Mark Keown

Looking at the world cups, what is needed to win it more than anything else, is a really powerful all-round pack, and a really good half and first five combination. In 1987, the AB's did it with a great pack and Kirk-Fox. Fox was utterly brilliant, ran the game with precision. Kirk I rate as one of NZ's most underrated players. He is second to me behind Loveridge in recent times. He was a Rhodes Scholar, say no more! In 1991, the Wallabies had the best pack I think they have produced in my time, excellent across the board. They had what I consider the best half-back-first five combo I have seen (I didn't see Edwards-John in the flesh, they may have been better). They were streets ahead of any combo at that point. In 1995, the South Africans had a great pack that could match the AB's (at least food poisoned), one of the best half backs of their history Joost Van der Westhuizen who is underrated by Kiwi's but was a devastating player. Joel Stransky was not utterly bri...

Perhaps we have all got it wrong. Without doubt the coach in NZ who knows how to win Knock Out rugby is without doubt Gordon Tietjens! He has proved it again and again, taking NZ sevens teams with a wide array of skill and experience, and more often than not, pulling it off. Perhaps it is time to give him the AB's to show us how it is done. He is a legend at getting people fit, knows how to put together a team on the smell of an oily rag and knows how to win a tournament. SOS Gordon Tietjens, coach for the 2011 rugby world cup.

If I was a budding rugby coach I would be desperately keen to get the AB's now. We go into the next world cup with a hometown advantage. We know that NZ is desperately difficult to beat at home, no matter how good the opposition is. I am sure that if Graham H, Laurie M, John H, John M had had the AB's for a home world cup, they would have probably won. Mind you our ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory is now legendary. Now is the time to get the AB's then. Mind you the person appointed should get a 2 year contract. Worry about the World Cup after two years. This would make them accountable for success in the interim. I think it will be Deans. He is tainted by Sydney 2003, which is bad but not as being tainted by the goings on in the rotation-recycling cup! Perhaps Gatland might be a chance? Who knows? But they have a great advantage whoever they will be, for they will get to play at home. Maybe at home we can throw off the chokers tag? Perhaps not? Then again, ...

Here we go again. Banks is in and the Eden Park games begin! Why not just give it to the Aussies now! What a mess. I hope the powers that be get sorted asap or the RFU will move it. Perhaps it is time to get the Albany Stadium plan together. It makes more sense anyway?