rugby world cup
2015
New Zealand
England
As is usually the case, New Zealand enters the competition as
strong favourites and it will take a special performance from
any other side to prevent them emerging victorious. A number
of top players will be representing the All Blacks for the final
time including the talismanic Richie McCaw and they will be
determined to ensure that he can go out in style.
With home advantage England should have a major say in
this World Cup and their side has developed enough to be
considered a real threat. It will take a World Class side to see
off England at Twickenham but it could be argued that there are
two of those in their group!
It will be important to take victory in Pool A as the alternative
would likely see a run of fixtures that may include Wales,
Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Ireland which will
be a tall order for anyone. It will be tough for England to win
the Web Ellis Trophy on home soil but that is what World Cup
Rugby is all about. It should be great tournament.
Ireland
Ireland enter the tournament as the best of the European sides
having won the Six Nations this year and they boast a side
packed with talent and experience. A favourable draw gives
them a great chance of making the semi-finals but it will be
important that they do not view this as an achievement in
itself.
They had the talent in their squad to complete a GrandSlam
this year in the Six Nations and would have made a real
statement in World Cup Year. Their celebrations at the end
of the competition did not reflect the view that it was an
opportunity missed and this is worrying. They may never get
a better chance to go all the way and that should be their target
for the tournament. If they have the right mentality they’re in
with a great chance.
Australia
“With home advantage
England should have a major
say in this World Cup and
their side has developed
enough to be considered a
real threat.”
Perhaps the most exciting set of backs in the tournament
belongs to Australia with the likes of Israel Folau, Kurtley
Beale and Adam Ashely-Cooper all set to entertain. Their
pack, which has previously been their Achilles heel, has looked
much improved recently and they may well be the team most
likely to overcome New Zealand in a knock-out fixture.
Before they can start thinking about that however they have
to make it through the group of death and their final fixture
against Wales promises to be one of the highlights of the early
stages in what may prove to be an early knock out game.
South Africa
There has been much negativity around South Africa heading
into the tournament but they still have plenty of quality in their
ageing squad. Their success may turn out to be dependent on
the style of rugby played but if the knockout stages turn out
to be tense, physical encounters then their mixture of bruising
competiveness and wily know how may make them a real threat.
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