A French victory over the All Blacks in Auckland on September 24, which would repeat Les Bleus’ last-up Test win on New Zealand territory in 2009, would change the entire dynamics of the seven-week tournament.
Such a scenario would suddenly have the All Blacks facing a semi-final against the Wallabies instead and put the Springboks in the comparatively easier side of the draw.
Likewise, a Wallabies stumble against Ireland at Eden Park on September 17 would drastically alter the quarter-final scenario and place Australia on a much tougher road to the final.
An upset-free round of pool matches would result in New Zealand meeting Argentina or Scotland in the quarter-finals, England playing France, Australia up against Wales or Samoa and South Africa taking on Ireland.
Most experts are tipping the All Blacks to tackle the Springboks in one blockbuster semi-final and the Wallabies to square off with France or World Cup nemeses England, with Jonny Wilkinson again lurking ominously, in the other.
But as All Blacks followers especially have learned, it is a dangerous exercise indeed looking too far ahead at a Rugby World Cup.
credit AFP
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