Comments on: One year to go: How do the Rugby World Cup contenders rank?

By: Juan Ramón Vallarino (@JRVJ71)

Juan Ramón Vallarino (@JRVJ71) — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 01:10:49 +0000

Ok, that doesn’t look right.

This is how that should have read:

Objectively, it’s not hard to see Argentina in the Semi-Finals (assuing that they end up 2nd in their group, and then play and beat the winner of Ireland/France’s group).

In the Semis, the Pumas would have a high likelihood of meeting the Boks: who they would have played 2 times already in 2015 prior to the World Cup (and who knows, the Pumas may have beaten the Boks by then)………

It’s improbable that the Pumas will get to the Finals, but after this year’s Pretoria and Salta Test matches (and the last two Mendoza Test Matches), would anyone REALLY be surprised if the Pumas beat the Boks and get to the Finals?

By: Juan Ramón Vallarino (@JRVJ71)

Juan Ramón Vallarino (@JRVJ71) — Mon, 22 Sep 2014 01:07:50 +0000

Objectively, it’s not hard to see Argentina in the Semi-Finals (they end up 2nd in their group, and play the winner of Ireland/France).

There, they have a high likelihood of meeting the Boks: who they would have played 2 times already in 2015 prior to the World Cup (and who knows, they may have beaten by then)..

It’s improbable that the Pumas will get to the Finals, but after this year’s Pretoria and Salta match (and the last two Mendoza ones), would any REALLY be surprised if the Pumas beat the Boks to get to the Finals?

By: John

John — Sat, 20 Sep 2014 08:54:03 +0000

Max Evans tweets a lot and has a great affinity for his gopro cam but I’m not sure he’s tabloid fodder. Maitland, grant and Wilson (and Hughes) are all more likely candidates I reckon

By: Don P

Don P — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 16:46:06 +0000

Alexander Not sure whom you are addressing, but anyway… as ever, as a Saffa, you’re an optimist… or a fan of supergroup, ‘Blind Faith’. Predicting NZ 4th is a wind up right? I mean didn’t you guys just lose to Oz & scrape it x2 v Arg? Then did better in NZ! More like unpredictable for me. A precursor to a replay of the scenario prior to Ellis Pk last yr?! In a WC’s later stages games tend to get tighter as pressure builds & there’s always that element of luck (or likely food poisioning to you), like a ref’s desicion e.g. Those looking at the RC or AI’s will glean some insight for nxt yr, but a yr is a long time in rugby. Whilst past form (& consistancy) can, to some extent, predict future results, but it can also depend on who puts up on the day. Likewise with past history. A pointer maybe, but a pretty dubious one, esp if you’re gonna bet yr life savings on yr predictions. Like Joe Schmidt said of Clermont Auvergne after winning the H Cup 1st up following their prev yrs of being bridesmaids; (paraphrasing), ‘Forget history’, just execute the game plan on the field’. That’s likely to be more important than predictions methinks.

By: Mr B

Mr B — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 11:37:01 +0000

Fair enough Jamie forgot about Argentina but they will go further than Scotland.

By: Blub

Blub — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 11:04:01 +0000

I like that team Jacob. I think that 22 is Cipriani’s best position – and I don’t mean that sarcastically, as I wouldn’t necessarily promote him if Farrell were to be unavailable.

By: Blub

Blub — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 11:00:34 +0000

England knocked out Scotland in 1991 (in the semi-final indeed).
New Zealand beat them in the Third Place play off.

By: Niall

Niall — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 08:26:02 +0000

which is why doing the seedings so far out makes a mockery of the competition. Scotland’s group has 4 teams in the top 10 in the world in it!

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 17:34:37 +0000

Interresting point you make on Australia (and England). Will wait for the AI’s before commenting on how much they have improved. However they do seem to be developing options positively with players stepping up, where as England seem to be eliminating options that do not work and struggling to find a “system/style” for the backs. As you say instead of players standing out for positive reasons they seem to be highlighting their weaknesses thus the lack of confidence. My biggest concern in the NZ tour was the narrowness of the defence. We generally managed to score which is a positive, but the ease with which NZ went through/round our defence in the final game was appalling.

Not convinced by SA at the moment. Clearly they will always be a tough side to beat, but they do not look nearly as good as they did a year ago. Possibly down to the number of injuries… SA cannot rely on DuPreez. At his age he is liable to get injured at some point during the tournament.

By: James W

James W — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 15:10:52 +0000

It’s funny, i agree that that’s probably our best side but, correct me if i’m wrong, it hasn’t ever played together?

By: Stefan J

Stefan J — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:43:52 +0000

France has the potential. With Kockott, Armitage and co. possibly playing for them I feel they could be very dangerous.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:38:00 +0000

I do like Attwood but I just think those 3 locks are our best options. He is certainly next in line if any are injured.