared pack in Europe. It was a time when the national rugby team was used as a virtual PR tool by the country's former dictatorship.
Those days are long gone, as evidenced during the side's very disappointing 14-10 win over Portugal last night.
So with a possible quarterfinal showdown against France awaiting, are you happy with how the All Blacks are travelling?
And do you think the poor level of opposition in pool-play could come back to haunt them in Cardiff?
No All Black side has ever failed to make it into the semifinal stage at a World Cup.
If France play to their potential, and the All Blacks repeat their fumbling showing against Scotland, this team might just be the first ABs team to do so.
Here's hoping that is not the case!
I know I would feel a lot more comfortable about the side's chances had they been properly tested during pool-play.
What do you think?
It is farewell time from the south of France!
The All Blacks and the media contingent following them will farewell the south of France for the last time on this trip tomorrow.
We've spent almost a month here already - both in Marseille and now Aix-en-Provence - and it's fair to say it has been a very enjoyable stay.
The weather has been superb - although the region's famed Mistral wind is now starting to show its teeth.
The people have been fantastic and in both locations there has been no shortage of patisseries, bars and restaurants on offer to quench the appetite for local food and drink.
It's been a great opportunity to see a couple of areas not renowned as French rugby strongholds.
And it is sure as hell beats covering the Springboks, a side that will be based in Paris for most of the World Cup.
No comments:
Post a Comment