A fifth country will attempt to put its name on the Webb Ellis Trophy. South Africa, defending champions, and New Zealand will fight for a fourth victory. Australia, crowned in 1991 and 1999, and England, titled in 2003, start from further away. Big favorites, the XV of France and Ireland hope to lift the trophy for the first time but other countries want to join the race and play spoilsport.
Fully established as a member of the Six Nations, Italy is still seriously behind its main competitors, despite undeniable progress. Like this victory in Wales (22-21) during the 2022 Tournament then this prestigious success against Australia last November (28-27). The Squadra Azzurra had stood up to the XV of France in February (defeat 24-29). This World Cup, however, promises to be difficult for the nugget Capuozzo and his partners, who will find the Blues and the All Blacks from the pools.
Romania and Portugal are two other representatives of the important European contingent. The Stejarri (oak leaves), present in eight of the first nine editions, will try to make people forget their absence four years ago. Os Lobos (wolves), they want to savor for their second participation (after 2007, already in France). “It would be pretentious to say that we want to win matches, it’s a dream, confides the French coach of this selection, Patrice Lagisquet, to Figaro. It is the daydream of the president of the Federation. I try to keep it…”
Considered as the seventh European country, Georgia, which remains on six titles during the international European championship – the Six Nations B – will have a lot to do in pool C. And if, by chance, the Lelos took advantage of the current difficulties Australia and Wales to sneak into the quarter-finals?
If the exploits seem to be beyond the reach of these countries, the nations of Asia and the Pacific can afford the right to dream. First and foremost, Fiji. Beaten by the Blues in Nantes three weeks ago (34-17), the Flying Fijians quickly raised their heads. They had the luxury of winning at Twickenham, against the English (30-22), for the first time in their history, during their last preparation match. A success which allowed this archipelago of one million inhabitants to take seventh place in the world rankings.
Samoa, twice quarter-finalist, are placed in Pool D and could create a surprise within a fairly homogeneous group (England, Argentina, Japan, Chile). For Tonga, the 15th nation in the world, the objective is elsewhere. “We will take the matches one after the other,” assures Agen scrum-half, Sonatane Takulua, to Le Figaro. We are not afraid, we can’t wait to play against these great teams.” Host country at the last World Cup, Japan has struggled since then and will have to battle with Argentina and England to reach the quarter-finals a second time in a row.
This year again, the regulars of major events will be present. 18 countries from the world’s Top 20 will tread the lawns of France. Exit the United States (18th) and Spain (20th), make way for Namibia (21st), second representative of the African continent, and Chile (22nd), the only rookie of the competition, who does not come as a simple spectator . “We don’t want to just walk around and take pictures with the stars, promises Iñaki Ayarza, a Chilean center who plays in France, at Le Figaro. We want to be competitive, not just participate.”
Never has the level at a World Cup seemed so homogeneous. Four favorites emerge and more outsiders than there are places in the quarter-finals. “It’s going to be a very close World Cup,” says Pierre-Henry Broncan, assistant coach of Australia, to Le Figaro. The matches should be played out very little in the final stages. This is perhaps the most open World Cup in history.” See you on October 14 for the first knockout matches and the first answers.