Offside Opinion: All Blacks won't make the Semi's

Time for another knee-jerk reaction, I guess, following on from the last Offside Opinion, where I stated Wales would be capable of beating the All Blacks (that aged well didn't it...), now I propose that the events in Cardiff 2007 will repeat themselves and the Kiwi's won't make it past the Quarter Finals of the World Cup.

The All Black's air of invulnerability is well and truly gone by now, it's probably the worst build-up to a World
Cup for New Zealand ever.

Quick Tap: Wales' Back Row Woes

Four years ago, Wales went through an injury crisis rarely seen in international rugby. Watching backline players litter the hospital ward was painful, despite the unbelievable run to the quarter-finals. Well with another World Cup on the horizon, it's happening all over again. Although this time a bit earlier, and in the back row, rather than the back-three.

The Welsh back row was a real strength in the Six Nations, but will they make it to the World Cup in one piece?

It wasn't too long ago, a couple of months to be honest, that the Welsh media were debating which stellar players would be left behind in the back row. With only room for - probably - five players, and Gatland stating he would plan to take the main four from the Six Nations with him to Japan. That left a single place on the plan, most likely to be snapped up by the world-class, test Lion, Taulupe Faletau. Leaving the likes of James Davies, Aaron Shingler, Ellis Jenkins, and more behind in the rainy valleys of home.

Faletau in the hospital again, not the best
image for a world-class player

Well within one week that's all changed. Faletau suffered his third injury of the year, ruling him out of the tournament. The news wasn't better when it came to Ellis Jenkins who is continuing his battle with recovery after his nightmare injury in the Autumn, and struggling to progress at the speed the coaches had hoped. James Davies and Josh Navidi, both, are recovering from injuries of their own and yet to train fully. The previously deep well of the back row has been cracked by an injury earthquake of unreal scale.

It is likely that Gatland will look to call up a replacement to Faletau before too long, with Thomas Young a strong contender. Thanks to his versatility since he is another who can - if required - cover the No. 8 hole left by Faletau. More than anything, Gatland will be desperate that Ross Moriarty remains injury-free through the next couple of months. As the only true No. 8 left in Wales he has become more important to the national side than many thought he would four years ago, and without him, the Welsh back row looks a little small compared to the Georgians and Fijians they'll be facing come Japan.

It's not the best start to Wales' World Cup preparations, but they have overcome these problems before, and will not panic any time soon, but the coaching staff, pundits, journalists, and fans will all be crossing their fingers no more injuries creep out of the woodwork.

Offside Opinions: Wales can beat New Zealand

As it stands New Zealand and Wales are the top two teams in the world, and for two weeks running New Zealand have had to defend their #1 ranking, a loss against either Argentina or South Africa would have seen them drop below the Welsh. This poses an interesting question, could Warren Gatland and the men in red, Hansen and the All Blacks, were they to meet next weekend?

Jantjies' last-minute try put the world on notice, that the All Blacks really do appear vulnerable.