KEY POINTS:
The biggest challenge facing the All Blacks is maintaining focus while "living it up on the Mediterranean", said Doug Bruce.
"I don't think there'll be complacency, I don't think the coaches will allow that to creep in," Bruce said.
He said today's teams can't be compared to the
teams that played in his day.
"It's so different now. It's a job and that's all they do. I suppose the Union can punish them for having a good time which in our day never would've happened. We'd have a good time but nothing would come of it," Bruce said.
He said today's All Blacks are bigger and faster in all the positions but the skill level is no better.
"They still drop the ball, they still don't run on to the ball," Bruce said.
He said teams are relying on blanket defence and you don't see backs on backs as much nowadays.
Bruce said South Africa, Australia and France will be the strongest opposition for the All Blacks.
"France grow another leg when they're playing at home and they'll be pretty strong," Bruce said.
He said the Australians can't be underestimated and have looked like the only team able to manufacture tries against the All Blacks.
"The Australian forwards are a bit suspect and everyone knows that. But the backs can move the ball better than most teams at times. We don't move it too well, we use a lot of brawn and beef to burst through," Bruce said.
He said Australia may have more intelligent backs than the All Blacks and "work things out a bit better than we do".
But Bruce is still backing Graham Henry and the boys to bring home the Cup.
"It's the best team we've got," Bruce said.
Final prediction
New Zealand versus France
New Zealand to win 20-15
Doug Bruce's All Black career
(Source: www.allblacks.com)
Full Name: Oliver Douglas Bruce
Born: May 23, 1947
Position: First five-eighth
All Black Debut: May 5, 1974
Matches: 41
All Black points: 43, 4 tries, 1 penalty, 8 drop-goals
YOUR PREDICTIONS
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