All Blacks ‘still cup favourites’

The All Blacks’ prospects of a World Cup ‘three-peat’ are still strong despite Ireland’s threat, says a leading British rugby writer.

Chris Foy, writing in the Daily Mail, claimed: ‘‘Steve Hansen’s side are no longer probable champions, but they are more than mere possibles too’’.

He said the Irish ‘‘bandwagon is rolling towards Japan with momentum’’, but the All Blacks were still even-money favourites to win a fourth World Cup title.

‘‘Their global conquests in 2011 and 2015 mean the Kiwis possess the big tournament pedigree and know-how. They have ample experience of the demands of the seven-match campaign,’’ Foy wrote.

‘‘Prior to the triumph in their home event in 2011, New Zealand had been derided as chokers. Well, that is a mental hurdle which the Irish must now overcome and as such, they cannot be proclaimed as front-runners to seize the Webb Ellis Cup.’’

Foy said Ireland were second in the world rankings, but their first home win over the All Blacks in Dublin last November ‘‘does not make them championselect. Far from it.’’

‘‘Joe Schmidt’s men and England, Wales, South Africa and all the others pursuing the Kiwi masters know that the holders are the team to beat. Gleeful reports of their demise have been exaggerated.’’

But Foy warned the Springboks ‘‘could turn the whole event upside down if they stun New Zealand’’ in the opening pool game. Former British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan wrote in the Daily Telegraph that the All Blacks were still the best team in the world, despite Ireland’s win in Dublin.

‘‘Had that game been in Auckland history suggests the scoreline would not have been the same. That’s not to say Ireland could not win in New Zealand. The All Blacks are beatable now. Everyone knows that and it is one of the reasons 2019 is shaping up to be so exciting. There is now genuine competition with six or more sides having the capability to beat the others.’’