{"id":292292,"date":"2023-10-29T08:01:49","date_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:01:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/?p=292292"},"modified":"2023-10-29T08:01:49","modified_gmt":"2023-10-29T08:01:49","slug":"sir-clive-woodward-disappointed-by-rugby-world-cup-more-of-the-same","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsloveme.com\/rugby-league\/sir-clive-woodward-disappointed-by-rugby-world-cup-more-of-the-same\/","title":{"rendered":"Sir Clive Woodward \u2018disappointed\u2019 by Rugby World Cup – \u2018More of the same\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Rugby World Cup final being played between New Zealand and South Africa has left England icon Sir Clive Woodward \u2018disappointed\u2019. The two Southern Hemisphere giants clash in Saturday\u2019s highly anticipated showdown, but Woodward wanted to see the Northern Hemisphere represented.<\/p>\n

The former England head coach insists he has huge respect for both finalists and is backing a New Zealand victory. However, he warns that the final will simply be \u2018more of the same\u2019.<\/p>\n

Either New Zealand or South Africa have won the Rugby World Cup since England\u2019s victory in 2003, a mammoth triumph which was led by Woodward. New Zealand can win for the third time in four attempts, while South Africa are<\/p>\n

\u201cI have massive respect for South Africa and New Zealand Rugby. But I am disappointed the two teams competing for the trophy are once again the southern hemisphere giants,\u201d Woodward wrote in the Daily Mail.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was supposed to be the World Cup where the north delivered. Instead, it\u2019s more of the same.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: <\/strong> Joe Marler called out after snubbing Rugby World Cup chief during medal ceremony[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhatever happens, the name of either New Zealand or South Africa will be on the World Cup trophy for the fifth straight tournament. I would have loved to have seen a northern hemisphere final.\u201d<\/p>\n

Woodward believes English rugby needs a major revamp in order to compete for the Webb Ellis Cup. It has been 20 years since the 67-year-old guided the Red Rose to their only victory at the tournament. Steve Borthwick’s side finished third in France this year.<\/p>\n

The former centre wants the \u201cold boys\u2019 club\u201d Rugby Football Union (RFU) to appoint a director of rugby, listing Rassie Erasmus, Ian Foster and Joe Schmidt as three standout candidates. The trio will all be in the coaching box at tonight\u2019s final.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe RFU should be looking at the South African and New Zealand coaching boxes on Saturday night with envy but also with an eye on trying to entice one of them as director of rugby,\u201d Woodward added.<\/p>\n