Rugby World Cup 2011
All Black legend warns Boks
2011-08-11 13:42
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Zinzan Brooke (Gallo)
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London - All Black legend Zinzan Brooke has warned the Springboks that they cannot win the Rugby World Cup without putting together a run of victories before the tournament starts.
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South Africa lost their first two Tri-Nations games, against Australia and New Zealand, and are not favoured to win their final two games of the competition either.
According to
Skysports.com, Brooke believes that going into the World Cup on the back of defeats could stop the Boks from successfully defending their title.
"Things are going to have to change for them and fast. They have already lost twice in the Tri-Nations and if they potentially lose their homes games they could end up heading to New Zealand having lost four games on the bounce,’ said Brooke.
"You want to head to the World Cup with form and confidence and they are risking all that."
Brooke played 58 Tests for New Zealand between 1987 and 1997 and is regarded as one of the game’s best ever players.
Brooke is also reported to have said that Samoa will be the strongest team in Pool D, and that the Pacific Islanders could stop the Springboks’ from winning the group.
"I think Samoa will be the real outsiders in New Zealand. The Pacific islands of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga will all be tough but it is Samoa that stands out,” said Brooke.
“In my opinion Wales will not get in to the knockout stages and at the moment South Africa still have work to do, so I just have this feeling that Samoa might top the pool."
Brooke added that he believed New Zealand would win the World Cup.