They won the Rugby World Cup without star player Dan Carter, but the All Blacks are being warned they may lose their competitive edge after cancelling a long-running contract with their high-tech video analysts.
Palmerston North-based Verusco Technologies has provided performance analysis and real-time statistics to the All Blacks during the past four Rugby World Cups, as well as helping five New Zealand Super 15 franchises and the ITM Cup teams. But after a review of the needs of the All Blacks and Super Rugby franchises, the New Zealand Rugby Union has decided not to renew the contract.
Verusco founder George Serrallach said he would continue working with the Wallabies and several South African provincial teams, and was sorry to be parting ways with the NZRU.
"I feel sad in the sense that I think we gave the NZRU an edge. We have been proven by [the All Blacks] being number one over the last few years and I believe that we were a part of this success. I don't think that whatever they have chosen to replace us will provide the same level of detail."
Serrallach said their 3D imaging software was not cheap and cost-cutting may have been behind the decision.