I have also stated below what I think the outcome of the matches already scheduled will be. New Zealand will win every match they play. The All Blacks also have to defeat the Springboks, they just have to. New Zealand have to acquire more titles and records because they can and they deserve it, that Cup has their name on it. The All Blacks and some of their players are record setters and they need to prove it to everyone, including themselves. Even if they are not the best team in the World on paper, it is nice to have it set in stone and the Rugby World Cup is the best way to do that, if not the only one.
The Rugby World Cup 2023 for the All Blacks will be an experience to say the least. New Zealand is definitely not France in terms of architecture, stadiums and culture, to name a few. And France has history, dead and living. La Tour Eiffel, La Tour Montparnasse, l'Arc de Triomphe, Sacré Coeur, Montmartre, Bordeaux's Cathedral, Le Mont St Michel, Mont Blanc, Le Château de Chenonceau. As a side note, Repose en Paix le vieux Notre-Dame. Of course, some of the All Blacks may have had experience before, but no one can deny this time around will still be interesting.
Noteworthy is that France is already fairly well-established as a country to host the World Cup. It doesn't need another co-host, and it has experience with such events. France is part of Europe, so continent-level organization, whilst New Zealand has and most likely will always be at an island-level. France throw huge musical concerts, sporting matches, fashion shows, movie events (Cannes), Paris is used as a film location and have some of the best artists and sportsmen living and by extension can handle crowds - back in the day, the heavyweights Zidane, Thierry Henry, Dusautoir, the now split up Daft Punk, David Guetta. France comes with heavy baggage so it has knowledge and management skills to apply to this massive and extremely special RWC. This seems to have been acknowledged and faith has been given to France as all the matches are in said country.
Another factor is some of the All Blacks maybe be playing against their own teammates because some have/are/will be playing in France. The latter's quite significant for them, Conrad Smith and Nonu spent time there, likewise for others with Japan. I'm not sure if any of the current New Zealand squad have spent time in France. So this may be a moot point, but if not, another layer to add to the mix.
Also, do not forget the Haka or the Kapa o Pango. The All Blacks have had some of the best Haka or Kapa o Pango and les Bleus, some of the best responses. I will say I do not approve of the fines handed out to teams for crossing the halfway line to respond to the Haka or the Kapa o Pango. France in 2011, England in 2019: it's ridiculous, not only do the fans love it, so do the opponents and the All Blacks themselves. The opponents should respond, that is one of the reasons for it, the All Blacks are challenging their opponents and waiting to be challenged. That is the essence of the ritual.
To add insult to injury, how awful does France feel at even the thought of not being Champion on home turf. And how exhilarating the All Blacks feel imagining they've beaten their long-standing rivals at Eden Park and le Stade de France. Of course, pity at their opponent's loss, the All Blacks are great sportsmen, but it would be another milestone they would have earned. Les Bleus and the All Blacks may just have one of the most beautiful relationships in Rugby History - massive respect and massive rivalry.
No doubt I will refer back to this when the Rugby World Cup is actually taking place.
Friday 8 September, Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Pool A: France v New Zealand - NZ
Saturday 9 September, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, Pool D: England v Argentina - Argentina
Sunday 10 September, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, Pool B: South Africa v Scotland - South Africa
Sunday 10 September, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, Pool C: Wales v Fiji - Fiji
Friday 15 September, Stadium de Toulose, Toulouse, Pool A: New Zealand v Africa 1 - New Zealand
Sunday 17 September, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne, Pool C: Australia v Fiji - Australia
Sunday 17 September, Stade de Nice, Nice, Pool D: England v Japan - 50/50
Saturday 23 September, Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Pool B: South Africa v Ireland - South Africa
Sunday 24 September Parc OL, Lyon, Pool C: Wales v Australia - Australia
Friday 29 September, Parc OL, Lyon, Pool A: New Zealand v Italy - New Zealand
Thursday 5 October, Parc OL, Lyon, Pool A: New Zealand v Americas 1 - New Zealand
Friday 6 October, Parc OL, Lyon, Pool A: France v Italy - France
Saturday 7 October, Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Pool B: Ireland v Scotland - Ireland
Sunday 8 October, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, Pool D: Japan v Argentina - Argentina
Sunday 15 October, Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Quarter-Final 4: Winner Pool A v Runner-Up Pool B - Winner Pool A = New Zealand
Saturday 21 October, Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Semi-Final 2: Winner Quarter-Final 3 v Winner Quarter-Final 4 - Winner Quarter-Final 4 = New Zealand
Saturday 28 October, Stade de France, Saint-Denis, Final: Winner Semi-Final 1 v Winner Semi-Final 2 - Winner Semi-Final 2 = New Zealand
- A.M.
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