Gatland’s pal predicts shock in the last eight
HE’S a ‘good mate’ of Welsh coach Warren Gatland and carved his name into All Blacks folklore being among their inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup-winning team.
Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford’s 22-cap career was framed by leading the All Blacks on 14-match unbeaten run and two epic battles with the French team – one the infamous ‘Battle of Nantes’ – regarded as the most brutal game in international history.
His only international defeat came that day when Shelford had his scrotum ripped open and lost several teeth at the bottom of a ruck, only to be stitched up and sent back out.
And the back-row legend is predicting another French shock is on the cards next weekend when Les Bleus play Wales in the last eight of the Rugby World Cup final in Oita.
Shelford, who helped the All Blacks lift the World Cup 32 years ago beating France 29-9 in the Eden Park final, wrote in his New Zealand Herald column: “The Wales v France clash is probably the hardest to call.
“Warren Gatland is a good mate of mine and while some part of me would like to see him do well, I would not be at all surprised if the French get their act together for the first time in this tournament.
“They seem to be at their best when there’s infighting and turmoil in the camp and, if reports are to be believed, there has been plenty of that over the past weeks.
“One thing Kiwis know by now is that you never write off the French at a World Cup. I reckon an upset is on the cards in Oita.”
The Rotorua-born tough nut sees the other three quarter-final games going to the form book and admits he worries about a potential New Zealand-England semi-final.
“I expect the All Blacks to face England in the semi-final, as I can’t see the Wallabies getting close to Eddie Jones’ men.
“Of the remaining teams, the English worry me most – they’ve been uncharacteristically quiet this tournament.
“Unlike in previous campaigns, there haven’t been any off-field dramas and with the exception of Jones, they’ve stayed out of the headlines.
“The fact that they’ve kept their mouths shut, tells me the English are more focused than ever before. They want to win this World Cup badly.
“And they can do it, too.”
Of the South Africa-Japan and New Zealand-Ireland games, he added: “The Japanese had the element of surprise in Brighton in 2015 but this time everyone is aware of the threat they pose.
“As much as I would love for them to beat the Boks again, I believe that fairytale is about to end.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that the All Blacks would have preferred a quarter-final meeting with Japan or Scotland.
“Joe Schmidt’s Irish team will be physical as always but if that’s what they will rely on – beating up the All Blacks – they’ll be found wanting.”