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All Blacks are still Rugby World Cup favourites - at least according to Twitter
It is a weird thought but the All Blacks have only won one of their past four matches going into their Bledisloe Cup tie with the Wallabies this weekend at Eden Park.
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Their only win since they lost to Ireland in November was against Argentina, a match where the Pumas came within touching distance of snatching it at the end. A draw with the Springboks in Wellington followed by last weekend’s humbling loss to the Wallabies in Perth has put Steve Hansen in unknown territory so near to the World Cup.
To make matters worse, the All Blacks could lose their status at the number one ranked team in the world, something they have held for 500 weeks, should England beat Wales by more than 16 points at the Principality Stadium this weekend. This is not something that teams or coaches are concerned about, but it is nevertheless an indication that the All Blacks’ grip on world rugby is not as strong as it once was.
With only two games left before the World Cup commences in September, Hansen will quickly want to stop the rot, and there is no better place than Eden Park. However, despite this slight slump for the world champions, they still enter the World Cup as favourites.
This seems to be the consensus on Twitter.
Perhaps fans know that Hansen has been experimenting with his team slightly this Rugby Championship, especially with the choice of playing Beauden Barrett at fullback. Moreover, the red card for Scott Barrett against the Wallabies may have been decisive in the result, and a full complement of players may have earned a different outcome.
Ultimately, the All Blacks have done enough over the past decade to show why they are the best in the World, and this poor run of form by them has not swayed many fans’ opinions. Additionally, no team has ever won the Rugby Championship/ Tri Nations and the World Cup in the same year, which some feel bodes well for the All Blacks.
This is what has been said:
https://twitter.com/theroarGL/status/1160968403890376705?s=20
https://twitter.com/middletona09/status/1160661657061920768?s=20
https://twitter.com/10stofchaos/status/1160542616318029825?s=20
https://twitter.com/jamie189227/status/1160528750569775109?s=20
https://twitter.com/ChitintshabaM/status/1160484668560543744?s=20
https://twitter.com/_Sviro_/status/1161201970503409664?s=20
The All Blacks will go to the world cup as favourites, but for the first time in what seems like an absolute age they are beatable by a fair number of sides. This should be an excellent world cup. https://t.co/dK5DdUUkMr
— Adam Brown (@AdBrown85) August 10, 2019
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While the All Blacks may be favourites, they are in no way as comfortable as they were going into the last two World Cups.
The Springboks sent a massive statement last month in earning a draw in Wellington, as well as their win on New Zealand soil last season. They will push the All Blacks all the way, and seeing as both teams are in the same pool, they could easily meet again in the final.
Grand Slam champions Wales have also peaked this year and are seen as a major threat, although they did lose to England at the weekend. They meet again in Cardiff this Saturday, which could prove telling as to which is in a better place going into the World Cup.
Meanwhile, both Australia and Ireland have had mixed 2019s, but both have beaten New Zealand in the past year, which will fill them with a lot of confidence.
Ultimately, the World Cup looks wide open, but it does not mean that many fans on Twitter are not backing the All Blacks still.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
9 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
3 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
3 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
2 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
3 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
9 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
9 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
17 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
9 Go to commentsMost articles (none Irish) said JGP might be second best globally (after Dupont). Anyway, he is playing great. Different player but maybe he is equal to Dupont in how he is reading games now. He is also running a lot of Dupont support lines and scoring a lot of tries. Dupont is best scrum half but JGP in next pack.
17 Go to comments