Kirwan rubbishes ABs peaking too early theory

BY DAVID LONG IN JOHANNESBURG

All Blacks great John Kirwan has put the boot into the theory that New Zealand are peaking too early for the World Cup.

Kirwan, who scored 35 tries in 63 tests for the All Blacks, says New Zealand's ethos is to always be at the peak, not just there when there's a World Cup on.

"What people need to realise is that New Zealand's philosophy is to be No 1 every year," Kirwan told Stuff.co.nz.

"So our goal as All Blacks is always to be the best team in the world. We want to peak every year.

"World Cups are about episodes," he added.

"I often say to win a World Cup you need to win the episode. For example in 2003, England weren't playing well against Wales, they brought on Mike Catt and he changed the game.

"Against France in Cardiff at the last World Cup there was an episode where you'll never see that type of 15 minutes of rugby again.

"You had 50 rucks and no penalties. That was an episode that maybe we didn't handle too well, but you learn.

"The next World Cup will be about an episode and the most important thing is that we keep improving."

Kirwan is in South Africa this week along with Sean Fitzpatrick as part of their roles as New Zealand 2011 ambassadors to promote the World Cup and country around the world.

They have been hosting dinner events and going to functions in Cape Town and Johannesburg this week to spread the word about visiting New Zealand or doing business with Kiwi companies.

But they're also here to talk rugby and Kirwan says he loves the direction the All Blacks are going in right now.

"The thing I like is that each individual player is getting better and better and I think that's where the difference is," he said.

"The new rules have really helped us to play the expansive game we all like to play.

"So this team has matured perfectly and is ready to play a World Cup next year.

"The leadership group is mature and understands what they need to do.

"What Richie McCaw has done to transform his game from the most dominant person over the ball, to be a better decision-maker at ruck time and a great ball-carrier has been fantastic.

"When you're an All Black you get judged by the past and I think this team will understand that their crowning moment will be next year. But I think they're ready."

Although Kirwan has been busy coaching Japan ahead of the World Cup, he still keeps a close eye on individual All Blacks and says he's been impressed with how the wings are going.

"I've always enjoyed the way Joe [Rokocoko] has played. He's improved and changed his game," Kirwan said.

"He missed out last year because he didn't have a kicking game and he needed to improve that side of his play.He got dropped, that's hard to take. I've been there done that and it really hurts.

"He could have taken the dollars and left, but he stayed home, worked hard and got back into the All Blacks and I'm really pleased to see him there.

"Also, I think Cory [Jane] has done an outstanding job. He takes every opportunity, he's got some really nice points to his game and you don't know whether he's going to attack or put a short kick in.

"When Siti [Sivivatu] comes back we'll be really strong there. We've got some real firepower out wide.

"Joe's game is changing. Everyone says he's not scoring the tries like in the past, but he's involved a lot more.

"I feel for him because people expect him to score the tries. I went through the same, but his game is changing, he's doing a lot more things that he didn't do in the past. He's more complete now."

- © Fairfax NZ News