The Rugby World Cup Team-by-Team Guide: Pool C

The third instalment of our 2015 Rugby World Cup guide takes in Pool C, a pool that has one clear favourite – world champions New Zealand – along with likely qualifiers Argentina, as well as Tonga, Namibia and Georgia.

ARGENTINA
World Ranking: 8th

Strengths
A big, bulky pack will always produce a robust physical challenge from the Argentinians, and in Marcos Ayerza they have one of the shrewdest props in the world, capable of pulling the wool over the eyes of referees just as often as actually winning scrums legally. There is quality in the backs too, where El Mago Hernandez has a fine supporting cast of Marcelo Bosch and arch-finisher Juan Imhoff.

Weaknesses
Nicolas Sanchez’s loss of form in the Rugby Championship means their half-back pairing is anything but confirmed and is probably their greatest area of weakness. Consistency is another issue – there have been some fine wins in recent times for a side that always seems to be improving, only to get knocked back again by a disappointing loss here and there.

Key player: Marcelo Bosch
Bosch is a sublime modern centre, and really there is nothing that the Saracens man cannot do – he kicks penalties from 60 metres, is a mean defender, links will with those inside and outside of him, and cuts some glorious lines in the midfield. He is a man who, if on form, can transform this Argentine side from functional to fearsome.

Unexpected genius: Santiago Cordero
The diminutive fullback/winger is a real live-wire, possessing a devastating side-step and lethal change of pace. His highlight reels are up there with the best of them, and do not be surprised to see him featuring in several from this World Cup, either.

Do say: “It’s great to see Argentina have added so much to their game since 2007, when all they seemed to do was kick the ball”
Don’t say: “Another high tackle from Dirty Sanchez…”

Predicted finish: Quarter-finalists

GEORGIA
World Ranking: 16th

Strengths
The scrum. You will find Georgian props popping up in clubs all across France, purely because their brutish scrummaging is so valuable in a league that is obsessed with power. Expect that to shine through at the World Cup. Merab Kvirikashvili also has a dangerous boot and will look to punish those that infringe against their scrum.

Weaknesses
Their form is a real, real concern. They have won just once over the summer in the build-up to the tournament, a nine point win over Uruguay back in June. Since then, they have lost to third string sides from Ireland and Italy, Canada, Japan… and Newcastle. They’ve beaten Samoa and Canada under coach Milton Haig’s reign, but their confidence will have been shattered by their recent run.

Key player: Mamuka Gorgodze
Captain and standard-bearer, Gorgodze will be hoping to feed off the reputation that saw him emerge as one of the most fearsome players in Europe during his time at Montpellier. His stint at current club Toulon hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows, but he has the experience to go with his physicality to mix it with the best in this pool.

Unexpected genius: Vasil Lobzhanidze
The 18-year old scrum-half will become the youngest player to ever feature at a World Cup, should he see game-time, and on the evidence of his recent performances in a Georgia shirt, that is a real likelihood.

Do say: “Look at the power of that Georgian scrum – no wonder so many of their props are snapped up by French sides.”
Don’t say: Any of their names. You’ll just end up looking silly.

Predicted finish: Group stage

NAMIBIA
World Ranking: 20th

Strengths
They’ve got plenty of experience, both of World Cups (duo to the paucity of challengers from within the African qualifying system) as well as a few guys that ply their trade in Super Rugby – and, of course, the effervescent Jacques Burger. They certainly won’t lack for passion.

Weaknesses
Realistically, there will be too many to list here. They simply do not play enough (read: any) matches against top level opposition, and despite a meet-up to train with the Springboks recently, they are likely to be lacking both technically and physically. Their coaching set-up also went through a messy overhaul a mere few months ago, which is hardly ideal this close to the tournament.

Key player: Jacques Burger
It couldn’t really be anyone else, could it? The Saracens flanker is like an cross breed with the limitless energy of a spaniel and the relentless aggression of a bulldog. Namibia might not win any games, but you can be sure Burger will leave his mark on at least one of two players in this pool.

Unexpected genius: Torsten van Jaarsveld
A household name if you hail from Bloemfontein, the Cheetahs hooker was a diamond amongst the rough that was their 2015 Super Rugby season. He brings stability to the line-out and a decent work-rate.

Do say: “Jacques Burger is simply sublime – it’s great to see such a quality player staying true to the country of his birth.”

Predicted finish: Group stage

NEW ZEALAND
World Ranking: 1st

Strengths
They are a group of players that have, for the most part, been together for a long time. They play for each other and have a deeply ingrained belief that they will win, no matter what the match situation, that simply isn’t matched elsewhere. On the pitch they have front five forwards that handle like backs, and their kick-chase game is a weapon that sometimes gets lost amongst all the razzle dazzle.

Weaknesses
There aren’t many. Some of their more experienced players need to lay down a marker with good performances to keep the young whipper-snappers at bay – and none more so than Tony Woodcock, a prop of immense experience but one that certainly has his deficiencies at scrum time. Other than that, the only worry is that a cake-walk of a pool will leave them undercooked for what will be a tough run to the final.

Key player: Aaron Smith
When on form, Smith is the best scrum-half in the world. His kicking and game management has improved immeasurably as captain of the Highlanders, but it is his ability to know where the space is, and to put key strike runners in that space, that is unparalleled.

Unexpected genius: Nehe Milner-Skudder
By now, you’ve probably all seen the YouTube videos of his side-stepping extravaganza, so his genius is likely not actually that unexpected. Still, with just two caps to his name he is the most unknown quantity in this All Blacks squad. He’ll likely see game time against the smaller teams in the group – and if I were a betting man, I’d be putting a bit on him to score a hattrick at some stage.

Do say: “The depth of talent in New Zealand is ridiculous, especially for such a small nation. They breed them differently down there.”
Don’t say: Anything about them pinching players from the Pacific Islands. It’s not worth the hassle.

Predicted finish: Winners

TONGA
World Ranking: 11th

Strengths
Of all the Pacific Island nations, the least is expected of Tonga, and yet they are the side that pulled off the biggest win at the last World Cup – over France in the pool stage. That result will have Argentina on their guard, and although the Pumas should have too much for them, the Tongans have a decent enough pack that they are capable of causing a shock.

Weaknesses
A penchant for overzealous tackling has seen them shoot themselves in the foot too often before, and with referees set to clamp down on any examples of dangerous play at this tournament they will be amongst the favourites to add to their already-too-long list of World Cup red cards. They don’t quite boast the firepower out wide that neighbours Fiji and Samoa do.

Key player: Steve Mafi
Leicester and Perth have little in common, but residents in both places will be familiar with Steve Mafi’s exploits – a rangy lock or blindside flanker who loves to run with the ball. Blessed with deft hands, he will always look to offload out of the tackle and will be a key source of momentum for Tonga.

Unexpected genius: Halani Aulika
The London Irish prop is a big, big fan of the rampaging run around the breakdown, and his barnstorming breaks up field have been a joy to behold in the Premiership in recent years. Ok, so neither ‘unexpected’ or ‘genius’ really apply here, but he’s certainly fun to watch.

Do say: “After beating France at the last World Cup, the Tongans are a potential banana skin here.”
Don’t say: (See New Zealand section above)

Predicted finish: Group stage

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

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Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images