Australia cast doubt over All Blacks’ hopes

SYDNEY – Australia have fired the first shot in a psychological war of words with New Zealand, claiming the All Blacks have passed their peak before the World Cup has even begun.

New Zealand are strong favourites to win the tournament starting next month in France but the Australians suspect the All Blacks have misjudged their timing. Former captain Phil Kearns, who played in the Wallaby teams that won the 1991 and 1999 World Cups, said the All Blacks had been on the slide for the past year and a half.New Zealand won the inaugural World Cup in 1987 but have failed to win the title since, despite starting among the favourites each time.Former coach Rod Macqueen, who masterminded Australia’s 1999 victory when the All Blacks lost to France in an extraordinary semi-final, said he thought the current New Zealand team was showing signs of being one-dimensional.-AFPFormer captain Phil Kearns, who played in the Wallaby teams that won the 1991 and 1999 World Cups, said the All Blacks had been on the slide for the past year and a half.New Zealand won the inaugural World Cup in 1987 but have failed to win the title since, despite starting among the favourites each time.Former coach Rod Macqueen, who masterminded Australia’s 1999 victory when the All Blacks lost to France in an extraordinary semi-final, said he thought the current New Zealand team was showing signs of being one-dimensional.-AFP