New Zealand Hot Favourites!
Rugby World Cup 2011 is without doubt New Zealand’s best chance of winning the World Cup in recent times. Hot favourites at the last world cup they were beaten 20-18 by France in Cardiff. The All Blacks kept faith in their coach Graham Henry following the defeat to France and he will again lead the All Blacks into battle in this year’s World Cup.
Three Reasons’s why the All Blacks are worthy favourites for the Rugby World Cup 2011
- Dan Carter – The best number 10 in the world at the moment. Carter’s calm and composure will be crucial in the heat of battle that is the rugby world cup.
- Richie McCaw – The All Blacks will look to their Captain to steer them to success this year. The World best flanker and so often the match winner will turn over enough ball to secure them success whoever they meet along the way to the trophy.
- Home Advantage – The last piece of the puzzle that is winning the World Cup for New Zealand is home advantage. The last and only time that the All Blacks won the Webb Ellis Trophy was in 1987 when they co-hosted the tournament with Australia. Historically the host nation performs strongly in the tournament and this year will be no exception.
Wallabies seek Glory
Robbie Dean’s men will be seeking their 3rd World Cup victory in this year’s tournament. The Wallabies will look to their young guns to provide the ammunition for the short trip to New Zealand. The Key players for the Wallabies are Quade Cooper (fly half), Rocky Elsom (Flanker) and James O’Connor (Winger).
Springboks to regain title
Reigning Champions South Africa included 12 of the starting line-up that won the 2007 Rugby World Cup in a preliminary squad named Monday for the defence of their title in New Zealand this year. If the Springboks are to successfully defend their title they will need another inspirational tournament from Bryan Habana.
Six Nations Champions England’s Rugby World Cup adventure will begin in Auckland against Argentina on September 10th. Martin Johnson’s men will be attempting to reclaim the trophy they won in 2003. After a very successful 6 Nations championship in which they were denied a Grand Slam by a defiant Irish team in Dublin, the English team will head to Rugby World Cup in New Zealand expecting to reach the Semi Finals at the very least. The key English players are Toby Flood and Captain Lewis Moody.
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