New Zealand Goes for Three-in-a-Row While Canada Looks to Take Down a Giant
Though it might not be as big in Canada, the Rugby World Cup, which consistently generates over a billion viewers globally over the course of the tournament, begins on Friday. So what should our hopes be for Canada this time around? And does anyone have a shot at dethroning New Zealand? Let’s take a look.
Pool A — Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Russia, Samoa
We begin with Ireland, (made up of players from the Island of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) who are the heavy favourites to come out of Pool A, as they’re playing their best rugby since, well, ever. After defeating Wales earlier this month, Ireland surpassed New Zealand to claim the number one spot atop the World Rugby Rankings for the first time in history. Now led by fly-half and reigning Player of the Year, Jonny Sexton, they look poised to finally get over that quarter-final hurdle, where they’ve fallen five separate times, and challenge for their first World Cup.
Japan provided the highlight of the 2015 tournament when they stunned South Africa by scoring in the final minute of play to beat the Springboks. However, a 45-10 humbling at the hands of Scotland levelled the playing field and the Cherry Blossoms failed to proceed out of the group stage. They’ll get a chance to avenge that loss in the likely win-or-go-home final Pool A group match.
Scotland, while talented, is inconsistent. One week they’ll lose to France 32-3, then come back and beat them next week. Based on talent I’d still take the Scots to come out on top as Japan doesn’t have the magic they did in 2015 without head coach Eddie Jones and the national team’s all-time leading scorer, Ayumu Goromaru.
Teams Advancing: 1) Ireland 2) Scotland
Pool B — New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Namibia, Canada
Going into this World Cup, Canada will be David taking on not just the Goliath that is South Africa, but also the Leviathan that is New Zealand, both of whom should get through Pool B easily.
Much like Brazil in Soccer, USA in basketball and Canada in hockey, New Zealand has always been the gold standard for what every other rugby nation aspires to be. Anything but a World Cup for the All Blacks is considered a failure. They’re more vulnerable than previous years, as they are without the likes of legendary captain Richie McCaw and fly-half Dan Carter, the all-time leading scorer in test match rugby history. However, even with those departures, only a king of fools would underestimate the All Blacks.
You never want to say never, but Canada will mostly be playing for pride in their matches against the All Blacks and Springboks. Following the 2011 World Cup, Canada was ranked 11 in the world, but they’ve been on a downward trajectory since. They didn’t win a game in 2015, even falling to lowly Romania. In this year’s tournament, they only managed to qualify for the final spot by going through the repechage playoffs after successive losses to the United States and Uruguay. It will be a final hurrah for winger DTH van der Merwe, who’s scored more tries than anyone else in the history of the Canadian men’s national team, and hopefully the Canucks will send him off with a victory over Namibia (and possibly even an upset over Italy).
Teams Advancing: 1) New Zealand 2) South Africa
Pool C — England, France, Argentina, USA, Tonga
Pool C is this year’s group of death as one of England, France and Argentina will be sent packing early. England were the first hosts not to qualify for the knockout stage back in 2015, falling to Wales and Australia, so they’ll be arriving in Japan with a chip on their shoulder and a thirst for redemption. They’re left with only a few weaknesses after having a loaded backline featuring captain, Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi, along with a big forward pack including star lock Maro Itoje. If there’s one question about England, it’s their mental fortitude. Nevertheless, they’re still a step above France and Argentina.
France aren’t what they used to be, recently losing to Fiji at home, and got thumped in the most recent Six Nations tournament. Argentina’s warm-ups against New Zealand and Australia will have the Pumas more prepared to move past Les Bleus. USA and Tonga aren’t pushovers, but they’ll have to go on a Cinderella run if they want to make it to the knockout stage.
Teams Advancing: 1) England 2) Argentina
Pool D — Australia, Wales, Georgia, Fiji, Uruguay
One of the usual suspects pegged to win it all, Australia enters this year’s World Cup with a dark cloud looming over their heads. The Wallabies will be without arguably their best player, Israel Folau, after Rugby Australia terminated his contract following a string of homophobic and bigoted posts made on social media. While the Australian scrum is strong as ever with Rory Arnold and Michael Hooper, Folau’s absence leaves Australia lacking depth at wing and full-back, and their offence isn’t as lethal as previous years.
Wales would have been a major contender to win it all this year if they were healthy. They’re coming off winning the most recent European Six Nations tournament, but will be without the services of a few players, none bigger than fly-half Gareth Anscombe. Since Anscombe’s knee injury, Wales just hasn’t been the same team. Though with some strong defence and excellent coaching from Warren Gatland, Wales could make a valiant run at the title. If the turmoil surrounding both squads cause them to falter, don’t be too surprised if the Fijians come in and take one of the top two spots.
Teams Advancing: 1) Wales 2) Australia
While the tournament is more open than it has ever been, it doesn’t guarantee this year will be different. In the knockout round, Wales will eventually succumb to their injuries as Ireland reaches their first final, while England will once again fail to get past New Zealand, the one nation they’ve failed to beat ever since the start of 2018. In the end, the All Blacks incredible depth and developing stars like Richie Mo’unga are too much, and New Zealand sets records in winning their third Webb Ellis Cup in a row.
Quarter Finals: Ireland over South Africa. New Zealand over Scotland. England over Australia. Wales over Argentina.
Semi-Finals: Ireland over Wales. New Zealand over England.
Final: New Zealand over Ireland.