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Cockbain: It’s all about belief

Cockbain: It’s all about belief

Cockbain, whose brother is in the Australian RWC squad, qualifies for Wales on residency grounds but is a big admirer of the All Blacks style of play.

“They’re a very physical side, strong in all facets of the game,” said the giant Celtic Warriors forward.


“They are strong out wide, their line-outs are good, their tight phases are good and they drive well.


“But we have to go out there believing that we can beat New Zealand. It’s a mammoth task, they are a fantastic side and the favourites for the World Cup.


“I’m not going to rant and rave about how we are going to beat them and we are going to do this and do that, it’s just a matter of lifting on the day and giving it a crack.”


At six foot seven inches Cockbain is the tallest player in the Wales squad and added significant height and weight, both in the lineout and open play, whilst winning his second and third caps against Canada and Italy.

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And the Aussie thinks Wales will have to be at their defensive best against backs and forwards alike in the All Blacks match.


“The biggest thing I think that we have to try and counter is that they are all ball players, they are decision makers and they are all athletes,” he added.


“That is the biggest thing, they all want to get their hands on the ball and we have to try and defend against that.


“You’ve got to go through phases, I think, if you kick toward their back division they’ll try and run it back at you and you are in all sorts of trouble.


“It’s going to be a difficult proposition and it’s a matter of defending and stepping up.


“The level of skill will pick-up generally as the tournament progresses too. I think in the early games maybe sides were playing it too hard.


“There’s a lot at stake in a World Cup so there were a lot of mistakes, but teams seem to have settled down now and things are getting better and better as the quarter and semi-finals progress.”



WALES v NEW ZEALAND 01/11/03 9.40am UK 8.40pm AUS


Wales: G Evans; S Williams, M Taylor, S Parker, T Shanklin; S Jones, G Cooper, I Thomas, R McBryde, A Jones, B Cockbain, R Sidoli, J Thomas, C Charvis (capt), A Popham

Replacements: M Davies, G Jenkins, C Wyatt, D Jones, D Peel, C Sweeney, G Thomas


New Zealand: Malili Muliaina; Doug Howlett, Leon MacDonald, Aaron Mauger, Joe Rokocoko; Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall; Dave Hewett, Keven Mealamu, Greg Somervill, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Reuben Thorne (capt), Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins

Replacements: Mark Hammett, Kees Meeuws, Rodney So’oialo, Marty Holah, Byron Kelleher, Daniel Carter, Ma’a Nonu

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