Mils Muliaina makes bold prediction for northern hemisphere tour despite All Blacks being ‘100 per cent vulnerable’
All Blacks taking on England in July and former full-back Mils Muliaina.
Ex-All Blacks full-back Mils Muliaina has the vehement belief that Scott Robertson’s outfit can win all five games on their northern hemisphere tour.
New Zealand start off with a clash against Japan in late October before their three huge matches over consecutive weekends against England, Ireland and France.
They finish off with a contest against Italy, but it is those middle encounters versus three of the world’s top five which is the main focus.
Rugby Championship struggles
It will undoubtedly be a tough tour, especially for an All Blacks team that lost three times in the Rugby Championship.
But Muliaina insists that there is enough talent in the squad to go through the end-of-year series unbeaten, despite realising that there are weaknesses which could be exposed.
“I believe that we can go there and win the [big] three. I think we’ve got a team that can go up there and win,” he said on The Breakdown.
“Are we vulnerable? 100 per cent we are. This is a time where other teams will be licking their lips and going, ‘this is where we can catch the All Blacks while they’re trying to get their team together.’
“October 26 against Japan is important, you’ve got to get close to your 23. I think you roll them out once again. It’s a long time to that game.
“Then there’s three in a row and you pick your best three teams. Italy’s probably the one [for rotating], but in the Japanese game they’ve got to get close to their best side.”
Muliaina’s fellow All Blacks great, Jeff Wilson, agrees that they currently have the ability to beat England, Ireland and France, but admits that he would be “surprised” should they be successful in all three.
“Can we win all the Tests on the end-of-year tour? Absolutely, because the potential is there. We’ve shown our ability to attack, which has started to come back, and we’re creating opportunities to score points,” Wilson said.
“I would be surprised if we’re unbeaten, I think it’s a really tough schedule – it’s really hard. For the same group in three games, give or take one or two, it’s going to be challenging.”
View of an ex-Ireland international
Muliaina and Wilson were joined on the panel by former Ireland scrum-half Isaac Boss, who earned 22 caps between 2006 and 2015.
Boss was born and raised in New Zealand, but moved to Ulster in 2005 and believes that Andy Farrell’s men will be too strong for the All Blacks.
“Three games in 12 days is going to be very, very tough. I don’t expect them to win all three of them. Ireland, with their 150-year anniversary, they’re going to be gunning for that,” he said.
“I can see them winning two with France and England. Ireland at their home will be tough.”
