Rugby World Cup Preview: Pool B

Here is my preview of the teams in Pool B – which include powerhouses South Africa and New Zealand. Both are hot favourites to win the Rugby World Cup and their match in the pool could be the match of the pool stages!

South Africa

South Africa are no doubt one of the favourites for glory in Japan; They go into the Rugby World Cup as the most in form team. They will be keen however not to slip up against the smaller nations in the pool; their humiliating defeat at the hands of Japan in 2015 is regarded as the lowest ever point of South African Rugby.

Their first game of the pool is against reigning champion New Zealand; a game which will no doubt decide who finishes top of the pool. In the rest of the pool, the Springboks should make light work of Italy, Namibia and Canada. Most of South Africa’s success will rely on their half back combination of Handre Pollard and Faf De-Klerk; both have been in imperious form in 2019.

Italy

The Italians seemed to be progressing at a rapid rate at one point and were a tricky test for established nations but their fortunes have declined and instead of being a tricky test it tends to be more of a routine victory now.

Italy will have to cause a huge upset by beating either New Zealand or South Africa to have any chance of progressing. They should have big victories against Canada and Namibia but the standout player for Italy in recent years is not the man he used to be at 36 years old. Look out for Jake Polledri, he is a potential star who has been making a name for himself in England and could be their star player for years to come.

Canada

Quite impressively, Canada have played in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987; But they have only managed to advance from the pool stages once – 1991. Their 28 year wait for another knockout stage game is unlikely to end this year with the likes of the All Black and the Springboks in the pool.

Italy should be too strong for Canada; But their game with Namibia will be the game to decide who avoids the wooden spoon. Their player to watch out for is DTH van der Merwe; The glasgow winger has it all, pacce, power and skill. If the Canadians can get the ball out wide then he will cause even the best defences problems.

Namibia

Namibia are the only other African representatives apart from South Africa – Both happen to be in the same group. On the whole Namibia will struggle. They have a squad that lucks quality and there aren’t enough players plying their trade in the quality competitions in the world. In years gone by they could call on the experience on Jacques Burger but they go into the tournament with a real lack of experience in the squad.

Namibia will be wooden spoon contenders and their only real chance of victory will be over Canada. They will need to call on the experience of PJ Van Lill who is the squads second highest capped player and plays in france if they will have any chance of a victory

New Zealand

What can you say about New Zealand; They have won the last two Rugby World Cups. The All Blacks have also been one of the best rugby nations in the last ten years. They are rarely beaten more than once or twice a year. New Zealand have been ahead of everyone for years setting the bar high but all good things come to an end so is this one world cup too far for Steve Hansen’s men? Cracks have appeared with Six defeats in this World Cup cycle.

You would be stupid ro right off the All Blacks, they still have a talented squad full of various options. It is hard to pinpoint a single player in a squad full of big name but my player to watch out for is George Bridge. He is a Crusaders regular and try machine on the wing or at full back; his pace and reading of the game gives him a chance of being in the starting 15.

 

Check my Preview of Pool A here

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