Rugby: 'Lack of leader' cost cup

By WYNNE GRAY

Lack of leadership within the All Blacks was pinpointed yesterday by former coach John Hart as the major reason for his team's failure to lift the World Cup last year.

Speaking to about 800 people in a lunchtime address at a Sydney hotel yesterday, Hart made his first public utterances since the days following the fourth global tournament.

Before his speech, Hart asked that his comments go unreported, however sources who contacted the Herald said the early thrust of his talk suggested the lack of All Blacks leadership mirrored the dearth of leadership in New Zealand society in the 1990s.

The Wallabies had a number of leaders like John Eales, George Gregan, Tim Horan and Matt Burke on the field while the direction of coach Rod Macqueen and Eales was a crucial planning partnership.

Hart recounted the story about his return to New Zealand when he went to Christchurch to watch his horse race. His son advised him against the journey, but Hart went even though he knew he was disliked in that part of the country.

However, he was not prepared for the disgusting behaviour from spectators who booed and spat on his horse at the meeting.

Those mood swings of the nation's rugby watchers were also in evidence for Hart when he gave an interview to an (unnamed) journalist before the World Cup semifinal against France. The journalist praised Hart for his operations, but several days later was slating him for his work.

Those at the Sydney lunch remarked on how confident and composed Hart was during his speech, one which earned a standing ovation at its conclusion.