After coming up short in recent times, World Rugby Classic president John Kane believes the New Zealand All Blacks could be the team all others have to stop this year.

Andy Haden's men were mauled by the Pumas of Argentina in last year's semi-final 15-5 and suffered the indignity of having two players expelled after South American Claudio Cid appeared to be felled by a punch late on. The previous year they suffered the embarrassment of defeat at the hands of relative-minnows Canada.

The 2001 Classic begins on Sunday at its new home, the Nationals Sports Centre, with the All Blacks facing last year's champions South Africa, the USA, the Argentinians, who won in 1999, the combined team of Portugal and Spain, Canada, Bermuda and arguably their greatest rivals the Classic Lions.

With every team capable of crossing the try-line they will not have it easy, but Kane believes the New Zealanders may have the desire to go all the way.

"Every year it changes, but I just have a feeling the Kiwis might be interested in actually winning it this year," he said. "Not that they weren't in the past but they were ambushed by a very good Argentine team two years ago and last year a very strong South African team. I just have a feeling they may be looking to regain the trophy they lost a few years ago."

Kane admitted that the competition was taking on a more serious edge, an aspect that some teams have been critical of in a tournament that is supposed to be a festival of rugby.

"It probably is to a certain degree, but it is very difficult for someone to put on a national jersey and hold back. There is a certain pride there," he said.

"In the early years New Zealand dominated this for quite a long time but as the game has levelled out it has become more cut and thrust."

Originally the Classic had been scheduled to take place this week, but a clash with conferences at the Southampton Princess, the teams' base, meant it was moved to next week.

With the adverse weather the Island has been suffering in recent days, Kane said that had turned out to be a blessing, although it meant they were left with fewer days to prepare the Frog Lane arena.

"We have had to stop (the work) because we obviously cannot put up the tents until this passes through," Kane said. "Once it passes we will go back to putting the tents up and will be working all hours to get everything ready."

Kane said there was room for 3,000 spectators in bleaching seating at the National Sports Centre and he believed the move took the event to a new level. "I think people are going to be very surprised with the new stadium," he said. "A lot of people don't have any reason to go down that way. I think they will be surprised when they see what the facility looks like and when it is completed I think it will be a huge credit to Bermuda and will attract a lot of overseas events."

A Sports Celebrity Evening, originally planned for Classic week, has had to be postponed, said Kane.

It was hoped the likes of soccer star Ian Rush and tennis player Pat Cash might attend but it is not now going ahead.

"We ended up with problems with the timing. We spoke to an awful lot of people and they said `give us a bit more notice and we will be there' so we have basically postponed that element of it until next year," he said.

Classic schedule: November 11 at 2.00 p.m. Bermuda v New Zealand (A); 3.30 p.m. South Africa v USA (B). November 12 at 2.00 p.m. Argentina v Portugal/Spain (C); 3.30 p.m. Canada v Classic Lions (D)

November 14 at 7.00 p.m. Loser (A) v Loser (B); 8.30 p.m. Winner (A) v Winner (B)

November 15 at 7.00 p.m. Loser (C) v Loser (D); 8.30 p.m. Winner (C) v Winner (D)

November 18, at 2.00 p.m. Plate Final; 3.30 p.m. World Rugby Classic Final.