The Rugby World Cup 2011 now enters the knock out stages and, despite the pre tournament favourites all making their way through, there have been one or two shock results along the way.
The biggest surprise, well to me anyway, and certainly the one with huge ramifications for the tournament has to be Ireland’s win against Australia. Not only did it practically guarantee Ireland’s participation past the pool stages but it bust the tournament wide open setting up a North v South Hemisphere final, with the Six Nations side now battling it our to take on the best that the Tri Nations and Argentina have to offer!
After this morning’s matches Ireland now take on Wales in what could be described as the match of the Quarter Finals with both teams hitting a bit of form at the right moment. The Welsh were desperately unlucky not to turn over South Africa in their opening fixture but they won’t be too worried about that now as they eye familiar opponents on their path to the final. They’ve added a set of dynamic forwards to an exhilarating set of backs and, if truth be told they have played some exciting rugby on their path to the play offs. Certainly both Ireland and Wales will fancy their chances and neither will be loosing too much sleep over their possible semi final opponents.
Where Ireland and Wales have surprised for being particularly good, France have surprised for being particularly bad, with their loss to an aggressive but limited Tonga being a low point of their self destructing campaign. Not as big a shock as Ireland’s defeat of Australia, as the Tonga result meant little to the tournament, but the French had looked like serious contenders pre-tournament but now they look like a team ready to implode.
France’s saving grace could be that they are up against England, in there are few opponents that will encourage our Gallic cousins to put their differences behind them and unite in their desire to put one over on the old Roast Beef! If France do put their differences behind them they will be serious contenders as they have the most naturally gifted, if somewhat temperamental,set of players in the last eight.
England on the other hand have some of the least gifted, but most self promoting, set of players in the Quarter Final contenders, appearing to spend more time in front of sponsors cameras than they do on the paddock. They’ve made few friends in New Zealand with their lewd behaviour, sponsor stunts and boring play, but they still have the potential to win at least one more game. They may well beat France and will certainly be arrogant enough to see Ireland or Wales as easy options for a place in the final but my feeling is that there will be a few sponsors videos going unused beyond the next round!
Argentina are my only surprise appearance in the Quarter Finals as I fancied a hard working and committed Scotland to progress from their Pool. However they have an appearance of a side who have met their objectives and they don’t have the fire power to unduly worry New Zealand.
The hosts have progressed serenely, despite some worrying injuries for the last round of pool matches, and the loss of Carter cannot be underestimated, particularly as he is one of their key go to men when things get tough. While they may not need him to brush aside the Argies they may find things a little more difficult when they come up against Australia or South Africa. They may also find their lack of any real competition up to now as a major drawback come the Semi Finals!
Australia and South Africa have had problems of their own, Australia with injuries and South Africa have struggled to find their team, but both would still be my favourites for lifting the trophy. If Australia can strap together enough of the walking wounded I really fancy them meeting Ireland again in the final but the match against South Africa is too close to call as I can see it developing into a war of attrition with the South Africans coming out on top!
One thing is for sure, after a series of fairly predictable games, with one or two surprises, the real World Cup starts this coming weekend! Bring it on!
The Road to the Final.
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