Ruthless All Blacks Swing Their Chopper | Thebigtip

The All Blacks are leading by example when it comes to displaying a ruthless streak that runs right through the heart of their selection policy. Having always been considered at the very forefront of positive rugby, New Zealand have decided that their best chances of success lies within selecting form players rather than tried-and-tested stalwarts, as they play host to the top twenty rugby playing nations on the planet at this year's World Cup.

With the action due to get underway on September 9th in Auckland, the host nation have omitted the likes of wingers Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu, utility back Luke McAlister and prop Neemia Tialata from their provisional 30-man squad – and despite the fact that these four players have nearly 200 Test caps between them, it seems very unlikely that any of them will feature unless an injury to another squad member opens a door for one of them.

Those looking at the Rugby World Cup odds will be wondering if this is the right decision.

The Kiwis are blazing a trail with their bold selection policy, but All Black selectors know from experience that the decision to axe some of their mainstays might be the difference between winning the championship and falling just short.

The message is clear: when it comes to donning the legendary uniform, there is no room for sentiment and players deemed surplus to requirements. Regardless of their reputations, those players will be left out without a second thought – and that can only be good for the health of New Zealand rugby in the long-term.

Rokokoko has endured a mediocre campaign in the Super 15, and so it would seem that the selectors are plumping for form over experience or reputation – a plan which flies in the face of lessons learned from the last three World Cups in 1999, 2003 and 2007 where hugely experienced sides found that years of cohesion proved to be the catalyst for success for Australia, England and South Africa respectively.

Those betting rugby money should remember this.

Dropping their stars is a brave strategy, and whilst it will undoubtedly provide the country with a strong platform for the future, it may prove to be the stumbling block for short-term success – and that is what the Kiwi people crave more than anything with the World Cup looming.