With the Rugby World Cup looming was just wondering if we have any fans anticipating the event here on Mmo Champion?
I am particularly interested in the performance given and differences between the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere teams and how the difference in the reffing of the game from NH and SH will interfere with the outcomes of the games throughout the tournament. If anything i can see this having a dampening effect on some Northern Hemisphere teams including many of the 6 nations squads with regards to Penalties and at the set pieces.
Of course i will be supporting the local team but i will definitely have my eyes out for some of the Pacific Island teams eg Tonga, Samoa and Fiji. Always a joy to watch when it comes to the Rugby world cup!
Honestly i believe the main contenders for the World cup are going to be identified this weekend with the final game of the Tri Nations between Australia and New Zealand. Going into the world cup with the win surely will have the Psychological effect going into the games on who we may see in the Semi & Final of the tournament.
If you are a fan the main questions are:
- How do you think the Northern Hemisphere will fare against the South?
- What team are you going to support?
- Any predictions for who we might see getting out of the group stages?
- Ultimately who do you think has the best chance of winning it?
I honestly think despite being an Irishman it will be Southern Hemisphere winner mainly due to the physicality of the game and the closeness of the Southern Rugby season favouring against the Northern Hemisphere teams.
Main support will be for Ireland no doubt. I think the squad is a tiny bit more prepared then the disaster of 07. Surviving the Group stages is possible for the team with the Australia game being the big decider on whether we can put the performance in or not. I'm thinking at best a Quarter final but that may be as far as they will go.
Based on each Group:
Pool A
Canada
France
Japan
New Zealand
Tonga
Group A almost has a guaranteed slot for New Zealand and France to Qualify out from it. Tonga however have a very good chance at perhaps out pacing France with their highly physical game and will be interesting to see.
Pool B
Argentina
England
Georgia
Romania
Scotland
Group B is a tough one. England can perform on the occasion of a world cup setting. They had an impressive 6 nations and if they bring some of the class seen then rather than the world cup warm up games they could get far. Argentina is a reasonably strong side with little international experience throughout the year. Will most likely be a tie between Argentina and Scotland to collect the 2nd spot of this pool.
Pool C
Australia
Ireland
Italy
Russia
United States
Pool C has an guaranteed spot for Australia in my honest opinion. Ireland can produce the performance when its needed but have performed horribly in the World cup setting due to high expectations being placed on them. Will have to see when they come out of the dressing room for the games rather than place the bets now. Italy are on the rise based on 6 nations performance and could be up in the running for a spot but I don't think they quite have the squad just yet to get much further.
Pool D
Fiji
Namibia
Samoa
South Africa
Wales
For the Pool of Death group D i would have a very hard time making a choice here as all of these nations have played outstanding rugby in world cup settings previously. South Africa have the class and charisma but I cannot put my finger on who will be 2nd to join them out of the group stages.
In the end the Rugby world cup can go anyway it wants for any squad in contention for it based on injuries and some shock results which can lead to anyone's game. For shear world class performances I think it may be New Zealand's year to get their hands on the World cup in their own home.
Thought I might get the rugby world cup discussion rolling as i have not found one yet on Mmo Champion so far, apologies if there is already one.