New Zealand are looking for a very close title

80,000 spectators will face that dilemma tonight at the St-Denis stadium in Paris (9:15pm, Movistar+). They provoke rage France To see if they can achieve their dream of elevating ‘Champagne Rugby’ to the top spot on the planet, they won’t fail to recognize that Oceania’s men are the best in history. Not just for winning three World Cups in the past (a milestone equaled by current champions South Africa), but for all the history they carry, from the early ‘haka’ to the steamroller game in which they intimidate their rivals. Never giving up on an action. Thanks to them winning the last Rugby Championship Beauton BarrettIt is true though without the luster of the past.

It will be the fourth time (first alone) to host the ‘XV del Gallo’ tournament and led by the best player on the planet, Antoine Dupont, to erase the eternal runner-up image. He has already lost three finals and will look to change that dynamic in front of his home crowd. It has the most powerful league in the Northern Hemisphere and that is reflected in its national team.

However, in this tenth edition of the championship, which spans twenty countries in 51 days, there will be more candidates than ever before. Apart from those who open the action today, at least four teams will rotate through the nine French venues that will, without any surprises, lift the trophy on October 28. It’s going to be the world Always close and very exciting.

Very open competition

New Zealand because of history and France because of their host status already have a lot to gain before kick-off. But the odds are not slim for current international number one and Six Nations winners Ireland. From the hand of its eternal captain, Jonathan Sexton, who is already retired, would like to enter his name in the register for the first time. Something South Africa has already done three times, proving in the last edition in Japan that its forwards have created an impenetrable wall and continue to maintain that spider web of rivals falling one after the other.

Apart from this quartet, both Argentina and England could top the table with the advantage of a draw. They share a weak group and may be more rested than others for next month’s crossings. It will be a long and exciting match that Spain fans will be watching with envy as the Lions were disqualified in the offices while they took their place on the field. But that’s another story.