New Zealand
Firm favourites for not only the pool but the entire tournament, in four years they have lost just three games. Over that time they are a better team - by far - than the one that won the Webb Ellis trophy. The backline has much more talent in it than before, especially out on the wings, and up front they have one of the greatest open play packs in the world. There is not much to say about this team in reality, we all know what they are going to do, and they come into the tournament with the most experienced team, showing they know what it takes to win.
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| Dane Coles could have a starring role in the World Cup |
The legendary Richie McCaw will once again take charge, attempting to become the first person to lift the trophy twice, he is Terminator like in his tenacity to just keep going and drag his team over the line. Kieran Read is the best No. 8 in the world with strong ball carrying and the deftest hands allowing him to unleash players around him, and at blindside they have a multitude of enforcers available. The locks are dynamic, and in Brodie Retallick they possess last years player of the year, and then they have reserves which can fill the void with an aplomb. In the front row New Zealand do not possess the most fearsome scrum it's never been known to win plenty of penalties or drive the opponent backwards, but neither has it been unreliable or prone to total collapse. They do however have a nice collection of hookers which could prove an interesting change to the standard system, especially first choice Dane Coles who is as fast as some centres in the world.
The backline is where this All Black side becomes truly exciting though, especially with the return of Dan Carter back to the infamous shirt, and back to his best. He has struggled with injuries a plenty over the last four years (and before), and as such struggled to show what made him the greatest fly-half of all time. However during this season he has rediscovered most of that, especially in that final test against Australia he showed his ability to make a break, create a hole and expertly run a game. Plus his goal kicking is a peerless as ever. Inside him is the best scrum-half in the world at the moment in Aaron Smith, who's kicking game is practically perfect and he dictates the tempo of the game better than anyone. New Zealand are without a doubt in possession of the best half-back pairing at this World Cup. Waiting in the wings is even more talent with the likes of free-running Beauden Barrett, Super XV winner Sopoaga, and try-scoring TJ Perenara at scrum half.
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| Dan Carter was at his best against Australia, can he sustain it all World Cup? |
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| Nonu and Smith have played together all season |
In the centre's they have even more talent, four players have to go into two. All four would waltz into any other team in the world, yet here the unbelievably skillful Sonny Bill Williams is stuck behind the barnstorming completely talented Ma'a Nonu. And then young powerful upstart, Fekitoa is behind the oozing class of Conrad Smith. Nonu and Smith are the first choice, and will probably start against Argentina (the only tough game of the pool), and avoiding injuries all of the knockout games too. They are the most experienced centre partnership in history, they understand each other telepathically it seems, and neither have any weaknesses in their game after years at the top. Meanwhile Williams and Fekitoa are the more exciting players, able to pull of the magnificent and set up (or score) wonder tries, which could be exploited during the lesser games in the pool stage when New Zealand want to show everything they are capable of.
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| Milner-Skudder |
Lastly it's the back three, interestingly according to official squads they don't have a fullback in their squad. However it is likely that the excellent Ben Smith will wear the 15 shirt, he has long been a quality performer, able to set up and finish off chances. On the left wing it's all but guaranteed that Julian Savea will start, without a doubt the best winger in the world, capable of sub-11 second 100m sprints, is almost impossible to stop especially close to the try line, and one of the best wingers defensively around. And that's before you even discuss his try scoring record. Right-wing however poses an interesting question, after the Super XV season it seemed Waisake Naholo looked certain, he was a lethal finisher possessing strength, speed and skill. However after a fantastic début, he suffered a heartbreaking leg break, expected to be out until December, he somehow (apparently using a witch doctor in his native Fiji) will be fit to take part in the World Cup. Although Fijian medicine isn't quite good enough for him to be fit for the start, so it seems Milner-Skudder will be able to continue to show his mesmerising skills for now. He is without a doubt the most thrilling player at this world cup, with dazzling footwork, crafty kicking, electrifying pace and offloading skills which at times are audacious.
In short New Zealand have probably the strongest backline at the World Cup, and the most talented loose-five in the scrum, all they need is to keep Carter free from injury and avoid crumbling at the scrum.
Star Player: Richie McCaw
Player to Watch: Nehe Milner-Skudder
Argentina
Argentina are a mixed bag, I mean they will clearly get out of the pool, other than the mighty All Blacks they wont be concerned about playing any of the other teams, Tonga could frustrate but nothing beyond that. However the Puma's form has been inconsistent over the last few years, they pull off a big name win: beating Wales in Cardiff, or South Africa in Durban, and Australia at home. Yet they then never back it up, with a consistent performance, for example they then lost to South Africa a week later back in Argentina. They have shown they have the ability to tumble with the big boys, including the Southern Hemisphere giants, but not consistently.
Argentina have always been proud of their forward pack, especially their driving maul, and who can blame them it's always been a fearsome weapon. They used it to terrifying affect against New Zealand in the opening round of the Rugby Championship, scoring twice. The front row has passionate captain Creevy and feared scrummager Ayerza, and their back row is also of the highest order with Fernandez Lobbe and Leguizmon the heroes of many previous Argentinian victories, but also the youthful Isa and Senatore who provide strong ball carrying all over the park. It's a strong pack on the whole, but could be weakened if injuries creepy in.
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| Agustin Creevy is the definition of a talisman for Argentina, leading from the front |
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| Agulla to star? |
In the backline Argentina don't exactly possess internationally feared players, but the skill is there. They can put together a backline which plays on a regular basis at the top level. Fly-half Nicolas Sanchez has proven a steady hand to guide the team around the park, and his kicking ability could be a key component in any success this team has. Alternatively there is the maverick Juan Martin Hernandez who is highly rated world-wide for his gameplay and ability to make something happen, able to play both ten and fifteen. But the really exciting area is Argentina's back three, with the likes of Amorosino, Tucelet and Agulla they have pace to burn and an innate ability to beat a man, which could see them scoring some delicious tries, and they are even missing Montero, their answer to Savea.
Star Player: Augstin Creevy
Player to Watch: Tomas Cubelli
Tonga
They are the weakest of the three Pacific Island nations, and don't look like they will qualify from the pool, they have the ability to win games against a bigger team, they beat Scotland not that long ago, and France last world cup. But I think Argentina is a step too far, although there are likely to come third and qualify for the next world relatively comfortably.
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| Vainikolo in action during the Pacific Nations Cup |
Tonga are famous for a very physical game, hard ball carrying around the fringes, looking to suck in the opponents around the breakdown and make space out wide for their powerful wingers. Against the bigger nations this is harder to achieve, who possess a strong pack and breakdown defence. Like any other South Sea team they are incredibly skilled at open-play turnover attacking, so it's something that they will have to try and unleash when they can.
Star Player: Fetu'u Vainikolo
Player to Watch: Siale Piutau
Georgia
A constant presence in the World Cup, Georgia have started to become a solid team. With a few players - particularlly forwards - playing for the big French clubs, they do possess a strong set piece, and with the powerful Kubriashvili and Zirakashvili in the front row, they are more than capable of causing trouble for weaker packs, even New Zealand could struggle against these two master operators.
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| Gorgodze is a man mountain for Toulon |
Mamuka Gorgodze is a well respected player globally, a fearsome tackler and a strong ball carrier which gives Georgia plenty of security and go forward, although he is occasionally attempting to be a one man army, and is frustrated by the lack of quality in his fellow players. Sadly the backline likes any major talent, although young scrum-half Lobzhanidze is gaining plenty of plaudits from coaches, helping the Georgian Under 20's to win the World Trophy.
Star Player: Mamuka Gorgodze
Player to Watch: Vasil Lobzhanidze
Namibia
Another team that seems to be ever present in the World Cup in the modern era, although they did have to fight for it this year, against a spirited Madagascar side. They never look a threat during the World Cup however, but they do always go down fighting often looking to rack up some sort of points on the scoreboard, most famously with three drop goals in four minutes against Fiji four years ago. Most of their combativeness comes from fearsome tackler Jacques Burger, a fan favourite at Saracens, who's bravery in the face of defeat constantly gets him plaudits even in a losing side.
Star Player: Jacques Burger
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| Burger is famed for his tackle ferocity, how big a difference will it make in this pool? |
Predicted Final Standings
New Zealand
Argentina
Tonga
Georgia
Namibia
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