Cracking the Code

October 31 2015, Rugby World Cup Final, New Zealand (1/3 - FAV) v Australia (9/4) , Twickenham. October 22 2016, Bledisloe Cup (dead rubber), New Zealand (1/25 - FAV) v Australia (9/1), Eden Park. Cold hard facts that paint a tale of exponential growth in All Black dominance, not just over their cross Tasman rivals but also the rest of World Rugby. Patience, England, we know you fancy a pop. To think there were concerns that post the Autumnal glory at HQ, the All Black ship would find itself in choppy seas without good ol Captain McCaw and First Mate Carter to guide it home. Transition period? Not here.    The All Blacks are the World's premier rugby team. News to nobody. However, the manner in which they have extended their preeminence over Rugby Championship rivals this season, is news. Six games, six victories, six bonus points and a score differential of 178 – an average winning margin of nearly 30 points. Australia, South Africa and Argentina all finished t...

At Eden Park two weeks ago the All Blacks cemented their status as the worlds premier rugby team and with it the favourites tag for the World Cup. They had looked somewhat comfortable in defeating a wallaby side that most believe to be their greatest rivals to lift the Webb Ellis trophy on the same ground in late October.  Today Graham Henry's men will climb another rung on the ladder if they can defeat the Bokke at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. The challenge they have is to tame a beast that is fighting for respect and pride in the republic following a sub standard performance at King's  Park a week ago. As we have seen time again with the Boks when the chips are down they will revert to the style of rugby they know best. Bismarck starting at hooker ahead of John Smit is a clear indication of the physicality and brutality that the Boks will bring to the occasion particularly in the first quarter. Allied to this the selec...