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Only one team can stop the All Blacks according to ex-World Cup-winning coach
Only England are capable of toppling the All Blacks at this World Cup.
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That’s the verdict from England’s former World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward less than a fortnight out from the tournament’s opening week of the knockout stages.
Writing in his column for the Daily Mail, Woodward maintained that the All Blacks were “unquestionably the favourites”, even with his assertion that Eddie Jones’ side are the firmest challengers to dethroning the three-time champions.
“In fact, the only team I can see beating them is England,” Woodward wrote.
“All their (New Zealand’s) traditional qualities have been to the fore: pace, high tempo, brilliant handling under pressure, the ability to absorb a team’s best shots and then counter-attack 90 yards to score.
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“That opening win against the Boks decided the pool there and then and they will be looking to finish with a full-bore performance against a disappointing Italy.”
The All Blacks face Italy in their final pool clash in Toyota on Saturday, while England close out their round-robin schedule in a Pool C-defining clash with France in Yokohama.
Woodward emphasised the importance of England upholding their unbeaten run at this World Cup with a victory against the lacklustre French, who spluttered to a 23-21 victory over Tonga last night.
Tonga's quarter-final aspirations evaporated with a defeat to France on Sunday. #RWC2019 #FRAvTGA https://t.co/T2pCMUIlWR
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 7, 2019
An English win would ensure the 2003 title-winners of top spot in the ‘Pool of Death’, and would mean they wouldn’t have to play against the Kiwis until the semi-finals.
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Conversely, an unlikely defeat to Les Bleus would see England finish second in their group, which would make it possible to only play the All Blacks in the final.
To get to that stage, though, they would have to topple the winners of Pool D, which is shaping to be Wales, and then overcome either the winner of Pool A or the runners-up of Pool B, which currently looks to be either Japan or South Africa.
Woodward noted that no side had ever won a World Cup after dropping a match in the pool stage, and stressed how vital it is that England maintain their momentum heading into the play-offs.
“Losing has the potential to slow England and sow seeds of doubt. The pressure would crank up, people might get twitchy and everything would look more problematical,” he wrote.
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“I don’t see England losing, in fact I am confident they will put France away in considerable style, but if I was in Eddie Jones’s shoes this week I would be painting the match as a do or die game of the utmost importance. Because it is.
“England must use this game to really lay down a marker. They need to take their game up a notch or two. Their path to the quarter-finals has been pretty straightforward and undemanding.”
Woodward believed that England’s discipline and strong tight five could be their key to success in Japan.
Dane Coles said he would describe Steve Hansen's verbal spray of the All Blacks as a nine out of 10 on the Richter scale. #RWC2019 #NZLvNAM https://t.co/nKZDTSDwLz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 6, 2019
He reckoned their low penalty count works in favour of this strictly-officiated tournament in which referees have come under severe scrutiny for their calling of high tackles.
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He also said England’s tight five helps bring out the best of star flyhalf George Ford.
“The front five are looking as good as any in the tournament and England have real strength in depth in that area, where the attrition rate can be high.
“And England have been keeping the penalty count down and not irritating referees. That needs to continue.”
Matt Giteau and Mike Tindall predict their World Cup winners:
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments