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‘Win the World Cup’: Unbeaten All Blacks have ‘more to offer’ in France
The All Blacks have looked like world-beaters so far this year. After winning all four Tests during The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup, they’ve well and truly hit their stride.
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Following the injury to French flyhalf Romain Ntamack, bookmakers in New Zealand and the United Kingdom have the All Blacks as the new front-runners to hoist the Webb Ellis Cup.
They’ve looked very good this year, so bestowing the ‘favourites’ tag upon the All Blacks doesn’t seem too far-fetched. If anything, it feels quite familiar.
But, before flying out of New Zealand ahead of the team’s clash with South Africa in England, loose forward Luke Jacobson has sent a message to the rugby world.
The backrower believes the All Blacks have “more to offer” – and that’s a scary thought ahead of the biggest event in rugby.
They already look like the All Blacks of old.
New Zealand started their international season with a 41-12 demolition of Argentina in Mendoza, the All Blacks went on to inflict more rugby pain on rivals South Africa and Australia.
For periods of these Tests, including the opening 15 minutes against the Springboks and the last quarter of Bledisloe I at the MCG, the All Blacks were practically perfect.
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The All Blacks put the world on notice with these performances, and the New Zealanders aren’t done yet. They’re coming for it all in France.
“I think things are tracking pretty well, and it’s not going to be an easy feat but we’ve got some awesome coaches here, they’re doing a good job,” Jacobson told RugbyPass.
“We’ve got some awesome players and experienced players leading us in the right way.
“We’re already moulding together as you might see from the last few games but I think we’ve still got more to offer so it’s exciting to see where we can get to.”
Jacobson, 26, was picked by coach Ian Foster and the All Blacks selectors as one of the five loose forwards in the Rugby World Cup squad.
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Shannon Frizell, captain Sam Cane and rampaging No. 8 Ardie Savea have all but cemented their places in the All Blacks’ starting side, while Jacobson will look to challenge Dalton Papali’i for a spot on the bench.
Jacobson, who can cover all three positions in the backrow, played alongside Papali’i and dazzling outside back Will Jordan in a star-studded New Zealand U20s side back in 2017.
But whether the Chiefs backrower starts, comes off the pine or is left out of the matchday squad is a decision out of his control. For Jacobson, he’s going to a World Cup, and that’s exciting.
At just 22 years of age, Jacobson was picked in the All Blacks’ World Cup squad back in 2019. Jacobson travelled with the team to Japan, but was later ruled out of the tournament due to “delayed onset of concussion.”
After returning to New Zealand and getting “away from rugby for the next two or three months,” Jacobson began his four-year journey back to the Rugby World Cup.
“I’m just really looking forward to getting out at the World Cup and playing my first game there,” Jacobson added.
“It’s a big focus for me and then just taking it as it comes from there. Obviously, (I’ll) be hungry to go through and help the boys win the World Cup.”
The All Blacks take on fierce rivals South Africa at Twickenham next weekend. It’s the New Zealanders’ final Test before opening their World Cup campaign against hosts France next month.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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