Now is the hour for All Blacks
Willie Jackson's Opinion
Friday, 14th October, 2011
Opinion: The All Blacks face their biggest challenge when they square off against Australia in this weekend's world cup semi-final.
We need to use the Eden Park home ground advantage we have over a Wallabies team who haven't beaten us there for 25 years, but true to form the Aussies are brimming with confidence despite their lucky win over South Africa.
They have a backline that matches the All Blacks, and David Pocock is the form open side flanker in the world. Their weakness is their front five and our boys have the ability to dominate them.
While Australia has Pocock, he's their only forward who can claim legitimately to be among the best in the world.
Contrast that with Franks, Meleamu, Woodcock, Thorn, Read, Kaino and the indestructible Richie McCaw who can all lay claim to being among the best in their positions and that's where the All Blacks have an advantage.
Whether they are able to capitalise on that is another story.
Woodcock has struggled with injuries, Read has just returned from injury and McCaw has a foot problem. He has to ignore this, match Pocock and show the leadership what he's capable of.
He is an All Blacks great but if they fail this weekend there will always be question marks over his captaincy ability.
Two failed world cup campaigns as captain is unacceptable so Richie needs to play the game of his life.
Coach Graham Henry is also in the game of his life. If he loses, he will be branded a failure despite being the world's most successful coach.
Kiwis are merciless when it comes to All Black defeats and although we have an excuse because of the loss of Carter, it is not one that's acceptable.
Henry's had ample time to find backups for Carter and McCaw and he and his selectors have failed miserably with this task.
They should be saved though by the accidental emergence of Aaron Cruden and the form of Piri Weepu.
But God help us if McCaw is injured. If he does the business, the pack dominates and our brilliant backs are unleashed, we are good enough to beat the Wallabies comfortably.
Their coach Robbie Deans has a chance to have the last laugh on Henry and the New Zealand Rugby Union who appointed Henry ahead of him as coach of the All Blacks.
He, unlike Henry, has nothing to lose.
If Henry loses, not only will the All Blacks brand and legacy be questioned but he'll unfairly be labelled a failure for the rest of his life.
That terrible thought should be enough for him to motivate his team to victory over those cocky Wallabies this weekend.
Next Article: World Cup triumph regardless of result