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The World Cup is here! We’re finally living it, breathing it, drinking it, and definitely not sleeping throughout it.
There is so much good rugby on that I need to specifically plan what other parts of my life are going to be ignored to clear enough space to watch it.
Basically, I’m living the dream, as I am sure you are too, fellow rugby fan.
We aren’t quite through the first round of pool matches – as much as you can have a round with uneven numbers in the pools – so it’s a bit soon to draw definitive conclusions around the shape of the tournament.
More Rugby World Cup:
» LORD: Hooper and Pocock need to start every game
» Fiji’s form forces Cheika to show his hand
» Rugby World Cup fixtures
» Rugby World Cup results
» Rugby World Cup highlights
» Rugby World Cup news and opinion
But if other media are allowed to divine the future of our nation seven days after a new bloke took over running it, I can pick some winners and losers after a few games.
Winner: Japan
Well, obviously. Watching Japan beat South Africa on the weekend was one of my favourite sporting moments ever. Nothing against South Africa, especially any South African readers, but an underdog always has a great chance to win my support.
And a second-tier team defeating a first-tier opponent is such a rare, yet important occasion, you just have to get behind it.
Rugby is a physical game, but it is also very technical and tactical. For second-tier sides, getting the balance across those components is tough and Japan managed it to perfection against the Springboks – playing with speed, backing the ball in-hand, and avoiding a territorial fight.
Ultimately this win is good for the game of rugby. I hope every other lower ranked team is injected with a dose of hope and faith after watching the Cherry Blossoms. You too can topple a giant.
The more highly competitive teams the better. Ask cricket what it’s like with a shrinking, instead of expanding, base of quality international sides.
Loser: South Africa
The Springboks looked underdone against Japan. There wasn’t urgency or physicality we normally see from a South African Test side. And when things turned against them there wasn’t a retaliation or increased work rate. No plan B.
Where does this put them? Well, they’ll still probably qualify for quarter-finals but it will take some work to improve enough to advance further than that. Putting Handre Pollard, Adrian Strauss and Fourie du Preez in the starting line-up would be a start.
Winner: Ireland
It’s not much really, but while plenty of other teams looked mortal against lesser opposition Ireland ‘got on with the job’, as the blue team is fond of saying, and demolished Canada.
Their forward pack got on top early. Their back row looks like it could set a benchmark in this tournament. With the pace set early, the first team can be rotated and the workload spread out before the knock-out matches.
Loser: Jaco ‘check the big screen’ Peyper
Make a call please. There’s nothing worse than a referee who seems to be in position, to have seen the play up-close, who has two other sets of eyes to call on, but still wants to reach for the safety of the TMO.
It’s even worse in the opening match of a centrepiece tournament for a global sport.
Jaco, before the match tell the TMO to yell in your ear if he thinks you’ve missed something. Otherwise, make a call and let’s play rugby. Even on the sideline in the USA versus Tonga game, Peyper was asking the ref to check with the TMO instead of offering support.
Winner: Argentina
For about 60 minutes Argentina were the better side against New Zealand. After that their inferior bench, injuries and inability to secure the ball cost them.
However, for a team in the awkward gap between the very best and the second tier, a performance yielding a first-half lead against New Zealand and making the reigning world champions work hard to nose away in the final quarter will be a confidence boost.
Juan Martin Hernandez is playing better than he did in the Rugby Championship, Agustin Creevy is bustling and combative, Leonardo Senatore is everywhere and Nicolas Sanchez is active. Argentina have something to build on.
Loser: Richie McCaw
Couldn’t help it. Sent off against Argentina in what was his fourth called infringement in the game after 30 minutes. He was either a step slow or being even more cynical than usual. It wasn’t even subtle.
Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read were strong against Argentina. If there was a weak link in the back row it was McCaw in the first half.
Winner: Wales
It certainly doesn’t hurt to rip out a 45-plus-point difference after one match in the pool stage. After entering the World Cup under injury clouds, pumping out to a first-on-track lead is a great outcome for Wales. Australia haven’t played yet, but are suddenly looking at not only needing to win games but gain points to make sure they qualify well in a tight pool. Wales have put the pressure on in Pool A.
Loser: England
I’m being a bit of a harsh marker, but England were underwhelming in the opener. It might have been the pressure of the moment and all that, but there wasn’t a whole lot of dynamism in their play. It will take a lot of improvement for them to win the tournament at home after that first marker.
With 15 minutes to play Fiji were only one try back, and were good value for that position, having left plenty of points on the field. The 35-11 final score flatters England in a performance that was very ‘blergh’.
Winner: Georgia
They have to get a little mention for playing the part of the upset entrée. After they held off Tonga in a very willing match, we were well and truly piqued to what was possible as Japan made us wonder against South Africa.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.