RUGBY WORLD CUP TEAM PREVIEWS

The best 20 teams will contest the tenth Rugby World Cup tournament in France. South Africa are defending champions from Japan in 2019, with France, Ireland and New Zealand also leading favourites. Who do you think will win? PETER WHITE rates the chances of all the teams.

New Zealand

2019 WORLD CUP PLACING: THIRD COACH: IAN FOSTER CAPTAIN: SAM CANE WEBSITE: www.allblacks.com

WORLD RANKING: 3RD TAB ODDS: $2.25

The All Blacks have triumphed three times at Rugby World Cups – in 1987, 2011 and 2015 – but of more significance are the six other tournaments when the men in black have returned home vanquished.

In almost every instance, the All Blacks have been favourites to at least make the final but for a myriad of reasons that has not always happened. There have been issues with coaches, playing key players out of position, and perhaps an aura of over-confidence that has seen the demise of many All Blacks teams over the years on rugby’s biggest stage.

Undoubtedly, some of those core issues plagued the 2022 version of the All Blacks, with head coach Ian Foster struggling to keep his job last year after a first home series loss to Ireland and first home defeat to Argentina. Scott Robertson will replace Foster after the Rugby World Cup ends.

If the All Blacks are to succeed in France, they will need to get through an arduous draw that will likely see them pitted against either Ireland or South Africa in the quarter-finals. The bonus of course is if they win that match, then they have eliminated either the number-one ranked team or the defending champions.

Captain Sam Cane will lead a forward pack that should bend to no-one. Locks Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Scott Barrett are the powerhouses of the pack and all three may play together. Halfback Aaron Smith will need to get fast ball out to either first-five Richie Mo’unga or Damian McKenzie to give the brilliant attacking weapons out wide, like Rieko Ioane, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Mark Telea, Emoni Narawa and Will Jordan, the space to work their magic.

France

2019 WORLD CUP PLACING: QUARTER-FINALIST COACH: FABIAN GALTHIÉ CAPTAIN: ANTOINE DUPONT

WEBSITE: www.ffr.fr

WORLD RANKING: 2ND TAB ODDS: $3.50

The question on many rugby fans’ lips ahead of Rugby World Cup 2023 is whether home advantage will help France win their first title or will the pressure from French supporters and media be too much for the players?

Only time will tell but unquestionably Les Blues start as favourites on most betting sites. France have yet to lift the Webb Ellis Cup despite playing in every tournament and reaching three finals. The shock quarter-final loss to Wales in the 2019 tournament struck a blow to French expectations but may well have done more good than harm. Since that defeat, France have returned to a fast-paced game – with scoring tries and entertaining being the core philosophy.

Much of that has been driven by exceptional coach Fabien Galthié, who took over after the 2019 tournament. He has established an outstanding core group of players, led by halfback and captain Antoine Dupont, who have shown they are not scared of any team. The 40–25 victory over the All Blacks in Paris in 2021 was as near perfect a performance as is possible in rugby.

Dupont is the spark in a superb backline. His dynamic running ability, kicking skills and ability to read the game better than anyone, makes him a standout player.

First-five Romain Ntamack has become a superb broken-play runner as well as having pin-point accuracy with his boot, winger Damian Penaud has speed to burn, while flanker Charles Ollivon leads by example. No 8 Grégory Alldritt is another superb athlete with

If France can perform to their best and hold their nerve, it could finally be their turn to France

Italy

2019 WORLD CUP PLACING: POOLS

COACH: KIERAN CROWLEY CAPTAIN: MICHELE LAMARO

WEBSITE: www.coni.it

WORLD RANKING: 14TH TAB ODDS: $251.00

The Italian Rugby Federation has decided not to renew Kiwi head coach Kieran Crowley’s contract after Rugby World Cup. In the same situation as All Blacks coach Ian Foster, Crowley will be replaced no matter how well his team does in France.

It seems hard on the 61-year-old former All Black fullback who has transformed Italy’s reputation since he became head coach in 2021 – ending a 36-game losing streak in the Six Nations with a 22–21 victory over Wales in Cardiff in 2022 and beating Australia for the first time.

There is no doubt the Azzurri are much more competitive and harder to beat under Crowley’s watch. But getting out of Pool A at Rugby World Cup will take a rugby miracle, as Italy are up against the All Blacks, France, Namibia and Uruguay. Two wins may not be enough to progress to the quarter-finals.

Italy’s squad includes two excellent players, centre/winger Paolo Odogwu and lock/ blindside flanker Dino Lamb, who are eligible for England but have chosen the Azzurri instead. Captain Michele Lamaro will lead from the front; his defensive and leadership skills have been key to Italy’s improvement.

Brilliant young No 8 Lorenzo Cannone made a massive impact this year and quickly became a fan favourite. Winger/fullback Ange Capuozzo has searing pace and the confidence to try anything when in the mood.

There is also a recall for Melbourne Rebels winger Monty Ioane who missed the Six Nations Championship playing in Super Rugby Pacific. One player missing from Crowley’s squad is outstanding flanker Jake Polledri, who required shoulder surgery after picking up an injury in the Six Nations.