Peter Bills: Rugby needs All Blacks to lead the way

Anniversaries seem to be strewn like confetti along a church path in New Zealand's rugby life at this time.

Here in the land where it's believed God was a decent-sized, ball-handling back row forward and his son a more than useful, nippy halfback who was destined for even greater deeds in his post-rugby life, there are celebrations for the 50th anniversary of a momentous rugby test series. The triumph of the 1956 All Blacks over the Springboks was the All Blacks' first in a test series over that feared and famed enemy. It was recalled at a special luncheon in Wellington yesterday.

Alas, an anniversary of an altogether different kind has also been remembered this week. It is exactly a quarter of a century since the tour of the 1981 Springboks caused years of enmity among rugby folk of this unique, singular country. Dyed-in-the-wool rugby men raged at those they saw as disrespectful protagonists from a different generation. Families were split by the acrimony caused by the anti-apartheid factions.

A milestone of another kind now looms. Just as this Tri-Nations series concludes, there will be exactly 12 months left before the start of rugby's sixth World Cup. And just as courage and fortitude characterised the achievement of the class of '56, so another trait will be required of next year's World Cup winners.

Rugby, circa 2007, requires a statement of intent, a clarion call from its next world champions.

For me, the game worldwide urgently needs something more than a functional approach based solely on the obsession of lifting the trophy. It is my submission that, at present, only one country possesses the qualities required not just to win the event, but to lead and influence the world game along a path of greater creativity. That country is New Zealand.

The list of countries able to win the tournament in France next year already comprises no more than three or four. The French, irascible, erratic and as gloriously unpredictable as a cow on heat, are one of them. Australia show every sign of making a shrewd, late run. The Springboks, if they can put their best men on the field, must be considered.

But New Zealand can do what few other nations can achieve. They can win the World Cup by playing a brand of attacking rugby to which the watching world doffs its collective cap in acknowledgement. And gee, does world rugby need that shining light, that beacon to brighten the path for the coming years.

Since that brash, at-times arrogant child known as professionalism arrived in our midst, defensive proficiency has ruled. England, physically powerful, confirmed as much by grinding out victory in the 2003 tournament. But after 10 years of devotion to defence, rugby badly needs to shift its focus. The requirement to entertain should be paramount in a professional sport vying for the attention of a new audience.

In elevating New Zealand once again to No 1 in world rugby, Graham Henry and his shrewd coaching colleagues Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have done rather more than simply win matches. They have ensured their teams have produced a brand of rugby that cleverly mixes power with pace and panache. It can be a thrilling, heady cocktail.

Long may they keep the faith. Manifestly, to win a World Cup is within their grasp. And given the 20 long years of World Cup hurt endured by this nation, the pressure will grow for the All Blacks to win next time at any price.

Thus, from here on in, a cautious, grinding approach based on heavy physical forward presence would probably suffice. It would surely appeal to some. But New Zealand can do the sport a wondrous service by retaining and enhancing still further the other element of their game, a desire to find and exploit space, a wish to promote skills and, by inference, an enjoyment in winning matches by the exhibition of those skills and talents.

World rugby has been starved of such delights.

It is in urgent need of such a talisman to succeed and follow.

* Peter Bills is a rugby writer for Independent News & Media