Dwyer dismisses Kiwi claims

Barbarians coach Bob Dwyer has dismissed claims by New Zealand that they are now the best team in the world, following the 47-19 hammering the Kiwis handed to the Baa-baas at Twickenham on Saturday - a result which concluded an unbeaten tour by the All Blacks.

Apart from the unbeaten trip, which saw them beat Italy, Wales and France on their way to Saturday's emphatic win, New Zealand are also rated to No.1 team in the world on the International Rugby Board (IRB) rankings.

But Dwyer on Saturday insisted they still have some way to go before they can be considered the best.

"A purple patch doesn't make you the best team in the world, but certainly over the last couple of weeks they have played the best rugby," Dwyer, who coached Australia to their first World Cup victory in 1991, said in his post-match reaction.

"Most people would say, on current form, they are the most difficult side to beat. Against France they were superlative.

"But they were a tad lucky to beat Wales a couple of weeks ago, so let's not get too excited. You have to play well over a long period of time to wear a tag like best team in the world."

The All Blacks certainly benefited on Saturday from an error-strewn Barbarians performance.

"We couldn't hold onto the ball," said Dwyer.

"It was as simple as that. In the end - with New Zealand enjoying a fair bit of possession, because some of it we kept giving back to them - it was difficult for us to maintain our defence.

"If we had been able to hold on to the ball we might have been able to put them under pressure. They played much better than we did and deserved their win.

"If you can't hold on to ball and can't catch and pass accurately you can't win games."