All Blacks undaunted by low World Cup expectations

Few people think New Zealand can win a fourth World Cup in France this year but that should help the All Blacks’ title hopes, coach Ian Foster said.

Foster’s side are coming off a difficult season, having lost a first home series to Ireland and a first defeat to Argentina on home soil in 2022.

That has tested home fans’ faith in their World Cup hopes, though bookmakers rate the All Blacks second behind host France to win it.

Asked by New Zealand media whether his team could win a record fourth World Cup, Foster said: “Absolutely.

“The good thing is not too many other people think we can,” he added. “That’s a slightly unusual space to be in as All Blacks. It doesn’t change our belief.

“But belief is only one thing: you’ve got to put it to work. We’ve got a job to do, and can’t wait to start.”

Foster named a 36-man squad on Sunday for the abridged Rugby Championship which starts on July 8, with the All Blacks to face Argentina in Mendoza.

Defending champion New Zealand has not won the southern hemisphere competition in a World Cup year since 2007 when it was known as the Tri-Nations and Argentina had yet to join.

However, New Zealand ended up winning back-to-back World Cups in 2011 and 2015, so the lead-up Rugby Championship has not proved a reliable form guide for the global showpiece.

“Last year we had a bit of adversity, we got tight, and we’re actually craving as many big games as we can get at the moment,” said Foster.

“We want to go in fully loaded to this Rugby Championship. I think it’s important for us to get back up to speed really quickly, and get our game right.”

Foster included five uncapped players in his squad while a host of seasoned All Blacks recover from injuries including flanker Ethan Blackadder, center David Havili and prop George Bower.

He will hope for no further casualties when the Waikato Chiefs meet the defending champion Canterbury Crusaders in an all-New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific final on Saturday.

The All Blacks are drawn with France, Italy, Uruguay and Namibia in Pool A at the Sept 8-Oct 28 World Cup.

Foster said the All Blacks have ample experience to win a World Cup but the new faces would help freshen up their “formula”.

“The good thing is we haven’t gone out looking to bring in a whole lot of new players — they’ve banged on the door,” he added.