According to the latest drivel out of the North, the All Blacks are doomed. They have lost their lustre and aura and can’t possibly win the World Cup for a third straight time. Steve Hansen’s game plan is tired and the rush defense will mean that Ireland, England or Wales will win. The North is in charge once again.
Well excuse me while I choke.
As with any World Cup Tournament the very nature of the beast is that during the knockout stages anyone can win. The French, having lost twice in pool play in 2011, very nearly ruined the party in the final.
Those pesky Gauls beat us in 2007. I don’t want to talk about it any more.
England and their squad of millions didn’t make the quarters last time around being beaten by the awful Wallabies who showed up to the tournament not knowing they were awful and promptly made the final.
But for a very bad error from the whistlers, Scotland would have been in the mix.
Do we take anything for granted on the form leading into a World Cup. No.
The All Blacks can win again and will be favoured to do so. So can the Irish, the Welsh, the Springboks, the French, the Poms and of course the Australians – who have an enviable record in the tournament.
Let’s just wait and see.
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