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<blockquote data-quote="William18" data-source="post: 694915" data-attributes="member: 38439">I think it is fair enough to say that in 2007 South Africa had one of the easiest ever routes to winning the cup. I think it is difficult to argue that South Africa in that year would beat New Zealand more times than we beat them if we played 100 times. South Africa definitely still could have beaten us but I think we would have been deserved favourites in that game. Unfortunately we weren&#039;t able to test that proposition. In 2007 it could have been very different had Argentina not beaten France in pool play.I remember once having a debate with some people and they said that for one World Cup win they would be willing to lose every single test match in the preceding or following four years. That seems like a very unbalanced view and one I doubt any New Zealander or most English would hold. If the World Cup becomes too big then we are more likely to see B teams and test matches down graded to friendlies. If the World Cup becomes so important than all other test matches become less important by comparison. Right now I think the World Cup provides a unique challenge and the positives of the tournament are huge. I must say I found 2012 a very enjoyable rugby year. It was the year after the cup and we could just enjoy rugby rather than always worrying about next year.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="William18, post: 694915, member: 38439"] I think it is fair enough to say that in 2007 South Africa had one of the easiest ever routes to winning the cup. I think it is difficult to argue that South Africa in that year would beat New Zealand more times than we beat them if we played 100 times. South Africa definitely still could have beaten us but I think we would have been deserved favourites in that game. Unfortunately we weren't able to test that proposition. In 2007 it could have been very different had Argentina not beaten France in pool play. I remember once having a debate with some people and they said that for one World Cup win they would be willing to lose every single test match in the preceding or following four years. That seems like a very unbalanced view and one I doubt any New Zealander or most English would hold. If the World Cup becomes too big then we are more likely to see B teams and test matches down graded to friendlies. If the World Cup becomes so important than all other test matches become less important by comparison. Right now I think the World Cup provides a unique challenge and the positives of the tournament are huge. I must say I found 2012 a very enjoyable rugby year. It was the year after the cup and we could just enjoy rugby rather than always worrying about next year. [/QUOTE]

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