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‘Really strange’: Robshaw picks England as one of three World Cup frontrunners
Former England captain Chris Robshaw has named the three teams he believes are “stepping up” as genuine Rugby World Cup frontrunners, and the All Blacks aren’t one of them.
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With the opening round of the World Cup in the books, Robshaw has highlighted France, England and South Africa as the three teams to beat.
France beat the All Blacks on Friday, with sharpshooter Thomas Ramos practically kicking the hosts to an important win.
England played almost the entirety of their Test against Argentina with 14 men, but the boot of flyhalf George Ford spurred Steve Borthwick’s men on to an emphatic 27-10 win in Marseille.
Then, on the final day of the first round, the world champion Springboks kicked off their quest for a second-consecutive title with a clinical 18-3 win over Scotland.
“The best thing about the first weekend is there were some big games whereas normally you wait one or two weeks to get into it,” Robshaw said on The Platform.
“Credit to France, they played (New Zealand) first up. I think that was a real show of intent to say, ‘You know what, we want to play the big boys and hit the ground running.’
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“I think their performances, especially after New Zealand scored after a minute and a half… their ability to control the ball and come back, that was brilliant.
“England looked really dominant considering their four warm-up games, and I’m not sure if you guys have followed much of them but we’ve only one out of four warm-up games.
“Went up against an Argentinian side that has been a good side in recent times and made them look terrible in all honest.
“Didn’t score a try which is, I think we still need to work on, but to win that comfortably with 14 men as well.
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“Then you look at South Africa. To beat Scotland pretty comfortably and in that pool where everyone said that was going to be a three-way thing, they kind of put Scotland back in their place.
“France, South Africa and England as the big sides really stepping up.”
The All Blacks lost their first-ever Rugby World Cup pool match last week as they fell to a disastrous 27-13 defeat to France.
This time last month, New Zealand was shaping up as the bookmakers’ favourites to hoist the Webb Ellis Cup following a sensational Rugby Championship campaign.
With coach Ian Foster at the helm, New Zealand surged to their fourth consecutive TRC crown following big wins over Argentina, South Africa and Australia.
But their form and World Cup prospects took a turn for the worst last month as they fell to a record defeat against the world champion Boks at Twickenham.
“I’m not surprised,” Robshaw added.
“It’s a really strange one because you guys, from our point of view in the northern hemisphere, didn’t have the best year last year and all of a sudden you win The Rugby Championship and everyone’s thinking, ‘These guys are back.’
“Then Twickenham, what seemed like South Africa’s second home… to have the biggest defeat and then go to France… I didn’t realise you lost your first World Cup pool game ever.
“You guys are going to sail out the rest of that pool, get into a quarterfinal and yes you’ll have to play probably a South Africa now which is tough in itself.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Huge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
215 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
8 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
36 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
11 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
36 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
3 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
7 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
215 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
7 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
7 Go to commentsWhat a weak article…absolute drivel and clickbait, well done. Will stick to rugby365 thanks
7 Go to commentsHonest, discipline, humility… Priceless.
2 Go to commentsSo many excuses. No mention of the SA number 2 being taken out illegally in the 2nd minute. That act of foul play had a massive impact on the SA game. Face it, NZ play pretty dirty very regularly, and it’s only since 2016 they’ve been held to higher officiating standards via stricter officiating and TMO reviews. They deserved to have a man down. Sorry. Fix the yellow and red cards and NZ will win more RWCs. Plus, there WAS a knock on invalidating the one try, so it was NOT a try. Period. Here’s a Kleenex…
215 Go to commentsOverheard conversation between NZ and SA rugby fans everywhere: We’re the greatest! No! we’re the greatest! We’re the greatest! No we’re the greatest! Ireland are arrogant! True but they beat you! We’re the greatest! No! we’re the greatest! Etc. etc, etc.
36 Go to commentsTypical crap Aussie weather
11 Go to comments“If they’d have beaten England, I still feel we would have been talking ‘is this the best team ever,’ ‘is this the best team that’s ever played in the Six Nations'” he said. “I still think they’re not quite that good. I actually don’t think they’re that good.” So Trimble is saying he doesn’t think this is the best 6N team of all time. He is silent on if it is the best Irish team of all time. Can’t disagree with him. Just another misrepresentative clickbait headline from the guys at RP.
36 Go to commentsWow, do we really still have to listen to all the excuses and “unfairness” of it all. Even blaming the bounce of an egg shaped ball for the loss. But the article is about context, so what about the Springboks having to play the other 5 teams in the top 6 and still beating a comparatively rested AB team on a very empty tank.
215 Go to comments