Who's Playing Who?

It is down to the business end of the competition. The pool play has finished and all we are left with is the top eight teams in the world. To be honest, most of these teams were easy to predict that they would get through to the quarters. Perhaps only Argentina can claim that they are the only shock, but even then, it was not a huge stretch of the imagination to see them qualifying.

Games

Ireland v Wales

A hard one to pick as both sides are evenly matched. The victory over the Wallabies was hugely significant for the Irish, who had never before beaten a southern hemisphere side in the southern hemisphere. It has done wonders for their self-belief, which, despite their claims to the contrary, was definitely on the wane. Wales on the other hand will also be full of belief, after they should have won against the Springboks and escaped with a win against Samoa. Wales probably have the better backs, but as Ireland proved against Australia, that means nothing if they are not getting good quality ball. For me, Ireland will take this one as they seem to have the better pack and defensive system. Don’t expect a blow out.

England v France

It would be something of an understatement to say that neither England nor France have exactly endeared themselves to the purists or the locals since arriving in New Zealand last month. And that has as much to do with their respective performances off the field as much as on it. England, to their credit, has progressed to the quarter-finals on the back of four successive victories even though their play has been uninspiring. France on the other hand has spluttered across the line with defeats to the All Blacks and Tonga. France remain a threat for the simple fact that they are France, and therefore capable of following up the absurd with the sublime. However, given the obvious tensions between the coach and his players, it is just impossible foresee them upsetting an England side which has mastered the art of getting the job done.

Australia v South Africa

Another close game, another hard one to pick. If you had asked before the World Cup it probably would have been Australia who would have been the favourites; however they have now lost some of their aura. The loss to Ireland showed the other teams how to beat them – pressure their forwards and nail Will Genia and you’re sweet. The question is, are the Springboks good enough to do that? They have an outstanding defensive record, but will they be able to contain a good Australian backline? I personally think that South Africa will take this one as they will be too experienced and will apply too much pressure on the Wallabies forward pack.

New Zealand v Argentina

The easiest of the pool games to predict. Argentina is not nearly as good as they were four years ago, whilst the All Blacks have been playing some good rugby (even without Dan Carter). They should have way too much class for the Pumas, who have not done much to suggest that they will be much of a threat to progress.  Expect the All Blacks to give them a lot of respect though, at least until they start cutting them to shreds.