Rugby: All Blacks still awesome, says Connolly

John Connolly

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SYDNEY - The Wallabies may still be in the hunt for the Tri-Nations rugby title but Australian coach John Connolly predicted the All Blacks would demolish South Africa on Saturday and were still an "awesome" unit.

Connolly will travel to Brisbane on Sunday to watch fullback Chris Latham's second game of club rugby in his comeback from a serious knee injury.

While he will ponder Latham's playing future this weekend, he expects a top performance from the All Blacks in Christchurch.

"For Australia we had our first undefeated home domestic season for quite a while (winning Tri-Nations tests against New Zealand and South Africa in Melbourne and Sydney) and I think they are looking forward to New Zealand," Connolly said yesterday.

"But in saying that, they are fully aware of the challenge that is ahead.

"They (All Blacks) are still probably the best side in the world.

"I think they'll make short work of the South Africans this week.

"They're still an awesome unit. Things will change for them next year when they lose Carl Hayman and Aaron Mauger and a couple of others."

C onnolly says sometimes it's good for a team in winning form to keep playing each week to maintain momentum. But Larkham said today he was happy to put his feet up before the Tri Nations/Bledisloe Cup showdown.

' 'New Zealand was a fast-paced game and the guys pulled up a bit sore from that one.

"But then the South African game was very physical and the guys certainly need a bit of rest from that.

"I'm looking forward to watching the game this weekend and getting that rest."

L arkham also said he was expecting New Zealand to beat South Africa.

He said he was thrilled to see Latham back in action but considered he may not be ready for Tri-Nations rugby.

C onnolly also hinted Latham may not play against the All Blacks.

"He has been out for over nine months and there's still a couple of months to go until the World Cup," Connolly said.

"It would be wonderful if he could be involved in this game but we have to be careful we don't push him too far.

"The whole thing will be reviewed after Sunday."

- AAP