Brothers Jordie Barrett and Beauden Barrett after winning the Rugby World Cup France 2023, Ireland v New Zealand All Blacks quarter final match at Stade de France, 14 October 2023. Photo: Photosport / Andrew Cornaga
Pundits and former players seem all but unanimous in picking the All Blacks and South Africa to advance to the World Cup final.
The Colin Elsey Shield is a non-contact rugby tournament that has been organised at every Rugby World Cup since 1991 in honour of British sports photographer, Colin Elsey, bringing together media and tournament organisers in a friendly competition.
The Colin Elsey Shield. Photo: Joe Porter/RNZ
The tournament drew media from far and wide with eight teams vying for glory in Paris and even some former test players were sprinkled throughout the sides.
One of those was ex Wales and British and Irish Lions No.8 Scott Quinell who believes the All Blacks and the Springboks should be too strong for their rivals at Stade de France.
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions No.8 Scott Quinell. Photo: Joe Porter/RNZ
"I think New Zealand will win, I think South Africa will win and I think we get those two teams in the final. Although England and Argentina they have the capabilities to spoil the party."
Australia based RugbyPass journalist Finn Morton agrees on one count, though he thinks England could cause an upset.
Australia based RugbyPass journalist Finn Morton. Photo: Joe Porter/RNZ
"Semi-finals I think the All Blacks beat Argentina and then I think England beat South Africa. I think England can get up if they play at their very best and they will be motivated by losing to the Springboks in the 2019 World Cup final."
However, English rugby writer Josh Raisey doesn't have as much confidence in his countrymen.
English rugby writer Josh Raisey. Photo: Joe Porter/RNZ
"World Cup semi-finals they're never, as we saw four years ago when England upset the New Zealand, they don't always go the way you expect. You can't look beyond the All Blacks and South Africa, but I don't think it will be easy for either of them."
Australian journalist Nathan Williamson is picking an All Blacks, South Africa final, but he believes both teams could struggle to back up their impressive quarter-final victories over Ireland and France respectively.
Australian rugby.com.au journalist Nathan Williamson. Photo: Joe Porter/RNZ
"I think South Africa maybe played their big game last week, the physical nature of it and all the emotion. So England's definitely a chance if they can control the match with their kicking game and really put the Springboks under pressure.
"Argentina could be a banana skin game for the All Blacks, the Pumas have beaten them in the past. I think this All Blacks team is better but if Argentina get the crowd behind them, stranger things have happened."
Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton thought Ireland and France were going to win the quarter-finals, but he's now backing the All Blacks and Springboks to march into the title decider.
"You've got two teams that have won three World Cups each in South Africa and New Zealand. England are going to have to play the best rugby that they've ever played, but they will be desperate and they will be dangerous and I think we'll see the best version of England.
"No disrespect to Argentina they've got history of beating the All Blacks, but the All Blacks, what I saw against Ireland was absolutely phenomenal. I think the performance was out of this world and I'd be very surprised if it doesn't work out the be an All Blacks, South Africa final."
Former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton. Photo: Joe Porter/RNZ
And Hamilton doesn't think the All Blacks will suffer any kind of physical or emotional hangover from their last eight win over the Irish.
"I don't, no. I'd love to say for the neutral fan and to build up the energy and the jeopardy in the game, but I this All Blacks team know this was coming. They knew from that opening game that the quarter-final against Ireland was going to be like a final.
"They're built for knockout rugby and they've got history. Richie Mo'unga against Ireland, that was one of the best performances I've ever seen and the backbone and the spine of that All Blacks side, you think of Sam Cane and his performance, Ardie Savea as well, they are World Cup winning animals."
It would appear pundits think England have a better chance of beating South Africa than Argentina do of upsetting the All Blacks, though most are categoric in their belief that it will be New Zealand taking on the Springboks in next week's title decider.
RNZ rugby correspondent Joe Porter played for the French team at The Colin Elsey Shield tournament between media and France 2023 Rugby World Cup organisers. Photo: Joe Porter/RNZ
-RNZ
