ABs too short of hardheads

By ALAN PERROTT

The lack of hardheaded players who can take charge at crucial moments will cost the All Blacks the World Cup, says champion ex-Wallaby halfback and captain Nick Farr-Jones.

As one of only four international captains to have lifted the World Cup in triumph, Farr-Jones' opinions deserve more than a derisory glance.

The 41-year-old was at Float, in Auckland, yesterday launching his book, Story of the Rugby World Cup.

He confidently names the English as the team most likely to fly off with the Webb Ellis Cup and castes a doubtful eye over the All Blacks' credentials.

"You'll be doing all your talking on the field and that'll be loud and clear, but I suspect you might not have the hardheads if things start to go pearshaped," he says.

"I think there will be an enormous pressure on the All Black team come the sudden-death stage, especially given ... the massive expectation that it's time you won again."

He predicts the All Blacks will average 70 points in pool matches, but expects cracks to emerge when the pack is under intense pressure from other top sides.

"Even against a 13-man England team in Wellington earlier this year, the All Blacks didn't look like scoring when it mattered ... When they cleaned out Australia in Sydney this year I hadn't seen a team with the strike power of the All Black backs.

"But attacking is not the only thing. You have to have guys who have been there, done that, who can pull it all together and get the composure back, who can settle everyone down and change the tactics. I doubt if the All Blacks have that. It hasn't been proven and that gives me comfort."

Despite the Wallabies' injury concerns and recent losing history, Farr-Jones is confident they can knock the All Blacks over if they meet in the semi-finals. But he is worried about the English. They arrived in Australia with eight players he would slot into his World XV.

The 63-test veteran rates Jonny Wilkinson the world's best first-five - a match-winning boot allied to strength and a willingness to run the ball up against larger opponents.

English captain Martin Johnson wins plaudits as an implacable, iron-willed, old-school lock: " ... with him in charge, I just don't think England are going to be intimidated.

"If you look at who has the best capacity to remain composed under pressure, it's the Poms without doubt. And I've never seen an English team with the ability to play an expensive style of game like this team."

After all that, it's little comfort to hear Farr-Jones feels the Australian Rugby Union should have helped New Zealand retain its World Cup hosting rights, given the years of support which lifted the Wallabies to respectability. But then, he reflects, maybe New Zealand did the job too well considering the number of times each country has hoisted the cup.

An Aussie view

World Cup winning Wallaby skipper Nick Farr-Jones believes:

England are the team to beat.

The All Blacks lack big-game experience.

Australia could beat New Zealand in the semis.


* Nick Farr-Jones' Story of the Rugby World Cup is on sale at Dymocks bookstores and its website.