Dan Carter, 41, who won the World Cup in 2011 and 2015, also estimated that this edition would be the “closest” in history. The All Blacks, beaten in the semi-finals four years ago by England, suffered their worst defeat in their history 35-7 against reigning world champions South Africa last month in a warm-up match .
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“I’m sure they can bounce back and go all the way but this is going to be the closest Cup ever with Ireland, South Africa and France all playing fantastic rugby,” he said. estimated the former player, during an interview with AFP. “There are also twelve other teams in this event who can easily beat these four,” he added.
Dan Carter hopes for a France-All Blacks final
Carter is paying particular attention to the opening match between France and New Zealand on Friday (9:15 p.m.) at the Stade de France. “There is something with the French and the All Blacks and the history of the World Cups,” said the former fly-half, who faced the Blues in four consecutive World Cups, from 2003 to 2015.
“It goes back to the first Cup in 1987 when they played against each other in the final and we also know what happened in 1999 when the French in a fantastic match managed to eliminate the All Blacks in the semi-final “, recalled Carter, who himself lost to the Blues in the quarter-final in 2007. “I would like to see the All Blacks and the French face each other in the opening match and then meet again in the final “, he hoped.
Original article published on RMC Sport