It grieves me to say it, but have some reservations about the ABs winning this year’s RWC. I can sum those reservations up in two words: Peter Grant. Cup finals are not decided by tries but kicks. Whoever is kicking better on the day will win. Period.
Right now the Stormers No.10 is probably the best kicker in the tournament. I know it’s early days, but I reckon the way things are shaping up, it’ll be Grant and not Steyn who runs out for the Boks in June. Having a reliable kicker is supremely important in World Cup final.
Remember how good Elton Flatley was when Australia lost to England? Flatley was outstanding but it was Jonny Wilkinson who got the last kick in. That’s it. Four years of preparation comes down to kicking on the day.
I predict the All Blacks will blow every team out of the water with their superior try-scoring offense. But come the semis and the final and everything will change. The games will be super tight defensively and if Carter kicks well NZ will win and if it’s close then Grant (or Wilko!) will knock over a DG.
This will be followed by four more years of wondering what went wrong.
Filed under: All Blacks, Dan Carter, rugby, Rugby World Cup
