Another Christmas has passed by, and as we waddle in our houses between the fridge and the televisions, it’s time to get excited, because 2019 promises to be the greatest year in international history.
As uninspiring as the Wallabies were in 2018, other teams from around the globe stepped up their performances. From Ireland putting a marker down against the All Blacks to Fiji knocking off the French, international rugby is in a golden era of competitiveness.
So instead of pondering new year resolutions that won’t be kept beyond Easter, let’s count down to 2019 and the delights the rugby calendar will bring us.
Six Nations Championship
1 February to 16 March
Right around the time your intensive exercise program is dialling back to moderate, the Six Nations Championship will be here. Rugby followers in the Southern Hemisphere may be shaking their heads right now – boring, drab, miserable, uninspiring, grinding, ugly, yawn-fest, whistle-happy and dropkick overload are words often associated with the Northern Hemisphere’s showcase tournament. Not this year, though.
Ireland will go in favourites as defending champions. The Irish kick off their campaign with a massive home game against the English on 2 February, a match that could decide the championship on the sport.
Under Joe Schmidt the Irish play an exciting brand of rugby. They can adapt their game plan when needed, and that includes playing some glorious running rugby. They can also grind out victories when they need to.
The match against the All Blacks last year was a quality test match. It was played at pace despite the low scoreline and showed what Ireland can produce.
Apart from Ireland, both England and Wales will be disappointed if they are not crowned Six Nations champions in 2019. Wales had an excellent undefeated autumn featuring a first victory against the Wallabies in a decade.
England look to be moving forward again under Eddie Jones, with a narrow loss against the All Blacks and a commanding victory against the Wallabies recently. Even Scotland will fancy their chances of snaffling some wins. Throw in the unpredictability of the French and that is one hell of a rugby tournament. Oh, plus there’s Italy.
Prediction
- Ireland
- Wales
- England
(Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Rugby Championship
20 July to 17 August
A shortened version of the regular tournament will take place thanks to the timing of the Rugby World Cup. The shortened format will add extra importance to each match, and intrigue is added by the fact the World Cup is only months away.
The most interesting part of this tournament for many observers will be the coaches and what value they put on winning the trophy. Do they show their hands and do everything they can to win? Or do they hold back some of their tactics, structures and systems for the World Cup and run the risk of losing?
It will be fascinating to watch how the new Wallabies coaching structure works, how team selections look and, most importantly, whether the changes have had an impact on the national side.
Will the South Africans continue to improve under Rassie Erasmus after a solid 2018? What will Steve Hansen do with the All Blacks tactics and team selections? Will it be a Beauden Barrett at No.10 and Damian McKenzie at No.15 or the more traditional Barrett and Ben Smith combination? There are so many questions to be answered in another cracking tournament.
Predictions
- South Africa
- New Zealand
- Australia
(Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Rugby World Cup
20 September to 2 November
The 2019 Rugby World Cup is shaping up to be the tightest and most competitive ever. The first game sees hosts Japan play Russia on Friday, 20 September. However, the next day is when the action really starts – the Wallabies take on Fiji, France play Argentina and South Africa lock horns with the All Blacks with a day of pool games not seen for many editions of international rugby’s premier competition.
The competition comprises four pools, each consisting of five teams. The top two make it through to the quarter-finals.
Pool A
This group should see Ireland and Scotland qualify, though Japan and Samoa will be eying off the Scottish.
Pool B
South Africa and New Zealand will qualify comfortably, but in what order?
Pool C
England and France will reach the last eight, though Argentina will be hoping they can maintain their proud world cup record.
Pool D
Wales and Australia should make it through, with only Fiji a realistic chance of providing an upset.
Once the tournament reaches the quarter-finals each team will genuinely believe they can make the big dance. This is why 2019 is shaping to be the greatest in history.
To get to a world cup in which any of the eight teams can beat any of the others on their day is fantastic. There are no certainties once a team makes the quarter-final stage. A couple of upset results are almost a certainty.
Will the All Blacks make history and complete their hat-trick? Will the Wallabies hit tournament mode and march to the final? Will the Irish cope with the pressure and expectation? Will South Africa get the job done? There will be so many wonderful games and so many memorable moments from this world cup.
Prediction
No bloody idea.
What a magnificent year of rugby to look forward to. Surely 2019 be the best ever.
Suzy Poison
Guest
True that, but then they played Alistair's Boks, not Rassie's Boks.
Suzy Poison
Guest
I agree. Interesting Bookies (TAB) have New Zealand 2.25 Ireland 4.50 England 7.00 South Africa 13.00 Australia 15.00 Wales 15.00 So England as third favourite?
Joe King
Guest
I don't think NZ have been hiding anything. I think they've been trying their hardest.
Jacko
Guest
The 2018 Abs may not have been as good as the 2017 ABs but its about the 2019 ABs. I remember the 2014 ABs......Calls for Richie to retire...Dan way past it.....Lots can change in a few months but it is looking like the most competitive WC so far thats for sure
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
On the ref for the RWC big dance I hope it doesn't go to 'Agnes' Gardner as he doesn't have the balls to make the big calls on big occasions. Depending on which teams make it, I'd be happy with either Wayne Barnes or that young Saffer, Marius van ??? who's developing well. Nigel's getting too slow, relies too heavily on his AR's to see stuff. Who makes it to the final ?.. if the Irish can get past the Boks (this I think will be the game of the tournament), they will have the wood on the AB's I think, with their strong intelligent forwards & the smarts of Sexton & Schmidt too good for them. Can't wait for it.
Englishbob
Guest
Ireland are 2/3 since the last world cup. The two ways you could cut it are that the AB's have wilted or the opposition are stronger (largely it has to be said due to the excellent kiwi coaches of Ireland and the B&I lions). If I implied that NZ are anything less than a superb rugby team than I misspoke and I didn't mean that, but nothing will convince me the 2018 all blacks are as strong as the 2015 vintage, players that are still in from 3 years ago arent playing as well(Reid and the Smiths) and the new breed, 2 6 7 10(yet) are very good but not all time XV players like those they replaced(again, yet). Ireland & England have improved, but for me that Springbok team has frightening potential and may be the team to beat after 2019.
Jacko
Guest
Yeah I read that with interest when NB wrote it....I do wish the RC would do the same as the 6N and reverse the schedule every year instead of doing the same draw constantly. The thing is no one seems to think the ABs on an EOYT could possibly be weary yet the excuse for the SH tours by NH sides is constantly about how tired they are. Its a shame we cant get a world season agreed apon. On the EOYT the NZ players spent 6 weeks in Motels...rather flash ones but still not home...and travelled many K's to get there yet NB felt that home v away definately affected the performances in the 6N where there is hardly any travel and maybe 2 nights away maximum per game.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Good ol leg, always the shining light of positivity.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Interesting how close losses are somehow a positive. Oz did well vs Ireland last year then? Nope. These tiring world cup/ Lions tours? They take up to a year to get over? Gosh...
Caddyshack
Roar Rookie
That could be spot on....Cheika is a genius...or not haha
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Derm, apparently the Irish fans are ‘talking up their chances”. For some folk it’s the same story, just cut and paste the nation.
taylorman
Roar Guru
I know that, but the home and away gives it two versions. Last year Scotland and Wales were at home, so easier. The scheduling changes as well, Ireland meeting England first rather than last. With England starting stronger generally that could make a difference, especially with Ireland getting the plaudits and England frothing to spoil. This years scheduling is tougher than last years.
Derm
Roar Guru
Chucked: “The Irish have the media mantle of favourite, and as they will find out to their folly on 20th Oct 2019, talking your own chances up has only one result.“ No they don’t have the media mantle of favorites, Chucked. The bookies don’t think so either. Maybe in your head you think they are. And maybe that’s the folly – commenting on talking up other team’s chances as folly whilst talking up your own team’s chances as err – not folly? ????
Derm
Roar Guru
“I noted that Nick Bishop was not backing ireland in this 6 nations because Ireland play Scotland and Wales away…….What? 300klms away? …” Seriously Jacko? Did you really mean this? T-man – it’s the same home/away scheduling in the 6N every other year since it started in 2000.
Derm
Roar Guru
I thought they did given the experimental squad that Schmidt brought at the end of a long RWC season with a lot of players getting their first real taste of an away tour and missing some key players. Winning the first test with 14 men was pretty good and they lost the other two (test 17 & 18 of the season) by six points each with SA holding them out in the last few minutes to get the win.
AJ
Guest
"Do they show their hands and do everything they can to win? Or do they hold back some of their tactics, structures and systems for the World Cup and run the risk of losing?" Perhaps Australia has just been foxing ever since RWC2015
Harry Jones
Expert
I don’t think they will, far far away from Dublin, after 5 tough matches.
Kane
Roar Guru
Just watched the scrum as you suggested, where on earth did the ball get thrown to the lock?
Kane
Roar Guru
That means Ireland don't make the semis?
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Yeah but before they one in 1991 the Wallabies had an average quarter final against Ireland. You don't have to be fully "on" for all 7 games, sneaking through a couple can work out fine.