All Blacks ripe for the picking at 2019 World Cup, says Clive Woodward; NZ Herald

The Lions' drawn series with the All Blacks has provided a glimpse of how to beat the world champions - and they can be dethroned at the World Cup in Japan in 2019, believes former Lions coach Clive Woodward.

Woodward, who was at the helm of the disastrous 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand, wrote in his column for the Daily Mail there has been a "huge swing in power from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere since the 2015 World Cup" and that the Lions struck a blow for British and Irish rugby by showing the way forward in how to beat the All Blacks on a more regular basis.

"The All Blacks are clearly not quite as good as we thought they were, but their raw potential and talent is still amazing," Woodward wrote, before questioning the quality of a number of All Blacks - including Beauden Barrett, Sam Cane and the midfield.

"Beauden Barrett is a very fine player but he is not Dan Carter yet and neither is Sam Cane a Richie McCaw. Replacing those two iconic players was never going to be simple.

"The All Blacks had injuries and suspensions at centre but none of the newcomers is a Conrad Smith or a Ma'a Nonu, the other two big retirees since 2015."

Woodward also highlighted the All Blacks' "inability" to deal with the pressure during key moments of the series.

"The other thing that struck me is how the pressure got to New Zealand, including red and yellow cards. Especially in the final minutes of the last two tests, this suggests a vulnerability we haven't seen for a while," Woodward wrote.

"The true value of the tour for the Home Nations teams, I hope, will be seen in Japan in 2019, but I feel the Lions may just have poked a hornets' nest in New Zealand.

"There is saying in New Zealand: 'Go hard or go home' and we can expect the Kiwis to be going very hard indeed over the next two years. It is up to the Home Nations to go even harder."

The All Blacks will face South Africa, Italy and two yet to be determined qualifiers in Pool B of the 2019 tournament.

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 he Lions' drawn series with the All Blacks has provided a glimpse of how to beat the world champions - and they can be dethroned at the World Cup in Japan in 2019, believes former Lions coach Clive Woodward.
Woodward, who was at the helm of the disastrous 2005 Lions tour to New Zealand, wrote in his column for the Daily Mail there has been a "huge swing in power from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere since the 2015 World Cup" and that the Lions struck a blow for British and Irish rugby by showing the way forward in how to beat the All Blacks on a more regular basis.
"The All Blacks are clearly not quite as good as we thought they were, but their raw potential and talent is still amazing," Woodward wrote, before questioning the quality of a number of All Blacks - including Beauden Barrett, Sam Cane and the midfield.
"Beauden Barrett is a very fine player but he is not Dan Carter yet and neither is Sam Cane a Richie McCaw. Replacing those two iconic players was never going to be simple.
"The All Blacks had injuries and suspensions at centre but none of the newcomers is a Conrad Smith or a Ma'a Nonu, the other two big retirees since 2015."
Woodward also highlighted the All Blacks' "inability" to deal with the pressure during key moments of the series.
"The other thing that struck me is how the pressure got to New Zealand, including red and yellow cards. Especially in the final minutes of the last two tests, this suggests a vulnerability we haven't seen for a while," Woodward wrote.
"The true value of the tour for the Home Nations teams, I hope, will be seen in Japan in 2019, but I feel the Lions may just have poked a hornets' nest in New Zealand.
"There is saying in New Zealand: 'Go hard or go home' and we can expect the Kiwis to be going very hard indeed over the next two years. It is up to the Home Nations to go even harder."
The All Blacks will face South Africa, Italy and two yet to be determined qualifiers in Pool B of the 2019 tournament.

 Ha ha, good ol' Woodward is making sure he gets press on his views once again. 
Yes, of course the ABs are susceptible having lost such greats as McCaw and Carter. Hansen is bringing along new talent some of which we saw in the Lions series, e.g. Jordie Barrett (who will be developed and can cover multiple positions in the back line and is a very reliable kicker); Akiri Ioane along with Squire and Fafita who will cover 6 as Kaino ages; Laumape who some are saying could become a Nonu; Reiko Ioane, we all have seen his talent and with more experience he will be even better.
That's just a few examples of course there is McKenzie who will also be developed.
So yes, all teams are rebuilding for the RWC and the ABs can lose like any team but no need to panic. 

Duplicate

JW I could not read the article so I posted it lower downThe Chest Beating from the Lions results was always sure to get worse. The headline seeking by "Sir" Woodward, and others is always going to increase. 

 Thanks Sharkbok.
Seems like your first post on this thread is messed up also. I d. eleted my double post.
ABs needed a kick in the pants, it's hard to keep improving when you are winning all the time and the Lions series will get us going again. We had to listen to the Poms for ages after they beat us back in 2012 I think it was. That finally died down and then they got Eddie and he has them playing very well so we can look forward to playing them.
Another article I read says SA has a very young team that is well suited to the Lions style of play so we should expect the Boks to improve. Oz, well I haven't been following them lately but they will always rise to the occasion when the play the ABs.

 
Yet another mess from ol Wanker!!

I guess he wants us to put our own words in as a replacement for those hidden.

Seems the simple act of copy and paste is beyond this fool.

LOL!!!

Think I'll rather go read the full article elsewhere.

 Ha ha, well I got you to come out of your hole for a second at least cc. Not to give a substantive comment but at least you emerged.

 Woodward also highlighted the All Blacks' "inability" to deal with the pressure during key moments of the series.

"The other thing that struck me is how the pressure got to New Zealand, including red and yellow cards. Especially in the final minutes of the last two tests, this suggests a vulnerability we haven't seen for a while," Woodward wrote.

They miss wee McCAaaw who somehow managed to manipulate the ref and we all know how the refs bent over backwards for nz. This didn't happen this time round and the Lions came within a point of winning the series!

When I think of the wee abs a picture, for some reason, comes to mind of a soft over ripe plum with a wee worm dangling fro the bottom! Bwahahahahahahahhahahahaha

Boks need to get back to the old days and start beating up on these frauds.

JW I trust you see the logic in what i am saying!

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SHARKBOK' S BEST POST EVER!

Beeno, ABs are bringing in and developing new talent but have a base strong team. In the case of the Boks it is more of a total rebuild effort so you are not even a plum on a tree, more like a fragile wee flower that may or not bloom.
JW, preparing wee Beeno for the inevitable disappointment

How do you see the boks beeno?I see a bunch of marshmellows with tits for hands with a stick handily placed up their a*se so the opponents have an easy way of roasting them.
Bwahahahahahahahhahahahaha

 
Funny ... you lot had much to say about the 3 to zip whitewash thrashing you were going to dish out. It didn't quite go to plan ... did it, Wanker?

Well it's good to see you've recovered from the humiliation ... and things are back to normal  ... you mouthing off at us and all ... about how wonderful you are and how we suck in comparison.

Heard it all before.

Hopefully you guys won't slip up again during the year ... that would mean a fresh set of excuses ... and another series of tearful explanations on how unfair it all is ...

Don't think I can endure another sorrowful binge from you lot