The rugby World Cup is just over three weeks away now and excitement is building. Over the past few weeks we have seen a dominant Wallabies team go from beating the all-conquering All Blacks to receiving a master class by the very same team.
The Springboks were shown up by the passionate Argentines in a high scoring clash. While in the northern hemisphere the English dominated an undisciplined French team before swapping roles the very next week.
In addition the Irish dominated the Welsh in a classy performance. Thus, after many hours of detailed research and thinking I have reached the conclusion that only four teams can win this year’s Rugby World Cup – England, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand.
England
England head into the World Cup in mixed form after two contradicting performances against the French. However I believe these performances have not shown the dominant strength of the England team over the past four years and that they are a leading contender to lift the Web Ellis Cup.
Under Stuart Lancaster the English have comprehensively beaten New Zealand – the only team to do so other than the Wallabies in the last four years – and they have made their home ground Twickenham a fortress. They also have arguably the biggest and most disciplined forward pack heading into the World Cup.
Even though they have not yet settled on their best 15 I believe that the power and strength they possess in the forwards, combined with exciting outside backs such as Mike Brown and Jonathan Joseph, can lead them to a second World Cup.
Ireland
Over the past two years Ireland have been the feel good story of world rugby, they have beaten the Springboks and Wallabies, won the Six Nations two years in a row and have pushed the All Blacks right to the edge. In my opinion there are two reasons Ireland can win the rugby World Cup.
Firstly, they have the most in-form halves pairing in world rugby. Jonathan Sexton and Colin Murray have created a lethal partnership in the last few years, tearing apart teams such as England, Wales, Australia and South Africa by their ability to either combine with their attacking outside backs or play a power game with their dominant forwards.
The second reason Ireland can win is their game style. The Irish possess attacking backs such as Simon Zebo and Tommy Bowe while also having dominate forwards in Sean O’Brien and Paul O’Connell, enabling to change their game plan depending on the situation.
This could be very handy as they will have to play teams that run the ball like the Wallabies and New Zealand or teams that like to kick the ball like England. Thus, if Ireland play at their full potential I don’t believe they can be defeated.
New Zealand
Leading into this year’s World Cup New Zealand are the obvious favourites, as they are for every World Cup. They are the number one team in the world, have only lost two games in four years and boast two great players in Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, as well as the brilliant Aaron Smith and Brodie Retallick.
New Zealand play a fast free-flowing style using their talented outside backs to their full disposal while also using their well drilled forwards to secure the ball and dominate the breakdown. I believe that this World Cup is New Zealand’s to lose and anything other than a victory on that last day of October will be a failure for the men in black.
Australia
Most rugby fans leading into this World Cup would rate Australia an outside chance to lift the cup, however I believe they can. If Australia were to win this year’s World Cup it would be because of three things – passion, precision and intensity.
The Wallabies’ victory over New Zealand earlier this year was not a fluke and I believe that it was a sign to come for the men in gold under Michael Cheika. To have the will and desire to win those close games you need to have passion, passion for country, your teammates and your coach.
When Nick Phipps was sin-binned the Wallabies could have rolled over and given up however they kept on fighting and emerged victors after 80 minutes. When that siren sounded you could see the joy on the players’ faces and how much it meant to them.
Secondly, if the Wallabies want any chance to win the World cup they have to be precise. What let them down at Eden Park wasn’t a lack of will it was a lack of precision. In the first 20 minutes of that game the Wallabies had all the possession and territory, however were unable to convert their opportunities and let the All Blacks back in the game.
Thirdly, over the past few weeks we have been hearing about the intensity of the Wallabies’ training and that players are getting bloody noses and getting into fights. I believe if the Wallabies bring that type of intensity to the World Cup they can advance deep into the knockout stage.
JimmyB
Guest
Hi Riccardo, I agree with most of what Birdy has said although I would have taken Burrell over Burgess. I would have also found a spot for Cipriani in the squad, probably at the expense of Goode who is a fine footballer, but for me has two glaring weaknesses that would get exposed at the sharp end of a tournament (assuming that England even got that far) and they are his lack of pace and his ability under the high ball.
SAVAGE
Guest
Who made you the guru of whats decent and whats not at a rugby game? What makes you think we care about what other people do at their home grounds? Thats why they call it a test match, your best versus our best in your conditions or our conditions.
wardad
Guest
Kiwi supporters ,what a load ..I notice the volume started up when Cruden was kicking at the end in 2013 . And what examples do you have of NZ supporters egregious behaviour ? Just something you heard or read on a site like this ? Utter nonsense .
wardad
Guest
Yup the ABS suffer from nerves when playing big matches and away ,like at Ellis Park for the RCs and in Oz for the RC and Bledisloe and Twickenham just because . And that lousy away record of theres what is it again ? 80 something per cent ?
Cathal
Guest
It doesn't from an Irish point of view because its a new coaching team and a totally different Irish team both mentally and tactically.
Derm
Roar Guru
I think you meant to say that he wasn't the coach. History does count in these kind of match-ups, particularly in RWCs. So there is relevance. And added to that is current form and what wins/losses occurred at home and away.
Cathal
Guest
Schmidt was in charge of those Ireland teams so those RWC's are irrelevant.
Birdy
Guest
Who's writing Ireland off, Cathal? My view is that one of the SFs will be Ireland against the winner of Pool A in a 50-50 shootout. Although, the French might have a say in that in the pool.
Birdy
Guest
I'll have a pop, Riccardo, until Jimmy gets back online. On the five you've named, no problems with any of them not being there. Twelvetrees: amazed he got as near to selection as he did. Poor club form and was not the first choice in the 6 Nations. Burrell: The unluckiest as he was the first choice 12 in the 6 Nations, although he didn't have a good tournament. It seems that Burgess has made a big impression in the 10 week camp and the first match against France, but clearly a bit of a punt. Very glad Lancaster also went for Henry Slade in the centres. This kid is going to be a star, the question is whether it's too early for him but certainly not a conservative pick. Tuilagi: was dropped because of off-field bad behaviour. I think the plan was always Tuilagi at 12 and Joseph at 13. However, even though banned, he's been injured for a while so would have been touch and go anyway. Corbisiero: injuries have meant that he's never recaptured his Lion's form. Marler and Vunipola have been very good at Loosehead, so he was competing for the 5th prop that can play both sides. Kieran Brookes had a very good 6 Nations so has nailed that spot. Most pundits who know what they're talking about in England relatively OK with the squad. The Burgess selection has been the most divisive, and there were some pitching for Easter over Morgan because of Morgan's injury problems.
Harry Jones
Expert
Bookmakers know best NZ ENG SA
80085
Guest
It was still a win and a superb performance against a very, very good Ireland side so what does that say about Wales? Denied the grand slam for them and much more significant regarding Wales's chances. No one is highlighting England's weaknesses going into this tournament. Number 1, selection: untried or very green centre combinations, lack of enough experience in the team with those chosen, leaving good players out and favourites given too much game time/too bulletproof. Number 2, the set piece: normally the biggest asset and doubtful to perform as poorly again but outperformed by France in the scrum. The lineout didn't function well and was successfully read and attacked (missing Hartley). Number 3, the breakdown: no natural fetchers and relying on the breakdown work of the rest of the team in a group where England's biggest threats both have two world class opensides. Also, not enough world class players in the team generally- some will develop into that but need a lot more experience. Twickenham alone isn't enough to guarantee getting out of the group but all the pundits and bookies seem to think it's a given they'll go through.
Cathal
Guest
If Ireland can keep Sexton and O'Connell they should be fine.
Cathal
Guest
I would argue that Ireland have a better depth then Australia interms of international quality players.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
And the other teams rise to the occasion like the French
Machooka
Roar Guru
@ DCNZ Nice... soliloquy :)
DCNZ
Guest
I am looking forward to going over, come on all blacks! still, we have an ageing senior leadership, we are chokers, prone to misfortune, poor refereeing, everyone hates us, can't win Bill overseas, and we are arrogant and over-confident. just getting all the memes out of the way.
Andrew Jardine
Roar Guru
If predictions mean anything, they should hold the prize giving first, give the Webb Ellis trophy to the All Blacks and hold the tournament afterwards! Nonetheless, the ABs are favourites with England, Ireland, the Wallabies and Springboks in my mix. Maybe even the Frogs! You never know with the French. For the Boks, all will decide on what coach Heyneke Meyer decides. I don't rate our chances if his insists on an outdated game plan, relies on power not guile and believes that old, experienced players will bring home the bacon. The Boks have the players to match the best but HM needs have the balls to field the in-form players. For all his experience, I feel that Victor Matfield will be a liability in the loose. I would go with Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth as starting locks. I would also go with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel at centre and have Jean de Villiers on the bench. Of course, I am just dreaming. That isn't going to happen. We are all about over-powering the opposition not out-smarting them. Beware Samoa and the Scots in the pool games. If the Boks have an off-day and lose, they could have me wringing my hands in frustration.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
England , Ireland or Boks with NZ and Oz outsiders
You are not following the script Bazza, you are supposed to write off the Springboks. ;)
bazza
Guest
Broncos are paying 4 dollars to win the NRL premiership..That is very very very generous odds