Grassroots rugby and new rules gives base for New Zealand to win Rugby World Cup in 2011

It's on the lips of most New Zealanders`. "Will NZ win the 2011 Rugby World Cup ?"  To find the answer, I spent last Saturday at Pareora, a small farming community in South Canterbury seeing if I could come up with an accurate prediction.

Pareora under 6 rugby team on the attack against Celtic in South Canterbury, New Zealand. Photo: Bob McKerrow

The biggest single factor in New Zealand's favour is that significant changes have been made to the rules at the breakdown which gives huge opportunities and rights to the team taking the ball into the tackle, which suits hard runners such as Ma'a Nonu, Cory Jane, Israel Dagg, Dan Carter, Mils Muliaina and a new line-up of young players in the wings such as Victor Vito, Benson Stanley and Rene Ranger.

Mils Muliaini is typical of NZs hard-running backs who revel in the new rules which give rights to the player going into the tackle.

Future All Blacks from Pareora or from the visitors. Photo; Bob McKerrow

At Pareora I observed how strong 'grassroots' NZ rugby is and through a constant stream of talented players coming from small communituies like Pareora which has contributed hugely to our current strength at many levels of national rugby. The rules have allowed the All Blacks to play exciting, well constructed and fast running rugby which is our natural game. We've beaten South Africa twice in 3 weeks and Australia beat the Boks on Saturday night which that proves the dour Springbok and English kicking game does not win rugby in 2010.

Celtic playing Geraldine at Pareora, so typical of grass root NZ rugby.
Photo; Bob McKerrow

The NZ Maoris have beaten Wales, Ireland and England this year and the NZ under 20s recently won the world cup. Never before a year out from the Rugby World Cup have we had this depth.But the depth is from north to south. Southland took the coveted Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury last year and has pumped new life into provincial rugby.


I leave for Sri Lanka tomorrow after 3 weeks in NZ and I feel very positive New Zealand are on track to winning the 2011 Rugby World Cup thanks to the new rules and the strength at grass root level. Thank you Pareora.