Former France loose forward Olivier Magne has labelled New Zealand’s 2023 World Cup squad as the weakest All Blacks team in history ahead of the tournament opener in Paris.
Magne, who played in all of France’s 1999 and 2003 World Cup matches, helping Les Bleus into the final of the former, said there were only three contenders for the 2023 title and the All Blacks are not one of them.
MORE: Veteran Boks get last World Cup shot
New Zealand arrived in France on the back of their biggest-ever loss, a 35-7 defeat in the final warm-up match against the Springboks at Twickenham.
This result has heaped the pressure back onto head coach Ian Foster, who survived a coaching clean-out last year that saw two of his assistant coaches sacked on the back of poor results in the Rugby Championship and a home series defeat to Ireland.
“To me, the Big Three of this World Cup is France, SA [South Africa] and Ireland,” said Magne in a column for Midi Olympique. “I am especially worried about this New Zealand team.
“South Africa’s display against New Zealand is significant for the world of rugby,” he wrote.
“Now, isn’t this All Blacks team the weakest in history? I’m wondering. Really. I feel like New Zealand’s Rugby Championship wins were a bit of a sham.”
The 89-Test international predicted a difficult opening match for the All Blacks against the tournament hosts on Friday.
“When I see the level that the XV of France is able to display over 80 minutes today against Australia, with ‘finishers’ who have maintained the same level of performance, and the determination of these players, this opening game could be tough for the All Blacks.”
Photo: Sanka Vidanagama/AFP
