Boks put cup win ahead of style

South Africa won't match New Zealand's bold philosophy in refusing to win a World Cup with defence-oriented, pragmatic rugby, says Springbok coach Jake White.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry says entertaining rugby has to be a part of the All Blacks' game.

The team that would win the World Cup next year would need an attacking philosophy, Henry said.

The weather should be good, and the grounds would be conducive to using the ball and an attacking philosophy.

"I can't imagine a big forward, driving, kicking game will win it," Henry said. "And playing that way is not a style that enthuses this group of people [the NZ squad]. We need to keep them excited so they use the ball and enjoy what they're doing.

"We would like to win the World Cup, obviously. But we are trying to develop a style that suits the personnel of this team.

"So New Zealand won't play that way even to win a World Cup."

As the three Tri-Nations countries prepare for the start of this year's tournament, when New Zealand play Australia in Christchurch today, White expressed surprise at Henry's view, asking, "Did he really say that?"

White said the Boks have played the tight, driving forward-oriented game, although he agrees with Henry that such a style probably won't win a World Cup.

But he would play like that if it meant winning a World Cup, because that was the benchmark for every player and coach.

"Graham Henry can say that, but New Zealand haven't won it since 1987. What I would say is that the one thing that's been the strongest attribute of winning a World Cup has been defence, not attack."

But isn't it time a team went out to win a World Cup by focusing on attack more than defence? White counselled caution on that idea.

"New Zealand have been trying to do it since 1987 and it hasn't worked. We saw Carlos Spencer playing the ball behind his back and chipping the ball with his left and right foot, all those things.

"I believe you have got to find a balance. It's all well and good saying we are going to play 15-man rugby and win the World Cup. Maybe sometimes that happens but when you get to World Cups, it is door die knock-out. If you get it wrong in one game you can go out. Wales nearly beat New Zealand in 2003 and Fiji almost beat France a few years earlier."