Keith,I suppose it depends on how you define the term amateur. I know that rugby is more of a way of life than a sport in New Zeland but given the history of the All Blacks and their apparrant world dominance of the sport, it's strange how they've only managed to win the world cup once. My guess is that their players do not play enough competative rugby so when faced with the situation of a knockout competition they don't know how to handle it. Compare this to the English players who play in the Premiership week in, week out, with the threat of relagation if they under perform, the players seem to be able to cope with the pressure of such an environment a lot better. It must be said though that the change to professionalism has made a huge difference to our game, and for the better I think.
Andrew Sibley ● 6492d