Rugby: ABs peaking too early? Rubbish

All Black legend Brian Lochore. Photo / Getty Images

Brian Lochore has rubbished suggestions the All Blacks are peaking too early and that their run of good form will end in more World Cup misery.

Many have expressed concern the All Blacks seem to be heading down a familiar path - playing well in between World Cups only to fall over at the main event.

Graham Henry's side is clearly the world's best presently and went into last night's test against Australia on the back of three excellent wins over South Africa and Australia.

Lochore, who coached the All Blacks to New Zealand's only World Cup triumph in 1987, agreed with Sean Fitzpatrick it was ridiculous to suggest New Zealand were peaking too soon.

"People are on edge at the moment," said Lochore, who also played 68 games for the All Blacks, 48 as captain. "Some are saying we have peaked too soon. What a lot of rubbish.

"You don't just play badly a year before a World Cup so you can play well the next year. It doesn't work like that.

"I find those sorts of comments amazing. It's paranoia. It's coming from people who should know better.

"I would rather be in New Zealand's place than someone like South Africa. How excited would we be about the World Cup if we were going through a bad patch? You wouldn't fill the stadiums. It's a no-brainer, that sort of talk."

Lochore cited his own experiences in 1986 when the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby had a difficult year.

The Cavaliers controversially toured South Africa, which gave birth to the Baby Blacks, and the All Blacks in France were beaten 16-3 by a fired-up home side.

The game became known as The Battle of Nantes and captain Buck Shelford famously had his scrotum stitched together after being rucked. He didn't finish the match after he was also knocked out and lost several teeth.

"We got dicked in the last test against France," Lochore said. "That particular game was the best thing that happened to us. Being a proud nation, those guys, instead of coming home and lying on the beach, they came home and really prepared for the next year because they got a kick in the backside.

"This side will have too many memories of four years ago. They know they can't just turn up and, as of right, win the World Cup. The preparation will be enormous."