World Cup too close to call, says McBride
IRELAND rugby legend Willie John McBride says there’s nothing to separate France and Andy Farrell’s men in the World Cup this year despite their recent Grand Slam success.
But the veteran lock is also critical of the world rankings system, considering it meaningless in World Cup year.
McBride, who made 17 Test appearances for the Lions across five tours and appeared for his country 63 times, is full of praise for the French team, citing their speed, fitness and consistency as something that has separated this squad from their previous failures.
“You watch France now and they really are superb,” he said on this week’s Rugby Paper Podcast. “Their support play is tremendous, but probably number one they have pace that nobody else has. They can be a bit temperamental but they are more mature now. In the old days you used to say ‘I wonder what team will turn up’.
“Those days are gone, and I think Fabien Galthie has been a big success story. ”
McBride was also impressed by Ireland: “Ireland’s level of fitness and preparation has been superb. They have to keep that sort of preparation for the next few months until the World Cup.
“I have no doubt Andy Farrell will be able to prepare them for what’s ahead. They’re never happy with their performance and that’s very healthy.”
McBride believes it will come down to attitude in the tourHe nament and does buy in to Ireland being favourites, adding: “Ireland are seen as number one in the rankings but that drives me mad because there’s nothing in it. I wouldn’t brand them as favourites. No way, and I do hope Ireland forget about this number one nonsense.
“It’s rugby football we’re talking about. So many things can happen, just take England against France, where every little thing ran for France.
“The World Cup is a tough scene, because you’ve got to play so many games in such a short space of time and there’s very little between Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and France – even Australia, we don’t know what they’re going to be. Ireland will be in there somewhere.
“Whichever team can believe mentally, drive it into their heads, and take a positive attitude to the tournament is the team that’s going to come through.”