Nick Evans – Canny old All Blacks won’t be caught cold like in 2007

The only team capable of beating New Zealand are the All Blacks themselves according to Nick Evans, who knows better than most how the men from the Shaky Isles can have their best laid plans torn asunder in the white heat of a World Cup.
Eight years ago, Harlequins out-half Evans came off the bench at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium as the All Blacks attempted to rescue their quarter-final against France at World Cup 2007. They failed, lost 20-18 and returned Down Under in ignominy.
Undercooked after cruising through a Pool containing Scotland, Italy, Portugal and Romania, New Zealand were caught cold by the feisty French.
Evans recalls: “Our preparation in terms of the warm-up games we played beforehand was poor and when it came to the tournament our group was ridiculously easy, which meant we were undercooked going into a tough game in Cardiff.
“This time the All Blacks will have played in the Rugby Championship, which is good, hard rugby, and will get to the level they need to be, but there’s still the worry over the group being too easy again and it will depend how focussed they can stay.
“I think they’ll beat Argentina in their opening game and take care of all the minnows in their group, but then it’ll come down to keeping the guys switched on and on task so that as soon as those group games are over you go into full-on mode.
“They’ll probably use what happened to us in 2007 as an example of how we weren’t really at the races when it came to a French team who got the job done, and the experience of guys like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter will be crucial in that.”
If New Zealand remain focussed, Evans has no doubts that his countrymen can lay the bogey of never having won a World Cup away from home and, in doing so, achieve the distinction of being the first side to successively defend the trophy.
He explained: “There’s always the chance of an upset and, on top form, South Africa, England and Australia have probably got the arsenal to beat New Zealand, but whether they have the mentality to do it on the big stage is a another thing.
“The main team that can beat New Zealand is the All Blacks themselves. England, for example, have enough in their defence and set-piece to put pressure on the All Blacks and frustrate them, which might make them try things outside the game plan.
“That’s where the coaches earn the big bucks, though, and I’m willing to bet Steve Hansen will keep them on task. You hope we don’t come up against France because they can pull a rabbit out of the hat, but I don’t see that happening this time.”
Concerns have been raised over New Zealand’s enduring bunch of over-Thirties, with the experienced sextet of McCaw, Carter, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith approaching 700 caps between them.
Can they last the pace? Evans believes so, saying: “During the early part of the Super Rugby season I had my doubts, but after watching the opening Rugby Championship games against Argentina and South Africa, they’ve put that firmly to bed.
“When they put on that black jersey those older guys just grow another arm, leg and heart so I don’t think we’ve got any worries over any of them.
“They’ll be in a good place and the last big thing the All Blacks haven’t done is win a World Cup away, so that’s something they’ll really go for.”
Fly-half Carter has been under pressure for his place, but Evans believes his old half-back colleague has done enough to earn the starting jersey.
He said: “Dan’s got his challengers and it’s the same with England and Australia, where you’ve also got big competition at fly-half. But right now, with his experience and the form he came into at the end of the Super Rugby season, I’d pick him.
“At the start of the Super Rugby season I would have made him third choice behind Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett, but Cruden’s out and Carter’s moved ahead of Barrett on recent form, so I think they’ll go with him at the World Cup.
“Lima Sopoaga’s moved into contention with some really strong performances, but Carter’s got his form back and his experienced will be vital.”
If New Zealand get their selection right, Evans reckons they will be nigh on unstoppable, adding: “I wouldn’t say there are any weaknesses in the squad, although there are a few selection dilemmas at centre, on the wing and at full-back.
“Do you pair Nonu and Smith, or accommodate Sonny Bill Williams and Malakai Fekitoa? Who goes on the other wing to Julian Savea? Do you pick Israel Dagg or Ben Smith at full-back? But they’re great problems for New Zealand to have.”