Fitzpatrick backs All Blacks for RWC
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Former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick has opened up about New Zealand's chances of retaining the Rugby World Cup in England next year.
Fitzpatrick was asked whether the All Blacks have what it takes to finally win a World Cup away from home.
"Well, that's their goal. Having won two at home, it's now time to win on the road, so yes, I think they have."
"I think they are in good shape. They have got the best coach in the world and some of the best players, so they have got every chance.
"Go through the whole team. I think probably a good analogy would be to say in 2011 we probably had four or five world-class players, where now we probably have 10 world-class players," Fitzpatrick said.
The former hooker saw the Springboks as the All Blacks' greatest threat.
"It looks like we'll probably play South Africa in the semifinal if we get through that far. So yeah, the best two teams in the world at the moment are New Zealand and South Africa,"
"At the moment they are a good challenge, but as we have seen from other campaigns, the French tend to get in the way occasionally."
Apart from South Africa and France, Fitzpatrick is also weary of England, at home.
"Home advantage will play a big part of it. England have got a very difficult pool with Wales and Australia but if they can get through that they'll have a really good shout," Fitzpatrick said.
The English play the All Blacks three times in New Zealand this year and once on the Northern Tour.
He rated the World Cup as "The ultimate", with a series against the British and Irish Lions the next best.
Source: Fairfax NZ News
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