The Wallabies rugby coach Robbie Deans believes the devastating earthquake that killed at least 166 people and levelled wide swathes of Christchurch could galvanise the All Blacks in their bid to win the World Cup on home soil.
A number of All Blacks, including captain Richie McCaw and flyhalf Dan Carter from the Christchurch-based Crusaders, were shaken by the 6.3 magnitude quake which killed one of the Super Rugby side's board members.
In a further blow, Christchurch lost its seven World Cup matches.
Canterbury native Deans says emotion, well directed, can be valuable.
Deans, who coached the Crusaders to five Super Rugby titles, says it is clear some of the events in recent times over there have contributed to a fair amount of emotion, you only got to look at the performances of the Crusaders to see that.
The Crusaders, forced to play away from their damaged Lancaster Park home base, are unbeaten in three matches following the quake and lie third in the 15-side standings.
The All Blacks are chasing their second World Cup victory since winning the inaugural tournament in 1987.
