The former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick believes New Zealand will "bash" their rivals into submission at the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in France en route to winning the Webb Ellis Trophy for the first time in 20 years.
Fitzpatrick, aware more than most of the pressure on the All Blacks to deliver, rates the Kiwis as "clear favourites" and says none of their competitors will be able to match their sustained ferocity at the set pieces or the breakdown, where the captain Richie McCaw reigns supreme.
"They're physical from one to 15 and they like hurting people, that's what they do," said Fitzpatrick yesterday. "They want to punish people for 80 minutes and they'll just bash people until they can't take any more. Other teams can match them for 20 or 30 minutes but they won't be able to sustain it. The All Blacks will."
Fitzpatrick's optimism is based on the impressive set-piece coaching of Steve Hansen and the suspicion New Zealand did not show their full hand during the Tri-Nations because of the head coach Graham Henry's rotation policy. He thinks Conrad Smith will fill the troublesome number-13 jersey in big games, reckons the lineout will not prove a weak link and says the big lock Keith Robinson will prove a valuable presence in the knock-out games.
Stephen Jones has vowed he will be 100 per cent fit for the start of Wales's World Cup campaign.
Jones missed all three of Wales's warm-up games, having injured a groin at a training camp in France.
His participation at the World Cup was in doubt, but Jones has revealed he is back in full training and will be fit for Wales's opening tie on September 9th.
"I'll be 100 per cent for the first game. That is not an issue; I know that for a fact," Jones said yesterday. "I very feel good and happy with how it has healed. I'm back in full training and I'll be doing everything I can to give myself an opportunity to play and enjoy the competition.
"Then if I'm fit it is up to the coaches what they decide to do."
The former Scotland and Lions captain Gavin Hastings has been made the new chairman of Edinburgh Rugby.
Chief executive Nic Cartwright said, "Gavin is a real bonus. Having seen his commitment and passion, I know he will play a big part in driving us forward."
Hastings, capped 61 times for Scotland, said, "I have huge desire and passion to see this game and this club grow."
Edinburgh have added to their squad by signing Scotland's World Cup prop Gavin Kerr.
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