Rugby: We'll never have a better chance of taking the title

By Murray Deaker

Now that we are approaching the business end of this World Cup we should soon have the answers to at least some of the myriad of questions that have arisen in the past month.

Like, whoever thought up the idea of five pools of four teams each, with the tournament fragmented by having five different bases?

No one is ever going to own up to that one because it was that wrong structural decision which led to the unevenness of the draw. Unquestionably it was a compromised, political decision that has pleased no one.

Why has the television coverage been so poor? The answer to that one is easy: the host broadcaster, ITV, is not used to covering rugby. It only does it for the World Cups. The lack of experience shows.

There are far too many slow-motion replays, with many of them featuring insignificant elements of play, while live action is going on unrecorded. The camera work and cutting are badly directed.

Why have New Zealand's top referees had such bad tournaments? Both Paddy O'Brien and Colin Hawke have lost their edge. They appear to be worn out.

That should not come as a surprise given that they seem to have been refereeing almost non-stop for a couple of years. At their best they are good referees, but right now they look as if they are simply going through the motions.

One positive result of their poor displays will, I hope, be a more open and accountable approach by all referees in New Zealand rugby. The days of referees refusing to comment on specific decisions must now belong in history.

For too long our referees have rarely admitted mistakes. They have set up a shroud of secrecy that wouldn't disgrace the KKK, the Masonic Lodge or the Papacy.

What is wrong with the All Black lineout? Part of the blame must be levelled at Anton Oliver, whose throwing is inconsistent because his technique is hopelessly flawed.

A more pertinent question would be why Oliver's technique has not been fixed by the innumerable top coaches overseeing him at provincial, Super 12 and test level?

One question we did get the answer to last weekend is: "How much do the All Blacks rely on Andrew Mehrtens?"

When Mehrtens left the field injured at halftime the All Blacks were in total control with a 25-3 lead. They lost the second half 5-15.

The only factor that changed radically was that Mehrtens was no longer there to direct play, choose the options and cover up Justin Marshall's slow service.

There are two key players in this All Black line-up and despite what the British media may write and say, neither is called Lomu. Apart from Mehrtens, the other player we cannot afford to lose is Josh Kronfeld.

Mehrtens directs play while Josh is inevitably first to the breakdown, where he is often grappling for the ball against two or three opposition players.

Will we win the Cup? We are never going to get a better chance. The team are basically injury-free and have enjoyed the soft draw earned by beating England.

It will come down to a fine edge. In all top sport there is a very thin line between success and failure. The last World Cup was decided by a dropkick in injury time. It doesn't get closer than that.

* Murray Deaker is the host of Radio ZB's Sports Talk.