Why the All Blacks will 'surprise a few people' at this year's RWC

Injured prop Angus Ta’avao is expecting the All Blacks to “surprise a few people” at this year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

The All Blacks are sailing into uncharted waters this year, as they look to become the first nation to win the sports most prestigious event for a fourth time.

Legendary halfback David Kirk was the first captain to hoist the World Cup back in 1987, and there have been another eight tournaments since.

The All Blacks have been the favourites to lift the Webb Ellis trophy at practically every World Cup in history – but they won't be this time.

Currently sitting third on the world rankings, the All Blacks will carry the underdog tag into this year’s tournament.

Even Angus Ta’avao, who is injured at the moment, is expecting “France and Ireland” to lead the charge for World Cup glory.

Les Bleus are hosting this year’s World Cup, while Ireland are coming off Grand Slam success in the Six Nations.

But rugby fans around the world would have to agree that the All Blacks can’t be overlooked completely.

“It will be between France and Ireland, but I don’t think that rules them (the All Blacks) out,” Ta’avao told SENZ The Run Home.

“People will be surprised I think, there’s been a lot of bagging and all this stuff going on but I think the boys will (perform).

“There’s players that have been there and know how to win and I think we’ll be set up nicely.

“(We will) slide in under the radar and surprise a few people.”

The All Blacks lost to Ireland and France on their end-of-season tour in 2021, before hosting the World No. 1 the following year.

New Zealand dominated Ireland at Eden Park, before losing the next two Test matches – and the series – on home soil.

The men in black were also beaten by South Africa and Argentina during the Rugby Championship, before turning a corner during last year's Autumn Nations Series.