SA among 8 in Rugby World Cup quarter-final

18 Oct, 2019 - 00:10 0 Views
SA among 8 in Rugby World Cup quarter-final

eBusiness Weekly

The Rugby World Cup has its eight quarter-finalists after a breathless group phase that has provided plenty of thrills and spills.

The twenty teams that started the Rugby World Cup have become eight quarter-finalists.

All the remaining sides have shown that they cannot be discounted and we are set for four tantalising knock-out encounters.

Quarter-final 1:  Japan vs South Africa

Japan were sensational in sealing top spot in their group in an emotionally charged clash with Scotland and will pose a significant threat to the Springboks.

As impressive as the Brave Blossoms have been the Springboks seem to have been handed a lucky break. By finishing second in their group, they have secured a knock-out path on what is arguably the weaker side of the draw.

The Springboks overpowered Japan in a Warm-up match ahead of the Rugby World Cup but Jamie Joseph’s side have gathered a lot of momentum through the group stage and are playing awesome rugby.

As a contest, much will depend on the match-up between Japan’s quick hands and the Boks rush defence. In that warm-up, Japan weren’t slick enough to expose the onrushing Boks out wide. However, Japan have since improved their sharpness and the pressure will be on the Springboks to make the most of what appears to be a slice of luck.

Japan cannot afford to try to match the Springboks physicality but they will challenge the mobility of an often suspect defence.

Quarterfinal 2: England vs Australia

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and his England counterpart have already had the first media tête-à-tête.

Cheika responded to Jones comments regarding the cancellation of England’s final pool match due to Typhoon Hagibis by saying the Roses “better win”. Jones had claimed the typhoon gods were smiling on England.

Australia have had a far from ideal preparation themselves, struggling to cope with refereeing strictness surrounding high tackles.

The Wallabies have not beaten England since the 2015 World Cup. In 2016 Jones masterminded a historic England whitewash of the Wallabies in Australia.

The last three Tests between the two nations were all played at Twickenham and ended in resounding victories for England.

Cheika is correct in saying that England “better win”, because they are clear favourites. Australia’s set-piece proficiency and fierce scrapping at the breakdown make them a challenging side to put away, though, provided their discipline doesn’t let them down again.

The Wallabies won’t lack for motivation but history is against them having lost both their previous RWC quarter-finals against England.

This match has the potential to turn into a set-piece arm wrestle and the kicking game will be very important. England should prove superior with the boot and Bernard Foley’s big match temperament will be tested.

Quarterfinal 3: New Zealand

vs Ireland Tokyo

This wasn’t the quarter-final either side would have wanted, but the All Blacks date with Ireland is an exciting prospect for the neutral.

Joe Schmidt’s Ireland have had Steve Hansen’s All Black’s number in recent times. Ireland won two of the last three meetings between the two sides, but those two wins are their only Test triumphs over the All Blacks. In 31 meetings the All Blacks have recorded 28 wins and endured a single draw.

The All Blacks effectively sealed top spot in their group with their opening victory over the Springboks, but a match with Ireland doesn’t seem like much reward.

Schmidt may have helped conquer the All Blacks twice before, but he is under no illusions as to how tough the task facing his charges will prove.

New Zealand will have had a longer break from play between matches after their final pool match against Italy was cancelled.

Ireland will need a mammoth effort if they are to progress beyond the quarter-finals for the first time ever.

Quarter-final 4: Wales vs France

Of all the group winners Wales will likely be happiest with their opponents, who are an inconsistent France team that probably should have lost to Argentina in the Pool stage.

Warren Gatland’s team will need to be wary of the threat posed by the tricolour but Jaques Brunel’s men are far from the form team of the Rugby World Cup.

France might benefit from the cancellation of their match against England, which had the potential to be a morale-sapping defeat.

Wales have laid claim to be welcomed back into World Rugby’s elite but to do so they will need to put down the French who seem to thrive on being written off.

The Dragons winger Josh Adams is the Rugby World Cup’s leading try-scorer after the group stage but Wales still have some way to go to prove themselves as contenders for the Webb Ellis Trophy. — The South African.

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