The Future is All Black

Tours to the Northern Hemisphere winter by the The All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks saw some interesting pre-World Cup square offs with NZ, France and England (!) jostling for  favouritism at the whistle. The match with France (drawn 20-20) was billed as an unofficial world title decider between the Six and Tri Nations Champions. Encouraging performances by the young All Blacks, (with many frontline players controversially left down under to rest), impressed the English papers: Observer: “Yes, the All Blacks do things in style. There is a new generation of frighteningly good players ready to step into the shoes of the resting masters back home. The depth of their talent is alarming”. Zinzan fantasises and Marty Holah takes on France by himself (above).