Woodward is backing his former side
ENGLAND’S 2003 World Cupwinning coach Sir Clive Woodward is tipping the Springboks to beat the All Blacks in Saturday’s World Cup showdown, but Woodward still believes it will be the All Blacks and not the Springboks who make the final.
Woodward doesn’t, however believe the All Blacks will win the final.
“My gut feeling is an England v New Zealand final, which is the match-up much of the rugby world would like to see.
“England need to be fast out of traps and top their pool, and that could result in a quarter-final against Australia and a semi-final against South Africa.
“I think the Kiwis might trip up against the Boks in the pool, which would mean a possible quarter-final against Ireland and perhaps a semi against Wales or France. Let’s say Wales!
“If this pans out, England would probably have had the toughest route to a final in history, but they have the squad to cope with it and they will be battle-hardened.
“If they reach the final, I’m backing them to win it.”
How Sir Clive summarised the All Blacks and Springboks
Steve Hansen. Captain: Kieran Read. Most capped player: Read (121). Best World Cup finishes: Winners 1987, 2011, ’15.
Key man: Tempting to say Beauden Barrett, their best player, but actually the man who cements the backs together is Sonny Bill Williams.
Richie Mo’unga, a quality new No 10 but it’s his goalkicking New Zealand need most.
Capable of playing quicker for longer than any other side. After fraught years in the Nineties and Noughties have also mastered the art of resting key players, just getting the job done.
Very few, but lost occasional matches through goal kicking, hence spotlight on Mo’unga.
Every match is a grudge match, so they have to match that intensity every time.
Rassie Erasmus. Captain: Siya Kolisi. Most capped player: Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira (110). Best World Cup finishes: Winners 1995, 2007. Key man: Eben Etzebeth. The world’s best lock, a phenomenal player. If he fires, South Africa can beat anyone.
Faf de Klerk might not be a rising star but this is his first World Cup and the Sale scrumhalf is a gem. They have another cracker in back-up scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, probably the world’s quickest No 9.
Strength, physicality, power. Their DNA never really changes, but they do also have some magicians out wide with Willie le Roux and Toulouse wing Cheslin Kolbe. Can be slow to adapt to challenging game situations. But this is a mighty squad, and I expect them to go a very long way. The rivalry above all others is New Zealand. Fireworks!
| Daily Mail