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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Does It Matter Who Wins The Tri Nations? 2 views
26 August 2011 by The Swede Eaters
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Graham Henry has admitted that winning the Tri Nations has no relevance going into a Rugby World Cup. Do you agree?
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has come out saying that winning the Tri Nations decider against the Wallabies in Brisbane tomorrow has no relevance to winning the Rugby World Cup. He does have a point given how the All Blacks have won the Tri Nations ten times and never won the Rugby World Cup since the Tri Nations began. An even more alarming fact is that the All Blacks have won every single Tri Nations in Rugby World Cup years, but never won the Rugby World Cup since the Tri Nations began.
We did put 50 points on the Wallabies and Springboks just before the 2003 Rugby World Cup where we were humbled by the Australians in the semi finals. We also put 40 points on France before the fateful quarter final loss to them in 2007. So I see his point. The All Blacks have a terrible record in Rugby World Cup knockout matches compared with Tri Nations matches. It seems that whenever other teams play them at Rugby World Cups, they grow an inch and the All Blacks struggle.
The question is always raised, do you learn more from a victory or defeat? I would suggest that early on in the season a defeat is fine, but you really want momentum this close to the Rugby World Cup.
Could Henry be wrong?
There is nothing worse than a confident Australian. The Aussies are a nation who love confidence which borders on arrogance. Just look at their cricket team of the 1990s and 2000s. They get their tails up and are unstoppable. The All Blacks have won 11 of their last 13 matches, and I think given the likelihood of the Rugby World Cup final involving both of these teams, that the All Blacks really do need to win this one.
I do remember in 1999 the final match of the Tri Nations between the All Blacks and the Wallabies and that match was the turning point for the Wallabies. The All Blacks won the Tri Nations, but the Wallabies got confidence and went on to not only win the Rugby World Cup in 1999, but also the Tri Nations the next two years. We don't want a repeat of that!
It would also be great to win a match refereed by Wayne Barnes and having a Northern Hemisphere referee is great preparation for the Rugby World Cup.
I think while winning the Tri Nations doesn't assure that you win the Rugby World Cup (it has never happened before), but surely winning a match over a major rival going into the Rugby World Cup can't be a bad thing.
So, do you think the All Blacks have to win the Tri Nations decider in Brisbane if they are to win the Rugby World Cup 2011? Do you learn more from a win or a loss?
rugbyworldcuptips.com
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Wayne Barnes, Graham Henry,
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