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Without McCaw I'd presume they'd use Todd instead.
Without Carter, who knows.
As for who'd take the captaincy.. probably Muliania or Thorn.

I think that without Carter someone will turn them over - probably not England unfortunately - but France/Aus/SA could - Luckily - we have a chance against these 3 teams

Ah.

Here we go. It's world cup year, and all and sundry are trying to build the ABs up as unbeatable dead-sets.

NZ are just a team, like any other team. They have a good chance of winning whatever the team named on the day, but they can be beaten.

Let's not get irrational.

True - but they have a lot of teams beaten before they start - unfortunately England being one - and with the home factor it is magnified - youre right they can be beaten - by the teams I named above -

However - back to the article - depending on points of view I suppose the outside half is the most important position on the field and if you have the best or at least one of the best in the world in that spot - anyone would miss them - thus increasing the oppositions mental attitude - i talk about the flyhalf position through gritted teeth as a former NO.8 so if we go with my heart the Back row is as important - I thought McCaw was the best Back row player in the world up to this years 6 nations - still in the top 2 though so above comment still counts

McCaw is a legend - like Brian O Driscoll he told Prince William to shove his wedding invitation where the sun don't shine. He isn't a bad player either.

Of course NZ can be beaten but I just think it will fall right for them this year. Of the ones whoul "could" beat them i'd actually give the Aussies the best chance. Would love to see ireland do it but quite frankly after the 2007 horror show i think i'll settle just to get through the pool this time.

Carter would be the single most important player IMO
If they lost him they would be a little less impressive and a lot less creative.

Even so and as has been said before. They are just a team and they are beatable regardless of who is picked.

Bob Casey
+1 Oz are looking very very dangerous! Funny how they always manage to peak come world cup time.

I agree with the Wallabies - I wouldnt bet against them in a WC year - although - they need to avoid England in an ideal world - dont get me wrong - thats not being disrespectful or anything - we just all have our bogey teams and for the last few years england have been it for the Aussies - NZ need to avoid FR and Aus - Eng need to avoid NZ and Ire - SA could go either way with anyone

That's a pretty decent assessment there Lydneyian and i'd agree with the different bogey teams - there's been enough history in the torunament to show who plays well against who regardless of how they may be faring in general terms. I'm just glad Ireland do not have Argentina in their group this time

carter kicks everything from anywhere and is pretty useful with the ball in hand and kicks well from hand - any team would miss him, richies a legend and a leader he would be missed too - to answer your question i dont know. From what i've seen of super rugby this season there isnt a 2nd decent 10 knocking around (nick evans doesnt count)

With out Carter i could see SouthAfrica turning them over but the rest of us can just keep dreaming

Without Carter, McCaw and Sonny Bill they are still the best team in the world but also very beatable.

With those 3 they are an incredible force

Heh. Looks like the answer was "yes"