Who will be the first worthy opponent for the ALL BLACK's?

Question

All these games theyve had.. they seem to just run circles around the other team. Who will be the first team to challange the All Blacks to their 100% potential.

If ever it happens in this WCup

Answer 1

We're not worthy.

We're not worthy..

God...the NZed choke this year will be extra delicious..

Answer 2

None of them are unworthy really - I mean for Portugal to qualify for the first time to the Rugby World Cup and play the All Blacks in pool play makes them worthy.  They were grateful to even be there and play against these international teams and I think that's what makes them worthy.  That makes all of the teams worthy.

The All Blacks' first big challenge I forsee being in the semi & final stages.  The quarter final game for them against potentially France/Ireland/Argentina will definitely be a good game in preparation for the latter two matches, however I personally don't rate any of those teams as being very "challenging" for this particular AB squad.

Therefore I think the 'Boks or the 'Bies will be the ones to give the ABs a very challenging game both physically and tactically.

Answer 3

I wouldn't say "first worthy opponent", they're all worthy that they've made it into the RWC.

Perhaps wording your question along the lines of "who will provide the All Blacks with their toughest challenge"...

How the All Blacks deliver their games and step up to their opponents from QF's is where the RWC tournament lifts to the next level.  The toughest challenge will be with who they play in the final.

Answer 4

Pool C was never going to stretch NZ. The three knock out games are all the WC is about. Just three games - most likely France Australia and RSA.

All three are worthy opponents.

Argentina gave us one of the strongest games played last year. They are certainly worthy, but don't know if we will have the chance to play.

No other team really comes close on present form. But all three knock out games will be real games.

RSA will get the full throttle, we would be made to lift our finger off the button against Australia, and France will demand 100% - guys have to much to play for - if they don't give it 110% they may not see anymore rugby in the other two games.

Answer 5

No-one doubts that the A.B's are a force to be reckoned with, but they are most certainly beatable as is any other team.  The Aussies have beaten them many times and so of course have the Springboks.  The Springboks and the All Blacks will meet again in the final and the Springboks will win, but it will be close.  7 to 10 points.

Answer 6

The Saffers will be their toughest opponent.

Answer 7

It will either be the French or the Australians, depends on what happens in Pool D.  If the French end up second they have to play the ABs in the quarters and I think they will give a good hard match.  If it is Argentina or Ireland (somehow???) they won't be as much of a challenge for the All Blacks.  If that happens then it will be Australia in the semis (if they make it).

As a Australia it pains me to say it but I think this will be the ABs year.  I'm not writing off my team but the ABs have been on the verge for so long that you can just sense it that they will break through and be deserving winners.

Answer 8

In the Rugby World Cup, every team is a worthy opponent.  The All Blacks have Romania next.  Then the Quarter Finals.  

The Quarter Finals will be the litmus test to see how far they will progress through this tournament.  I think if anything they have a point to prove.  They play France which would exercise the ghost of the past.  The lost to France in the 1999 Rugby World Cup Semi Final.

Australia in the Semi's, which again is another team which has knocked them out of both the 1991 and 2003 Rugby World Cup.

The Finals hopefully would be against South Africa who beat them in the 1995 Rugby World Cup Finals and the losing Semi Finals in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.  

If anything this tournament could help as a springboard to get the All Blacks over the hump that they have gotten themselves into over the previous World Cups.  Act as a catalyst to exercise the demons that have haunted them and justify why they are the best rugby team in the world.  Its gonna be a great World Cup.  Roll on the quarter finals.

Answer 9

Who ever they meet in the RWC final

Answer 10

Ireland naturally. 'Rolls eyes' If only we could play.....anyway I think France could pull a shocker and upset ye or at least frighten ye but I have a sneaky suspicion Australia will do it, they always peak at the world cup.

Answer 11

Typical NZ arrogance. C'mon Hawkeye, I usually enjoy reading your posts bro, but to come out with the bit about "morons that prattle on about them choking" is a bit over the top. History clearly shows that the AB's thoroughly deserve their chokers tag. The pressure is on the AB's, all brought on by the NZ press & public. It's just like a re-run of the '03 RWC.........

Personally, I can't wait to see them choke AGAIN!!!! If Australia doesn't beat them in the semi final, I hope South Africa batter them in the final.

Never thought I'd see the day when I supported the Springboks, but there you go........

Answer 12

Italy were the first worthy opponents, unfortunately for them, the six nations is no preparation for what they faced and they got spanked.  Since then NZ haven't had any real competition and so they haven't played their best yet.  You have to believe they are going to hit that QF game with even more intensity than they smacked Italy with.

Every coach out there can play their mind games and the morons on here that prattle on about choking can cling to that as much as they want but if you truly TRULY know anything about this team, then you know they are so different.  They are at a place they couldn't possibly be if they had won a RWC since 1987.  They know every pitfall of the other teams, they've been around the '87 team and know what it's like to have been there.  They have more experience than any team since '95.  They are just so well prepared and most of all, they have more ability and skill than any All Black team in history.

If we do win it all, we have to go through France, then Australia, then South Africa.  The pool games may not be great lead up to those games but having those three games in that order are perfect.  They get progressively harder so we should be in great form when we hit the final.

They have no outside factors to trip them up this time so it will come down to determination and skill.... which these lads have in bunches.

***edit***

aussie...the people that prattle on about them choking ARE morons.  1991, we didn't deserve to win that cup.  I wouldn't even have rated us in the top 3!  That team was far too old and the ridiculous politics of NZ rugby back then are the only reason those guys went.  We had better and younger players in NZ at the time but the older guys that won in '87 were given a chance... undeservingly.

How the heck anyone can say '95 was a choke, I will never know.  Losing by a late drop goal???  If thats choking, then I guess Australia really choked up a big furball in '03!!!  That leaves '99 where we were beaten by the better team on the day, which is exactly what can happen every time two teams step on the field.  So if any village idiots want to rant and rave about choking as your only source of hope for NZ not winning the RWC then by all means, go ahead but do not be surprised if you're called MORONS.

How about you bring something real to the table instead of the same old drivel about choking.  Seriously, don't you have anything else?  I know Australia's forwards are about as hard as a wet paper bag and the backline is as old as the hills but can't you find something tangible to base your hopes on instead of the same old "choke" garbage?  You do realise that saying NZ choking is what will stop them winning the RWC, is pinning all your hope on something that is 100% out of any teams control.  You're saying that only NZ can stop NZ.  

COME ON!!!!  Surely, SURELY you have more than that.

Answer 13

will the all blacks be able to handle a top team, all the games they have played so far have been against c**p teams, scotland put out there second team, whoever the first big team will be NZ will struggle, they wont be handed tries...they havent played a big game since the Tri Nations. France will give them a match but I dont think it'll stop the NZ boys, their semi should be realtively easy either against Argentina or Scotland again. the first and last big match for them will probably be against Australia or South Africa in the final

Answer 14

Hey. Well considering I'm an Aussie and my husband is a Kiwi, I would say, that opponenet will be the aussies.....lol......

Actually i truly know that that is wishful thinking but hey.....you gotta have faith some of the time.

I wish you luck but not too much :P