Have to go with France & New Zealand, I think France will top the group, backing them to win the opener..
this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2023
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It's going to be a cracking opener for sure
Absolutely, New Zealand are a little wounded after being humbled by SA, so they'll be right on it...🍿
Its an interesting one; I think the SA game was a great wake up call and typically the ABs bounce back from those in a big way (see the loss to Argentina & response last year).
But, with Frizell and Retallick still out injured (presumably), and Lomax a casualty from the SA game (unless that cut has healed miraculously) we won't have our top forward pack on the park.
Over the professional era its only become more & more difficult to win games (let alone test matches) away from home so I think its one of those situations where France should be expected to win, but possibly at the same time nobody should be surprised if the All Blacks get the job done.
Our poor Namibian team cant ever catch a break lol.
Think they can trouble Uruguay?
To be honest I wish I could be optimistic. Theres a chance itll be a good game but at any rate it would be really nice seeing Nam give their best.
Either way theres going to be an amazing game day braai going on lol.
New Zealand should top the pool. France second. I think it would be hard for NZ not to get the most tries scored of the tourney.
New Zealand looks vulnerable, but I think NZ will turn it on once the world cup starts. Which is why I think NZ will finish first with France in second in Pool A