Former All Blacks coach John Hart claims New Zeland favourites for RWC 2011
Former All Blacks coach John Hart has backed Graham Henry’s hand picked crew for the title of Rugby World Cup 2011. Henry made the announcement of his 30 member squad on August 23 and named the most experienced All Blacks team of their history. Talking about
New Zealand’s RWC squad, Hart said that the All Blacks line-up is comprised of the best available players. He expressed his thoughts while talking to the local media on August 23. Henry has listed a squad with 16 forwards and 14 backs with a hope of repeating
history from 1987.
New Zealand has won just one Webb Ellis Trophy in the whole history of the RWC tournaments. They have always been considered one of the favourite sides to lift the crown but somehow or the other the team has never done it after the inaugurating stall.
Henry has not made any surprise decisions while listing his men for the world showpiece starting in his own country on September 9. He has maintained Richie McCaw as the skipper of the side along with his seasoned and time tested companions.
Hart was the assistant coach of the side that won the opening Rugby World Cup in 1987 along with Alex Wyllie and Brian Lochore. Earlier, he coached Auckland in the National Provincial Championship and led the side to grab the title on three occassions.
Discussing the All Blacks squad, Hart said that, “I would say it is the best squad. There would be no other team that's got the fire power that the All Blacks have got. I think they've picked a really good 30. A very experienced team, but good to see players
like (Zac) Guildford and (Israel) Dagg are going to add that little bit of pace and flair. So I think it's a nice balance.”
He added that, “We've still got Adam Thomson who's covering at seven. probably got found out a little bit at seven at the weekend, but probably he's there because he covers six, seven and eight.”
Rugby World Cup 2011 is kicking off just a couple of weeks later in New Zealand after almost every competing nation has announced its squad for the event.
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