My World Cup preview continues, here I look at Pool C which includes three tier one nations. This teams who progress from this pool will face the teams who emerge from Pool D which includes Wales.
Argentina: World Ranking: 11th Official Twitter
World Cup History: A staple of the World Cup, Argentina have reached the Semi Finals on two occasions in 2007 when they were inspired by Juan Martin Hernandez, and again in 2017 when Skipper Augustin Creevy led from the front.
How are they looking? The Jaguares Super Rugby team reached the final of the competition having played an effective style of Rugby matching their forwards power with adventure in the back line. The Pumas have been exposed to the Rugby Championship since 2012 where they face Australia, New Zealand and South Africa every summer. In this year’s condensed competition they started brightly by pushing a slightly depleted New Zealand close on a 16-20 loss at home, they followed this up by losing away to Australia 16-10 in a dull encounter. Then the wheels fell off for them with a 46-13 loss to South Africa who overpowered them up front and overran the Pumas in the backs. The strict selection policy has seen players like Toulon’s Facundo Isa and Exeter’s Santiago Cordero miss out. The ever changing world rankings see Argentina head in ranked 11th in the world but the standard of their regular opposition makes me feel they are stronger than their ranking suggests.
Key Man: Captain Pablo Matera is a back row Behemoth, who has the ability to inspire Argentina in their two big group games. He has a wealth of experience at the top level, which will be essential for the Pumas in their quest to make it out of the Pool, there is a lot of experience in the pack but Matera is at the peak of his powers and can solidify his status at the elite level of Rugby.
One to Watch: Nicolas Sanchez is no spring Chicken, but the 30 year old Stade Francais man is a key cog in the Pumas backline. He has the ability to run a game smoothly and play an attacking game with panache; he also has the ability to be a liability and hot headed which can see his team implode. A solid goal kicker who will have to be tactically spot on in their group games.
Key Game: Argentina V France 21.9.19. The first game is important for every team. But this is vital for Argentina as they face a French team who are looking to live up to their reputation as being unpredictable. If Argentina can get win over France their game against England will have less riding on the outcome. Their game against England will be emotional due to the political history between the teams and has been a tasty fixture over the years. France are more vulnerable and Argentina could match their forward power on their day. As the competition trundles on injuries will play a big part in nations progress and the first game allows the Pumas to put a full strength team out.
Honest Prediction: I can see Argentina struggling to make it out of the group, England are very strong and France head into the opener in good form. Argentina were rag dolled at the set piece against South Africa in August and this will be an area that teams target. Argentina will comfortably win against Tonga and the USA but I feel progressing into the Quarter finals is just beyond them at the moment.
England: world ranking 3rd. Official Twitter
World Cup History: Winners in 2003 and beaten finalists in 2007 and 1991. England failed to make it out of the group stage in 2015 in a campaign which was a shambles on and off the pitch.
How are they looking? In Short, Very, very good. Eddie Jones has a squad with unbelievable depth and world class players in key positions. Their summer preparations have seen them steam roll Wales and Ireland at Twickenham and demolish Italy in Newcastle, a tight affair in Cardiff was won by Wales, England look to be formidable and balanced. With Billy Vunipola looking fit and motivated he heads the cast of England’s dynamic ball carriers who can pierce holes in any defence. Manu Tuilagi is healthy and being used expertly in the backline. With George Ford directing things well in the earlier games England have two outside halves who can perform at the elite level. England do have their injury concerns with Jack Nowell, Mako Vunipola and Henry Slade flying to Japan embroiled in fitness battles, with the addition of these players heading into the knockout stages of the tournament the men in white will be a team many will want to avoid.
Key man: There are a lot of world class players in the squad, in Tom Curry they have finally found the answer to their openside issue which many felt was the missing piece to their jigsaw. They also have Sam Underhill who plays like a carbon copy of Curry with their physical and abrasive style causing problems, but this style comes at a cost and England will need to keep these two fit as England progress through physical encounters with Argentina and France in Pool C.
One to Watch: Anthony Watson, The Bath man has had a terrible time battling injury since the Lions in 2017. Watson faces competition in the back three, but whether he plays on the wing or at Fullback he provides an attacking threat that caused problems for New Zealand prior to his injury. He is hitting form at the perfect time for Eddie Jones men and he could add the extra cutting edge England will need to challenge the big hitters.
Key Game: England V France 12.10.19
England can secure first place in Pool C with a win in this match, this would then have them face the runner up of Group D against a team they will be more than confident in beating. This would really set the ball rolling for Owen Farrell and his men.
Honest prediction: I said this before the last world cup, England are more than capable of winning the competition, they have had a very good summer and despite injury concerns head to Japan with a strong squad. They will need to create try scoring chances and have the players to do this. Their pack is strong with the only weakness I can see is the lack of a change of pace at Scrum half where they have two players in the same mould in Willi Heinz and Ben Youngs. That is clutching at straws and I can’t help feeling that if someone beats England in this tournament they will be well on their way to winning the competition. England are the only Northern Hemisphere team with the ability to ball with the southern hemisphere back lines and match them up front.
France: world Ranking 8th Official Twitter
World Cup History: Three time runners up in 1987,1999 and 2011, France are another team who despite their for heading into the World Cup historically produce the goods when it matters. Who can forget the Thierry Dusatoir led upset over New Zealand in 2007, or the victory over New Zealand in 1999. France even pushed New Zealand all the way during the 2011 final.
How are they looking? Stereotypically unpredictable, France have had a positive Summer with two victories over Scotland and some encouraging signs coming from their under 20’s who have shone at the last two world championships. France, on paper at least look to have a strong squad who are In form and motivated. We all know what could go wrong and France seem to do better when everything is in turmoil but they will want to have a decent crack at going well into October in the competition.
Key Man: Camille Lopez. The Clermont standoff is the incumbent number 10 heading into the World Cup, France have struggled to nail down their outside half for some time and Lopez needs to play well for France to win. They have the young Romain Ntamack snapping at the heels of Lopez and this should inspire him to play his best Rugby. His temperament can be unpredictable but he has proved his talent frequently in the Yellow of his club side.
One to watch: Damian Penaud, another Clermont player who is a livewire wing, he had an impressive Six nations and continued this form into the summer in the tests against Scotland. He has proved to be cool under pressure and confident in his ability to sniff out a Try from anywhere on the field. Will need to come and look for the ball to ensure enough touches to make the most of his talent.
Key Game: Argentina V France 21.9.19
The opening game is as vital for France as it is for Argentina, they will want to enhance their chances of progressing from the Pool stage, with Forwards like Louis Picamoles they will want to enforce their will on the Argentinian pack which some could see as vulnerable after their display in the loss against South Africa.
Honest prediction: I think France will progress from the Pool, I don’t think they will get the better of the team that they face from Pool D, but they have a huge pack which teams will find it difficult to wear down, I think the conditions in Japan will see France fading in the final quarter of games which is where the top teams come into their own. An exciting future awaits France due to their under 20’s dominance but this tournament comes too soon for that generation in my opinion.
Tonga: World Ranking 15th Official Twitter
World Cup History: Competed in the group stage in 1987,1995,1999,2003,2007,2011 and 2015.
How are they looking? Another nation who lose all their best talent abroad… they could theoretically field a pack including the two Vunipola brothers as well as Taulupe Faletau and Nathan Hughes. But the way the Rugby World is they do not have this luxury. With only one win over Canada in the pacific nations cup and a heavy loss to New Zealand, preparations have not been ideal.
Key man: Siale Piatau- The Bristol Bears centre captains the side, he will need all of his experience this autumn, His world class brother Charles represented New Zealand 17 times and is now lost to Tongan Rugby. Siale will need to steer his side through a tricky group stage.
One to Watch: Telusa Veainu- The Leicester Tiger is a talented attacker who has good agility and is able to get on the end of try scoring opportunities. He will be important in the games against USA and Argentina.
Key Game: USA V Tonga 13.10.19
Having lost to the Eagles in the summer, Tonga will be desperate to avoid a whitewash in this competition, whilst USA will be looking to beat them to secure a win this year. I feel Tonga may fall short in this and secure last place in Pool C.
USA: World Ranking 13th Official Twitter
World Cup History: USA have not progressed into the knockout stages in any of their campaigns in 1987,1991,1999,2003,2007,2011 and 2015.
How are they looking? Much improved, USA had a solid summer, where they finished runners up to Japan in the Pacific nations cup. USA are investing in their structure and the launch of the Major League Rugby competition is a solid effort in the attempt to make Rugby mainstream. The appetite is there especially in states like Colorado and California. USA are hoping to get their first win in the World cup since they beat Russia 13-6 in 2011.
Key Man: AJ MacGinty- Blackrock College Dublin educated, MacGinty moved to New York to study at Life University. After qualifying on residency grounds MacGinty heads into his second World Cup with the USA. Arguably MacGinty would be in with a shout of making the Ireland squad if he had not been capped by his adopted nation. MacGinty plies his trade in the English Premiership for Sale. Over the summer MacGinty has been the stand out player and has proved to be the difference maker for the Eagles during their pacific nations campaign.
One to watch: Players like Ben Landry and Blaine Scully will be key for the Eagles, 20 year old Scrum Half Rueben De Haas has looked to be a natural to Test Rugby during the summer. He will be tested more than ever during the pool stage but this could propel De Haas into the main stream. Wing Martin Iosefo has pace to burn, he has a background in 7’s and has looked electric so far.
Key Game USA V Tonga 13.10.19
Having tasted victory against Tonga already this year, The Eagles will be confident that they can gain their first World Cup Victory since 2011. This could propel the USA and see national interest grow in Rugby. I feel that MacGinty can navigate USA through this and secure the win.
Honest Prediction: I can see the Eagles winning one game in the group before heading home. USA are a genuine sleeping giant and college Rugby is growing in popularity every year. I am biased as I spent a summer playing in Colorado in 2011 and the appetite for Rugby is huge in small pockets. USA will be my second team in this competition and I hope they can come out with their heads held high.
The Armchair and Beyond 