20/09/2007 Sportal.co.nz
The passing parade of former All Blacks dropping in on the team's practices continued in Aix en Provence when halfback Justin Marshall was in attendance.
Last week in Marseille it was former captain Tana Umaga who called on his former teammates.
Marshall is playing for the Ospreys, the club based on the Neath and Swansea clubs in Wales in the Celtic League.
He said he feels the All Blacks still look the team to take the World Cup, the Webb Ellis Trophy, home with them on October 20.
"I think the two that can win it are Australia and New Zealand.
"New Zealand are a notch above Australia and Australia a notch above South Africa," he said.
Marshall said he had been impressed by South Africa by didn't think it could win the tournament.
"Everyone is talking about their win over England, but how good were England?" he asked.
The key to the All Blacks prospects, Marshall said, was the time the coaching staff had spent in their preparations.
"In 2003, John Mitchell and Robbie Deans only had a year to prepare. This time they have had the same coaches for three or four years. It's been four years without problems," he said.
"It would be great to be involved in a team playing the type of rugby they are, and playing it so well.
"They tell you to cherish it and respect it because once it's gone it's not the same and I fell that way," he said.
Last week in Marseille it was former captain Tana Umaga who called on his former teammates.
Marshall is playing for the Ospreys, the club based on the Neath and Swansea clubs in Wales in the Celtic League.
He said he feels the All Blacks still look the team to take the World Cup, the Webb Ellis Trophy, home with them on October 20.
"I think the two that can win it are Australia and New Zealand.
"New Zealand are a notch above Australia and Australia a notch above South Africa," he said.
Marshall said he had been impressed by South Africa by didn't think it could win the tournament.
"Everyone is talking about their win over England, but how good were England?" he asked.
The key to the All Blacks prospects, Marshall said, was the time the coaching staff had spent in their preparations.
"In 2003, John Mitchell and Robbie Deans only had a year to prepare. This time they have had the same coaches for three or four years. It's been four years without problems," he said.
"It would be great to be involved in a team playing the type of rugby they are, and playing it so well.
"They tell you to cherish it and respect it because once it's gone it's not the same and I fell that way," he said.
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