New Zealand 2011 Rugby World Cup Team

Despite having won the inaugural Rugby World Cup, New Zealand is regarded as the biggest underachiever in the tournament’s history. Although the All Blacks have entered virtually every tournament as an outright favourite, they have developed a habit of winning all their group games before choking in the knockout stages.

Nickname: All Blacks
Coach: Graham Henry
Best World Cup Performance: Winners (1987)

2011 Rugby World Cup Pool A
Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	TF	TA	BP	Pts
New Zealand	4	4	0	0	240	49	36	6	4	20
France	4	2	0	2	124	96	13	9	3	11
Tonga	4	2	0	2	80	98	7	13	1	9
Canada	4	1	1	2	82	168	9	20	0	6
Japan	4	0	1	3	69	184	8	25	0	2

2011 New Zealand Rugby World Cup Odds

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World Cup – World Cup Winner – 15:42
New Zealand	1/10	1/10	1/10	1/10	1/10	1/9	1/10	1/9

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World Cup - World Cup New Zealand Stage of Elimination - 15:42
Winner	1/9
Runner Up	8

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World Cup - New Zealand v France Handicap (No Draw) - 09:30
New Zealand	-9.5 3/10	-17.5 17/20	-17.5 8/11	-17.5 5/6	-17.5 4/5	-18.5 10/11	-18.5 4/5	-18.5 10/11	-18.5 1/1
France	+9.5 21/10	+17.5 11/10	+17.5 1/1	+17.5 1/1	+17.5 1/1	+18.5 10/11	+18.5 10/11	+18.5 5/6	+18.5 5/6

2011 Rugby World Cup

New Zealand has been drawn alongside its World Cup nemesis, France, in Pool A at the Rugby World Cup. While the presence of France could cause problems for the All Blacks, the rest of the pool is fairly light-weight, and the likes of Canada, Japan and Tonga are unlikely to threaten the home team.

This soft draw is likely to act in New Zealand’s favour, as Graham Henry will be able to rotate his players to ensure fitness and prevent costly injuries against the pool’s minnows. Should New Zealand win this pool, a relatively soft quarterfinal against Scotland looks the most likely outcome, and from there on in you’d have to favour the Kiwis to make the final.

Rugby World Cup History

New Zealand co-hosted the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987, and won the tournament with a 29-9 victory over France in the final at Eden Park. In 1991 New Zealand made it through to the semifinals of the Rugby World Cup before losing to eventual champions Australia.

1995 heralded the birth of the legend of Jonah Lomu, as New Zealand powered on to the final of the Rugby World Cup in South Africa. According to All Black legend, the team was poisoned the night before the match, and hence lost a thrilling final in extra-time.

In 1999 New Zealand was once again a favourite for the Rugby World Cup, but suffered a sensational defeat from France in the semifinals. The team had to endure the same fate in 2003, and lost to Australia this time around, at the same stage of the tournament.

In 2007 New Zealand seemed virtually certain to finally set matters to right and claim the World Cup. However, host nation France had other ideas, and somehow managed to conjure up a last minute try to snatch a win in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

Strengths

New Zealand has a surplus of world-class players in every position, and is one of a limited number of teams that have great players sitting on the bench. Whilst the large, fast back line is a definite asset, New Zealand’s strength lies in its ability to obtain the ball at the breakdown. The All Blacks also have access to a production line that seems able to churn out a virtually endless supply of world-class fly halves.

Weaknesses

Although New Zealand traditionally has the psychological edge over virtually any opponent, this psychological strength seems to evaporate at the Rugby World Cup, where the All Blacks have tended to become overwhelmed by the burden of expectation placed on them by their rugby loving public. The team now carries a choker’s tag, and will need to move past this to claim their rightful place at the summit of international rugby.

New Zealand Rugby World Cup Squad

Forwards

John Afoa, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Adam Thomson, Samuel Whitelock, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Victor Vito.

Backs

Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Zac Guildford, Richard Kahui, Cory Jane, Mils Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu, Sonny Bill Williams.