With international rugby being well and truly underway for the year, many teams and supporters alike are beginning to look towards Japan.
With the Wallabies drawing Wales, Georgia, Fiji and Uruguay in Pool D we take a look at the pool and how each country is building for the World Cup.
Australia
The Wallabies were ranked as the highest team in the pool (at the time of drawing) and are favourites to top the pool.
Their form as of late has been mixed, with a disappointing 2017 and a promising start to 2018 with a huge game this Saturday to decide the series against Ireland.
A huge plus for the Australians is the quality games they will get in the lead up to the World Cup. While the constant losing to the All Blacks is tough to watch, it does give Michael Cheika’s men the chance to Test themselves against the world’s best and is a much better warm up than the majority of their Pool D opponents will receive.
The Wallabies face possibly their biggest game first up against the ever-improving Fijians who are a tough side to face first up in a major tournament.
Australia’s head coach Michael Cheika (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Wales
The Welsh are now ranked third in the world (above the Wallabies) and are having a great June series, easily accounting for the Argentineans in their two tests. They also had an impressive Six Nations campaign and are shaping up very well on the road to the world cup.
They, like the Wallabies, will face quality opposition constantly in the lead up to Japan and are looking like they will challenge the Wallabies to top Pool D.
An advantage the Welsh hold over the Aussies is their domestic scene. The Welsh clubs have been very competitive in the Pro 14 and this has resulted in better results for the national side.
Georgia
The final side to qualify automatically for the 2015 World Cup, the Lelos will not be overlooked. They play a super physical game with great forwards and a super set-piece.
They started June with a close win against Tonga before being blown away by a second half scoring frenzy by the Fijians last week in Suva.
Despite the loss, the positives were there as the Georgians held possession well in the first half and went to half time in the lead. They now leave the Pacific for Japan where they will play the hosts in a one-off Test.
The Georgians definitely provide a tough Test especially if they are allowed to play the way they like.
Georgia continue to improve. (AFP PHOTO / BERTRAND LANGLOIS)
Fiji
The Flying Fijians won their World Cup preview against Georgia last week and secured their fourth consecutive Pacific Nations Cup in the process.
Many of their players have tormented the European club scene for a few years now and Fiji will be hoping that these players can make an impact on the international stage as well. The Fijians will not be taken lightly and are a definite smokey to go deep in the tournament.
Uruguay
The Uruguayans have qualified for their second consecutive World Cup after also featuring in the 2015 version.
They will most likely struggle against their higher profile opponents but will be looking to create a huge upset and have some quality players who feature mainly in the French club rugby scene.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Thats a good thing for both sides then.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Derm! ~ With you on that one, as the Ireland side are not the second ranked team for nothing and they're there to win as every other team but they are Coached arguably by the best one or two rugby brains in the game with Joe Schmidt!, ~ Dunno' about the Boks as they as a rule are not good travellers, and the English and Australians I can't see them anywhere near a Final as both those sides are scrambling and not very well! Nobody knows, but Ireland should be the team to beat next to the Kiwi's who, will very likely field one of the best Teams they;ve ever sent to a World Cup as the new talent coming through at this very time is beyond good and that, coupled with the existing top flight guys are going to make them tough to beat
Dan, Boks are in the same pool as the All Blacks, therefor they can only meet again in the final
Dan
Guest
Dont think so Derm, check the draw. It will be a Ireland Bok semi or a Ab Bok semi
Fionn
Guest
Scarily, I think Ireland will be much better come 2019 unless a serious injury was to hit someone like Sexton (which is a possibility given his period). In fact, I think that Ireland, Wales, Australia, New Zealand and especially South Africa will be better by 2019 than they are this year. Argentina should be too if Ledesma takes over. Can the same be said about England, Scotland and France?
Derm
Roar Guru
No Harry. Ireland are going to win everything this year, not 2019. They're ahead of the game. :) RWC?? - not really important...... who needs semifinals anyway?
Harry Jones
Expert
Derm, do you fear IRE has peaked too soon?
Derm
Roar Guru
The winner/runner up in Pool A will meet teams from pool B in the quarter and then teams from either Pool C or D in the semi-final. It always crosses over at semifinal stage. So Ireland would meet either SA or NZ in quarters - which they've never got past this stage. And then (going on WR ranking) one from either Australia, England, France, Argentina, or Wales in the semis.
Dan
Guest
Aussie to make final....for Ireland to make final they are going to have meet Bokke or Abs in quarter final and Bokke or Abs in semi final and then Aussie in final. Has Ireland got this in them, I dont think so. I think we are in for a Aussie vs Ab final again
Dan
Guest
Wow, win saturday and I'll agree with you.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
I'd say never under-estimate Wales. Unless they're playing Samoa. ;)
Tom English
Roar Guru
Good read, but I think you're being a bit kind to Wales. Considering they only just snuck home last November against Georgia means they probably won't dish up too many issues for Australia. In saying that, they had a good world cup in 15.
taylorman
Roar Guru
I wouldnt go that far, at all. This has upsets written all over it.
taylorman
Roar Guru
I agree, Georgia and Fiji represent the two next bests outside of both the 6N and RCH. With Wales waaaaay waaaaaaay overdue a win over Oz, this could be messy.
One Way Street
Guest
Cheika won`t be coach then, so we should win the pool comfortably.
Bob wire
Guest
Aye Harry, depth across the entire paddock required methinks..
RUSerious
Guest
I think this is the perfect draw for Australia. A testing start against Fiji that Australia should win even if they haven't hit top gear, a massive game that Australia will need to be at their best for v Wales, and then one walk over for the reserves v Uruguay, followed by a decent work out v Georgia. Their last game is on a Friday so they will likely have an extra days rest over their quarter final opponents too. It's the Goldilocks draw - not too hard, not too soft.
Daveski
Guest
Georgia also have a good crop of young players coming through and probably could have given us a decent run in the U20s this year if we'd met up. I think we'all handle Fiji unless a Tuisova-Radradra-Nadolo backline somehow get sufficient ball. I think we'll beat Wales and Uruguay shouldn't be much different a score line to 2015 but Georgia strikes as the banana-skin game.
Brizvegas
Guest
Agree Harry given the physicality of the Fijian and Georgian teams the depth or replacement factors will be quite important
Harry Jones
Expert
Australia should win this Pool. Anything less will be an upset. But jeez! It will be a painfully physical group. Depth will be crucial in the pack and midfield.