- Moderator
- #1
With a month until the start of the 2019 Rugby World and the last of the warm up matches finishing the Rugby world's eyes turn towards Japan as they host the first World Cup outside of the Tier 1 nations.
New Zealand come into the World Cup having won the last two versions of the Cup, but are starting to show signs that their reign is being challenged not only in the Southern Hemisphere by South Africa but also in the North by the likes of Wales, England and Ireland. Australia had a record breaking Bledisloe Cup win over New Zealand that gave them hope which was then crushed the following week at Eden Park, how they respond as a team will go a long way to see if they get out of the group and challenge in the knock out rounds.
This World Cup is balanced to be one of the finest in quite a while with 5 teams in with a real shot of winning it and the chasing pack all able to play exciting Rugby that could blow up the script at any moment.
The Pool matches to look out for are the Pool A matches between Ireland vs Scotland (22nd Sept) and Japan vs Scotland (13th Oct) as both will decide the make up of the pool and the positions within it. If Scotland lose to Ireland they will need to beat Japan off 4 days rest to finish 2nd and after the last World Cup we know Japan love a fairytail (and want revenge on the Scots). Pool B lock in New Zealand vs South Africa (21st Sept) as a must watch. The last three matches between the two have been classics. Pool C is any match England, France or Argentina as they have all lost matches in the last year when leading by 3 tries. But the ones to watch is France vs Argentina (21th Sept) and England vs Argentina (5th Oct) as Argentina should go though to the knock out stages and its just a case of who they knock out. Pool D is simple Australia vs Wales (29th Sept) is the important game which decides the path for both nations.
So for those of you interested in watching here are the details.
Kayo also will take Fox's coverage.
So enjoy the World Cup