Four southern hemisphere powerhouses are gearing up for a showdown over the horizon. With 90% of all men’s World Cups under their belts and contributing more than 62% of the tournament’s semi-finalists since 1995, they arrive with formidable reputations. Are they still the dominant forces they once were, or are they vulnerable?
It’s been 11 years since the Springboks swept Europe. Rassie Erasmus aims to rectify this by selecting 28 World Cup winners in a 35-man squad. Despite this, the team has shown signs of evolution. New attack coach Tony Brown has infused creativity into a side known for its formidable pack. They can still overpower opponents but now also have the ability to dismantle them with speed and strength.
Key Question: Who calls the shots? Handré Pollard is a reliable kicker with a precise boot. Manie Libbok, though talented, struggles with consistency off the tee. One of them will need to step up when Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu returns from injury.
Player to watch: Ox Nché. A prop has never won World Rugby’s player of the year, but Nché could be the first. His scrum dominance and loose play regularly win matches.
Prediction: 3/3. A full-strength team should handle England, while rotated squads will be too strong for Scotland and Wales.
Consecutive losses to South Africa and a surprise defeat to Argentina in Wellington have put pressure on Scott “Razor” Robinson’s team. They have talent but no longer exude invincibility. Veterans Sam Cane and TJ Perenara are heading to Japan next year, and other aging stars have struggled to cover weaknesses.
Key question: How deep is their bench? New Zealand conceded 95 second-half points in five matches while scoring only 38. Their bench struggled against Japan, raising concerns about depth beyond the starting XV.
Player to watch: Wallace Sititi. At just 22, he’s already a force. Versatile and dangerous on both sides of the ball, he offers options at the lineout.
Prediction: 2/4. England could surprise them in week one, but they should win against Italy.
For the first time since Joe Schmidt took over, he has a full roster to choose from. His phase-play approach has been criticized for being too conservative, but there’s a plan to compete against the British & Irish Lions next year. Consistency in selection will be crucial.
Key question: Can Schmidt stick with the same 23? Rob Valetini is a standout in the back row, and promising players like Matt Faessler and Harry Wilson have shown potential, but others need to prove themselves.
Player to watch: Joseph Sua’ali’i. The 196cm, 100kg prodigy has a lot of hype to live up to. Rugby Australia invested heavily in him, and they need him to deliver.
Prediction: 1/4. They’re not as weak as some believe, but there are still gaps. They’ll be favorites against Wales.
A world-class back row, a talented fly-half, and a dynamic gameplan make Argentina a threat. Coach Felipe Contepomi has returned to their traditional strengths. Their struggles in wet conditions may be exposed, but they’re better than last year’s World Cup performance.
Key Question: Which Argentina will show up? They’ve beaten top teams but also had frustrating losses. If they can maintain consistency, they’ll challenge anyone.
Player to watch: Tomás Albornoz. A star at Benetton, he’s now a key player at Test level. His composure and kicking accuracy allow Argentina to control games.
Prediction: 1/3. France and Ireland should be too strong at home, so the Italy game is crucial.
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