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The phrase la crème de la crème springs to mind when you look at Pool A at the Rugby World Cup. Within it you have world-class players and intriguing individual duels scattered all over.
The following clashes are duels that I think will go a long way to deciding the Pool of Death.
Billy Vunipola versus Taulupe Faletau
A nice family gathering is certainly not what these two men will get on September 26. Faletau will face off against his cousins Mako and Billy Vuniplola in what is sure to be a lung-busting encounter.
It is a pivotal game and the latter of the Vunipola siblings will be involved in a fascinating duel with Faletau. There is an interesting subplot to the battle as well, whoever performs better will most likely be the starting No.8 for the British and Irish Lions.
Billy Vunipola has a two-stone weight advantage over Faletau and will look to utilise it in close contact situations. Faletau, the lighter of the two, has great feet and fancies himself as a bit of a winger.
To call these players solely battering rams would do them a serious injustice. Both players are renowned for their strong ball carrying but have also added subtle hands to their artillery. These two players will certainly have a big say in the fate of Pool A.
David Pocock versus Sam Warburton
Nobody meets the old fashioned definition of a No.7 more than these two. To say they are a nuisance at the breakdown is an understatement. David Pocock is widely regarded as the most deadly man in the world rugby over ball at breakdown. Sam Warbuton is his great pretender in many aspects. He has a similar build, work ethic and prowess at the breakdown.
While neither are Sean O’Brien type ball carriers, they do their job and leave others to do the ball carrying. A key aspect of this battle could be the referee Craig Joubert and his tendency to penalise teams who go off their feet at the breakdown.
This could become a breakdown bloodshed if Michael Hooper and Justin Tipuric also feature. If this is to happen both teams will fancy themselves to dominate.
Mike Brown versus Israel Folau
While it’s a shame that we won’t get to see a quality fullback like Leigh Halfpenny play at the Rugby World Cup, we have apt replacements in the form of Israel Folau and Mike Brown. They are two of the most domineering players on their respective teams.
Note to the opposition, don’t kick the ball to Folau unless you want a leaping exhibition. While Brown is solid under the high ball, he doesn’t have the height or fielding experience that Folau has from AFL. What Brown does offer is scintillating pace and a deadly step.
If weather conditions remain dry and both teams play positive rugby, these two could throw up a really good spectacle. Two very flashy players, that have genuine claims to being the best fullback in the world.
Dan Biggar versus George Ford
The young George Ford has been a sensation for England. He offers something different to Owen Farrell’s astute kicking game. Since playing against Australia in the November Test, Ford has been a linchpin in the England team. Accurate at the tee, Ford had a 79 per cent kicking success rate for Bath in the Aviva Premiership.
Up against Ford is arguably Wales’s most important player. The role Dan Biggar will have to play has even more significance since the confirmation of Halfpenny’s injury. Not only will Biggar have to call the plays, he will have the extra burden of having to take the kicks.
Much like Vunipola versus Faletau, both players could also be playing with the added incentive of earning a Lions spot. At the moment both men are neck and neck in second place, though of course that could change completely after the World Cup.
George North versus Nemani Nadolo
The clash of the giant wingers is a personal favourite of mine. Nemani Nadolo has been ripping up the Super Rugby, while at the same time George North has been terrorising defences in the Aviva Premiership and the Champions Cup.
Standing at six foot five and weighing over 19 stone, Nadolo is not your typical winger. While he can offer gain line success, he is also a prolific finisher. The Fijian has scored 21 tries in 27 games.
Typical winger is not exactly a label you can put on North either, though. Weighing in at 17 stone, North made his debut for Wales aged 18. Since then North has played for the British and Irish Lions and won two Six Nation titles with Wales.
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