All Blacks cop it in vitriolic Irish column

The All Blacks have been ''welcomed'' to Ireland as an unpopular team whose perennial World Cup failures puts a grin on the rugby world's face.

The Irish Independent's Vincent Hogan, who may just despise New Zealand and the All Blacks more than Wales' Stephen Jones, went for the jugular ahead of Sunday's test against Ireland.

In a column that was at times accurate, often vitriolic and occasionally very witty, Hogan admitted he was "not a fan" of the All Blacks, their haka, or coach Graham Henry.

Hogan, who covered the 1987 World Cup in New Zealand and was delighted it was the only title the All Blacks have won (which is still one more than Ireland), reckoned they were universally unpopular.

"Outside their own, few people love the All Blacks. Their victories are, by and large, statements of power.

"They smash teams; then run a bus over the bodies. They play through a vaguely malignant strain of intimidation.

"So seeing them get nailed is one of rugby's great redemptive offerings. It's like watching the school ruffian pick the wrong fight and end up with a nosebleed."

It's creative stuff by Hogan, who gained notoriety at the 1991 World Cup for saying the All Blacks had the "gaiety of gravediggers".

But it also ignores a couple of salient points. The main one is that outside the cataclysmic World Cup failures the All Blacks are still the best team in the world.

They dominate the Tri-Nations and have little to fear away from Twickenham when they travel to Ireland and Britain.

It is perhaps why New Zealanders are propping the game up in Europe.

Call the All Blacks as many names as you like - and they can be smug and superior - but they are also incredibly successful.

Under Henry they have lost only once to a European side - that dreadful match against France in last year's World Cup quarterfinal.

That is unlikely to change at Croke Park on Sunday.

As Hogan admitted himself, when the All Blacks look at Ireland they see "lifelong losers". 

What else is there to see?

Since 1905 the All Blacks have played Ireland 21 times.  The closest Ireland have got to victory was a 10-10 draw in 1973. Munster have a better record than that.

Ireland, like Wales and Scotland, take heart from close defeats, an attitude that's anathema to the All Blacks, which is perhaps why Hogan doesn't like them.

"The bullying gene in their rugby DNA practically froths and bubbles at the threat of losing to opposition of our calibre," he fumed.

Sorry, where was the threat again?

Ireland lost by 10 points in terrible conditions in Wellington in June, and were beaten by the same margin, and 11 points, when rotation was at its peak in 2006.

When the All Blacks were last in Dublin they thrashed Ireland 45-7 with a starting XV that was completely different to the side that beat Wales 41-3.

If that's a threat then U2 are an English boy-band.

Hogan also attacked the haka as a "leery war dance" that should be banned and claimed the "dour, hubristic and adversarial" Henry epitomised the team he coached.

It was entertaining stuff, but Hogan hit on the nub of the Irish problem when he suggested they pay the All Blacks too much respect.

They certainly do, as do the Welsh and Scots. They are so in awe of the All Blacks depth, pace and power that they routinely talk themselves out of victory before the test even starts.

As Hogan said, the day that changes and the All Blacks lose to Ireland "is the day a group of men in black prepare to go home in ankle-chains".

What do you think of Vincent Hogan's complaints about the All Blacks? Sour grapes anyone? Post your comments below.

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