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George Gregan compares All Blacks to the NBA's best


Former Australia international George Gregan. Photo / Getty Images
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Former Wallabies captain George Gregan believes the current All Blacks are rugby’s version of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

The reigning World Cup holders are set to face England this weekend for the first time in four years, and Gregan thinks the opposition have their work cut out for them.

“There’s times when they’ve had to come from behind to win test matches but they’ve got that belief and understanding of what’s required and they embrace those moments,” Gregan told Fairfax.

“That’s what successful teams do in all sports, when they get into those tight situations there is a real confidence within them that they can get right through it.

“At the moment in basketball there’s teams like the Golden State Warriors that find a way to win those games and they have confidence in each other and their skills hold up under pressure.”

The Warriors have won three of the past four NBA titles, forging the league’s latest dynasty and fielding stars like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.

Gregan said finding any weaknesses in the All Blacks is difficult because of the way they have rounded out their game.

“They’re very well balanced,” Gregan said.

“They have one of the best defensive lineouts in the world, their set-piece is very strong.

“They’ve got very good foundations, and strong leadership right through, in all part of the team – tight five back row, halves, back three.

“They are just a very cohesive team and they respond very well to pressure.”

The All Blacks kick off against England on Saturday afternoon at Twickenham, while Gregan’s Wallabies are in Cardiff to face Wales.

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Phantom 33 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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