Forwards the key to World Cup success, says Lomu
Source: Agencies |
August 31, 2011, Wednesday
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WHILE offloads, darting runs, switch moves and sidesteps will make highlight packages and please fans it will be good old fashioned forward grunt that will win the Rugby World Cup, former New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu said.
Australia's Will Genia and Quade Cooper have led the way with attacking, backs-led rugby over the last two years with Ireland coach Declan Kidney also preferring the style and opting for Jonathan Sexton over the more conservative Ronan O'Gara. But Lomu, who played in 63 tests for the All Blacks and scored 37 tries, said that without the hard work of the forwards to steal and retain possession, flyhalves Cooper and Sexton will be unable to spark attacks in New Zealand.
"For me it is up front for this World Cup that I believe is going to be the difference," Lomu said.
"In New Zealand you are going to have to get down to the nitty gritty of good old fashioned hard rugby and it is going to be won up front, I truly think that and it has always been like that to. It is basic rugby. Your forwards win the ball, get the go forward, get your backs on the front foot and you'll have a better day."
Best placed to implement that tactic is New Zealand, Lomu predictably suggested. "It is theirs for them to lose, everything is in their court, no complaints, no nothing, they have got everything there."
Abundance of talent
With solid form and an abundance of talent in all positions, New Zealand is heavy favorite to add to its sole World Cup success 24 years ago in the inaugural tournament which it hosted. Lomu, easily the most recognizable rugby player of the professional generation, acknowledges, however, that the All Blacks' form counts for nothing in a tournament with such unique pressures.
"That's the thing about World Cups, there are so many hidden elements of a tournament," Lomu explained. "You can't look at past games, you can't look at playing a Six Nations or test matches, the World Cup tournament is a completely different thing and different mentality and it's a different sort of mind set that you have.
"If you backtrack yourself and have a look at the past records, teams that do well in World Cups never do well prior to it apart from one team - the All Blacks. They always play well up until World Cups."
Lomu revealed a sneaking suspicion that Ireland could go close.
"You just have to look at the results they have had through the Heineken Cup and watching them in the Six Nations you can just see that there is something brewing there."
Lomu's prediction carries some weight having backed Argentina, which surprisingly finished third, four years ago.
"2011 will be the most explosive World Cup you are going to find," Lomu smiled.
Australia's Will Genia and Quade Cooper have led the way with attacking, backs-led rugby over the last two years with Ireland coach Declan Kidney also preferring the style and opting for Jonathan Sexton over the more conservative Ronan O'Gara. But Lomu, who played in 63 tests for the All Blacks and scored 37 tries, said that without the hard work of the forwards to steal and retain possession, flyhalves Cooper and Sexton will be unable to spark attacks in New Zealand.
"For me it is up front for this World Cup that I believe is going to be the difference," Lomu said.
"In New Zealand you are going to have to get down to the nitty gritty of good old fashioned hard rugby and it is going to be won up front, I truly think that and it has always been like that to. It is basic rugby. Your forwards win the ball, get the go forward, get your backs on the front foot and you'll have a better day."
Best placed to implement that tactic is New Zealand, Lomu predictably suggested. "It is theirs for them to lose, everything is in their court, no complaints, no nothing, they have got everything there."
Abundance of talent
With solid form and an abundance of talent in all positions, New Zealand is heavy favorite to add to its sole World Cup success 24 years ago in the inaugural tournament which it hosted. Lomu, easily the most recognizable rugby player of the professional generation, acknowledges, however, that the All Blacks' form counts for nothing in a tournament with such unique pressures.
"That's the thing about World Cups, there are so many hidden elements of a tournament," Lomu explained. "You can't look at past games, you can't look at playing a Six Nations or test matches, the World Cup tournament is a completely different thing and different mentality and it's a different sort of mind set that you have.
"If you backtrack yourself and have a look at the past records, teams that do well in World Cups never do well prior to it apart from one team - the All Blacks. They always play well up until World Cups."
Lomu revealed a sneaking suspicion that Ireland could go close.
"You just have to look at the results they have had through the Heineken Cup and watching them in the Six Nations you can just see that there is something brewing there."
Lomu's prediction carries some weight having backed Argentina, which surprisingly finished third, four years ago.
"2011 will be the most explosive World Cup you are going to find," Lomu smiled.
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