It’s going to be All Black season for NZ rugby fans

The Saint has had an uneasy feeling about the depth of talent and quality of the 2009 All Black squad all year.
In case you hadn’t noticed; this team is seriously average! If this was not already apparent when we lost to a tired and so-so French team back June, or when we barely snuck past perennial six nation wooden spooners Italy a couple of weeks later – then it is clearly evident now.
The All Blacks woeful performances in South Africa during the past fortnight have proven just how bad this current NZ team really is and the lack of depth we have waiting in the wings. Not to take anything away from South Africa, but the way the All Blacks have played against the Springboks in the last two weeks you could be forgiven for thinking the current Boks were the greatest team ever. Now, while they are a pretty handy bunch, many better teams than them have graced rugby paddock around the world before.
While it is true that in the past five or so years, we have seen a plethora of quality players and coaches leave the New Zealand rugby scene to chase the glint of the UK pound, French franc and Japanese yen. But as that horrible little gnome and former coach John Hart was fond of saying: it is the “professional era” after all.
This mass migration of NZ rugby talent offshore still does not make up for the current atrocious All Black play or mindless tactics these guys are employing – or may be it is. But even a garden-variety club footy player, like the Saint, knows some basics of the game. Like when you are under the pump by the world’s best lineout you are asking for trouble if you throw it deep in your own 22. Or, instead of throwing Hail Mary passes in your own half - that put your team under undue pressure - you kick it out. And even a brainless chimp would know that if the ball is kicked over your line you force it down and take the drop out, rather than trying to run in a 120 metre miracle try. Yet, apparently, the current bunch of “professionals” who represent NZ and are paid handsome, six figure sums to do so are unaware of such basic concepts.
Sack the coaches – I hear some cry. Yeah? And replace them with just who?
These punters seem to have forgotten that the NZRFU, in its infinite wisdom, let two of this country’s best coaches in Robbie Deans and Warren Gatland bugger off overseas to lend Australia and Wales – respectively – their coaching skills, while we reappointed the three clowns who took us to our worst ever World Cup exit at the quarter finals in Cardiff in 2007! Great move lads!!
Bring in new players – others say. Again, oh yeah, exactly where from? While there is no doubt the talented Dan Carter should be rushed back into the squad and the likes of the hapless Joe Rococo be given a rest. There are not a whole lot of undiscovered rugby talent hiding around the country who can be rushed into the squad and stop the Aussies and Springboks putting the All Blacks to the sword?
Unfortunately, just like those DPB beneficiaries found out this week when they wanted more handouts, there are no pixies at the bottom the garden printing money for the Government to dole out to them; the NZ rugby public are going to have to come to terms with the fact we have a poor All Black team and a miserable season ahead.
After all it is only a game!