South Africa v Wales
No questions as to what the Boks are going to attempt to bring to the party. It's going to be a destroy mission upfront and they will try to steamroll a severly winged Welsh outfit. But they haven't shown the ability to bring their one and only gameplan all year and once again, like clockwork, they spout new found form on the back of an easy victory. Let's remember this was the USA second stringers, South Africa with misplaced confidence is an almost guarantee of another below par showing. On the plus side the old man injuries have given them a stronger starting line up, though they could have done with 1 or 2 more falling over.
The Taffs have shown a tendency this cup to keep on hanging on. Kudos to a lot of hard work from a line of NZ coaches. If they had had any idea on attack and concentrated on looking for space instead of continuous 1st and 2nd channels versus a 13 man Australia they would be playing Scotland instead. George North in the 13 jersey is a liability in defence and attack. He gets his D lines confused and, as with most wings, is no distributor. The young Bok centre pairing while a handful on attack do have their own defensive weaknesses but North isn't capable of exploiting that. If Ainscombe plays at the back we could be in for a treat. An unknown at international level and relied on more than a few injuries to make his way into the squad but has shown to be a real handful in Super rugby. With all the kicks he's likely to receive, it could cause some real problems for South Africa.
Not sure I want to pick this one, so let's say 'go Wales!'.
Ainscombe....somewhat of a silent assassin
All Blacks v France
The Frogs couldn't get up versus a very one dimensional Ireland. They couldn't defend versus a gameplan that involved minimal offloads meaning no support runners. Can they hold the All Blacks out? Hopefully the All Blacks won't disappear into their shells again on this one. Or can Les Bleus pull another performance out of the hat just for NZ fans?
The ABs have received their share of flak and have had problems implementing against lesser teams but they have a tendency to do what is required when necessary. Expect to see New Zealand's #1 game plan from here on. A pack going full on into contact (they showed the intent in their last pool game) and trying to outmuscle every other team at the breakdown, then that ball going wide the moment there's some space and mismatches for the backs. Hansen has surely put the hard word on his front 8. Live or die by the sword. Pave the way for the team and country to the Cup. Then the backs will be able to display their wares and finally end this notion that attacking rugby can't win the World Cup, which will bode well for both the All Blacks and rugby at future cups. One feels McCaw and co have too much to prove this time round. A chance to bury some ghosts.
Always impossible to pick scores when France is involved but let's say ABs by 16.
Dusautoir....if the French pull this one off it will be in no small part due to him
Ireland v Argentina
For all Ireland's pre cup optimism I have a feeling it's once again a quarter final exit. Their seemingly dominant performance versus the Frogs was one dimensional stuff. Schmidt's plan was "Don't lose that ball!" and Ireland played basically ball up your jumper rugby with every carrier tucking it under 2 arms and never looking to offload. Their final pool victory was more down to a vacant French team. The Paddies climbed as far as #2 in the world rankings but there was always a falsity about it as the Boks and Australia always drop placings due to constant matches versus each other and the All Blacks. Now with the loss of key and experienced personnel surely the bookies will be forced to favour the Pumas.
The Argy Bargies will meet the Irish pack with pure determination and there are going to be some sore bodies from the Emerald Isle after this one. The Irish backs have gone ok but with Sexton seemingly out most of that goes out the window. And the Argentine backs are looking pretty lively themselves.
Argentina to outmuscle the Irish and take this one by 10.
Santiago Cordero....no monster at 5ft9" and 79kg but give him some space and see you later
Australia v Scotland
Aussie definitely look the form team but a hurt, and uninspiring when it counted, Wales gifted them this draw. Pocock out, Australia's best player to date, is obviously a loss but you still expect the Wallabies to canter this.
The Sweats are triers and can turn on the odd gutsy performance but nothing tells me to expect one this weekend. I'll leave it at that.
Aussie by 20.
Jonny Grey, little brother of Richie.My main interest in this game is to watch this kid.
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