Why a Wallabies great thinks the All Blacks are RWC 'favourites'
Australian rugby great Tim Horan believes the All Blacks are “still the favourites to win” next year’s World Cup in France, even though they’re currently ranked third in the world.
While the All Blacks had a mixed campaign this year, which included historic losses at home against both Ireland and Argentina, they began to hit their stride towards the backend of the season.
After losing against Los Pumas in Christchurch, the men in black went on a seven Test unbeaten run to finish their campaign – which included a dramatic draw with England at Twickenham.
But with the World Cup almost nine months away, the All Blacks’ greatest challenge awaits them in France next season.
The All Blacks are always under pressure to perform, but for a rugby mad nation like New Zealand, the sports biggest event simply means more.
As the attention of the rugby world begins to shift towards next year’s World Cup, Wallabies legend Tim Horan has explained why he thinks the All Blacks are “the team to beat.”
“I still think, and I said this a couple of weeks ago, the All Blacks in my opinion are still the favourites to win the World Cup,” Horan told Martin Devlin on The Platform earlier this week.
“Yes you’ve got Ireland (who are) number one in the world, yes you’ve got France who are going to be very hard to beat in their home World Cup.
“That first Test match for the All Blacks against France will be incredible to watch that.
“I still think the All Blacks, when they get a few players back from injury, got very good depth and understand how to play the game. I just think the All Blacks in my opinion are the team to beat in the World Cup.”
The All Blacks do face an almighty challenge at the World Cup though, having been drawn in Pool A along with hosts France.
France, who are ranked second in the world, won all of their Test matches in 2022 and are widely believed to be among the favourites for the sports ultimate prize.
As these two traditional rugby rivals go head-to-head in search of World Cup glory, they’ll likely have to play either Ireland or South Africa in the quarterfinals.
World No. 1 Ireland have never made it past that stage of the tournament, while the Springboks are of course the reigning world champions.
“At the moment with the way the seedings are you’d think (one of those four teams would win it), but two of them are going to get knocked out,” Horan added.
“You look at the way England played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, they had that one massive match against the All Blacks in the semi-final to put them into the final.
“Of course the Wallabies in the pool will end up finishing one or two in the pool, and end up playing Argentina or England in the quarterfinals.
“It’s a really competitive World Cup. There’s still a lot of rugby to be played between now and then and there’s going to be some injuries to some key players and that might hurt some teams.”
The Autumn Nations Series has proved to rugby fans around the world that the sport is simply more competitive that it ever has been before.
Georgia recorded a famous win over Wales in Cardiff last month, Italy beat the Wallabies for the first time ever, and Argentina ended a lengthy drought at Twickenham against England.
As Horan said, there are “probably seven or eight teams” capable of winning big Test matches on their day.
“I think you could probably pick seven or eight teams at the moment, even Argentina, they can upset someone, Japan might upset someone in their pool.
“I think Scotland could beat Ireland in their pool the way they’ve been playing.
“The hard thing on the draw is the top four teams at the moment in the world, Ireland, France, the All Blacks and the Springboks, are of course all on one side of the draw.
“Two of those teams won’t make a semi-final. It’s going to be probably the most competitive World Cup that we’ve seen for a long time.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
40 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
40 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
40 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
40 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
40 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
40 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
40 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments