Morgan Turinui is tipping Saturday’s (AEST) compelling opening clash between France and New Zealand to be “the greatest pool match in the history of World Cups.”
The All Blacks have beaten France in two Rugby World Cup finals, in 1987 and 2011, so there will be no shortage of motivation for Les Bleus, who have developed into a powerhouse under Fabien Galthie.
France are fizzing at the opportunity to lift the trophy on home soil and warmed up for the World Cup with a 41-17 demolition job against the Wallabies in Paris.
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New Zealand’s preparations, meanwhile, were rocked by a record 35-7 loss to defending champions South Africa in London.
“It’s going to be that good,” former Wallabies back Turinui said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
“I can actually see France winning this first game but New Zealand winning the World Cup. I’m worried about no (Brodie) Retallick, no Jordie Barrett, he’s under an injury cloud. I can see New Zealand getting much better at the tail end.”
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Expectations are sky high in France but Les Bleus have also lost key men in Romain Ntamack, Jonathan Danty, Cyril Baille and Paul Willemse.
Sportsbet on Wednesday could not split France and New Zealand ($3.75) for tournament favouritism, followed by South Africa ($4.33) and Ireland ($5).
“I’ll pick the All Blacks to win by 10,” two-time World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams said from Paris.
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“I think that was a blessing in disguise a couple of weeks ago, that punishment we got from the South Africans. I think it’s going to steel this tight five, this forward pack, because the only way we’re going to go deep into this competition is if they can lay that platform for the likes of Richie Mo’unga.”
Wallabies legend Tim Horan is tipping New Zealand to win their fourth World Cup and said they reminded him of England’s champion 2003 team.
The All Blacks squad has an average age of 27.
“The All Blacks are primed. I know they had a little blip a couple of weeks ago against the Springboks… but I’m picking the All Blacks to win the competition,” two-time World Cup winner Horan said.
Williams believed the Springboks shellacking was the “reality check this New Zealand side needed” after their 5-0 start to 2023.
But the dual code star did admit that France no longer had a “soft underbelly,” which Turinui attributed to the influence of one man.
“I think a lot’s down to Shaun Edwards,” Turinui said.
“The last two years when Shaun Edwards came on as defence coach, they’ve had accountability. They’ve got steel, he’s pedantic and stubborn about what he wants.
“They’ve got obviously wonderful rugby IP in their head coach in Fabien Galthie but I think Edwards has been the most important decision, in bringing him on, for the whole of French rugby ever.”
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While tipping a New Zealand win at Stade de France, Williams was nervous about the absence of injured flanker Shannon Frizell.
“I think that’s where we we’re lacking because I remember that 2015 World Cup, we had savages in the middle of the park. You stand out wide – ‘yeah, we’ve got front foot ball here boys.’
“But I just think that disaster (at Twickenham) is going to steel us up for this first game.”