All Blacks can't win Cup: Kearns

[Burgs]

Never on to shy away from the controversial comment old Kearnsey!!!
Macqueen adds considerable credibility to the argument though.

All Blacks can't win Cup: Kearns

22/08/2007 5:22:33 PM
Adam Lucius
Sportal

Former Wallaby captain Phil Kearns believes tournament favourite New Zealand has peaked too early and will fail to reach the World Cup quarter-finals in France.

The ex-Australian hooker declared the mighty All Blacks will continue their history of collapsing at rugby's showpiece event by making at an early exit at the hands of either Ireland, Argentina or France.

Speaking at a public farewell for the Wallabies at Sydney's Town Hall on Wednesday, the 1991 World Cup winner outlined the reasons behind his prediction.

"I think New Zealand peaked 18 months ago when they played the British Lions," he explained.

"They have not played as well since that time and I think they are starting to worry."

"They have done everything they possibly can to win this World Cup."

"They expected to got out there and smash everyone in the Tri-Nations and I think they are asking themselves questions (like) 'my God, what's going on?

"They've got a really tough (World Cup) draw and New Zealand won't win through to the semi-finals."

Ex-Wallaby coach Rod Macqueen, who guided Australia to the 1999 World Cup, agrees that New Zealand look vulnerable three weeks out from this year's tournament.

He believes the lack of variety in their game may prove their undoing.

"One of their Achilles heels is do they have a plan B or a plan C?" he asked

"I haven't seen a lot of that. I've only seen them play one way."

"They seem to be playing the same way."

Macqueen also sees cracks in the New Zealanders' confidence after a tougher-than-expected Tri-Nations campaign.

And he argues that should give Australia great hope if the sides meets in the semi-finals.

"The great competitive advantage Australia has got is they've got a very strong mind over the New Zealanders," he said.

"I think if anyone can beat New Zealand in the semis, it's this Australian team."

"They're not sacred. They've already beaten them once this year."

"I think they should have enormous confidence."

Australian begins its World Cup campaign against Japan in Lyon on September 8.

[JediKnight]

if they fall to Ireland, France or Argentina then they will have reached the quarter-finals.......to fail to reach the quarter-finals would mean that they don't make it out of their group (always a possibility with the powerhouses of Scotland & Italy in the group)

[jazza93]

yea all blacks wont reach the quater finals

in your dreams cmon of course they will get through.

[fulvio sammut]

Dream on, little dreamers dream on

[Burgs]

Not saying I agree, but I'm tipping he was mis-quoted a tad there and meant "make it past".
Not even Kearnsey would be that outlandish...would he...

[hopep]

he said "won't make it through to the semi-finals".
As the quarter final game will be against either: South Africa, England, Australia of maybe Wales.

Now which of those choses has actually beaten the AB's in the past 12 months?

[AndyS]

No, their QF game will be against Ireland, France or Argentina. They'd meet one of those four in the semi.

[hopep]

Ok, sorry AndyS I slipped.
So what your saying is that we're not allowed to beat them until the semis ?
I guess thats OK with Me

[AndyS]

Nicely put, but we get to duff up SA or Eng as a warm-up.

[Seldom]

Kernsy must have been out on the turps with Lote!!!! Yes the AB's will be in the semis and will probably meet the Wallabies. Lose to the French after what the coach has been saying, I DON'T THINK SO!!!! You never know there are a lot of fringe teams who could put spanner in the works for the top four during pool matches.

[shasta]

I had Ireland as my 'smokie" to have a chance against the Blacks but after that loss at Murrayfield I'm reconsidering that.

[Burgs]

It's sometimes interesting to reflect on various outlandish predictions...

[KenyaQuin]

Well spotted, Burgs..did you have this one marked? Wonder what the odds would have been for the quinella of the ABs and Wallabies getting knocked out in the 1/4s.

[Burgs]

Ask Kearnsey, he may of had a bet on haha.
Nah, found it again under the "Experts Opinion" on the ARU site and remembered it being on here.