New Zealand face selection challenge

New Zealand face selection challenge

New Zealand boss Graham Henry believes he and the All Black selectors face an uphill battle to ensure all their squad receive enough time on the field ahead of the World Cup.

The hosts play five tests ahead of the tournament which begins September 9th with their match against Tonga in Auckland and Henry believes the selectors will have to balance naming their best side with giving a number of key back-up player sufficient game time during upcoming Tri-Nations series starting on July 23rd. Anyone with a Betfair Android betting app will be wondering just how well they can perform in this scenario.

The All Blacks once again go into the tournament as heavy favourites, much as they do for most tournaments but they still only have one World title to their name which came in the inaugural event in 1987. However, that tournament was also held on home soil and many believe that could have a big influence on proceedings. Henry's side went into the 2007 tournament as overwhelming favourites but came unstuck to hosts France after a number of key players received injuries. Those looking at Betfair Mobile should remember this.

The Kiwi players will come into the tournament on the back of a particularly bruising Super Rugby season which has seen a number of key players pick up injuries including skipper and IRB World Player of the Year Richie McCaw and mercurial playmaker Dan Carter and Henry knows that he needs to build a strong squad if he is to lead his side to success after so many near misses.

"'We can't take the risk of going into a sudden death rugby World Cup and having to play somebody who hasn't played a big Test match for all of 2011,"' he said.

"'I just think we need to be pragmatic there and make good decisions"' he added.