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2015 Rugby World Cup: Pool C preview

Roar Guru
30th August, 2015
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The All Blacks' haka is one of the most famous in the world. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Roar Guru
30th August, 2015
44
2023 Reads

Without doubt the easiest of groups to decipher, with the All Blacks, the tournament favourites, tipped to go through this group untroubled.

Argentina will provide a bit of competition for New Zealand but it should be routine thumpings after that.

All Blacks (1)
The current World Cup champions and the number one ranked side in the world for the last six years. They are the team to beat in this tournament and their strengths are everywhere – in their pack, their backline and depth in all positions. Their weaknesses? The only one I can pick is the mental scars of past failed campaigns.

Hopefully this was put to rest in 2011 after breaking the 24-year hoodoo at the tournament. In past campaigns there have always been a couple of vulnerable positions but every position now has at least two world-class players.

Argentina (8)
Los Pumas are shaping as a nice side and reinforced that with a great victory over the Springboks. This season I have seen their backline evolve into more of a weapon and their strengths are their pack and goal kicker. They are the masters of getting the scrum penalty, while their weakness is their defence on the wings. They are not an easy side to go through but the same cannot be said about going around.

Tonga (11)
Tonga lacks the polish of the top two sides in the set pieces and this will be exploited heavily. Right in the mix for third place and hold winning records over Georgia and Namibia. Strengths are their backline and weakness their forwards and set pieces.

Georgia (13)
A developing rugby nation and acquitted themselves well in 2011. Their strengths are in their forwards, they have a very sound pack, but their defence and backline is a worry.

Namibia (20)
Namibia should prove to be the whipping boys of this pool as they hold losing records against all their opponents. They currently hold the record for the worst loss at a World Cup, going down 142-0 to Australia. If the All Blacks get rolling that could be in danger.

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The All Blacks look certainties to win this group, but Argentina look just as good to secure second spot. They acquitted themselves well in the Rugby Championship. These two sides square off in the first game of the tournament and then the next three matches should be training drills. Tonga and Georgia should scrap out third and fourth and Namibia will be cannon fodder.

Table
All Blacks – 4 wins
Argentina – 3 wins
Tonga – 2 wins
Georgia – 1 win
Namibia – 0 wins

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