All you need to know ahead of Rugby World Cup 2023 — And some crazy predictions!
The Rugby World Cup Predictions
Here we go!
It’s that time of the decade again, the rugby world cup. Where will the coveted Web Ellis Trophy end up?
It will be one of the most competitive World Cup’s we’ve seen with France, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand (despite the recent hammering by South Arica) all looking very strong. You also have other countries such as the pacific Island nations and Scotland, with serious potential for an upset.
Much has been spoken about the lopsided draw, and World Rugby have, to be fair, amended the timing of the draw for the next World Cup, so that we don’t end up in a similar scenario.
England, Wales, Japan and Australia, have all been pretty blunt and had some dismal performances in the Warm ups. Fiji and Samoa have a great chance of reaching a quarter final, and I also expect Ireland’s old World Cup foes Argentina to turn up.
So all that said, what are my predictions
Winner:
My head says it will be a South Africa v France final.
My heart says Ireland v South Africa (big call to not include France, I know. I just can’t overlook the depth of the Boks, French injuries (Danty will return to be fair, I do realise but still) and my heart believes Ireland will get past the quarters (most likely having to beat New Zealand or France). I’d back the Boks to beat either New Zealand or France on their day also, therefore, a potential Ireland v South Africa final.
South Africa’s depth is incredible, the best of any nation in the World Cup and they seem to be peaking at just the right time. France will be without Romain Ntamack for the tournament but have strong back up in Melvin Jaminet. The loss of Jonathan Danty for the opening game against the All Blacks however, is a blow. All that said, I expect the French to reach the World Cup final. We all know they have been targeting this home World Cup since it was awarded to them. And they have proven they can beat almost any team in World Rugby in this past four year cycle. There will be huge pressure on this young French team, however if they can handle it, I see them as winners.
Ireland have had an excellent last three years under Andy Farrell, culminating in them winning the Grand Slam this year. They won a historic test series in New Zealand last summer and have shown they have the All Blacks number in the last few encounters. Ireland have an incredibly difficult draw and I would go so far as to call Group B, the Group of Death. I don’t think enough is being spoken about Scotland coming into this World Cup. I think they are flying quietly under the radar and could cause Ireland and South Africa some big problems.
That being said, I do expect Ireland to make it out of the group. Irelands failure to get past the quarter final of a World Cup has been well documented and this year’s draw couldn’t have been much more difficult for them. Presuming they get out of the group, Ireland will most likely face one of New Zealand or France in the Quarters. Ouch.
To be fair, this team has been a team of firsts. Many of these players played in Soldier field back in 2016 when Ireland first beat the All Blacks. And again in Dublin in 2018 and on New Zealand soil last summer as I mentioned earlier. I back them to get past the quarters this year. Again, perhaps more of a heart decision than a head one, but given the fact that we have almost our full squad with few injuries (apart from the desperately unlucky Cian Healy), I feel there is no time like the present.
The quarter finals fill me with a slight sense of dread though, I must say (PTSD as an Irish fan). Although the All Blacks haven’t been at their scintillating best this year (or last year for that matter), despite winning the rugby championship, I still feel they are a different beast at the World Cup and write them off at your peril. The addition of Joe Schmidt to the ABs coaching staff also fills me with a slight sense of dread given how well he knows Irish rugby, the players, and Andy Farrell.
The other prospect is France, who of course are at home and have been in excellent form. Perhaps, we could hope the pressure of the home world cup would get to the relatively young squad, but other than that, I think they will be outstanding at this World Cup. And I don’t expect them to buckle under the pressure.
However, recent injuries to Ntamack, Danty and Willemse, with the controversial addition of Bastian Chalureau in Willemse’s place could potential knock the hosts off balance. It seems a strange decision for Galthie to include a figure as controversial as Chalureau into the squad. It is a risk that could massively backfire with much media attention and controversy following the decision. It just seems strange for a cycle that seemed so well thought out, that has galvanised the French public behind the team, to risk upsetting that by adding the Montpellier lock.
The other side of the draw is almost as difficult to call in terms of quarter and semi-finals but for a very different reason. A lot of the teams on this side are going through almost full on crises, both on and off the pitch. England have been very poor at the last two six nations, they sacked Eddie Jones nine months out from the World Cup and brought in Borthwick but the results, and quite frankly the rugby, have not improved.
Wales had a lot of off the field issues in terms of pay and players threatening to strike during this year’s six nations. They too sacked their coach, with Wayne Pivac who got the boot last December, and the old reliable Warren Gatland was reinstated. Gatland’s second stint as Wales Head Coach has been rocky, however, — overshadowed by the aforementioned financial issues of the Welsh rugby union and an aging squad.
Many of Gatland’s veterans retired before this world cup, some, like Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric, announcing their retirement and leaving the squad while in training camp. Wales’s form on the pitch has been poor and they’ll be up against it to get out of their pool, with Fiji looking impressive and an unpredictable Australian side. There are some positives for Wales however, in that they have some very good young players that will be around for the next world cup cycle. Jac Morgan, Rio Dyer, Louis Rees-Zammit among others have had some very solid individual performances and will offer a glimmer of hope that they may click just in time for the tournament.
Overall, there is no doubt that it will be an incredibly exciting tournament that will no doubt throw up a few surprises.
Predictions:
Winner: France
Runner-up: South Africa
Player of the tournament: Antoine Dupont
Young player of the tournament: Canan Moody
Bolter: Fiji
Ireland’s exit: Either we’re going out in the quarters or making the final. I don’t see any of the teams on the other side of the draw causing any upset for us in the semis (although I do realise Argentina and Japan are there also, and my blood pressure is rising as I write this!). Therefore, if we pass the quarters, there is no excuse not to make the final in my opinion.
