There is a mouthwatering start to the tournament when it kicksoff with what could be a potential final when France face New Zealand in Paris on Friday night. This Pool A opener comes not only with the huge razzmatazz of a great sporting occasion, but the opportunity to see whether the host nation’s stars, led by the world’s best player in scrum-half Antoine Dupont, can rise to it to get a winning start against the three-time world champion All Blacks.
The French also have arguably the world’s best No.8 in Greg Alldritt, great centres in Gael Fickou and Jonathan Danty, and a deadly goal-kicker in Thomas Ramos. The French full-back may not be the biggest or best under the high ball, but he is Neil Jenkins-Jonny Wilkinson-Dan Carter good as a goal-kicker, and that matters in World Cups.
The bandwagon of opinion that New Zealand are suddenly no-hopers, and South Africa favourites, because they lost by a record score to the Springboks in a warm-up match at Twickenham is not one that I’m joining.
The New Zealanders will want to turn that around, and they showed in winning the 2023 Rugby Championship title what they can do. For players of the calibre of Will Jordan and Ardie Savea there would be no better stage on which to make a statement than beating the host nation at the start of the greatest rugby show on Earth.
If France lose the French public will suddenly go from optimism to despair, and with the pressure off them, New Zealand will be instantly back among the favourites.
The big matches keep coming in quick succession because the next day you have England v Argentina in Marseille, and on current form I fancy Argentina.
Esta historia es de la edición September 03, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 03, 2023 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.