LONDON – Former All Black Zinzan Brooke has named the Wallabies as New Zealand’s biggest threat at the Rugby World Cup which starts tomorrow.
Australia’s pool has been well publicised as the “pool of death” after being grouped alongside hosts England and Wales. But Brooke 50, believed it was the All Blacks most fiercest rival that posed the greatest threat in the latter stages of the World Cup.
“No-one’s really blown us away in the World Cup warm-ups so you have to say that the form team heading into the tournament are the All Blacks with Australian running a close second which is what I think will be the World Cup final,” he said.
Few have to go far to understand the rivalry between the Antipodean countries. And with the 2015 fixtures sitting at 1-all, a clash in the World Cup decider at Twickenham would be the ultimate fixture.
Brooke said that while the Wallabies will top the pool, he has a feeling that the big three in Australia, England and Wales would all lose one match each so the points differential would be important.
“I have a funny feeling that Australia will top Pool A”, he said.
“I can’t pick between Wales and England. I think all three teams will lose one match in their pool so it could be vitally important for England in their last match against Uruguay to know what the points differential is and know what they have to do.”