The bluffer's guide to the Rugby World Cup
The competition takes place in England starting on September 18 with the opening game taking place at Twickenham between the host nation and Fiji. Ireland’s campaign kicks off the next day with a game against Canada.
Let’s not be under any illusions, New Zealand are the overwhelming favourites. And rightly so. They are still the best team in the world and as the reigning champions showed Australia, they don’t like being beaten. After the Wallabies beat the All Blacks by eight points in August, Steve Hansen’s men went out a week later and hammered Australia by almost 30 points in return.
That loss will have made New Zealand more difficult to beat, as they will have fixed whatever problems they had and will up their concentration. They will rely on the likes of Richie McCaw as always with superstars like Julian Savea and Kieran Read playing strong supporting roles.
Ireland are, of course, in amongst the big teams when it comes to predicting a winner. How could they not be? Back to back Six Nations titles under Joe Schmidt has made this a team hungry for victory, no matter who the opposition. Progressing past the quarter-finals has become a stumbling block in RWC’s gone by, but they should be making at least the semi-finals if not the final this time round.
While the warm up games haven’t been inspiring, Ireland’s opening two games are against Canada and Romania, which Ireland should be winning well, will give the side more time to be at their best for tougher tests against Italy and a potential group decider with France.
With one of the best coaches in the world, Joe Schmidt, masterminding events from off the pitch, one of the greatest leaders in the world in Paul O’Connell commanding the team on it and possibly the most complete out half in the world, Johnny Sexton, pulling the strings there is little doubt that this Ireland team can cast aside their demons from the last two world cups and go very far indeed.
Australia are a much improved team since Michael Cheika took over as head coach, but they still have a tendency to blow hot and cold. When at their brilliant best they can beat anyone, as the All Blacks already found out. They have two brilliant back rows in Michael Hooper and David Pocock while Israel Folau will trouble even the best defences.
On home ground, England cannot be ignored. Jonathan Joseph has emerged as a potential world class centre and their backline seems to get better every time they play. George Ford has also continued to mature as good fly half but Owen Farrell will be ready to pounce on any mistake to take the number 10 shirt. Not bad in terms of depth. Up front, Chris Robshaw will lead while the aggression of Courtney Lawes and scrummaging of Joe Marler will play important roles.
Of the other obvious choices, the Springboks currently lie fifth in the world, and that doesn’t seem like it will go higher after the RWC. Ireland and Wales both beat them comfortably in 2014 and they didn’t set the world alight in the Rugby Championship.
It’s hard not to mention Wales but with Australia and England in their pool it will be difficult for Warren Gatland’s charges. Their key players in Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones, Leigh Halfpenny and George North to name a few will need to be at their best. The injury to Jonathan Davies is a huge loss and questions remain over North after a series of concussions. Fresh doubts over Halfpenny and Rhys Webb are also a massive worry as both are so important to Wales.
The Pacific Island teams are normally powerful and of them Samoa may be the most promising. In Pool B with South Africa, Scotland, Japan and USA, players like George Pisi will be hoping to upset Scotland in the fight for second place and a spot in the quarter-final.
Joe Schmidt will have half an eye on Argentina, who are likely to finish second behind New Zealand in Pool C which would put Ireland up against the Pumas provided Ireland top Pool D. Despite their recent results, Argentina are still a powerful and dangerous side with players like Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and they will be determined to prove they are not just whipping boys of the Rugby Championship.
But France may prove to be the biggest surprise. A fully fit squad, a seemingly rejuvenated Frédéric Michalak, players like Louis Picamoles leading the pack and a mix of skill and power to choose from in midfield with Mathieu Bastareaud and Wesley Fofana, Les Bleus may just cause Ireland a few problems in Pool D.
There won’t be any pressure on France to go far in the competition after a few disastrous Six Nations campaigns and that should stand in their favour. When the French decide to play, they are a force to be reckoned with and they usually turn it on during the World Cup. Ireland will still be eyeing top spot when the two sides meet in the final round of Pool D at the Millennium Stadium, but they should proceed with caution.
The likes of Sexton, Israel Folau, Bryan Habana and Wesley Fofana are now old reliables and well known faces in world rugby but there are few others who could light up the tournament.
Julian Savea of New Zealand will be one of the best players of the tournament if he continues his stunning form. Irish fans will know about him, he scored three tries on his debut against Ireland. He’s an obvious choice but we can expect the 25-year-old to have a big impact on this tournament with many tipping him to be the top try scorer.
Another player to watch is Argentina’s Juan Imhoff. The Racing Metro winger could become a superstar after lighting up the Rugby Championship this year with a hat trick over South Africa. If Ireland meet the Pumas in the quarter-finals, they will need to be wary of him.
Argentina wing Juan Imhoff scored a hat-trick of tries as the Pumas beat the Springboks 37-25 at King's Park. pic.twitter.com/y5bbik31qc
— EatSleepRugby (@eatsleeprugby) August 9, 2015
On home soil Jonathan Joseph could continue on the road to becoming one of the world’s best centres. After superb Six Nations and a brilliant season with his club, Bath, England will be hoping Joseph carries that form into the RWC. Blistering pace, an abundance of skill and strong defensively, Joseph could be a star of the tournament.
Ireland fans know all about Ulster’s Iain Henderson but this could be a breakout tournament for the second row. As Paul O’Connell begins the end of his outstanding international career, the RWC could launch Henderson’s onto the world stage. Many have pointed to his impact from the bench with 20 minutes to go, but if Joe Schmidt starts Henderson, he could have an impact for 60 minutes from the off.
South Africa do have a few good young players coming through, Handre Pollard being one of them. The Young Player of the Year in 2014, the out half is a real quality player. Standing 6’ 2” he is fast, with quick feet, a strong tackle and an air of unpredictability. Two tries against New Zealand in the Rugby Championship made justified his step up from junior to senior and if he starts for the Springboks, they will be a far more exciting team.
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