A 2027 World Cup draw that puts the All Blacks and Springboks on a quarter-final collision course borders on “self-destructive recklessness”, according to New Zealand Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul.
Writing after the first two Tests of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, Paul argues that an early knockout meeting between the teams in Australia next year would be damaging to the tournament.
“This series is captivating and compelling, and in 160 minutes of action so far, the All Blacks and Springboks have demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that they are the two best sides in the world,” he writes.
“They both have the player depth, coaching smarts, X factor and game cohesion to win the tournament.”
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Paul describes their potential quarter-final as the “ghost” hanging over the current four-Test series and believes the draw risks eliminating one of the leading contenders two weeks before the final.
“It is bordering on self-destructive recklessness to run a tournament that generates more than NZ$1-billion and then pit the two favourites against each other two weeks before the final.”
Paul points to the 2023 World Cup, when the four leading contenders met in the quarter-finals, with hosts France losing to the defending champion Springboks and the All Blacks knocking out No 1-ranked Ireland.
“It’s so stupid as to be painful,” Paul says of the prospect of a similar scenario in 2027.
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He contrasts rugby’s system with football and tennis, where seedings are designed to keep the leading contenders apart until the latter stages.
Paul believes the 2027 draw could also provide England and Ireland with clearer routes to the final if they win their pools, while France may stand between the Boks or All Blacks and a place in the decider.
“The credibility-crushing fact about next year’s tournament is that there is a significantly higher probability that England and Ireland are more likely to make the final than either New Zealand or South Africa,” he writes.
The post World Cup ghost haunts Greatest Rivalry series appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
New Zealand Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul says a 2027 World Cup draw that puts the All Blacks and Springboks on a quarter-final collision course borders on “self-destructive recklessness”.
The post World Cup ghost haunts Greatest Rivalry series appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
