The main thing that strikes me about this group is the physicality every team in it has. It could be argued that this is the most physical group in the World Cup.
These five duels below are just a sample of the physicality this group has to offer.
Duane Vermeulen versus Josh Strauss
Has there ever been as much reliance on a non-capped, project player than on Josh Strauss?
For much of the Six Nations, Scotland were bullied. This was especially evident in the last game against Ireland where Sean O’Brien simply blew the Scots away at the breakdown.
With the abrasive Strauss at number eight and the return of Richie Gray, Scotland will have no shortage of physicality.
Up against Strauss and Scotland is Duane Vermeulen and the Springboks, one of the biggest packs in world rugby and a number eight who loves nothing more than a physical exchange. Thor has completed his rehabilitation from neck surgery and is expected to be fit for the start of the Rugby World Cup.
The collisions between 116kg Vermeulen and 114kg Strauss will be massive, with neither player giving an inch. Both are strong ball carriers but Strauss is also a key man in defence.
He will be a vital cog in Scotland’s defensive line for the Springboks match. Vermeulen and Bellville-born Strauss last faced off against each other on February 26, 2011 when the Stormers took on the Lions.
On that occasion Strauss’s team won, will he continue his winning record against Vermeulen and inspire his nation to victory this time?
Stuart Hogg versus Billy Le Roux
One of the few positive things to come out of last year’s Six Nations for Scotland was the form of gifted full back Stuart Hogg. From the opening game against France where he threw that notorious between the legs pass, to the 40-10 hammering against Ireland, Hogg remained a constant threat.
Up against him is the creative Le Roux, who by his high standards didn’t have a great a Rugby Championship. Against Australia he looked threatening with ball in hand, setting up a lot of South Africa’s best chances.
Defensively, he came under a lot of criticism from the rugby public, for his efforts. Le Roux is known to fall of a few tackles, he most certainly can’t do that against Hogg.
Le Roux and Hogg are very similar players in the manner they run with the ball in both hands. Le Roux’s skill of getting on the outside of defenders and giving the pass is a skill that Hogg has as well.
Both teams will look to their full backs for creativity in what could be a tight, tense affair.
Kahn Fotuali’i versus Greig Laidlaw
Nothampton’s Kahn Fotuali’i is vital for Samoa’s qualification hopes. He dictates a lot of Samoa’s play from scrum half and is as flashy and quick a scrum half as any in world rugby.
He suffered a concussion injury during the Barbarians match and had to be replaced at half-time. The Samoans will hope to have him back for the match against Scotland.
On the other side you have the more diplomatic, conservative Greig Laidlaw. He is Scotland’s captain and he takes on kicking duties as well.
Laidlaw is good a good passer and is known leader for both Gloucester and Scotland. He also boasts impressive kicking accuracy for Gloucester in the Aviva premiership with an eight per cent success ratio in last year’s competition.
In this match we will be treated to a contrast in styles from the scrum-halves position. Samoa’s game plan is based around the strengths of their skilful scrumhalf while Scotland’s game plan is based around Laidlaw bringing others into play.
Joe Tekori versus Eben Etzebeth
It’s rare that Eben Etzebeth goes into physical confrontation with a man that is his equal in terms of size and muscle.
Joe Tekori is a well -known operator in the Top 14 with Toulouse and has also had a successful stint at Castres. He has played thirty two matches for Samoa and is a powerful ball carrier.
Etzebeth is also a powerful ball carrier and at his best is a destructive, nightmare for opposition at breakdown.
Etzebeth established himself as a powerhouse at a young age by putting Bismarck Du Plessis on the floor from a strong carry. Since then, he has grown physically and is now one of the most feared men in world rugby. The one weakness of his game is his discipline.
Opposition have often attempted to agitate him because of his volatile temper. You can be sure that Samoa will do the same in this tough match.
When you search Tekori’s name on youtube, the first clip that pops up is his memorable big fend against Paul O’Connell, at the Aviva Stadium. From this hit alone it is clear that Tekori is a man that doesn’t shy away from physicality.
The physicality of this match will be felt by all and is a much watch match for any aficionado of rugby tackles.
Samu Manoa versus Sanele Vavae Tuilagi
While Samu Manoa plays the majority of his rugby for Northampton at number eight, he could very well play second row for USA. Manoa was voted Aviva Premiership player of the season in the 2012/2013 season and all of his most domineering performances for Northampton have been at number eight.
He is one of the best athletes in world rugby standing at two metres and weighing in at 122 kilograms.
This duel will see Manoa up against another one of the illustrious Tulagi brothers. Unsurprisingly Sanele Tuilagi is also a massive ball carrier and great at offloading out of contact.
He made his debut for Samoa during their Pacific Cup campaign and was one of the stars of the tournament. He works in tandem well with star scrum half Kahn Fotuali’i and they will hope to be at the back of a dominant scrum against USA.
The Tuilagi family are not the only athletic family involved in this clash. The athletic Manoa has two brothers that are up and coming American football players with scholarships. Believe it or not Manoa wasn’t the biggest member of his family and he most certainly won’t be the biggest in this match.
Both teams will target this match for a win and it could rest on a Mona or Tuilagi piece of magic.
Who de ye think will win these duels, Roarers?
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
It depends on the pack of forwards we select Bilt. The biggest pack we can put onto the field is 954 kilograms (Oosthuizen 127kg, du Plessis 111kg, Malherbe 124kg, de Jager 124kg, Etzebeth 117kg, du Toit 115kg, Alberts 120kg, Vermeulen 116kg). The most likely pack will be 922kg. Still pretty darn big if you ask me. The Wallaby pack looks huge because Skelton is there and supplies 20kg other locks can't top. New Zealand's is 903kg. Not much in it, but not a stretch to say we are the biggest.
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
I'm picking Duane Vermeulen to overcome the bearded bandit Strauss before leaving both Willie and Hogg in the dust with a fantastic swerve and pass. After that he will use Etzebeth and Tekori as his own personal dumbells. But in seriousness... Vermeulen over Strauss. When at his best, only Read is a match for Vermeulen. Stuart Hogg over Willie, as saddening as that is. Big fan of Willie, but Hogg looks to be more tactically astute and defensively sound. I still don't think Willie is as good as he was when he played on the wing. Khan and Greig is the toughest to call because both are good players. I'm going with Laidlaw though. He caught my eye last year against the All Blacks where he had a brilliant game. Very underrated. Etzebeth over Tekori every day of the week and twice on a Sunday. The Tuilagis may be rightfully revered, but Manoa is my champion there. Any player that can tackle Julian Savea six meters backwards like he did in Chicago is A-Okay in my book. How about you? I may have the Dark Side within me, but it is you who possesses the eye of Sauron :)
Harry Jones
Expert
Good player.
Who you supporting my friend in who the dark force is strong?
Colm, I love your series and thanks for your efforts. But you have fallen for the same perception many do, the Boks are not the biggest pack, in fact I think if you checked most packs would weigh in around 900-920 kg. Similarly the perception that we don't run the ball. Anyway, I told a scottish connection of mine when Josh Strauss moved there he would be playing for Scotland as soon as he qualified. Strauss is a great player, reluctantly, I wish him well in the blue jersey, would have preferred if players did not qualify so quickly for other nations.
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
I was born ready mate.
Harry Jones
Expert
AvZ, you ready?
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
One thing though, a little misinformation. The Stormers have only ever lost to the Lions once in SupeRugby (in 2014) and the game in February between those sides was won by the Stormers 19-16. So Strauss' team could not have won the last time they met. A quick glance at the Currie Cup also shows that they had not faced each other that year either. Anyway, some good contests in pool B. I fear Free Willy won't be the first choice fullback anymore with the return of Captain Krusty. Maybe he'll be on the wing though, which I would like. The best clash will be Springboks vs Samoa, solely because it will be carnage. I'm confident the Boks will win, but this particular match will probably be the most brutal of the whole tournament.
Harry Jones
Expert
It's a rough, tough Pool this. 'Billy' has hogged a lot more tries and try assists (often created out of thin air) than the Scottish 15. But if it's raining in Newcastle for that game, don't be surprised to see zany Zane at 15 and Willie at wing.