Rugby World Cup Profile – New Zealand
The New Zealand’s national Rugby Union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, is placed in Pool A of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) tournament. Besides the All Blacks, other teams in Pool
A include Canada, France, Japan and Tonga.
The All Blacks are the top-ranked Rugby Union team in the world. According to the latest International Rugby Board’s (IRB) world rankings, the All Blacks will enter the rugby union’s premier
tournament as World Number One.
All Blacks qualify for the place in the 2011 RWC as the host nation and also for being among the Top 12 rugby playing nations in the world. New Zealand is also the host of the 2011 RWC and
the All Blacks will be looking forward to winning their second RWC in front of their home crowd.
The All Blacks enjoy a 75 percent success rate after winning 354 out of their 472 Tests so far. However, besides their impressive title-claiming performance in the RWC’s inaugural tournament
in 1987, they failed to win the title ever since.
All Blacks RWC history is filled with some horrible moments. They conceded their 1999 RWC semi-final to France, after leading the match 24 – 10. Les Bleus knocked them out of the 2007 RWC
during the tournament’s quarter-final game.
Additionally, All Blacks were knocked out of the semi-finals of RWC three times in 1991, 1995, and 2003 RWCs.
All Blacks have enjoyed a marvelous 2010 international season, in which they conceded a single game. Their only defeat came against their archrivals Wallabies.
All Blacks are 2011 Tri Nations' runner up. They won two of their four games in the tournament. They lost both their away games against the Springboks and Wallabies.
All Blacks are the powerhouse of the Rugby Union players, and their squad consists of many big names. This includes the likes of Don Carter, Richie McCaw, and Owen Franks etc. Carter has the
earned the reputation of being the world’s best fly half, while McCaw enjoys the reputation of being the world’s best flanker. Franks is considered as the world’s best prop.
Sean Fitzpatrick with his 17 RWC appearances holds the All Blacks record for the most appearances in the global showpiece tournament.
Grant Fox’s 170 points from his 10 RWC matches, makes him the All Blacks highest point scorer in the RWC tournament. Meanwhile, Jonah Lomu with his 15 tries holds the record their highest try
scorer.
The All Blacks final 30-man squad for their 2011 RWC consists of:
Backs: Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Isaia Toeava, Zac Guildford, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui, Daniel Carter, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Andy
Ellis.
Forwards: Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (c), Adam Thomson, Victor Vito, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Ben Franks, John Afoa,
Keven Mealamu, Andrew h**e, Corey Flynn.
All Blacks will start the 2011 RWC campaign as the favourites to win the title, particularly as the tournament is being played in New Zealand, where all the teams historically have struggled.
Their pool match against the Les Blues is their toughest match in their pool.
Tags: