Rugby World Cup 2015: England To Go All In Or All Blacks To Take The Win?!

Anthony Smith 28/06/2015

 

With the Rugby World Cup edging ever closer we take a look at the top 4 seeds and the teams tipped/most likely to go down to the final four. As unstoppable as the Kiwi’s may be, now that England have the chance to be the lead host for the tournament and a joint host for only the second time ever, there is always that underlying hope that we can relive the joys of 2003. That thought in the back of the supporters minds that the host nation should be in with a good chance of winning, and although they may have the toughest group I think they will be the team to take New Zealand the distance, whether or not we find a hero like Jonny Wilkinson remains to be seen.

 

New Zealand

 

The All Blacks, the team that brought us the Haka, defending champions and indefinite favourites. They retained their Rugby Championship crown in great style in 2014, but let’s not forget they did suffer some disappointment having lost both their winning and unbeaten records at different points in the tournament. The team seem to have adopted some world-class replacements in the wings for some of the sport’s all-time greats with Dan Carter starting just one test last year. They are a team like no other in the sport, with uncanny yet seemingly natural spacial awareness and undoubtedly more pace and power than a team combined of the best players from each other team in the group. South Africa, and England back in December 2012, proved that they are not an entirely unstoppable force, yet still only an idiot would bet against them. After all, they have lost just those two games in the 42 Tests they have played since last lifting the Webb Ellis Cup. Whatever the thoughts of everyone else I can’t wait to see Richie McCraw and his All Black’s performing that Haka in the final, the biggest test for them may be topping that of 2011.

 

Verdict: Winners

 

England

 

Home nation boos Stuart Lancaster has dumped ‘bad boys’ Dylan Hartley and Manu Tuilagi and although as it stands Cipriani has made the cut, the alleged drink-driver could still be overlooked. The truth is however the team has enough strength and depth to make up for those loses. Tom Youngs looks a lot more confident with No2 on his back, and there is a whole pool of midfield options, the immergence of Jonathan Joseph during the Six Nations to name just one. Unfortunately for England, and the rest of the group for that matter, Pool A shoves together three of the top-six ranked teams (according to World Rugby). 4th ranked England are the best rated, compared to Wales (5th) and Australia (6th), and of course home advantage will give them a lift. It may be worth pointing out that of the seven previous Rugby World Cup’s the hosts have reached the final on five occasions. Having beaten Wales in Cardiff earlier in the year it could become a shootout with Australia, who they also defeated in their last meeting. Win those and then most likely the pool, and they should gain an easier ride to the final (with a last-eight clash with possibly Scotland and then most likely Ireland in the semi’s). With George Ford pulling the strings, England have sharpened their attacking formula and on top of an impressive line-up, the home-crowd roar should carry them through to the last two. Who knows, the last clash with the Kiwis was a tightly fought 24-21 defeat, with the sound of ‘swing low sweet chariot’ and the home advantage in their favour maybe, just maybe we can see a repeat of 2003.

 

Verdict: Runners up

 

South Africa

 

November losses to Wales (12-6) and Ireland (29-15) hinted that there may be cracks in the world’s 2nd ranked team. Of course just beforehand they did beat New Zealand 27-25 in October, delivering the All Black’s first defeat in almost two years. Maybe they were on their high horse still, fully warranted of course, and just took their foot off the pedal a little. However you want to look at it Pool B should be straightforward for them, with Japan, Scotland, Samoan and USA who are all considerably lower in the World Rugby rankings, the Springboks should dispose of the group with relative ease. Going from current form topping their group should pit Heyneke Meyer's side against Australia, if England win Pool A that is and Wales fail to lift themselves. They do have the edge over the Wallabies and a win should provide us with a last-four fixture against New Zealand which could well be the game of the tournament.

 

Verdict: Semi-finals 3rd place

 

Ireland

 

Back-to-back winners of the Six Nations, Joe Schmidt's side have deservedly moved up to 3rd in World Rugby's rankings but so much hinges on the fitness and form of Jonathan Sexton. The fly-half's return from his Paris sojourn will help him integrate with the new young backs quicker, while up front Paul O'Connell continues to shine whilst telling age exactly where to go. A quarter final clash against the runners up of Pool C should be relatively straightforward for the Glashond’s, but from there it gets a little too tricky for them and I predict the run will end in the semi-finals.

 

Verdict: Semi-finals 4th place