A third success for a fourth coronation. The All Blacks prepared for the World Cup in France in the best possible way by winning their fourth Rugby Championship in a row on Saturday, their twentieth overall. What to be reassured before facing the Blues, at the Stade de France, at the opening of the 2023 World Cup (from September 8 to October 28). Especially since the big victory in Australia (38-7) on Saturday allows them to steal the place of world No. 2 from the teammates of Antoine Dupont.
Before heading to Lyon, their base camp for the World Cup where they will try to win a record fourth world crown, Ian Foster’s men have struck a blow: first by crushing Argentina (41- 12) then winning the shock against the South African world champions (35-20) before confirming in Australia on Saturday.
The message sent to the rugby world is clear and clear: after two complicated years, the All Blacks are here and they are ready. In front of the Wallabies on Saturday, they chained a twenty-second Bledisloe Cup in a row. Above all, they have demonstrated that they should be reckoned with.
Foster has obviously found a formula that works: without really forcing their talent, the All Blacks thus passed six tries to Australia, by third row Shannon Frizell (4th), hooker Codie Taylor (34th), fly-half Richie Mo’unga (40th), wingers Caleb Clarke (60th), Mark Telea (66th) and Rieko Ioane (67th).
The Wallabies have certainly shown some flashes, holding on for about thirty minutes before giving up, but the New Zealanders have a more solid, better oiled collective.
Too strong, too powerful, better organized, the All Blacks took advantage of the yellow cards of Marika Koroibete (26th) and Taniela Tupou (58th) as much as the Australian defensive errors.
About forty days before his first match at the World Cup, on September 9 against Georgia, coach Eddie Jones, who returned to the bedside of the Australian XV in early January, has his work cut out for him.
In the other meeting of the 3rd and last day of a Rugby Championship shortened due to the World Cup, South Africa and Argentina meet to dispel doubts.
