Rugby World Cup: Two-time winner Richie McCaw backs All Blacks to get it right for 2023 tournament
Legendary New Zealand captain Richie McCaw insists Ian Foster’s men will come good by the time of the Rugby World Cup next year.
The All Blacks have endured a dreadful season so far, continuing on from their poor end to 2021.
Foster and Sam Cane are under significant pressure, with the former – and possibly the latter as well – coming very close to the sack.
A defeat to the Springboks in Round Two of the Rugby Championship would have almost certainly spelt the end for the head coach, but he has been backed until the World Cup.
Trust in the coach and captain
“I trust them a lot (Ian Foster and Sam Cane),” McCaw told Midi Olympique.
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“The results are what they are today, but we are one year away from the World Cup and there is still time.
“There is plenty of time left. In 2010 there were also questions about the coach and players, and we finally won afterwards.
“Things can change very quickly”.
McCaw was part of an All Blacks outfit that won the global tournament in 2011, despite a difficult campaign two years earlier.
The former captain therefore believes there is enough time and, most importantly, enough talent for Foster and the players to turn it around and become genuine contenders.
“Obviously I want to see the All Blacks win every match, but that’s not the case. I hope they learn from their defeats,” he said.
“I also remember that in 2009 we lost three Tests and still won the World Cup two years later.
“There will be several favourites, but I have no doubt that we have a team calibrated to win the next World Cup.”
Challenging opening game
New Zealand have a tough opener in the World Cup next year when they take on hosts France, who many see as the favourites for the competition.
It will be a good indicator as to where both teams are at and McCaw has been impressed by the development of Les Bleus.
“I am impressed by the quality of this French team. The opener against the All Blacks will be a hell of a game and I think it will be spectacular,” he added.
“I watched New Zealand-France last November, Antoine Dupont was sensational.
“He manages the team in the right direction. They don’t have very old players, but they trust each other, it shows.
“They have the elements to maintain a very high level of speed, many of the players in this generation arrived at the same time, it’s a fun team to watch and believe in.
“I was talking about a lack of confidence in the All Blacks, for the French it is the opposite. But they are not unbeatable.”