Australian teams have New Zealand inferiority complex, says Kafer
Australian sides suffer from a "self-perpetuating" inferiority complex in comparison to their New Zealand counterparts in Super Rugby, former Wallaby Rod Kafer believes.
In 11 trans-Tasman meetings since the start of the season Australian sides are yet to record a win, while they combined for just three in the previous campaign.
Amid reports that at least one of the nation's Super Rugby franchises could be culled as part of a restructuring process by SANZAAR, Kafer feels his compatriots are in a downward spiral.
"All the players hear is how far ahead the Kiwi teams are and eventually, as resistant as you try to be as a player, those things over time seep in, through the smallest cracks in a player's psyche," said Kafer, a 12-time international.
"You get the sense that our decline in performance, particularly against New Zealand sides, has unfortunately been consistent over the past three years. It's almost in the Australian psyche now, that deferment to New Zealand, and it becomes self-perpetuating.
"What we have to do is find a way to break that cycle and remove their grip from our throats."
It was a clean sweep for the New Zealand #SuperRugby teams in Round 6, but who do YOU think scored the best try? #SuperBoomBoom pic.twitter.com/CSf3vjwbcy
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) April 2, 2017
However, Kafer does not think the uncertainty surrounding the future of Australia's five teams is to blame for their disappointing start to the year.
"Our performances against New Zealand teams have declined over a period of time, I'd say the past three years," he said.
"Of course there's going to be uncertainty around the competition, but if anything that gives the players opportunities to be inspired and to play as if their lives depended on it."
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Dear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
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