Wednesday 10 October 2007

Kiwis in denial

October 10th, 2007

Graham Henry believes the All Blacks are still the best team on the planet.

New Zealand have been ranked No 1 by the IRB for the last four years, only to choke against France in the World Cup quarter-finals last weekend. However, their coach insists the side that lifts the Webb Ellis Cup on 20 October won’t rule the world.

“We are the No 1 rugby side in the world and we have been for a long time and we still are,” Henry said after arriving back in New Zealand. “It’s just that we don’t have that little yellow cup which is a bit of a problem.

“I might have to go and steal the bugger at some stage. But we will get it. It’s only a matter of time if we continue with the same traditions and hard work in New Zealand rugby.”

Henry denied claims that New Zealand rugby was arrogant because the All Blacks couldn’t be called world champions.

“That’s not fair,” he said. “Our win-loss record is far superior to any other side in the world by a considerable margin. That’s factual, it’s not arrogant - it’s pride in what we have achieved over a long period of time. Every cup this team plays for apart from the World Cup is back in the trophy cabinet at the NZRU and you can’t do any more apart from winning the World Cup.”

By Simon www.keo.co.za

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