2015 Rugby World Cup Team Preview: New Zealand

So the reigning champions are now in England and were officially welcomed at the Tower of London. They were treated to a reception which clearly showed who the public want to see.

The All Blacks are the best team in the world and with that comes the responsibility and pressure of living up to the standard which the world expects.

For 24 years prior to 2011, the All Blacks had been recognized as the champions of the world, since then – with their RWC win on home soil - they have been the number one team in the world having a win rate of 92%.

When the Kiwis enter World Cup tournaments they do not always pan out the way it they hope it will. There are various factors such as Dan Carter being continuously plagued with injury after injury starting way back at the 2003 tournament in Sydney, then in 2007 in France, and it continued in New Zealand into the tournament which saw them crowned Champions.

The Kiwis went through four fly-halves as all replacements to Dan Carter. They also suffered injuries and it came down to Stephen MacDonald to lead the pack, and he ended up being the saviour with his penalty kick being the sealer in the 8-7 win at the 2011 RWC.

In the 2015 Rugby Championship, NZ lost the bragging rights to Australia who went through unbeaten, but the Blacks did retain the coveted Bledisloe Cup thrashing the Wallabies in Auckland in the second and final test of the year.

That championship proved a vital part of Steve Hansen's plan to see which players were going to be picked in the final 31 man squad. A notable debutant was Waisake Naholo who had a breakout year for the Otago Highlanders in the Super 15 rugby season. In his the first round test against Argentina he suffered what looked to many to be a season-ending leg injury half way through the first half. It was confirmed when he was diagnosed to have various broken bones in his lower leg and his pursuit of making the final 31 man squad to the RWC was over.

In early August, it was reported Naholo had been in contact with coach Steve Hansen to say he was fit and ready to go after flying home to Fiji to see his uncle in the province of Nadroga where he had undergone a week’s long recovery with the use of traditional Fijian medicine - his world cup dream was alive once again.

The "Miracle" treatment proved to be right choice as he was named by Hansen in the final 31 man squad to the world cup. It also came with great scrutiny as many question whether he has proved himself enough with only one test to his name. And his selection coming by leaving veterans Cory Jane and Israel Dagg being left out of the squad. Nehe Milner-Skudder was also selected after a great performance against the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship’s final two tests.

So, where does that leave us? With the team gearing up to defend the World Cup for the second time in its history can it go back to back, or will it fall once again to the pressure of world expectation?

My World Cup Prediction

The All Blacks have an easy run to the knockout stages and will not be tested until the first stage of the finals. In saying that, I have the utmost most respect for the All Blacks, and a fan of their incredible work ethic, as well as the way they play the game with great professionalism and flair.

I have the All Blacks making the RWC final but I don’t not see them winning. Thee loss of Dagg and Jane have me wondering whether the backline has enough experience and depth to hold up on the big stage - only time will tell.

New Zealand Squad for 2015 Rugby World Cup:

Forwards (17): Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Victor Vito.

Backs (14): Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Dan Carter, Colin Slade, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Julian Savea, Ben Smith.

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