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Road to the Final: Fans predict new Rugby World Cup winner
By Ian Cameron
A new fan favourite to lift the Webb Ellis Cup in France later this year has emerged, with RugbyPass readers now favouring the All Blacks to claim a fourth Rugby World Cup.
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The latest data from the RugbyPass’ Road to the Final predictor indicates that the majority of fans now anticipate a triumphant victory for Ian Foster’s men, who displace hosts France as favourites.
Previously Fabien Galthie’s side had been riding high as the frontrunner for the Rugby World Cup glory. However, the landscape swiftly changed when news of flyhalf Romain Ntamack’s unfortunate injury broke. The loss of Ntamack’s playmaking and strategic talents seem to have nudged fans towards New Zealand, who had been favourites in pretty much every Rugby World Cup since 1987, with the exception of 2003 and this year’s event – up until now at least.
According to a recent survey conducted among RugbyPass fans, 34 per cent of respondents now believe that the All Blacks will clinch the coveted Rugby World Cup title, effectively overtaking France, up 14 percentage points.
France, meanwhile, have lost 11 percentage points over the same time period, falling to second, with 25 per cent of fans believing they will win on home soil.
The Springboks climb up to third favourites from fourth, narrowly eclipsing Andy Farrell’s Ireland, who fall to fourth. There’s just one percentage point between them on 17 and 16 per cent of voters believing they will, respectively.
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There’s no positional change for Australia, England, Argentina, Scotland and Wales, although all five had lost percentage points. Five per cent believe Eddie Jones’ Wallabies will be victorious, while 3 per cent believe Steve Borthwick’s embattled England still have what it takes to win.
Less than one per cent believe Wales or Scotland can lift the famous trophy on October 28th.
Australia will crush France
It will be one from Ireland/France/South Africa and New Zealand (in no particular order). For France, I suspect they are still not showing their full hand and it will depend on how they manage to replace NTamack. For Ireland and New Zealand, it will be how they manage to get their full strength team organised on the day. For SA, it will be how they may end up dealing with hubris possibly.
The Boks were immense weren’t they (from an ABs fan). I know you can only play what’s in front of you. But did they learn that much playing against 13-14 players most of the match? I’m pretty sure they would’ve preferred 15 on 15. To really test where they’re at.
More chance of Scotland winning than England...
The Boks were favourites in 2011. Probably one of the best and most experienced teams of all time. And they should have won had it not been for the downright corrupt display of the NZ ref in the quarter finals against Australia.
After last night loss to the bokke of 35 - 7 the AB change to winn this 2023 world cup is a big Zero
Ian Cameron before writing this stupid article you should have waited to watch last game South Africa v All Blacks. Now you look like an idiot !
Well that's gone out the window
What about the Flying Fijians as the dark horse...?
That was a very shit performance by NZ. I can’t imagine how they must be feeling about it so close to the World Cup. Probably worried.