New Zealand Top Seeds France 2007

New Zealand are in Rugby World Cup Pool C along with Scotland, Italy, Romania and Portugal. The whole of New Zealand will be backing the Kiwi's with rugby being the national sport. This pool will certainly not test the mighty Blacks and they should qualify with ease racking up some big scores and easy wins on the way.

New Zealand won the first Rugby World Cup in 1987, but have since failed to repeat their success. They lost out in the semi-finals in 2003 when favourites in Australia loosing to the hosts who they had also lost to at the same stage in 1991,again in the semi's to France in 1999. In 1995 they came closest, losing after extra time to South Africa in the final.

The New Zealand team's pre-match Haka is well known and feared.

New Zealand's Impressive Record

Currently ranked first in the world, New Zealand's Rugby World Cup record is impressive, averaging over 45 points a match in their 30 appearances. The All Blacks performance in Australia 2003 as losing semi-finalists ensured their automatic selection for 2007.

The new All Blacks shirts are available now. The shirt has changed little from previous versions with the colour scheme staying true to All Blacks history. As with most other top tier nations shirts it has no collar and short sleeves. The shirt is made by Adidas and features the Rugby World Cup logo, with the slim fit style favoured by all the top sides. To place your order and view other New Zealand shirts visit the New Zealand Shirts page.

All Blacks Expected To Fire Out Wide

Much will be decided by the form of Daniel Carter now one of the best recognised faces in world rugby and on his day possibly better than Jonny Wilkinson at his prime. Things happen when he is around, so if he's on song expect a stunning performance from the exciting All Blacks' threes. Coach Graham Henry has also got probably the best pack of forwards in the world at present so New Zealand will go to France as firm favourites yet again for a World Cup success having comfortably won pool C.

New Zealand News

France go one up with win against Blacks - The new look All Blacks got turned over to often by a committed France and went one down in the two match Iveco series in Dunedin today

All Blacks 2009 Shirt Released - New Zealand will play a home series against France and Italy in June, 13 June sees France visit Dunedin, then the following Saturday they will be in Wellington

NZRU close to signing new sponsors - Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew says his organisation is in advanced talks with a company that will replace Philips as sponsor of the TriNations: (quote)While we don’t have any ink on paper yet, I’m very confident a new agreement will be signed

All Blacks team versus Scotland named - Keven Mealamu captains the All Blacks for the first time

New Zealand V Australia Hong Kong Teams - Well both sides have made changes for this special Bledisloe Cup match being played in Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Stadium