Pool C
OUR POOL - plus some other blokes.
New Zealand
- Talent all round the field of course and decent results (42 of 47 tests won) in the intervening years between world cups. The hiccup against the Aussies in Sydney was what we needed. Highlighting where things are going wrong, who needs to pull their socks up and revealing to all just how good the Aussies are under Chieka. So let's look on where our problems are rather than pick out the highlights. The following are all issues:
- Dan Carter - how did he get picked again? He's never made it through a world cup. He'll get smashed up in the first game this time and we'll be into the backups again. We should've packed him off to pasture years ago, spent the time nurturing BB into a superstar (and finding him some kicking boots), and then Sapoaga could have come along on the trip too.
- Savea - dare I say it, he looks a bit busted and slow this season. Maybe the huge bruising runs of the last few years have caught up with him.
- The ancient front row - have they got 7 big games left in them?
- Sonny Bill Williams - how did he get in the team? Ryan Crotty must be sitting at home cursing his lack of beautiful looks as poster boy waltzes round. Expect SBW to be carded at least once during the tournament and pray it doesn't cost us.
- Managing Richie so he makes it all the way to the final. Cane must see more game time if we are going to see the best of Richie at the end of the tournament.
- the crazy nervousness we develop in tournaments has to stop. Why do we play such alien rugby in the knock-out stages. Kill off the nerves and play the usual style this time and we win the whole thing, easy.
The pluses are of course:
- Conrad Smith - henceforth referred to as the Greatest All Black Ever (or GABE or GABEVER, whichever you prefer). So good this year and I hope he continues throughout the tournament. His reading of the game (and non-stop tackling) are what enable the outsides to score those amazing tries.
- Nehe Milner-Skudder - the bolter, the unknown talent. The extra bit of something that sets us apart and grabs that trophy by both hands. I'm expecting big things and hoping that the other teams have no idea how to stop him.
- Loosies - a great set of players including Messam. Should be enough to secure the ball against all the teams including Oz.
- Ben Smith - is he better than Folau? Probably, but let's find out. A shame that Cory Jane couldn't come along and play fullback and let Ben be the best right wing in the world. Still at least we haven't stuffed him in at Centre...yet...
He'll never be an All Black: Me :-(
Prediction: Finalists
Argentina
- Definitely appear to be going backwards from the highs of the 2007 RWC. Loads more experience in the team since then though as they've been in the Rugby Championship for a few years now. Expect them to escape this pool easily and hopefully not do too much damage to us. I can't see them getting past the Quarter Finals though.
He'll never be an All Black: Lobbe, Leguizamon and Hernandez
Prediction: Quarter Finals
Tonga
- Underperforming Tonga will continue to underperform. A shame. They seem quite likeable chaps but I see them probably even losing to Georgia.
He'll never be an All Black: ummmm.....
Prediction: Fourth in Pool
Georgia
- They'll huff and they'll puff and their big forwards will push Argentina and probably us around but they lack the razzle dazzle in the backs to score and prevent big points. Should be a good game against Tonga.
He'll never be an All Black: Disappointingly born in the Soviet Union, its Mamuka Gorgodze who should've been an All Black. Epicly brilliant.
Prediction: Third in Pool
Namibia
- Are about to be slaughtered by everyone in this group.
He'll never be an All Black: Jacques Berger - he's alright.
Prediction: Last in Pool
Pool D
The Northern Powerhouse pool. Lots to like in here, it's also the land of unpredictability. Are Ireland losing it? Will France be awesome France or crap France? Will this finally be Italy's tournament?
Ireland
- Six Nations champs for the last two seasons, they have everything. Experience, a kiwi coach, an awesome 1st-five, big forwards and a dazzling full back. But results in the build-up have been poor. Did they peak too soon between cups, did everyone else catch up, or is Joe Schmidt holding something back for the real matches? I'm in the latter camp - they're simply too good to suddenly be rubbish, so I'm expecting their real peak is to come during the tournament. I have them topping this group by beating France but unfortunately they're due to meet Oz in the semi-finals and that is where I think their run will end. Happy to be wrong though. The key to beating them - smash Sexton and you win.
He'll never be an All Black: Lovely Johnny Sexton and his mad silky skills.
Prediction: Semi-Finals
France
- Who knows what will turn up? On paper they have more talent than any other country to call on. A huge player pool of mega talent that inevitably gets buggered up by poor coaching and selections. They do, though, peak at tournaments better than any other country. Maybe we'll meet them in the final, maybe they'll self-destruct against Italy after losing to Ireland, anything's possible.
He'll never be an All Black: Thierry Dusautoir is still around and probably still brilliant.
Prediction: Semi-Finals
Italy
- Got to get it together eventually after all the time, money and energy spent on them. Maybe it will be this tournament but I doubt it.
He'll never be an All Black: Sergio Parisse is an absolute beast of a man.
Prediction: Third in Pool
Canada
- I love that Canada play rugby. Clinging on to their Commonwealth roots while their American cousins invent crazy sport after crazy sport to distract them is commendable. Wish they'd get better at it though.
He'll never be an All Black: Apparently winger Jeff Hassler is ok.
Prediction: Fourth after a huge match against Romania.
Romania
- I know nothing about Romanian rugby. I expect them to be awful. They have a colourful uniform though which is nice.
He'll never be an All Black: Evil dictator, Nicolae Ceaușescu. Thank goodness.
Prediction: Last in Pool
That's all for today. Back tomorrow for the first game of the Rugby World Cup 2015.
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