All Blacks are favourites for the Rugby World Cup, but can France clinch the Webb Ellis Cup?
The 2023 Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, with the tenth edition of rugby’s most prestigious competition kicking off on September 8 with the mouth-watering clash between two of the tournament’s favourites. France host World Cup favourites New Zealand at the Stade de France, Saint-Denis, in a game most pundits believe features the eventual champions of the world.
New Zealand is the most successful Rugby World Cup team, having triumphed a record three times. The All Blacks emerged victoriously in the inaugural competition in 1987, defeating France 29-9 in a relatively one-sided affair. The Kiwis finished second to South Africa in 1995 before claiming their second title in 2011, again defeating France, albeit in a low-scoring 8-7 game. New Zealand won back-to-back World Cups after coming out on top against arch-rivals Australia in 2015 in front of 80,125 fans at Twickenham. The All Blacks won 34-17, with Daniel Carter kicking four penalties, scoring a drop goal, and converting two of three tries.
Unbeaten in Nine, But Still Not Top of Their Game
The All Blacks are undefeated in their last nine outings, which is one of the reasons the latest rugby betting odds price them as favourites for 2023 World Cup glory. Since falling to a shock 18-25 defeat at the hands of Argentina on August 27, 2022, New Zealand has beaten Australia twice, brushed Wales aside in a 55-23 victory, drawn 25-25 with England, and more recently come out on top to the tune of 35-20 against reigning World Cup champions South Africa.
It is fair to say that New Zealand has not been at their brilliant best going into the World Cup despite being unbeaten in nine outings. However, their ruck speed in the recent game against South Africa was breathtaking, and their kicking was intelligent, to say the least.
Much criticism has landed at the feet of captain Sam Cane, but he has played some incredible rugby for the Chiefs this season; Cane will be doing everything in his power to prove the doubters wrong.
A fired-up Cane coupled with a powerful front-row featuring the likes of Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, and Samisoni Taukei’aho spells bad news for the All Blacks’ opponents, plus you cannot forget about the elite-level second-row pairing of Sam Whitelock and Brodie Reallick.
Can France Capitalise on Having Home Soil Advantage
France has never won the World Cup and will see the 2023 edition as their best chance to change that fact because they have a home-soil advantage. The French have twice had a bridesmaid finish, losing to New Zealand in 1987 and again in 2011. Ironically, these two rugby Goliaths get the 2023 Rugby World Cup off to a flying start.
Le Bleus have won 17 of their past 18 games, with only Ireland able to stop them in their tracks during the last two years, doing so at the Guinness Six Nations on February 11. This French side is brimming with confidence, has a partizan crowd on its side, and a certain Antoine Dupont pulling the strings.
Dupont is arguably the best player in the world right now. The 26-year-old Toulouse scrum-half is the most ridiculously talented player, one of the best of all time, and has occasionally single-handedly dragged France across the finishing line. Since making his full international debut in 2017, Dupont has turned out 47 times for his country, scored 60 points, and been on the winning side 32 times, a shade over 69 percent of the time.
However, there is more to the French than the talismanic Dupont; much more. Romain Ntamack is one of the most creative players of his generation, but often goes relatively unnoticed due to Dupont’s superstar status. Then there are such luminaries as Damien Penaud, Jonathan Danty, and a true leader in Gael Fickouu, in the forward pack.
The French could be the team to beat, and it will be interesting to see how they fare in the four matches scheduled before the World Cup commences. Home fans will hope their talented roster comes out of the other side free of injuries.
Do Not Write Off the Irish
Ireland is currently the fourth favourite to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France despite their world number-one ranking. Over the past 18 months, Ireland has been the team to beat. They won their fourth Grand Slam with a 29-16 victory over England at the 2023 Six Nations and became the first team since France in 1994 to come away from a tour of New Zealand as the victors.
On paper, at least, Ireland has an exciting squad of players that are capable of beating anyone on their day. Josh Van der Flier, the World Rugby Player of the Year, needs no introduction, while the legendary Johnny Sexton would still probably get into any of the World Cup teams despite being 38 years old.
Sexton has been a tremendous servant for the Irish, having racked up 1,050 points across 113 games since first turning out in the famous green strip in 2009. This will be Sexton’s final tournament at international level, so he will be determined to go out with a bang. What better way to call time on an illustrious career than by helping Ireland past the quarter-finals stage for the first time and lifting the famous Webb Ellis trophy?
Worryingly for Ireland is Sexton’s fitness. The Leinster fly-half’s groin injury has prevented him from playing since the Six Nations, and although Ireland is not wholly reliant on Sexton, they are a much better team with him in it. Combine Sexton’s fitness concerns with the fact several of Ireland’s personnel have underperformed domestically, and you can see why the current world’s number-one team is not the most fancied pick to become world champions.
