South Africa, France and Ireland have the best chance of winning the 2023 World Cup, because – unlike New Zealand – they play clever rugby, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane argues that great teams, both in the amateur era and those that have won the World Cup since 1987, all share a common trait – rugby intelligence.
He believes that the Springboks, the French, and the Irish understand the value of field position, have forwards who excel in their basic disciplines, and make decisions based on their strengths rather than trying to conform to a broadcaster’s vision of the game.
Keohane criticises the obsession with “ball in play time” statistics and advocates for a balanced approach, maintaining that the sport has always involved structured defence as a strong form of attack.
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“The great teams played to win in the best possible way and not to appease marketing people in delivering a losing spectacle,” he writes.
“To those old campaigners who speak of free-flowing glory days, age has destroyed the memory. Give Opta Analyst a visit for fact and not fiction when reminiscing the romance of what constitutes the game of rugby.”
Keohane also suggests that the All Blacks cannot fathom that winning doesn’t require scoring tons of tries or playing all-out attacking rugby, hence they may have to wait another 24 years before winning a fourth World Cup title.
“The World Cup was never about bonus-point, try-scoring exhibitions. The World Cup is about having one more point than the other team when the tournament’s final whistle blows,” he writes.
“South Africa, France and Ireland get it. Not so the All Blacks.”
Photo: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP