Rugby
1News

'Steve Hansen's All Blacks could be toppled' - UK media talk up chances ahead of European tour

October 30, 2018
All Blacks replacement Ryan Crotty scampers over for the match-winning try against Ireland.

British media have already begun talking up their sides' chances against the All Blacks, with Steve Hansen's side to face off with England and Ireland next month.

Having beaten Australia 37-20 last weekend, the All Blacks' squad has now split in two, with the bulk staying in Tokyo to face Japan this weekend, while a smaller group have headed to Europe to prepare for clashes with England, Ireland and Italy.

Writing for the Daily Mail, columnist Chris Foy suggests that rugby is on the verge of a power shift, with the north to finally userp their southern hemisphere counterparts.

"Even New Zealand's perennial status as the global pace-setters is under threat, for the first time in many years," Foy began.

"Having narrowly avoided back-to-back defeats against South Africa by conjuring a great escape in Pretoria, Steve Hansen's All Blacks could be toppled from the No 1 ranking by Ireland.

As ever, the Kiwi kingpins will arrive in these parts with a target on their heads and England will believe they can upset them at Twickenham in 12 days' time, but the main ambush awaits in the Irish capital."

Meanwhile, John Westerby of the Guardian suggests that the time is ripe for an upset, with the All Blacks seeming to appear tired and jaded after a long season.

"Hansen made his views known yesterday on the need for players to be given an extended break in the close season, pointing out the glut of injuries affecting England, but the head coach conceded that some of his players were showing signs of flagging as they approached the end of their season," Westerby says.

The All Blacks begin their European tour against England at Twickenham on November 11 NZT, before taking on Ireland in Dublin a week later, finishing against Italy in Rome on November 25.

SHARE ME

More Stories