GEORGE GREGAN has fired the first shot
in what we all know will be a long and
winding, long-winded road to this year’s
World Cup by suggesting that our All
Blacks are at a disadvantage because of our
[his words] soft pool.
He also went on to assert that with ‘a bit
of luck, Australia could once again claim
the cup’. [Pause for loud laughing sounds].
Let’s deal with his last comment first.
George, as much respect as we have for you
and your proud test record, give yourself
an uppercut pal!
Your lot have about as much chance of
winning the tournament as Iraq do. [And,
no, in case you’re wondering they aren’t in
the draw].
Perhaps the energies of Australia’s
most-capped player might be better spent
figuring out how they might actually
escape the group stage, given the fact they
are in a pool with England and Wales and
only two will qualify for the last eight.
Using last year’s end-of-season tour
results as the most recent form guide,
Australia at best would be relying on points
differential to make the top two in Pool A.
While edging Wales 33-28 [and
outscored five tries to three], the Aussies
were well beaten at Twickenham 26-17.
They also fell to both France and Ireland
but eeked out an impressive 40-36 win
against the Baa-baas.
The recent rewriting of their own
eligibility rules only further illustrates
how desperate they are to bolster squad
ranks before the event and avoid the
ignominy of being the first ever Wallaby
side to NOT make the knock-out stage.
As for the All Blacks’ pool, let’s make it
100 per cent clear that it is George labelling
our pool ‘soft’ and NOT our team,
management/players OR us supporters.
Steve Hansen and co will be looking at
every opponent as just another game – no
consideration of rankings or past results
will even enter their minds.
One thing we’ve definitely learned [the
hard way] is that to win this event you
simply have to beat every team you face
– do that seven times in a row and the
title’s yours.
Argentina, Tonga, Georgia and Namibia
will provide plenty of opposition before the
quarterfinals. And YES, we will make the
last eight.
That’s not a boast nor being big-headed,
it’s just a reality that being the world’s best
team brings.
Gregan, like everyone who loves the
game, is perfectly entitled to his own
opinions – which we welcome.
We also are absolutely entitled to both
argue against them and expose any idiocy
if/when it occurs. On this occasion George
is clearly wrong. Twice.
The All Blacks will respect whoever our
pool opponents may be.
While Australia, as the rest of world
rugby knows, will need a lot more than just
luck to win in England.
A stable scrum, competitive front row
and reliable first-five are the initial pearls
of wisdom I’d be whispering to George.
The final piece of advice would be to
start rehearsing his own infamous sledge
from the 2003 semifinal being, ‘Four more
years boys, four more years’.
Only difference this time George is that
you’ll be saying it to yourselves...
Gregan, like everyone who
loves the game, is perfectly
entitled to his own opinions –
which we welcome.’
[
MARTIN DEVLIN
]
MARTY DEVLIN, A BROADCASTER WHO HAS NEVER SAT ON A FENCE IN HIS LIFE, GETS A FEW THINGS OFF HIS CHEST.
four more years george
18
// NZ RUGBY WORLD // JUNE/JULY 2015
