8 Qualify from the Dramatic Final Pool Games of RWC 2015
The Rugby World Cup has its finalists. 8 teams have emerged from the tough pools and will now battle it out on their journey to the final. Below we take a look at the match-ups the teams have gotten themselves and how they performed in their final pool games.
QF1: South Africa and Wales
South Africa topped Pool B as most people in the rugby world expected before the tournament. However, after their shock defeat at the hands of Japan in the first round, there was a feeling that the higher ranked teams in the pool had a chance of putting the two-time cup winning champions out. The Springboks bounced back with a vengeance however and ended their Pool campaign with a huge 64-0 win over the USA.
Wales won their last match-up in November after a 15 year history of losses
And after a bruising loss to Australia it will be ‘Group of Death’ runner ups, Wales, that take on one of the most experienced sides at RWC 2015. South Africa will go in favourites but Wales won their last match back in November after a 15 year history of losses to the South African side. This could be crucial to the injury riddled team, who struggled against the Wallabies as they have done for the last 7 years. It should be an explosive start to the Quarter Finals!
Last 3 results:
November 2014 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff: 12–6 Wales
June 2014 Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit: 31–30 South Africa
June 2014 Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban: 38–16 South Africa
QF2: New Zealand and France
Skip to 1:09 for FRAvNZL highlights.
France playing New Zealand in Cardiff was a result many neutrals were hoping for. It’s been billed as re-match of sorts, although only McCaw and Carter were on the team that tasted defeat at the hands of the French in 2007 (Every All Blacks fan also keenly remember the taste). France haven’t been spectacular at this tournament and we’ve yet to see the best out of the All Blacks. However, we expect both teams to light-up in this do or die match.
Last 3 results:
November 2013 Stade de France, Saint-Denis: 19 – 26 New Zealand
22 June 2013 Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth: 24 – 9 New Zealand
15 June 2013 Rugby League Park, Christchurch: 30 – 0 New Zealand
QF3: Ireland and Argentina
Ireland’s valiant and costly win over France has secured them a Quarter Final against the formidable Argentinians. With Captain Paul O’Connell and other key players injured, it will be prove to be an even tougher game than expected. However, they still have the best odds to get through to the Semi-Finals out of all the Northern hemisphere team; the 6 Nations champions could end up being the North’s only hope.
Argentina have a very good record at Rugby World Cups and have progressed further than Ireland have in the past. Combined with their improved form in the Rugby Championship, this could be one of the tightest Quarter Final fixtures.
Last 3 results:
June 2014 Estadio Monumental José Fierro, Tucumán: 17 – 23 Ireland
June 2014 Estadio Centenario, Resistencia: 17 – 29 Ireland
November 2012 Aviva Stadium Dublin: 46 – 24 Ireland
QF4: Australia and Scotland
Scotland fans might have hoped for a knock-out final with Wales but the Scots have actually got a better recent history against the Wallabies. This Australia however, have just came out on top of the ‘Group of Death’ with heaps of praise with many suggesting they could be the team to go all the way. Cotter’s men have their work cut out for them if they are to progress any further.
Last 3 results:
November 2013 Murrayfield, Edinburgh: 15 – 21 Australia
June 2012 Hunter Stadium, Newcastle: 6 – 9 Scotland
November 2009 Murrayfield, Edinburgh: 9 – 8 Scotland
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