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.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin September 03, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin September 03, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
