2023-08-27 04:08:09
The All Blacks may not be as flamboyant as they once were, but it’s still impossible to oust them from the list of favorites for this World Cup. Aging and clearly less efficient in the past two years, the New Zealand XV knows the recipe for a good World Cup, which it has already won three times (1987, 2011, 2015). Placed in the group of France, the All Blacks must still be wary. Because in case of defeat in the inaugural match against the Blues, Ireland could stand up to them in the quarter-finals. And in their last four meetings, the XV of Clover has won three times.
The story
In nine participations, the All Blacks have been eliminated only once before the semi-finals. It was in 2007, when France had brought down Dan Carter’s team in the quarter-finals in Cardiff (20-18). A then resounding feat for the band to Thierry Dusautoir, author that day of a defensive performance remained in the memories.
Form of the New Zealand team
In 2022, New Zealand worried as rarely. After the defeats against Ireland (three times), France, South Africa and even Argentina, we thought the All Blacks were in full reconstruction. But in recent months, the All Blacks have found color. During the Rugby Championship in July, they successively swept Argentina (41-12), with seven tries scored by seven different players, South Africa (35-20), thanks in particular to a great Richie Mo’unga at opening, then Australia (38-7). The New Zealanders then again beat Australia in a warm-up match with a very reworked composition and despite a catastrophic first half. Recovered to second place in the world, they reminded everyone that they will have to be counted on this fall. The violent relapse in the test match against South Africa nevertheless reminds us that the All-Blacks have rarely seemed so takeable.
New Zealand match schedule
The list of 33
Pillars : Ethan de Groot, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams.
Talonneurs : Dan Coles, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Codie Taylor.
Back rows: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Whitelock.
Back rows: Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea.
Scrum-half: Finlay Christie, Cameron Roigard, Aaron Smith.
Demis d’ouverture: Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga.
Centres: Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Backs/wingers: Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Will Jordan, Emoni Narawa, Mark Telea.
The probable composition
Usually led by the three Barrett brothers, the New Zealand team will face the Blues without Scott, the second line, suspended after his red during the preparation match against the Springboks. Another star second line, Brodie Retallick, is expected to miss the opener through injury. But he will be there for the rest of the competition.
Player to watch: Ardie Savea
Ardie Savea against South Africa on July 15. Icon sport PA Images / Icon Sport
There is no great New Zealand team without a great number 8. With a modest size for the position (1.90 m, 99 kg), Ardie Savea is nonetheless an exceptional player, a rare and ultra-precious dynamism in the rucks to steal balls from the opponent. But he is above all an undeniable leader of this team, respected by many Islanders, so much so that many in the land of the long white cloud would have liked him to be preferred to Sam Cane for the captaincy.
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