They are also coming off the back of a record defeat, 35-7 against a pumped up South Africa at Twickenham, and their opening match is against the hosts France at the Stade de France, a ground where they conceded 40 points on their last visit in the autumn of 2021.
The notion of the All Blacks being vulnerable is foreign. This is a team which since the start of international rugby is way ahead of the field in terms of success rate. They have always been the team to beat, the side to avoid in a World Cup group but they will not be the form horse on Friday night when they face France in the World Cup opener.
Not least because of their last game against the Springboks when they started in reverse gear and failed to get out of it. Factor in the defeats to France and Ireland in the last couple of years and New Zealand look like a side fourth in the rankings, a little way from the top.
Yet when has it paid to write off the All Blacks? When it comes to bouncebackability, there is no one more proficient. The prophets of doom assembled a year ago when New Zealand were routed by the Springboks at the Mbombela Stadium, flattered by the 26-10 scoreline.
A week later, the sides squared up again at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. The All Blacks went 15 points up only to lose the lead in the second half before a late rally saw them home by 12 points.
At the end of the month, they were beaten by Argentina in Christchurch, the first time they had lost three home matches in a calendar year. The two sides met again in Hamilton a week later. The All B l a ck s won 53-3.
この記事は The Rugby Paper の September 03, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Rugby Paper の September 03, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Cunningham-South gunning for Boks
CHANDLER Cunningham-South is aiming to be a big hit against the Springboks on Saturday after adding New Zealand to his highlights reel.
Baxter backing Slade to adapt to changes
EXETER are confident that the decision to change their defensive system will not jeopardise Henry Slade's place in the England side.
Dallaglio: It will take brains to beat Boks
LAWRENCE Dallaglio has warned England they need brains and not just brawn to beat world champions South Africa at Twickenham next weekend.
Leaking 42 points at home is 'unforgivable'
DEFLATED Jamie George declared his side were not up to scratch after they slumped to another dismal defeat at England headquarters.
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.