RWC 2015 Preview Magazine Special Edition | Page 33

New Zealand
Nickname: All Blacks
World Cup appearances: 7
World Cup best finish:
Winners, 1987, 2011

Coach: Steve Hansen
Captain: Richie McCaw
Union: Rugby Oceania

Team to beat: The All Blacks are this year’s World Cup’s team to beat. They are also favourites to defend their title as they will be the first
team to do so.

Having retained their Rugby
Championship title in style
last year, the All Blacks are
once again the overwhelming
favourates to defend their crown.
On paper, the All Blacks are hot
favourates to finish at the summit
of pool B.
Although battling for the most
prestigious prize in world rugby
should be enough motivation,
however, the prospect of breaking
yet another long-standing record
of becoming the first team to ever
win the World Cup back to back
will also play in their minds.
They are a team in their own
galaxy. With the amount of
strength and depth they have
at their disposal, players like
Dan Carter, Ma’aNonu and their
livewire captain Ritchie McCaw,
the Kiwis can thrive upon any
challenge thrown at them.

World Cup Squad: Richie
McCaw (c), Ben Smith, Nehe
Milner-Skudder, Waisake
Naholo, Julian Savea, Conrad
Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma’a
Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams,
Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett,
Colin Slade, Aaron Smith,
TJ Perenara, Tawera KerrBarlow, Kieran Read, Victor
Vito, Sam Cane, Jerome
Kaino, Liam Messam, Sam
Whitelock, Brodie Retallick,
Luke Romano, Owen Franks,
Charlie Faumuina, Tony
Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett,
Ben Franks, Dane Coles,
Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor.

RWC 2015 Fixtures:
20 Sept

V

24 Sept

V

02 Oct

V

09 Oct

V

RWC 2015 Preview Magazine 33