Being strong and tough will be important in determining the Rugby World Cup winner, according to a person who was on the first team that won it. Sean Fitzpatrick was chosen by Sir Graham Henry and Sir Wayne Smith as the greatest All Blacks team ever.
The player in the middle, Sean Fitzpatrick, was picked as the best even when there were other great players like Kevin Mealamu and Dane Coles. He changed how the position was played. Now, looking at his old team, Fitzpatrick thinks being strong and tough is the main thing they need to work on.
In 1987, when Fitzpatrick and his team were trying to become the first-ever rugby world champions, things were different. They faced some unique challenges that today’s players don’t usually deal with.
“In 1987, we were somehow disorganized,” Fitzpatrick said on the Rugby World Cup 2023 Official podcast. “We had our last trial just before the first game, and we picked the team on the same night. We gathered on a Wednesday, and our coach could not make it to practice because he got stuck on his farm due to heavy snow.
“Then we played Italy in front of 13,500 people at Eden Park. It is just weird!
“We wanted to be the first team to win the World Cup. That was our goal. If they win six games, they will win the World Cup. We did that and were back on site Monday morning.”
The game has evolved a lot since then. Fitzpatrick was able to witness first-hand his development since 1987 when he played in two World Cups.
“Every World Cup Improved Over Time, and Now as a Fan, I Simply Love it.”
In the third round, the spectacle will reach new heights with key clashes between Ireland and South Africa in Pool B and Australia and Wales in Pool C. New Zealand fans like Fitzpatrick will have to wait until the fourth round as there will be a bye before the All Blacks face Italy in Lyon.
Crucial to the All Blacks’ success in this match will be their front group. New Zealand’s forwards have struggled throughout the World Cup, and although there has been significant improvement over the past 12 months, New Zealand is still falling short of the eight-ball mark.
“I was feeling pretty good up until Twickenham three weeks ago. We were pretty happy with ourselves. “The big thing we didn’t have and what [Ireland] exposed us to was physical presence. I think the coronavirus has taken a toll on us. We played among ourselves, but the physical presence disappeared from our games.
“We had to change because Ireland came down and gave us a good kick.” The return of key players such as Shannon Frizell and Brodie Retallick will strengthen the front group, but there will be competitive groups where players will have to condition and do their best to keep up with the bigger teams.
Discipline must also be improved, as spending time with fewer players in the park is more costly. “Right now, we need big players. France is a big team, Ireland is a big team, and South Africa is huge. “The physicality of the game was amazing for 80 minutes.”
In Fitzpatrick’s eyes, these three teams and his native New Zealand are the ones likely to become world champions. “So it would be either South Africa, France, New Zealand or Ireland. “I think France will play South Africa, and they are a big enough country, so I think they can beat South Africa.
“We (New Zealand) will play Ireland, and the All Blacks will beat Ireland. I think we’ve learned enough, and as long as we have the big men, I don’t think Ireland wants to play the All Blacks.”
