Australia are deserved favourites to defend their World Cup title, but New Zealand are a real chance of upsetting them in the semi-final on route to a first trophy since 2008.
That is the opinion of Braith Anasta, Greg Alexander and Cooper Cronk, who believe Australia’s collision course with New Zealand at the semi-final stage will decide the 2022 World Cup champions.
“New Zealand are the world number one, are they the heavyweights? Are they the ones that carry the weight of expectation through this?” Yvonne Sampson asked on Fox League’s World Cup preview show.
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“I think Australia always are,” Anasta said.
“I don’t want to disrespect New Zealand, but I believe Australia are the best team in the world and they have shown that in the past.
“But I actually think New Zealand are the team to beat.
“They have got a formidable team. It is one of the best teams I have ever seen them have on paper. They have got it covered.
“Joey Manu at fullback. Brown and Hughes in the halves. Their pack is incredible. They have got a luxury of riches. Fisher-Harris and Bromwich and Leota. Leota and Fisher-Harris in the Grand Final were the two best forwards on the field and arguably the two best players in the first 20 minutes of that game.
“If they can carry that form into this World Cup, they are going to be hard to beat.”
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Alexander believes the quality of the New Zealand front row could give them a point of difference, but believes New Zealand are still deserved favourites.
“With the front-rowers and the front row stock that they have got, that allows Nelson Asofa-Solomona to play on an edge, which just might suit the Kiwis,” Alexander said.
“Of course they are the competition. They will be the toughest to beat.
“Australia will meet them in the semi-final. They can’t meet them in the final.
“But I still think Australia are the red hot favourites to win it though. I give New Zealand a bit of a chance, but I think the odds that they are giving the two teams are fair.
“I think Australia should be red hot favourites and the Kiwis have got some work to do to catch up to them.”
However, Cronk believes New Zealand are a real chance of upsetting Australia on the back of their strong pack and classy spine led by Roosters gun Joey Manu.
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“When New Zealand played Tonga in the mid-year Test that was the best performance I have seen from the Kiwis in a long time,” Cronk said.
“That was off the power of the forwards, but Joseph Manu at the back. Every time he has played any position really, but particularly fullback he is one of the bets players on the field.
“They have Jahrome Hughes and I think there is something there with Brandon Smith. He plays out of his skin every time he represents his country.
“I do think they can win it. If we wind back to Tonga, Australia haven’t played since 2019, but the Kiwis and Tonga have.
“We all thought Tonga were a chance of beating them in the mid-year Test, but the Kiwis were outstanding.
Only Teddy’s spot is certain! – Mal | 04:38
“They played lights out footy and they were tremendous, so I absolutely give them a chance.”
Anasta believes Manu is the key for the Kiwis and gives them the class to match Australia in the pressure-cooker of knockout footy.
“He is a great player and he is one of the best in the competition, who can play anywhere,” Anasta said.
“He can play a number of positions, but he is best when he is on the ball and that’s why when he moved into the five-eighth role he was really good.
“But just through the middle of the ruck off quick play-the-ball with the pack that they have got, with his footwork and his ability to change direction and have an offload and a flick pass, he is a great player and we have seen that at club land.
“But if he can transition that into World Cup footy with the team that he has got around him, he could have a huge imprint on this World Cup.”
However, Alexander pointed out Australia have a pretty handy fullback themselves.
“Tedesco is pretty good too,” Alexander said.
“Just watching him run around in the No.1 too. I see your Manu, but I’ll throw Tedesco at you.”
