The pool stages have been hugely entertaining and have provided a platform for some of the second-tier nations like Japan to really shine. But now the tournament moves on to the knockout stages and there are some good matches to watch.
Match 1: South Africa vs Wales
At the start of the World Cup Wales were largely written off and many thought they would not make it through in the ‘Pool of death’. But Wales proved the doubters wrong and despite injuries to several key players like Leigh Halfpenny secured their place in quarters with a magnificent win over England.
But the Springboks will prove very tough opponents. The Boks being a team who have gone from strength to strength after the shock loss to Japan in Brighton.
If Wales are to beat South Africa they are going to have to bring the match to them and be very physical, but injury woes and South Africa’s current form will prove too much for Wales and the Boks will dominate.
Match 2: New Zealand vs France
New Zealand came into the tournament as clear favourites, but in the group stages they looked weaker than first thought.
They should have beat Argentina and Georgia by a wider but they looked shaky in some areas like ball handling and were sloppy in areas against Georgia with several handling errors.
None the less I believe that New Zealand should win against a France team who produced a poor display versus Ireland.
Match 3: Ireland vs Argentina
Ireland looked very strong in the group stage and had a magnificent game versus France, areas of their game like rucking looked very good and of the home nations in the quarters they are the best.
But Argentina are not to be underestimated, they produced several strong performances and were unlucky to lose out against New Zealand and they always favour being the underdogs so this a match to really look out for as it could easily go either way.
Match 4: Scotland vs Australia
Australia played magnificently in their Pool culminating in two wins against group big dogs Wales and England. Bernard Foley produced a great performance versus England and shows which stood in stark contrast to Owen Farrell’s poor showing, Foley shows as an example of how a fly-half should play.
Australia had a few incredible minutes in their defence against Wales with only 13 men on their side of the pitch. Scotland did play much better in the pool stages and have improved no bounds since the Six Nations but I think Australia shall prevail.
