Remembering 2003

In 2003 then All Black assistant coach told us that tries would win the Rugby World Cup.  This turned out to be a complete fallacy.  Kicks were the feature of that World Cup and was decided, famously, by a dropped goal in Extra Time.

Fast forward to 2015 and the All Black selectors have picked 45 minute All Black  Waisake Naholo for this year’s tournament despite the fact that he is not fit, is unlikely to be available for the first two weeks, after which he will make a comeback three months after having last played.  The reason being that he was this season’s Super Rugby leading try scorer.

Meanwhile his Highlanders teammate Lima Sopoaga misses out.  Sopoaga also happens to be the country’s best (only?) drop goal exponent.