I continue my preview of the World Cup Groups by looking at Pool B today, a group featuring two of the pre tournament favourites, South Africa and New Zealand.
Canada: World ranking 21st Official Twitter
World Cup History: Quarter finalists in 1991 when they were the powerhouse of North American Rugby, since then Canada’s powers have somewhat waned. They have been a physical opponent through the tournaments since, but in 2017 they bowed out of the group stages with a loss to Romania.
How are they looking? Not good, I have only seen them play once over the summer in a pacific nations cup game against their closest rival the USA. In this game Canada looked way off the standard required as they were easily outscored by the Eagles. Since then Canada have not pulled up any trees, they relied on the giant Jamie Cudmore for a generation up front and now lack the enforcer present the ex Clermont man provided. They have players with Northern Hemisphere experience and will rely heavily on their captain Tyler Ardron who is a versatile athlete who has played for the Ospreys and is currently with Wellington. Canada lost to Uruguay in a qualifying play off which is the low point in their history.
Key Man: Tyler Ardron, the Captain has top level experience and showed his competitive edge when scoring an impressive intercept try in the Pacific nations cup match in Colorado. Ardron will need to work a double shift in defence and attack for Canada to have a chance.
One to Watch: The Electric DTH Van Der Merwe was a popular try scorer with Glasgow and had a successful season with the Scarlets where he won the Pro 12, he comes into the World cup out of form but he can provide an X Factor, Jeff Hassler once of the Ospreys poses a similar threat on the other wing and he will provide a robust impact for Canada.
Key Game: Canada v Namibia 13.10.19.
Some dark days beckon for Canada with both New Zealand and South Africa residing in Pool B, Italy will also be tough competition for Kinglsey Jones’s men. The game against Namibia will be an opportunity for Canada to sign off with a victory and restore some pride after they have navigated through the group from hell.
Honest prediction: From what I saw during their game against the Eagles, I feel Canada will be in for a tough game against Namibia to avoid the wooden spoon in Pool B. In Ardron, Van Der Merwe and Hassler they have players who can make a difference against Italy and Namibia.
Italy: World Ranking 13th Official Twitter
World Cup History: Italy have featured in every World Cup but have never progressed past the pool stages.
How are they looking? Italy seem to have regressed over the last few seasons as key players have reached retirement age and moved away from the International stage. Connor O’Shea has improved their structure but I see nothing in their recent performances to see them breaking their trend of failing to make it out of the pool stages.
Key Man: Sergio Parrise- The GOAT of Italian Rugby, Parrise returns for one last World Cup. Italy have missed his ball carrying and physical presence. In his pomp Parrise would have made it into many of the top teams first XV’s and his career with Stade Francais has been rewarding for him. Parrise will inspire his team and his experience will be essential in the games against New Zealand and South Africa.
One to watch: Michele Campagnaro- The Harlequins centre has seen his progress delayed by injury, but he has the ability to make a clean break in the centre and has scored some fantastic tries at International level. Campagnaro brings experience to the team with him playing in the English premiership for the last few seasons.
Key Game: Italy V Canada 26.9.19
Italy can get a second victory in a row before they head into their final games against South Africa and New Zealand. Italy need to introduce a new generation of players and two victories in the group stage would see them finish third in the group.
Honest prediction: Italy will more than likely finish third in the group ahead of Namibia and Canada, but Canada will target them as a potential win, in what could be a tight affair. Parrise’s experience should see them through these games. No chance of them progressing into the knockout stages.
Namibia: World Ranking 23rd
World Cup History: Namibia have participated in the group stages of the 1999,2003,2007,2011 and 2015 competitions.
How are they looking? Two nations cup victories over Uruguay at the start of the Summer saw Namibia build some momentum. Ex Captain Renaldo Bothma unexpectedly retired days before their final squad was announced, the Harlequins man will be missed. They have played some warm up games against provincial sides and head to the Tournament as rank outsiders. They are now without the force of nature that was Jacques Burger who was so important for so long for Namibia.
Key Man: Johan Deysel- Newly appointed as captain, the Centre will need all of his experience from the last world cup where he scored against New Zealand. Deysel will need to keep his teams spirits up as they face two monumental challenges against New Zealand and South Africa.
One to watch: Tjiee Uanivi- made an impression with his work rate in 2015, he will need to play like a man possessed in a pack likely to be going backwards quickly.
Key Game: Namibia V Canada 13.10.19.
This game provides Phil Davies’s men their best chance of securing their first ever World Cup win. Namibia are a nation who have lost their best players to South Africa and struggle to compete against the elite players at this level.
Honest prediction: I think Canada may just have too much in their locker for Namibia, I can see Namibia heading home without a victory. It’s not all about winning though and progress will be made if their scrum and lineout can improve and they can score some tries against Canada and Italy. Damage limitation against the Kiwi’s and South Africans though.
New Zealand: World Ranking 1st. Official Twitter
World Cup History- Winners in 1987, 2011 and 2015.
How are they looking? Having lost their number one ranking this summer for the first time in a decade, New Zealand have looked more vulnerable than many can remember for a long time. They drew with South Africa in a pulsating game before losing to Australia without their enforcer Brodie Rettalick. They then wiped the floor with Australia the following week. New Zealand are the only team to ever retain a Rugby world cup and their current campaign sees them attempt to win a third in succession. New Zealand are always a threat and have been the pace setters for the last 10 years. They have a knack of discovering world class attacking talent just in time for the big stage as epitomised by the emergence of Nehe Milner Skudder in 2015. The Barrett brothers Scott, Beauden and Jordie are a talented trio and their squad has a balance of experience and youthful exuberance.
Key Man: Brodie Rettalick, there is no coincidence that Steve Hansen’s men have looked more vulnerable without the Waikato man this summer. He is truly a monster of the world game, able to mix it in the boiler house and pop up in the open to display his silky skills. Retallick is coming back from a dislocated shoulder but should be fit in time for at least the latter part of the group stage.
One to watch: Jack Goodhue- a classy operator at 13, his defence is excellent and he pops up for important tries whenever he is needed. The Kiwi’s have plenty of explosive talent including Sevu Reece on the wing, Reiko Ioane and the brilliant Beauden Barret, Goodhue can act as the glue in this backline.
Key Game: New Zealand V South Africa 21.9.19
An opening weekend blockbuster, the two best teams in the world face off and New Zealand will be looking to make their mark against one of their main competitors. These teams are more than likely to face each other again during the tournament but both will be desperate to secure the top spot and psychological advantage over each other.
Honest prediction- How anyone can look past these boys is beyond me, they have had a pre tournament wobble. Kieran Read will ensure their high standards won’t drop and they will be confident of reaching a third consecutive final.
South Africa: World Ranking 4th Official Twitter
World Cup History: Winners in 1995 and 2007, the Springboks are a formidable team to come up against in a World Cup.
How are they looking? Having come through a transitional period, South Africa are looking like the real deal. It’s no coincidence that the nation with the best schools Rugby in the world is back to it’s best at the elite level. South Africa have beaten Argentina and Australia and secured a draw against New Zealand. Their monstrous pack and electric backs have hit form at the right time and look to secure a third World Championship in 2019.
Key Man: Handre Pollard- The Outside half has been highly sought after in European club Rugby over the last few seasons. The master controller for South Africa, he adds strength and aggression to the half backs and is a good goal kicker. He will need to be firing on all cylinders, especially first up against New Zealand.
One to Watch: Cheslin Kolbe, the hot stepper has lit up European Rugby this year, he faces a group where New Zealand apart he should score some tries and will be a candidate for top try scorer at the end of the tournament.
Key Game: New Zealand V South Africa 21.9.19
The opening game, which could well be repeated in the final. These two sides face their major challenge in the pool stage in the first game. The winner will potentially avoid Ireland and both teams will want to make their mark following their summer draw in Wellington.
Honest prediction: South Africa are peaking in time, no one will want to face them due to the size and power they have up front as well as their back line which defends well and possesses elite speed. The Boks play in a ferocious manner and many teams will wilt under this pressure. I have them as my pre tournament favourites, but they will need to improve their lineout before they face the Kiwi’s, as mistakes here cost them territory in the Wellington encounter.
The Armchair and Beyond 