SA a bigger threat to NZ than any other Team

[kusta]

A lot has been said that the final is probably going to feature NZ and AUS,but I feel SA could just be the bigger threat.If things go according to plan,than NZ and SA could well meet in the semi-final and that's where I think NZ fans hearts can be broken or get filled with Joy. As it stands right now its NZ world cup to lose as they clearly ahead of most teams right now.What makes me say SA is the biggest threat to NZ is because SA knows how to beat NZ in their home soil than the AUS,who havnt won there in years...in fact I struggle to find a team in the world that can beat NZ in their home soil than the SA team!!So if NZ can beat SA in the predicted semi-final(if it gets there) than I don't see how NZ could not win the Wolrd Cup!#Just my opinion

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

A lot has been said that the final is probably going to feature NZ and AUS,but I feel SA could just be the bigger threat.If things go according to plan,than NZ and SA could well meet in the semi-final and that's where I think NZ fans hearts can be broken or get filled with Joy. As it stands right now its NZ world cup to lose as they clearly ahead of most teams right now.What makes me say SA is the biggest threat to NZ is because SA knows how to beat NZ in their home soil than the AUS,who havnt won there in years...in fact I struggle to find a team in the world that can beat NZ in their home soil than the SA team!!So if NZ can beat SA in the predicted semi-final(if it gets there) than I don't see how NZ could not win the Wolrd Cup!#Just my opinion

That was 2 years ago though and the game has changed massively since. I do feel however that the format of the RWC does suit SA better than the 3N does. And we are certainlu able to beat anyone in a 1-off. Aus were the last team to beat NZ so if we can't beat them on the weekend at home with them sending a depleted team then a lot of hope goes out of the window.

 

[nickdnz]

A lot has been said that the final is probably going to feature NZ and AUS,but I feel SA could just be the bigger threat.If things go according to plan,than NZ and SA could well meet in the semi-final and that's where I think NZ fans hearts can be broken or get filled with Joy. As it stands right now its NZ world cup to lose as they clearly ahead of most teams right now.What makes me say SA is the biggest threat to NZ is because SA knows how to beat NZ in their home soil than the AUS,who havnt won there in years...in fact I struggle to find a team in the world that can beat NZ in their home soil than the SA team!!So if NZ can beat SA in the predicted semi-final(if it gets there) than I don't see how NZ could not win the Wolrd Cup!#Just my opinion

Well, they bet New Zealand on home soil in 2009...

But the game is a different game now. If they played like they did in 2009 (and they will), I can't see South Africa being the biggest threat, at least not for the reason you suggest. A lot has to change for South Africa to win the RWC.

 

[JW.]

I agree, i'm concerned about SA if they can pull this gamble off. If there players can get matchfit and ready to go, they have the side to win tight games. They just have to get there players matchfit and tighten there defence up, they've got the same amount of quality in there squad as they did back in '07 (If they can get them matchfit), the game might be changing into a more freeflowing game but the WC finals aren't won like that. Should be an interesting game saturday.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Well, they bet New Zealand on home soil in 2009...

But the game is a different game now. If they played like they did in 2009 (and they will), I can't see South Africa being the biggest threat, at least not for the reason you suggest. A lot has to change for South Africa to win the RWC.

I wouldn't say things have to change as much as we need to get our accuracy right and fitness up; We are still a chance playing how we play if we do it well.

 

[kusta]

Yeah besides the game changing,I'm saying most of the players in the SA team have won in NZ whereas most other teams like AUS not many players have beaten NZ in NZ....

 

[Shaggy]

I think all the teams are legitimate threats, and hopefully the AB's think the same way ... we seem to get blind sided by teams that we don't expect to be the threat, get knocked out, and don't get to play against the teams we think are the biggest threats.

... sure, having beaten the AB's at home might give extra confidence, but I think all of the teams will be motivated anyway.

Having said that, i'm sure playing at Eden park will be a huge advantage to the ABs ... they haven't lost there since 1994, when they lost to France. The Wallabies last won there in 1986, the Springboks have won there twice with the last time being in 1937 (they did get a draw in 1994) ... they also lost to England there in 1973

 

[Thingimubob]

Bit too early to be labelling SA as the bigget threat the All Blacks, especially considering recent form. I know they won there in '09, but that Boks team was completely different to this one, and the All Black team is far better imo. Probably a good idea to wait until they play eachother on Saturday before labelling anyone a 'threat', not the strongest All Blacks side but it should be a good showing of where the Boks are. Interesting game too, bit of a must win for South Africa, don't really want to be going into that game with Wales on a 4 match losing streak.

 

[Seaton]

.What makes me say SA is the biggest threat to NZ is because SA knows how to beat NZ in their home soil than the AUS,who havnt won there in years...in fact I struggle to find a team in the world that can beat NZ in their home soil than the SA team!!

Scotland haven't lost to New Zealand, in New Zealand for 11 years...

Cause we are clever enough to not play them there

 

[Shaggy]

Scotland haven't lost to New Zealand, in New Zealand for 11 years...

Cause we are clever enough to not play them there

:lol: ... Nice! ... I love your work! ... strangely enough, no wins, draws, ... or results in that time

... Mind you, the All Blacks haven't lost in Scotland in 106 years!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

If everything goes according to plan, we won't see a NZ/SA final. Both teams will top their group in the pool stages, which will make them face each other in the semi's.

 

[wertas]

France and only France is the biggest threat to New Zealand
South Africa have strong team and they can be competitive. For example, last years matches in South Africa against New Zealand. Two years age South Africa won by a few points.
During knock-out stages everything can happen. One mistake by one player could cost a game and whole tournament for every team.

 

[kusta]

Bit too early to be labelling SA as the bigget threat the All Blacks, especially considering recent form. I know they won there in '09, but that Boks team was completely different to this one, and the All Black team is far better imo. Probably a good idea to wait until they play eachother on Saturday before labelling anyone a 'threat', not the strongest All Blacks side but it should be a good showing of where the Boks are. Interesting game too, bit of a must win for South Africa, don't really want to be going into that game with Wales on a 4 match losing streak.

I'm not saying its the biggest threat,I'm saying its a bigger threat than most countries if we see that most of the SA players have beaten NZ in NZ....sure, saying SA is a threat to NZ is premature judging by recent form and saturdays match won't really be an indicator either because some players playing saturday may not be starting come World Cup!That said I don't think SA will beat NZ on saturday.

 

[gingergenius]

New Zealand are the biggest threat to New Zealand. They're miles ahead of everyone else, they will only have themselves to blame if someone else (France, SA, Australia) ups their game and the All Blacks can't rise to the challenge.

 

[Shaggy]

France and only France is the biggest threat to New Zealand
South Africa have strong team and they can be competitive. For example, last years matches in South Africa against New Zealand. Two years age South Africa won by a few points.
During knock-out stages everything can happen. One mistake by one player could cost a game and whole tournament for every team.

I might agree about France if they weren't in the same pool as New Zealand - the only way they can meet after pool play, is if they both make the final, so i think other teams are a greater threat this time.

Graham Henry has said that he sees Australia as the biggest threat, but I still have my doubts that the two sides will meet

 

[alexrugby]

Well I think AUS can be extremely dangerous to NZ and any other team, SA also

But I also think that actually these are French guys who really know how to spoil NZ celebrations on arena

 

[markshaw]

Like Nick said, our only threat this year is ourselves. We play well in everygame the cup is ours!

 

[alexrugby]

Yeap, every leading team must be trained against themselves

but anyway NZ spoiled their matches in history due to incorrect decisions on arena

hence, agreed, ABs have to crash dark side of their mind

 

[jovialjonny]

New Zealand are the biggest threat to New Zealand. They're miles ahead of everyone else, they will only have themselves to blame if someone else (France, SA, Australia) ups their game and the All Blacks can't rise to the challenge.

Nail. On. The. Head.

What happens to abs confidence when the pressure really comes on is what will dictate the WC.

I wouldnt begrudge them winning this one,despite experiencing the horrendous arrogance of some of their fans in the stands at the Cardiff match with France, which turned me from neutral to France fan in that one.

But sport owes you nothing. Munster were 'owed' a heineken cup for a decade before they won one, you win it when you have the balls to go out there and smash every team you face, new zealand have failed to do that for the last 23 years, that's a great bug monkey on every players back.

 

[Larksea]

France and only France is the biggest threat to New Zealand
South Africa have strong team and they can be competitive. For example, last years matches in South Africa against New Zealand. Two years age South Africa won by a few points.
During knock-out stages everything can happen. One mistake by one player could cost a game and whole tournament for every team.

During knock-out stages everything can happen. One mistake by one player or referee could cost a game and whole tournament for every team.

fixed