How will tier two nations fare at 2011 RWC?

Writing the Springboks off is absolute absurdity...the motivation of winning 3 cups out 5 competitions will secure and silence the critics once and for all. This achievement will give them a 60% strike rate...Austalia 28.5% and England and NZ each with 14.3%. If this is not enough reason...the Boks have what it takes and I do not see them failing.

I understand that NZ, Aus and SA will arrive with equal chances, the only difference is that NZ will be local, it is sometimes an advantage and sometimes not. England and France will surely be close of them. To me Ireland will be the Cinderella of the tournament, have a great backline and a very strong pack of forwards, led by O'Connell (with Matfield the two best locks in the world). Argentina still is a unpredictable, capable of losing two straight games with Scotland, and then beat for more than 30 points to France in the same month. We have more number of quality players that in 2007. I personally do not like the new head coach Phelan, Loffreda was better for sure. As always injuries and a little luck play an important role in these short tournaments, wherever a team that lose a game such as Wallis and ABs in 2007, must return home earlier than expected, well ABs are at home, je.... Fernando - Córdoba - Argentina

Fiji have played their best rugby in recent years with Nicky Little at 10. Without a controlling figure nobody takes the lead and dictates the play. Further, with such a weak scrum I think it would make sense for Fiji to pursue a kicking ten.

While it's great to see Russia in the world cup, I've seen no evidence to suggest they will be a threat. The tier two teams which are have improved greatly are Georgia (who dumped Tim Lane as head coach a couple of months back), Romania (after a few years of mediocrity) and judging by the nations cup, Namibia. However, while these team have improved markedly, the new tackle interpretations won't do them any favours, so could still be some big blow outs..

USA and russia have big aims for the future if not now

I think we may get a few upsets. One has to remember the world cup is being played in New Zealand and there will be massive support for the Pacific Islanders and even more support for anyone playing England

USA are aiming to beat Russia, and try to shock Italy. Australia and Ireland they know they have little chance for. If they can win 2 games they guarantee automatic entry for 2015, making that Italy game very important. They should beat Russia. They knocked them over with a half strapped up team this year, and Russia had a more settled line up and with professional players versus many amateurs for USA (how ironic).

I tihnk one cant look past the PI's for an upset. Samoa and Fiji would put in a good shout against SA and Wales. Wales have shown they can be vulnerable, and South Africa were very lucky not to be beaten by Tonga at last WC. As for Tonga, you cna never underestimate these fellas - they were brillant agsint the boks in 07, and very unlucky not to have won. facing france and NZ is a tough draw though. i wouldnt be surpised to see Georgia really push Scotland and Argentina. Who knows, if results go there way and they spring an upset they could even find themselves sneaking in the quarters! One game im really looking out for is Russia v USA. should be a cracker.

I be looking forward to seeing how Russia,USA,Canada, and Georgia perform the most. It be nice if the minnows cause a huge upset like Canada upsetting New Zealand but the chances of that happen is the chance Canada could get out of it's group stage nil. Going to be awesome, I wish League had a international stage the size of union being a fan of both codes. I expect RWC 2011 to be one of the best RWC that's for sure.

for the last two world cups the best matches from a spectator point of view have been pool games involving the minnows! USA-Fiji in '03 at Lang Park was some of the most exciting rugby I have ever seen! USA-Tonga and USA-Samoa '07 also fantastic matches! Japan-Fiji '07 and who can forget Romania-Nambiba '03 when Launceston (house numbers dictating when team you went for!) was split down the middle in support for each team! classic stuff!

If Nacewa plays at 10 they'll have a problem, he rarely does well in that position for Leinster - he's better on the wing or at FB.

minor details, Cizzy.... Tier One, Tier Two.... whoever.

Fiji has stated that they can make the semi finals and i think they will here is what i think their best starting 15 is 1. Campese Maafu - West Harbour 2. Sunia Koto - Narbonne 3. Deacon Manu - Scarletts 4. Irefemi Rawaqa - IBM Big Blue 5. Dominic Waqa - Waikato 6. Netani Talaei - Edinbrugh 7. Akapusi Qera - Gloucester 8. Sisa Kayombale - Sale or Jone Qovu - Racing Metro 9. Mali - Pacific Nations Cup 10. Isa Nacewa - Leinster 11. Napolioni Nalaga - Clermont 12. Seremia Bai - Castres 13. Seru Rabeni - La Rochelle 14. Sireli Naqelivuki - Stormers 15. Kameli Ratevu - Saracens

The World Cup next year will have five tiers. New Zealand are the sole occupant of the Premier Tier in World Rugby. Then there's Tier one teams like England, Australia, and France. Tier Two with Scotland, South Africa, Ireland and Argentina Tier Three with Italy, Fiji, USA, Russia , etc Tier Four - Namibia, Georgia, etc. New Zealand will be top of their group at pool stages. They'll also win their quarter-final against whoever, their semi-final against whoever and the final against whoever. It's written in the haka runes. Don''t waste time fighting it, just let it wash over you.

I agree with Kiwikool, Even though Wales should make it through the pool group stage they do have a history of failing this. In 1991 Western Samoa upset Wales in the pool stage forcing Wales into an early exit. In 1995 New Zealand and Ireland finished ahead of Wales in the group stages leaving Wales with another early exit. In 1999 Wales, Western Samoa and Argentina were drawn in the same group along with Japan with the 3 finishing on the same points after W.S again beating Wales, Argentina beating W.S. and Wales beating Argentina. Wales was able to scrape through due points difference. In 2007 Wales was lost in an upset to Fiji 38-34 leaving them 3rd in their group behind Australia and Fiji. Wales has a history of struggling in the World Cup partuicularly when facing Pacific Island nations and in 2011 they face two in Samoa and Fiji. I'm not saying Wales won't overcome these teams but history has shown they do struggle. This could be an early exit for the men from the valleys The way Scotland is playing at the moment it could mean an early exit for England. Although Argentina are not the quality team they were in France2007 they could upset England. That is not saying that it would be a huge upset if Argentina beat England in the W.C. but it would be considered an upset. Scotland drew 15-15 with England in this years six nations championship so it is not impossible that Scotland can beat England in NZ2011 leaving England or even Argentina missing the the finals stage og the world Cup after finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively in the previous edition.

I'm personally going to be taking most interest in the Russian and the US. Both are on rise, particularly the Russians. But to be 100% honest I'm actually looking further ahead to 2015 for a real impact from the second Tier. Argentina will have had 3 seasons of tough 4 Nations rugby to improve their game. So look out Europe by then. Italy too will start to see the benefit of their Magners League inclusion by 2015 and will start to more regularly challenge the big boys. And the Russians will have settled in comfortably to professionalism and will start to close on the Pacific Islands. If the IRB was to change the eligibility laws by 2015 too, to allows the Pacific sides access to former Tier 1 players then these nations too would receive and immediate and significant performance boost. Going back to 2011 though, the biggest chance of an upset that I can see would be in Pool D, with either the Welsh or the Boks being upset by the Fijians or Samoans. The other 3 pools are more cut and dried this time around I believe. I do wonder if the Island nations might struggle with the fitness levels in the new game though. It might negate their natural flair somewhat.

I'm Thniking of a big upset of South Africa crashing out in the pool competition when they lose to Wales and then an upset by Fiji or Samoa... Other wise it will be Wales again as the Victim in the same pool D. England getting scalped by Argentina & Scotland and missing out. Still All Blacks & Wallabies the favourites, will see more after the spring tour and 6 nations. I also think the longer SupeRugbY season might cause alot more injury to teams too.