All Blacks arrogance is perhaps all that can stop them at the moment



Photo Source: http://www.waikato.ac.nz/



It is true the All Blacks haven't won the coverted Rugby World Cup for a fair while and have over recent years been dissapointing losing to European sides like France.  However, if their form throughout this season is anything to go by expect the Kiwis to not only lift next years world cup trophy but also dominate and humiliate its opponents in the process.  At this stage the only thing I can see that will unravel this juggernaut is themselves by getting overconfident and not being mentally prepared for the task which lay ahead. 

Chris Rattue's article quite comprehensively sums up the current blistering form and positive environment surrounding New Zealand's All Blacks rugby team.  Throughout the opinion article Rattue effectively employs the use of emotive language to reveal to the reader the honest nature of his comments, claiming that despite being a devoted critic of the team in the past he now can admit that the side is reaching amazing new heights. 

Unlike many online articles, Rattue's opinion piece is served best without the use of sources as his reasoning as to why the All Blacks are now such a force are comprehensive and convincing enough.  These noted reasons include attributing praise to coach Graham Henry for his persistance and individual player application, to the team for not being afraid to adapt to new rule changes by playing a more expansive and riskier style and displaying a level of consistency across all matches played both home and away and at altitude or at sea level. 

Rattue's article is also well balanced by as he selectively portrays the essence of the story which emphasises the amazing form displayed by the side and his attributing reasons for this at the beginning and in the body of the article.  Towards the end of the article Rattue identifies less important information such as possible hurdles for the side in the future and potential reasons why the South African team is currently struggling to cope with the power of the Kiwis. 

The article is a good piece of opinion writing as it is both honest and fair in its communication of opinion and reasoning which are essential elements in this style of writing. 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10668143