France, you may have stolen South Africa’s right to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but you won’t get to steal the actual World Cup title.
That’s right: I haven’t forgotten how an independent committee, after an 18-month process, recommended South Africa to host the World Cup. France was ranked second and Ireland third.
France’s Bernard Laporte, then the federation’s president, laughed at the recommendation, got on his ministerial private jet with big suitcases and flew around the world for a fortnight to thank would-be voters for their support of France.
The introduction of an independent committee to make the recommendation was to avoid scandal, pay-offs and agenda-based decision-making from elected officials. What transpired was the exact opposite, as all the skulduggery played out in a painful fortnight post the announcement that South Africa was the best candidate to host the 2023 World Cup.
When it went to a vote, two weeks after the independent recommendation, France were unanimous winners. Africa Rugby voted for France and Japan, who had been given a Super Rugby presence, turned their vote from South Africa to France. These were just two examples of the disgraceful way France got to put on rugby’s biggest show, starting tonight in Paris.
France will be a wonderful host. It is a glorious country to visit, and I have always loved being there. The euphoria during and after the tournament will be justified.
I have never disputed the quality of the event in France. I speak from the experience of 2007, when France hosted, and the Boks won. It was the best Springboks and World Cup experience of my rugby-writing career.
This French squad, in player quality and coaching class, is from another planet. This is France’s golden generation, and they will feel if they can’t win it now, then they may never win the World Cup.
My criticism of France being named hosts has never had anything to do with France, but with the way World Rugby’s elected officials were so easily seduced when Laporte’s jet landed.
Friday’s tournament opener would have been South Africa against Scotland at the Cape Town Stadium, but instead it is France against the All Blacks at the Stade de France in St Denis, Paris.
The opener will be a ripper, played in sizzling evening temperatures of about 30°C. The two teams have only met once in between the 2019 World Cup and the start of the 2023 World Cup. It was at the Stade two years ago and France won 40-25. It was the first French win in Paris against the All Blacks since 1973 and the first French win against the All Blacks in 14 Tests.
History is weighted in favour of the All Blacks, but form and current playing pedigree is all in favour of the hosts. I have France to win comfortably and to make a statement as powerful, if not as emphatic, as the Springboks did when humiliating the All Blacks 35-7 at Twickenham a fortnight ago.
The Boks, the defending champions, play in Marseilles on Sunday against Scotland. The last time the Boks played a World Cup match in Marseilles was the quarterfinal win against Fiji. It was also on a Sunday.
John Smit’s Boks led 20-6, Fiji fought back to 20-all and then the Bok juggernaut kicked into fight gear and the match finished with the Boks triumphant 37-20. They would go on to beat Argentina 34-13 in the semifinal and win the final 15-6 against England.
I am anticipating more of the same from the Boks 16 years later, and while the All Blacks were always expected to be in the final in 2007, it is not the case in 2023.
France, in 2007, could not handle the pressure of being the hosts. They lost in the tournament opener to Argentina, struggled their way into the semifinals, lost to England and then lost against Argentina in the third-place play-off.
This French squad, in player quality and coaching class, is from another planet. This is France’s golden generation, and they will feel if they can’t win it now, then they may never win the World Cup.
South Africa is what stands in their way and, unlike the elected officials voting process, France can’t buy this title. They are going to have to do it through on-field performance, and as good as they are, the defending champion Springboks are simply better.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.