Despite New Zealand Defeats, Neil Back Says ‘England Can Win the World Cup’

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: June 24, 2014

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In the cut-throat world of international rugby, nations are ultimately judged on wins and losses. At face value, England’s three consecutive defeats in New Zealand—including a drubbing in the finale last Saturday—mark their tour as a failure. However, according to England rugby legend Neil Back they are an improved team in 2014 and the gap between them and the top-three nations is narrowing.

With next year’s World Cup forming a poignant backdrop to this series, England’s goal was to compete with the hosts and ideally win matches. They did not achieve the latter, but to their credit they toiled hard and won their fair share of battles in a losing war. In the first two games, England held second-half leads only to be pipped by a total of six points. Despite ending up winless, they were outscored in just three of the six halves in this series.

If England wishes to fulfill its dream of becoming world champions on home soil, then narrow losses will not cut the mustard. Defeats against the giants of the game will need to be converted into victories before too long.

Neil Back knows what it takes to rise to the top of international rugby. The former England flanker played in three World Cups including the winning team of 2003. He recognises England’s need to start consistently topping the best nations in the world if they are to achieve their goal.

“Ultimately, if England is to win the World Cup, they have to beat Australia from their pool, who is ranked third in the world. They are also highly likely to face South Africa (ranked second) and New Zealand (ranked first) in the last three games of the tournament,” he says.

Hosting matches at Twickenham against each of these nations later this year gives England an opportunity to put defeats behind them and start building momentum and a winning belief. “England has got to win the autumn series later this year or be ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

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