World Cup ghost haunts Greatest Rivalry series
Rugby writer Gregor Paul has criticized the 2027 World Cup draw for potentially forcing top-ranked teams like the All Blacks and Springboks to face each other in the quarter-finals. He argues that this structure is detrimental to the tournament's quality and commercial success.
Why it matters
The critique addresses the fairness and integrity of international sports tournament structures and their impact on global competition.
A 2027 World Cup draw that puts the All Blacks and Springboks on a quarter-final collision course borders on “self-destructive recklessness”, according to New Zealand Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul.
Writing after the first two Tests of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, Paul argues that an early knockout meeting between the teams in Australia next year would be damaging to the tournament.
“This series is captivating and compelling, and in 160 minutes of action so far, the All Blacks and Springboks have demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that they are the two best sides in the world,” he writes.
“They both have the player depth, coaching smarts, X factor and game cohesion to win the tournament.”
Paul describes their potential quarter-final as the “ghost” hanging over the current four-Test series and believes the draw risks eliminating one of the leading contenders two weeks before the final.
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