The Irish challenge for the RWC

Argentina are our main worry. Obviously France too, but Argentina seem to be a bit of a bogey with us. I wouldn't pay to much attention to Ireland's tour of Argentina this year though, we lost both matches, because that is not the Irish team that will play in the RWC.

Fence, I stand corrected. Should have known it wasn't this year as Eng actually made some line breaks. I'll move Ireland up my pecking order & admit they are "in form" but still feel Argentine are the "upset" guys - not the pressure in Arg as in Britain for home sides. Regards Jools-USA

Jules-USA said - Just saw the 6-nation Ire/Pom match at Twickenham earlier this year & they were very lucky to beat an England team that (for once) ran hard up the middle & actually looked like a southern team. But that wasn't this year. That was the year before. This year we played England in Croke Park, not Twickenham and destroyed England, 43-13.

Going on this years 6 nations Ireland have an excellent team. The bulk of their squad have been playing together for a very long time and really have come to the fore in the last two years. I would consider the Irish arguably the best wet weather rugby team. An example of that is the way they dismantled the Wallabies in last years European tour. In atrocious conditions they played clincial attacking rugby. Slick passing (in wet weather) and O'Gara's positional kicking was key to that win. They will certainily be one of the main contenders for the WC in my mind. However, i will say that without O'Driscoll i dont think they can go all the way and win the WC. I know its only one person but he is their captain and the key to their side. Without O'Driscoll they have a massive weakness, especially in defence. In the game vs France in this years six nations O'Driscoll was not playing due to injury. I think he was replaced by Andrew Trimble and throughout the game his defensive inexperience at no.13 was truley shown. The last gasp winning try by France was scored by Vincent Clerc through a glaring defensive lapse in the centres. If France had not scored this try not only would have Ireland won the game they would have won the six nations and the grand slam as well leaving them in a great position leading up to this years WC.

Greetings Tongstar. If you find good odds against Ireland/OZ in final let me know & I'll take a punt. Outside chance at best...........but, ya never know! Jools=USA

To Matt and Garth, hear, hear. I used to be one of those southern fans that couldn't see past the colour black, but 20 years of despair and failure will wake you up and make you more objective about your own team and respectful of others. Can we also start a blog about Argentina's chances? I don't know much about their current squad of players as most of them play in Europe but Augustin Pichot, Felipe Contemponi and Juan Martin Hernandez are world class and we all know about their brilliant scrummaging. They beat England at Twickenham for the first time last year and Ireland in two home tests this year. They should have beaten New Zealand last year at home and will be playing France in the opening match of the world cup. The French players will be well known to them and as most of the Argentines play for French clubs it will be as much a home game as it is for the French. I haven't seen any of their games - it would be nice if we had a dedicated rugby channel on Foxtel that showed games outside of the SANZAR nations - so don't know whether they've developed their game any further since the last world cup. They will be a tricky and difficult opponent for any side that faces them. Actually the more I analyse the way the draw is structured and the general improvement in the top 8 teams this year, this could be the most competitive World Cup yet. It's worth placing some bets on teams offering good odds like Ireland, England and Argentina. To this day I still regret not taking a friends advice and placing a bet on Greece at the last European cup. It would have been the best $20 I'd ever spent.

Temba, My apologies if I sounded a bit harsh...I get a bit frustrated with the way people from the Southern Hemisphere view Northern Hemisphere rugby. There are times that Southern Hemisphere fans are in danger of disappearing up their own @rses such is the pre-occupation with their own teams. The lack of respect we suporters show them at times is breathtaking. One thing the All Blacks in particular have learnt from Northern Hemisphere rugby...England in particular is that it doesn't matter what anyone else says it's whether you win or not that matters...style has nothing to do with it. Seeing as I'm dealing with a 'Boks fan...I don't really see that the South African preparation has been all that flash...they struggled to score points against a valiant but ultimately disappointing Wallabies side. They lost to the All Blacks with if not their top side then extremely close to it. Then went to Australasia with a weakened squad and predictably lost both tests. I'm not really sure what you could have taken from either of those games in terms of WC preparation...Yes, the 'Boks put up a good showing against stronger teams but those players had everything to play for so I for one was not surprised with the fight they showed. In terms of selection what questions did it answer? Probably raised a few instead of answering them. I would also venture that Jake may have been shielding his top players mentally as well as physically from the damage that could've been done from an 0-2 trip to Australia and NZ. The Springboks have named a strong and experienced squad, their supporters have plenty of reasons to be confident of WC success... but just like the Wallabies they are fragile on the road. Maybe Jake was avoiding the psychological damage the Wallabies and All Blacks could have done. The fact their "B' team arguably did so well really says nothing about any teams WC preparation. As I write this I'm bracing myself for the howls of indignation from 'Bok supporters...I'm not saying the Walllabies or the All Blacks have got it right either...I'm just pointing out that there are plenty of other teams in the WC that are capable of beating us...4 years planning or not, it's who shows up on the day ready to play. The fact that there has only ever been one ALL southern hemisphere final (1995) shows that the northern teams have been competitive throughout the history of the WC. Sometimes their lead up has been poor with little or no hint of the form to come eg France in '99. The Tri-Nations sides may have had great preparations (from our point of view) but we ignore the threat of teams from the north at our peril. Ireland, France and England all have the personnel to worry the Tri-Nations sides and remember they only have to have one good day and it's goodbye Wallabies, All Blacks or Springboks. It is all very well to plan ahead but even the best laid plans can go astray. In '87 the All Blacks had planned to play the Wallabies...France came along and forced the All Blacks to plan again. The same with the Walllabies in '99...they'd planned to play the All Blacks and again France forced a rethink. This is the nature of rugby and the nature of the RWC...any team can have it's day.

Love the commenys but ... Why are SA wanting to go north & exit the 3N - obviously not because they want to get belted So ... ?

I am not saying they cant play rugby, I have said before in this very blog that I know they will all play very well but I think they are not as good as they where 4 years ago and I think we are better this time round. We can speculate all we want but in 42 days speculation will turn to fact and we shall see. I suppose the fact that a 4 year wait is almost over and that the RWC is so close.. has got me a little excited. If an upset is going to take place it would be I think, Argentina or the French. French purely on home advantage, they lack the skills that they had a couple of years ago. Argentina might slip a big one in if someone under estimates them. But pound for pound with out upset I think the path is clear to the final. Now that is more then blinded passion speaking...

Temba I don't disagree with you about the defensive qualities of the Tri Nations teams. Everyone has already written at great length about why they think their team will win the World Cup but this blog is focusing on other teams competing and in particular Ireland. I know you have the same passion for the Boks as I do for the Blacks but let us not be blinded by the qualities and virtues of those north of the equator, they can play a bit too. You may also be surprised that South Africa would be the only team from the south that can match in size many of the locks and props that play for France, Ireland and England. They have some big lads in the forwards and it will take more than just sheer strength and power to overcome them.

As always Sam very open minded and political view point but don't you think the Southern teams have fine tuned there defensive game? I have seen some of the best defense in the last year Southern Rugby. They all play good expansive rugby in the six nations but one has to wonder if the defense in those games have been up there with the south. I just don’t feel they can match in the forward area and defense, especially from the AB's and SB.

Matt Agree with your assessment that Ireland and France are the favoured teams to make the final, and its a travesty that the draw will see one of the top six sides in the world miss out on the quarterfinals because they're in the same group. The Irish, French and Welsh like to move the ball and even England under Brian Ashton are trying to play more expansively - they recorded the second highest number of line breaks after Ireland in the Six nations this year. If more teams are going to play positively in the World Cup then the cycle of tournaments hosted in the north being low try scoring affairs will be broken and that can only be good from a spectators perspective. Some points of historical interest: New Zealand and France are the only two teams to have never lost a pool match (France drew 20 all against Scotland in 1987) so Ireland will need to create history to win their pool. Every world cup final bar one (NZ v SA in 1995) has been a case of North v South. Only twice has there been an all southern semifinal (NZ v AUS) which argues against the bias from our side of the world that the northern teams don't have what it takes to stand up to the South. Numerically they do outnumber the southern teams, but they must be doing something right and comparatively Australia are the only country that can boast about any superiority as they're the only country to have won it twice and play in three finals.

I apologize Matt, please don’t slap the cuffs on me yet. My point (in less words) was the teams in the North will play well but do not have what it takes to stand up to the South. I don’t see any surprises, France vs. SA(semi) and Aus vs. NZ(semi) you decide who wins. Matt you should pop a chill pill, its chat... Or is there a bigger problem here :) I had something to say and that was the best place for me to pop it in. Sorry if the commandments set in stone by your gracious honor was broken.

Temba, The article that's being commented on is in regards to the Northern Hemispheres chances...in particular Ireland of winning the RWC...not South Africa. We all know how great the Springboks are and how smart Jake White is but let's stick to the subject. Ireland have to be considered a good chance. As the article pointed out they are a well balanced side who are capable of playing different styles...most importantly the type of rugby that wins big games. Maybe injuries will be a concern as their depth isn't all that great but that is also the case with the top sides...even the All Blacks in certain positions. France cannot be discounted...the fact they are playing at home is a huge bonus to them but ill discipline could be a problem. England certainly have the names on paper but they have nothing like the momentum they had in 2003 and are a shadow of their former self. Wales have a big chance to put a dent in the Wallabies especially with the home gorund advantage while Scotland will struggle. It certainly looks as though Ireland and the unpredictable French will lead the northern hemishperes charge at RWC '07 but such is the nature of the tournament that any number of sides could pull out a surprise on their day and end a favourites run...early!

OK every one here has good points, important point is that the AB's are the best team and are clear favorites to win. The only team that has the strength and depth to beat the AB's(with out upset) is South Africa(on Paper), now I know they came last in the tri-nations, no one needs to remind me but a couple of points you should remember… Jake White has been planning for this event since he took up the job 4 years ago. He has kept the core the same and built around amazing players like Vick Matfield, Schalk Burger, John Smit, Persy Mont, Brain Habs, Foerie Dupreez and old veterans like OS Durant. The new talent has shown brilliance and "hunger". The most important thing of all is the fact that for the first time since the 95 RWC there is no political interference with the team. They are at full-strength with a blessing from all. Second I would say they have something to prove and I have heard from many people that the AB's have the most depth but I disagree. We lost the tri-nations with a second string(un-tested) team that came here and silenced the critics by playing hearts out and at times putting the 2 top rated teams in the world on the back foot. Keeping in mind also that SA had 2 teams in the finals of the super 14. Now last of all and it might sound childish but Jake is calling everyone except the president of the USA for help not because he is unsure but because he thinks people like washed out Clive W and Eddie J have important knowledge to share. It has always been his idea that caps and experience win RWC's and I tent to agree. He has an amazing team and a rugby "mind" controversial at times but it comes with couching a team in a country full of controversy. He has something up his sleeve… I am sure all the other teams will play the best rugby of there lives and will fight valiantly but its going to be a classic final, Springbok vs. All Black both at full strength a colossal match that will be decided by a couple of points… no more then 5 (hello drop goals) I could not have picked a better bok team and that is the first time I can say that since 95. Remember that unlike our cricket team the rugby players have spirit and we will fight to the end(with out choking). That is my 2 cents…could be wrong but time will tell. I cant wait 42 days to go, its going to be one we will never forget!

Sam I agree with a lot of what you have to say. For Brian O'Driscoll at outside centre to be the team's star player says a lot about the team. Firstly for an outside centre to excel he needs a good forward pack to win him some ball. Then he needs good inside backs to either get him the ball when he's in good position or run plays well to put him in good position. Australia's best performing player of recent years has been Chris Latham who makes most of his breaks from broken play that rely upon neither well won possession nor well worked backline play. Your call about England might not prove that far wrong but don't worry about Wilkinson, Lorenzo Dallaglio is the key to England's campaign. He's old and needs to be managed but he could still pick his teeth with most of the aussie forwards.

Ireland were fancied in the last World Cup and were favoured to beat Australia in the quarter final at Melbourne. They were valiant in defeat and just lacked that big match temperament and street smarts to get the win. They have the talent to again mount a strong challenge and will be buoyed by their recent successes against Australia and South Africa that if they face either of them in the knockout games they can beat them. Like Australia they will be hoping they don't suffer any injuries to their key players as the quality of their backup players is questionable. Ronan O'Gara controls the game well and would be one of the top rated first fives in the world but the key to their backline isn't Brian O'Driscoll but Gordon D'Arcy. He adds a lot of starch to their defence and his direct running is a great foil for O'Driscoll. It's not improbable for Ireland to finish top of their pool and that will set them on a quarterfinal against either Italy or Scotland which they would be expected to win and see them progress to the semifinals for the first time. They play an attractive brand of rugby and have the forwards to play a tighter game when required. Finishing top of the pool will definitely help them and once in the semis they have just as strong a chance of making the final and winning it as any other team. There's a lot to like about the Irish and unlike the other home union teams are universally liked around the world and will ride a wave of popularity in France which will also benefit them. Many people will scoff and deride me for saying this but I also believe England will prove to be a more competitive team than their recent results suggests, particularly with a fit Jonny Wilkinson back. They improved a great deal in the second test against South Africa earlier this year and will be targeting their return match in the World Cup as a must win encounter. If England finish top of their pool that will have an enormous impact on the outcome of the tournament as it will possibly mean an Australia v South Africa quarterfinal (if Australia wins in Cardiff, which they haven't done on their last 3 visits). I suggested a NZ v Ireland final earlier this year and got roundly criticised. However France at home will only make that advantage count if they perform well, otherwise the country will turn on them and they'll collapse under the pressure like a souffle. Already there are reports of the public booing them at training sessions. South Africa and Australia need to win both their pools against tricky opponents and neither have a good record away from home. New Zealand has always made the semifinals and with the record that this team has accumulated over the past 3 years, I wouldn't bet against them doing it again this year, after that however, who knows. So a NZ v Ireland final is not as far fetched as it sounds.

jools-usa said, "Don’t agree that Ireland are the “sleeper”. Just saw the 6-nation Ire/Pom match at Twickenham earlier this year & they were very lucky to beat an England team that (for once) ran hard up the middle & actually looked like a southern team." I can thing of many ways to describe Ireland beating England 43-13 - but lucky is not one of them. Also that game can't be looked at in isolation, Ireland were under immense pressure going into the game. One of the last time English feet were on the field in Croke Park prior to that day was during Bloody Sunday when 15 people were killed during a Gaelic match by British Forces. The weight of expectation was HUGE and the team went out and destroyed England. Strettle scored a good try and that was it for England and the game was over with 20 minutes left to go. Boss's try was a cherry on the win.

For Ireland to be a threat they will need to rely on BOD to play somewhereclose to his best for atleast 5 games, thats a tough ask, NZ AUS SA and france all have Depth in Talent where as Ireland are probably 3 or 4 men short, i mean real class players Why do they make the pools for the world cup on the finishing of the last world cup? england were thenumber 1 team that year but havent been since, scotland should not havetheir seeding and argentina should, the all blacks actually have a really bad pool in terms of quality of opposition

Don't agree that Ireland are the "sleeper". Just saw the 6-nation Ire/Pom match at Twickenham earlier this year & they were very lucky to beat an England team that (for once) ran hard up the middle & actually looked like a southern team. O'Connell, along with Matfield, is in my World XV, & BOD is v good, but we see these guys playing 6-N when there's room to move yet when they meet OZ/NZ /SA the space is not there. No, I think the dark-horse will be Argentine and most dangerous from North is France who on their day are agile enough to overcome Southern defence. Jools-USA.