Everything You Need To Know Before The Rugby World Cup
In this part of the world, the one-eyed focus is squarely on how much the All Blacks will potentially win each game by but for the rest of the rugby world, they see Japan 2019 as the most open tournament yet. In recent years, the top five nations have had some wobbles and new contenders have emerged, Ireland in particular have put their hand up.
Over six weeks, Japan will host twenty countries in 47 matches in what is a refreshing change of scenery for the Rugby World Cup and a break away from the big five of Australia, New Zealand, France, South Africa and France. While host of the final, Yokohama is seen as the tournament hub, the country will get a taste or rugby from the top to bottom with matches shared over 12 stadiums. Sapporo in the far north will see England and Australia visit while Kumamoto Stadium in the very south will host Wales and France. The semi-finals and final will be held at Yokohama International Stadium which seats over 72,000 people. Regardless of who reaches the knock-out games, expect rugby to explode in Japan.
The Pools
Pool A
Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Russia, Samoa
The host’s pool will attract the most local attention early on and smart scheduling sees Japan kick off the tournament against Russia who they should account for without much hassle. Whilst unfair on the poor Russians, the patriotic fervour the tournament needs will come from a good local showing. If we were going by recent form though, Ireland are a sure thing to proceed first but a few rogue results could bust the competition wide open. Samoa can’t be entirely discounted but Ireland’s first match is against Scotland and the Scots a). know them well and b). are on the up curve themselves under coach Gregor Townsend. The Scottish also have an exciting young brigade playing an up-tempo game with veteran halfback Greig Laidlaw providing the glue. Ireland, however, are worthy favourites and they are going for the top gong this time out. Keep an eye on Samoa and Japan though, they could cause an upset….
Prediction: Ireland to lead the pool with Scotland squeaking through after some tense moments against Japan and Samoa.
Key Match-ups: Ireland v Scotland will go a long way to deciding the top contender but the hosts v Samoa will be the most even of battles.
Pool B
New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Namibia, Italy
Sorry Canada, Namibia and Italy, but Pool B is strictly a two-horse race that will be decided after one match. The first match in the pool is arguably at the wrong end of the round robin as the All Blacks take on the Springboks as this will without a doubt decide who comes first in the pool. And, the All Blacks have a proud record to uphold having never lost a pool match in eight previous tournaments, something captain Kieran Read will be loath to let go of. Both top dogs will put everything into this opening marquee match up as the likely quarter final for the victor will be Scotland, rather than Ireland. For the Springboks and their skipper Siya Kolisi, they will want to build some excitement and confidence in their team regardless of the first result. They are a momentum team and need some emotional currency.
Prediction: New Zealand first, South Africa second and Italy to take the scraps.
Key Match-up: First up, the Boks and the All Blacks will set the tone for the cup and decide who proceeds from the pool first.
Pool C
England, France, Argentina, USA, Tonga
The beauty of the rugby and football world cups is the ugly business of having a ‘pool of death’. The ugly part is someone has to miss out and three doesn’t go into two for the quarter final stage. The team to be worried most is France who have an up and down time with both England and Argentina, the latter winning four of their last nine Tests. And, it doesn’t really get any easier for France against the ‘so-called’ minnows as they lost to Tonga in 2011. England aren’t guaranteed entry through though, but they’ll see a victory against either the Pumas or the French as suffice. The beauty of the toughest pool in the tournament is every game is high stakes and with the Americans and Tongans no walkovers, there’s no let up. Squad depth will be sorely tested and this why Argentina or France might just run out of steam.
Prediction: England first, France second and Argentina third by an agonising slither.
Key Match-ups: Almost every game in this pool is must watch but the tie-breaker matches between England, France and Argentina have the biggest ramifications and/or rewards.
Pool D
Australia, Wales, Georgia, Fiji, Uruguay
The quirk of the seeding system for RWC’s is they are done several years prior and Australia will be counting their lucky stars they aren’t in Pool C with England and France. Besides their game against Wales, Australia have a soft draw which will see them comfortably through to the knock-out stages where they could surprise everybody and do some damage; they did make the 2015 final after being written off. Wales will want to avoid a possible clash with England in the playoffs so their second pool match against the Wallabies will be a Cup blockbuster. While it may not matter in the scheme of the points table, the clash between Georgia and Fiji will be a muscular highlight.
Prediction: Wales first after knocking over Australia, the Wallabies thus second and Fiji a well-deserved third.
Key Match-ups: The Wallabies up against Wales in Tokyo will determine who goes through in top spot.
THE KEY PLAYERS
BEAUDEN BARRETT (NEW ZEALAND)
In several very obvious ways, New Zealand fans need Beauden Barrett to be at the top of his game. Besides the storied 2011 and fourth string first-five Stephen Donald entering folklore, RWC winners have always had the Rockstar number 10. Barrett’s tournament won’t be measured so much as for how many highlight reel plays or midfield breaks he makes, but his ability to kick the goals and manage a backline and game plan that will have to deal with the most suffocating rush defences rugby has seen. Whilst not a deep kicker, Barrett has developed an armoury of deft chips and tactical kicks and with the advantage line under serious protection, expect a lot. 2019 has seen Barrett’s goalkicking at a career high percentage which bodes well.
MALCOLM MARX (SOUTH AFRICA)
It’s not often a hooker or front row forward gets singled out for star status but when you’re Malcolm Marx, it’s warranted. The Lions rake hasn’t enjoyed his best year to date with his Super Rugby side’s bubble bursting, but his presence in the Springboks changes their fortunes considerably. A nuisance at the breakdown, Marx pilfers and pinches with the best of the loose forwards using his low centre of gravity, explosiveness and aggression to great effect. It could be seen as a nice-to-have bonus for a forward but Marx’ try scoring rate is almost ridiculous, dotting down for 30 tries in 60 Super Rugby appearances. This freakish regularity betters most strike rates across the board, including backlines. For South Africa to push on in Japan, they need some star power and x-factor and in the boulder-like shape of Marx, they have a good chance of going deep.
OWEN FARRELL (ENGLAND)
The redeeming feature for England’s super boot and captain is his ability to rack up the points and come finals time, it will matter. World Cup referees blow the whistle more than during peace-time seasons and Farrell won’t hesitate in stepping up to kick. His nerve for clutch moments is well regarded but England’s second on the all-time points list isn’t just a tee specialist. As son of league legend and England defence coach Andy Farrell, you know he knows how to tackle well and hard. Equally at home at second-five, Farrell’s experience and leadership qualities are what England need most for their tilt at a second World Cup trophy.
CONOR MURRAY (IRELAND)
The world’s leading halfback over the last few seasons has his chance to shine but it won’t be that evident in the highlight packages. Like it or not, kicking will be at the forefront of the big games and there will be a barrage of box kicks to wings and fullbacks. Cue Murray who is arguably the most accurate, perhaps stemming from his background in Gaelic football. Besides the boot, Murray is a shrewd and potent runner around the fringes and has scored four tries against the All Blacks, a record for a northern hemisphere player. His decision-making prowess extends throughout his Irish team which makes him so integral to their overall chances. A born winner with all sorts of accolades and trophies, Murray won’t go missing and will be amongst it in the big games.
The Favourites
NEW ZEALAND
Having the big target on their backs every four years is nothing new for the All Blacks and as it stands, they are warming into their work according to plan. The coaching panel have been there, done this (some of them twice) and the main challenge for them is always keeping one or two chess moves ahead. Being the alpha dog of world rugby means they are tasked with moving the game ahead and the senior players and management would have taken in some painful albeit necessary lessons from recent losses to Ireland (twice) and South Africa. Motivation is never lacking in a black jersey, but this World Cup sees the end of arguably the most successful coaching tenure the game has ever seen and joining Steve Hansen are legends of the game in Kieran Read, Ben Smith and Owen Franks. Don’t be surprised if, like 2015, the AB’s keep their powder dry in their easier pool matches before coming out with a few surprises in the knockout rounds.
IRELAND
Under Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt, the Irish haven’t just thrown and landed a few lucky haymakers, they’ve become a genuine title contender amongst the world’s heavyweights. Beating the All Blacks – as they had never done before 2016 – once is one thing but backing it up as they did in 2018 is proof they are the real deal. They have the bodies, they have the blueprint but most importantly now, they have the belief to sit at the top table. The Irish rush defence has quickly become a stifling hallmark, but so has the ability to put their attacking systems into action for a whole 80 minutes and not just in fits and spurts. In their halves combination of Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton they have world class as well as loose trio that are arguably the top of the tree and complete with requisite squad depth. If he wasn’t seeking time with his family, Schmidt was in many quarters the popular replacement for Steve Hansen. Say no more about the influence this coach has had on Ireland and their upcoming chances.
ENGLAND
Any side coached by the complicated soul of Eddie Jones is a dangerous beast; ask South Africa as Jones’ Japan in 2015 caused the biggest ever RWC upset. Oh, and he’s taken Australia and South Africa to the final match, winning the latter in 2007. Now, with England’s resources and desire to sit atop of the pile, Jones’ team is again the one to watch out for. His squad is peppered with class and experience but what Jones will do is give England a cockiness, a boldness and fearlessness to go all the way. In the latest four-year cycle, Jones started with a hiss and a roar winning his first two Six Nations as England coach and although the last two years the cupboards have been bare, his brief is to win the biggest prize. This England squad will have depth and a forward pack that won’t be easily pushed around, ensuring they win their own ball. Owen Farrell will kick the goals and as they’ve done so well for the last decade is tackle.
