adminLONDON. — New Zealand legend Sir John Kirwan says the current All Blacks – the reigning world champions – are the best of all time, as they prepare to take on England at Twickenham today.
Kirwan played in the 1987 World Cup winning outfit, but says Steve Hansen’s team can lay claim to being the greatest in New Zealand history.
“I think so. They’re outstanding,” Kirwan told BBC Radio 5 live.
“A couple of guys are possibly the best ever in their position.”
There are few individuals better placed to judge than Kirwan, who won 63 caps for New Zealand between 1984 and 1994, scoring 35 tries.
The 49-year-old’s extensive coaching experience includes spells with the national sides of Italy and Japan, while he is currently in charge of Auckland Blues.
He is also overseeing the Barbarians for their matches this month against Australia and Leicester.
“What the All Blacks have is great depth in the squad,” added Kirwan, who said Hansen had improved the team since the last World Cup.
“We have a special group of leaders that have the ability to make the right decisions under pressure.”
Although New Zealand have only lost two matches since winning the Webb Ellis trophy on home soil three years ago – against England at Twickenham in 2010 and against South Africa in Johannesburg last month – they have repeatedly salvaged victories in the dying stages of games, notably against Ireland in Dublin last November and recently against Australia in Brisbane.
Furthermore, at Twickenham last year England led going into the closing stages, and it was a similar story in the first Test this summer in Auckland. — BBC Sport
Online Reporter