Rugby is enduring a sudden and unpleasant spell of navel-gazing on a variety of topics according to Gerald Davies in The Times.
"What would have happened had New Zealand not manoeuvred themselves towards failure in the quarter-finals of the 2007 tournament? In the seasons preceding that autumn, they marched to a wonderful tune, playing a mesmerising rugby no one could match for inventiveness and speed of thought. They were the only team to defy an issue that others complained about: that the pitch was no longer wide enough for the “modern” game and caused clutter in midfield.
"New Zealand kicked the ball often, but it is not what we remember of their play. It is Carter, Muliaina, Rokocoko, Mauger, Howlett and so on that rest in the memory. After the 2007 quarter-final defeat by France, the All Blacks’ way never caught on. Kicking became the preferred strategy."
RSS feed
