Just one year out from the start of the World Cup and calling a winner would be a fools game. With New Zealand dominance at an end, the Irish and French looking unstoppable, an ever strong South Africa and a resurgent England, it currently looks very hard to call who will come out on top.
The waning of the Kiwi monopoly on world rugby has been one of the most interesting subplots of the game over the last 4/5 years. Yet it has only come to the fore in the last 6 months. I date the start of the downfall way back to the drawn 2017 Lion Series which they should never have lost. The 2019 English demolition job is often sighted as the end of an era.
But over this time, they have spent hundreds of weeks at the World No 1 spot, but only in the past 6 months have we really their demise under Ian Foster be the dominant story in world rugby.
Losses at home to Argentina and series loss to Ireland, other defeats to South Africa, Australia and France, all in the space of 12 months has really killed the previously intimidating New Zealand aura, which ultimately overwhelmed teams, often before a ball had even been kicked.
All meaning that a massive vacuum has appeared at the top of world rugby. The number 1 world ranking has changed nearly 3 times in the past year.
This all means that the international season ahead is set to be utterly and totally exhilarating. The time for ‘running different combinations and ‘development’ is over. The next 12 months is all about results and building that winning mentality. And with this ultra-competitive international field, no game is going to be easy to predict, anyone can beat anyone.
Just to summarise what we have seen recently; South Africa drubbed the Kiwis, Wales beat South Africa, Italy beat Wales in Cardiff and Georgia defeated Italy. All since the start of the year!
And I am sure we are going to see some absolute all time classic games just around the corner. The unbelievable South Africa vs NZ only two weeks ago gives us a taste of what is to come. Every team will be fielding their full-strength sides, vying to be the best prepared come France 2023.
Some matches that spring to mind, England v NZ at Twickenham, both Ireland v South Africa Ireland v France in Dublin, Wales v England in Cardiff. These matches will be absolute belters. Especially with the added backdrop of no outright favourite heading into the World Cup.
With the clock ticking, now is the chance for these sides to really show what they’ve got.
Don’t even pretend to call who will lift the Webb Ellis trophy, this one is certainly up for grabs.
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