All blacks. Dan Carter believes New Zealand can still “be world champions”.

This has helped me move beyond my career. This is neither a biography nor the story of my career. These are more lessons I’ve learned from playing professional sports for nearly 20 years. I believe these lessons can be useful to many people, of any background or age.

What do you think of the first World Cup matches?

They have confirmed to me how difficult this World Cup is. There are probably five or six teams that can win it. There will be surprises, and strangers will assert themselves. This is what makes it so exciting.

Have favorites emerged?

No, but Ireland really amazed me. We talk more about France and South Africa, because Ireland played against Romania. But they fielded their best team against the Romanians and beat them logically (82-8).

And New Zealand?

Their defeat to France was due to the last twenty minutes. They created scoring chances and didn’t take them. In the World Cup, you definitely have to take advantage of your strong moments. This is the point of improvement.

Can the New Zealanders become world champions?

They have the players who can win the World Cup. They are no longer No. 1 but I am very confident they can advance to the quarter-finals. After that, all you have to do is combine three good offers. I firmly believe they have the team to make it happen.

Isn’t there a fundamental problem with New Zealand rugby, though?

I do not believe. But rugby certainly faces a lot more competition than other sports: basketball with the NBA, and soccer (New Zealand co-organized the Women’s World Cup this summer, editor’s note). Young people are attracted to these sports, and the challenge for rugby is to remain the No. 1 sport. But it has its arguments. Promoting the Black Ferns (women’s team) is a good example. She is an inspiration to girls who want to play rugby. For the boys, the All Blacks must continue to inspire the next generation.

Why do some New Zealand talents go on to play in Japan, France and the UK?

I see two reasons. Economic reasons, even if we don’t earn much money abroad, and family reasons. In Japan, England or France, you can play rugby and start a family. This is what I did. Competitions in New Zealand send you to Australia, South Africa and Argentina far away from your loved ones. But I’ve played all over the world and I’m still convinced that the best rugby is still played in New Zealand. It is the most challenging, demanding and fun game of rugby at the same time.

What do you think of the French performance against your compatriots?

On the field, when the kick-off was given, what impressed me most was how much pressure France was under from an entire population and how well they knew how to exploit that. Which was not always the case. The team gives this impression that it is playing for something much bigger than itself. I experienced this during the 2011 World Cup. Obviously playing in a World Cup in your own country is extra pressure, but if you ask any rugby player where they would like to play a World Cup, they will say in their country. I feel this strongly with France.

In terms of the game, do France also impress you?