What a brave pundit I am. Reaching across space, time, injury, illness, and acts of God, I am picking the likely team of the tournament for the Rugby World Cup in France… two years early.
A quick look at past scratch teams of this nature reveals a tight correlation between the fortunes of teams, and their stars selected.
If your side is knocked out in the pool stage, only tier two standouts get a nod. If a heavyweight fails to make the semi-finals, their men aren’t generally named to the XV. Right or wrong, this is the convention I will seek to follow.
Thus, selecting a 2023 all-tourney team requires the observer to make some sense of the car smash on one side of the draw: host France, perennial favourite New Zealand, awkward Ireland, and reigning champion South Africa seem destined to clash in the quarters.
On recent form, the All Blacks won’t be overconfident against any of that trio. South Africa will prefer to play the home team. Ireland will have to overcome a forever barrier: winning a quarterfinal, ever. I don’t see enough depth in the Irish team to win 5 or 6; history tells me France will thrill, and then falter, perhaps because of a lack of nous.
Therefore, expect more Springboks and All Blacks in this team than French or Irish.
On the other side of the draw, I only see Australia and England being capable of making a deep run into the final four. I also am predicting Fiji to finish ahead of Wales in a shock, and Argentina ahead of Japan. My selections will reflect these views.
Here is what I have foreseen.
1. Steven Kitshoff (South Africa)
Ginger successor to the Beast, the Springboks loosehead will be at prop prime in 2023. He is seldom beaten at scrum, but offers far more than that.
The Boks will likely spoil French dreams, and if so, it’ll be a pack battle royale. Angus Bell might be just behind, as the Wallabies challenge for the final. The Irish looseheads will also go well in the five matches they play.
2. Malcolm Marx (South Africa)
Marx and France’s Julien Marchand will be nip and tuck here, with whoever wins their quarterfinal matchup being the hooker of the tourney.
I’ve given it to the Bok, by a broken nose.
3. Taniela Tupou (Australia)
Tadgh Furlong is the best tighthead in the world, but Ireland will bomb out, again. England will go deep, on the back of their exuberant tighthead Kyle Sinckler all the way.
But the Tongan Thor is a born big-match player, and I fancy Dave Rennie’s ability to grow the team more than Eddie Jones’ skill at keeping England near the top. Tupou to storm the barn.
(Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)
4. Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
Rock-hard Etzebeth added kick-chase, playmaker, and linebreaker to his repertoire in 2021, often playing at 6 for his club in France.
For the Boks to win through to another final, they’ll need great production from the engine room. All Black Brodie Retallick and England’s Maro Itoje will challenge for the spot, but I’ll back Etzebeth for now.
5. Cameron Woki (France)
Faster than Itoje, more powerful than Retallick, more skilled than Sam Whitelock, and ready to take the big stage.
6. Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
The Boks flanker will be in the conversation along with teammate Charles Ollivon, the Pumas’ Pablo Matera and All Black Dalton Papalii.
Provided he stays healthy, though, du Toit is still the best 6, and the Boks will go far if he fires.
7. Tom Curry (England)
This was one of the hardest spots to predict.
Curry isn’t everyone’s cup of tea; Hamish Watson will suffer from Scotland’s loss to Ireland; Boks captain Siya Kolisi will be good, but not great.
The big smoky is Wales, who have an inexhaustible supply of loose forwards. But I’ve got them down to have a poor Cup. So, it boils down to Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and his probable semi-final foe Curry.
I’ll go for Curry because he can still get a lot better at decision-making.
8. Gregory Alldritt (France)
The French back-rower is a top talent and supreme worker.
Of his rivals, Springbok Duane Vermeulen is just about leaking oil, while New Zealand’s Ardie Savea is not a proper 8 on heavy fields.
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
The star of the host nation gets the credit when things are going well; but when they don’t, they always catch the blame. So should France stumble before the semis, maybe to the Springboks, Antoine Dupont will probably be unfairly downgraded.
It comes down to two, then: while Faf de Klerk’s star will rise, it will be Aaron Smith’s superlative passing which locks him into jersey number nine, even if New Zealand stumbles again.
10. Quade Cooper (Australia)
England’s Marcus Smith and France’s Romain Ntamack are the it-boys at the moment, but two years is plenty of time to get figured out. And they will.
Meanwhile, Cooper, the Boks’ Handre Pollard, and All Blacks legend Beauden Barrett will still be alive and kicking – no pun intended. The Aussie to take it, by being player of the match in most of the Wallabies’ wins.
(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
11. Semi Radradra (Fiji)
The Fijian superstar made a lot of money off his 2019 heroics; expect one last tour de force in France as Fiji rises.
Australian Marika Koroibete may be the almost guy here; while Springbok Makazole Mapimpi also ran it close.
12. Samu Kerevi (Australia)
The rugged Damian de Allende was in most 2019 teams of the tournament, but it would be a Herculean effort to earn a repeat as the best 12 four years on, given the physical demands of the role.
Thus, Kerevi is the man, based on his phenomenal displays for the Wallabies upon his return mid-2021.
13. Lukhanyo Am (South Africa)
Early on the Lukhanyo Am bandwagon I was, and now he’s on most lists as one of the world’s best centres.
If the Boks go far, it’ll certainly be an Am year.
14. Will Jordan (New Zealand)
The All Blacks young gun seems to score at will.
He takes the 14 jersey, ahead of Frenchman Damian Penaud.
15. Freddie Steward (England)
Melvyn Jaminet is a revelation, but an early French exit will surely be blamed on the playmakers. So, English 15 Freddie Steward is the fast riser, and earns the nod.
2023 Rugby World Cup Team of the Tournament
Steven Kitshoff (South Africa), Malcolm Marx (South Africa), Taniela Tupou (Australia), Eben Etzebeth (South Africa), Cameron Woki (France), Tom Curry (England), Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa), Gregory Alldritt (France), Aaron Smith (New Zealand), Quade Cooper (Australia), Semi Radradra (Fiji), Samu Kerevi (Australia), Lukhanyo Am (South Africa), Will Jordan (New Zealand), Freddie Steward (England).
Representation
South Africa: 5
Australia: 3
New Zealand: 2
England: 2
France: 2
Fiji: 1
How did I do, Roarers? Only *checks watch*… a couple of years until we find out for sure.
Harry Jones
Expert
Exactly. That’s the deadline. By end of August, you better have capped your RWC team and kind of know how it’s gonna look
Dale
Roar Rookie
Kolbe, Am, Rg Snyman, Kwagga Smith, and Mapimpi weren't even capped until June-Sept of 2018. Hard to think Erasmus would have known they would all be part of his XV and bench in mid 2018, surely?
Dale
Roar Rookie
England didn't 'peak' in 2018. That run was mainly about establishing credibility and buy-in. Peaking wasn't even a goal. Jones doesn't give a flying fuck about 6 nations. He's all about getting the WC runner-up monkey off his back. If one had to choose a single ' peak', it would be WC final 2019/Victory over Allblacks in the semi I would argue. If anything his leash with RFU has gotten even longer over the years though so current form can't be used to rule out similar achievements in WC 2023.
DC NZ
Guest
Prediction time: All Blacks vs England final. NZ to win despite Foster being the worst coach of the top five unions.
RobC
Roar Guru
I'm guessing France, as it with their neighbours, will get better from here. Possibly with a hiccup or two along the way
Francisco Roldan
Roar Rookie
Hello, Harry...! If COVID-19 allows it, we will have a great menu of games this year. These days I looked for material about the game of Fijian Drua to analyze, and I found it a very interesting bet. I wish you a better great year ...! Hug
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Agreed. The question is whether 3 games in unusual circumstances is a faith-based or evidenced-based foundation on which to pin so much hope, and override all the doubts that have followed him for more than a decade.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I must have been busy when Bishop and Harry Jones received the confirmation of their canonization from the Pope, KCOL :shocked:. My point is a simple one. Too much hope is being placed in a mercurial fly half who will be nearly 36 when the RWC kicks off.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Faith is the evidence of things not seen, FB.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
FB, you do realise that the ‘ move to putting so many eggs (psychological as much as anything) in the basket of” our ageing 10 was initiated by a British analyst? And that this is an article by a SA pundit with some rugby cred? Hardly a push by the Tokorua Teenager’s fan boys in gold shirts (of which I may be one). There has been more energy in the repulsed reaction than in the pro-Quade drum beat here. Methinks too many protesteth too much. And too early. He’s not even certain to be playing rugby anywhere at his age, let alone test matches in world cups. If my prayers are heard he will lead our attack. But there were 5 odd years that the locusts ate our playmaking selections. So I’m not counting my chickens, or my Quades, just yet. From a rugby analytical point of view Nick’s, and Harry’s, logic is clear to follow. Quade’s critics’ critique less so.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Obviously, KCOL, a bit of hyperbolic language for effect, but I think the basic point stands. Having dipped in and out of this site for a number of years the debate I was used to was whether Quade was good enough to be the WBs fly half. I would say this was a very live debate even going into the last RC. Suddenly, on the back of three or four games in fairly singular circumstances, the debate has completely changed. There’s on article on the site today titled ‘Quade must be wrapped in cotton wool for the RWC.’ Now, I believe QC has always been very talented, but the rapid move to putting so many eggs (psychological as much as anything) in the basket of a guy who will be pushing 36 when the RWC kicks off, and is a known quantity to every defensive coach in the world, seems a potential area of vulnerability for the WBs. I think a big part of it is that there’s zero confidence in anyone else at ’10’ for the WBs at the moment.
WEST
Roar Guru
French.. being French is hard to predict. You never really know what you’ll get? Same goes for all NH teams. Especially in a RWC. The results speak for themselves. Only one NH team has ever won it. Has the table finally been turned?? I’ll believe it when it happens. Two years is a long time in Rugby. Your Bok Team might start showing it’s age by then Harry :silly:
Harry Jones
Expert
Old Retallick hasn’t returned fully after that RG clean. He’s slimmer. Maybe faster. But not as strong in the carry/tackle. Woki is a certified beast, mate. Definitely more power. Not taking anything away from the Guzzler. He’s an all time great. Just calling it how I see it on the pitch.
Harry Jones
Expert
Cheers, FR! Always good to hear from you. Feliz ano nuevo!
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ Quade will ..be 35 …and has spent most of his career being very up and down” The coaches that decided Quade’s test fate are not there now. And Quade is. We will see.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Bus, not looking for a beef here but I’ve not read anyone here or anywhere, (including myself who has argued for a real playmaker in gold for six years) that “ Quade will bestride the 2023 tournament like a colossus”. That is setting up a wee strawman, no?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Yes.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
And you are older than Cooper. And I am older than you. And Methuselah is…..
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ only two years ago everyone was saying how stupid QC was” Define ‘everyone’.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Taniella needs “ a spell away from Australia under a really good scrum coach/club setup”? Would you care to mention that to Big Bad Brad?