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All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan in action against the Springboks - Source: Getty Imges -
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This certainly has been an unusual All Blacks Tri-Nations trip to South Africa - and it was all in a week with Tuesday's World Cup selection at the forefront of the coaches', players' and media minds.
As I write, it's less than 24 hours since the All Blacks were defeated by the Springboks and I can tell you there are a couple of glum faces in All Blacks tracksuits here at Johannesburg international airport after being told this morning they will not be required for the 2011 World Cup campaign.
You'll find out just who has missed out soon enough when the final squad names are read out in Brisbane on Tuesday.
You've got to feel for the talented players who have been cut. It can't be easy having your dream of donning the black jersey and winning a world cup on home soil crushed by three words "I'm sorry but..."
The news will make this long flight home that much more depressing, knowing the majority of your team mates in the seats around you are inwardly celebrating their World Cup selection.
I certainly don't envy the All Blacks coaches who issued their version of 'Dear John letters' to the unlucky few at the team hotel in Port Elizabeth this morning after a long night of match tape viewing, statistics deciphering and deliberation.
I bumped into sleep-deprived assistant coach Wayne Smith at the airport and I asked him if choosing this squad was more difficult than selecting squad for the 2007 campaign and without hesitation he said "Yes, without a doubt".
Just so much talent and so few places and let's face it, those who have been left out would probably be walk-up starters for any other Test playing nation.
Halfback Jimmy Cowan knows all about the excitement of preparing for a World Cup only to have his dream shattered by a "Dear John" moment. He was cut from the squad on the eve of the 2007 tournament but is unlikely to suffer the same fate this time.
I spoke to Jimmy earlier in the week about the pain of it all
four years ago, and he still carries the mental scars of that
unwanted memory. He openly told me just how much it hurts and
looking at some of long faces in black tracksuits here at the
airport, I believe him.
* The All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad announcement will be
live on TV ONE and tvnz.co.nz at 2pm on Tuesday.
Read more Steve Marshall opinion
.
What do you think? Who will be happy? Who will be sad. Make your predictions below.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentCorcaigh said on 2011-08-22 @ 15:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
Lets get one thing straight, Dear Jesus, Mary and Joseph, GET RID OF THAT SO AND SO THOMPSON. Im glad you all saw how really really bad he is. The backs speak for themselves. we will need more loose forwards, just put matt todd in, hes all the cover we need. Sorry Victor, but you have to think like a samoan again...not like Hammet..samoa mo samoa in the loose forwards role. good luck
selmat01 said on 2011-08-22 @ 14:26 NZDT: Report abusive post
The Super XV is the most exciting rugby tournament in the world. The All Blacks play the most exciting rugby in the world. Great. But history tells us that's not what wins World Cups. It would be nice, but let's face it, that's not the real world. The AB's need to think seriously about mimicking the metronomic points accrual tactics of teams such as South Africa. Their "50 Best Moments" tape won't be as pretty but their trophy cupboard would sure look a darn sight more stately.
nzlgraham said on 2011-08-22 @ 10:20 NZDT: Report abusive post
If as Steve Marshall says those dropped would be walk up starters for any other test playing nation, then NZ surely has a world beater team of who's left. I think that is a dangerous assumption. Over recent years I have observed less hunger to win from New Zealand than some others, I think our 'know how can do' culture is being watered down at all levels. Still, let's hope we win.