Rugby World Cup 2015 - Pool C Previews and Predictions

Argentina:

Los Pumas will be delighted with their pool and although they will almost certainly lose their match to the All Blacks, they will be put in the other half of the draw to them, meaning the earliest they could then face each other would be the World Cup final. Now, I'm not expecting them to get there, and they have a couple of tough obstacles on the way, but Argentina would likely face Ireland or France in the quarter-finals, and they won't be too upset with that at all.

Assuming Pool C goes to plan, Argentina lose to the Kiwis yet beat Tonga, Georgia and Namibia with relative ease. This is a side that recently beat South Africa by 12 points, so New Zealand aren't completely safe, but their quality should see them through. However, the tournament gets very interesting for the Argentinians in the next round, and they have every chance of pulling off an upset.

The last time the Argentinians met the French, Argentina ran out winners by 5 points, in Paris. They haven't beaten the Irish however since the 2007 World Cup, losing by 6 points the last time the two teams faced each other. This is something they have to be wary of, and there is no denying that this Irish side is now capable of winning big games. They also need to consider the usual strength of the French side at World Cups, and it may be too much for the Argentinians.

Argentina have certainly improved drastically since their surprisingly brilliant showing in 2007, and maybe there is now a chance for them to regain that form. For me though, the task of Ireland in the quarter finals would be too much, and they need to hope they draw the French side to give themselves a chance. Even then, I think this year's French side will be too much for the Argentinians, and they will likely bow out at the quarter-finals. Even if they made it through, they would still have to face either England or Australia, which would certainly halt them. I'm giving the Argentinians a 20% chance of making the semis, but as long as they put in a good showing in the quarters they can be happy with their World Cup performance.

Predicted Finish: Quarter-Finals

Georgia:

In each of the last two World Cups, Georgia has secured a victory, and this campaign will be deemed successful if they can build on that and beat both Tonga and Namibia in the pool stages to finish 3rd in the group. There is no chance of an upset against Argentina or New Zealand, but Georgia are ranked above Namibia, and should beat them, and despite being 5 spots below Tonga in the rankings they will be hoping to beat the Pacific Islanders. They have played three times against Tonga, winning one and losing two, but their presence on the international stage has been growing and growing, thanks to the likes of Mamuka Gorgodze and Davit Kubriashvili. Mamuka has an almost Sergio Parisse-like effect on the Georgians, and he could well be the difference in that tight encounter. I'm going to put it out there and say that Georgia can overcome the Tongans, but Mamuka will need to lead them the entire way there, and give the Georgians their best ever World Cup.

Predicted Finish: 3rd in Pool C

Namibia:

Namibia are the lowest-ranked side heading in to the World Cup this year, so it is no surprise that they are expected to go home without a win. I think it's a tad unfair that they are below Uruguay, but that is the ranking system for you. They will look to talisman Jacques Burger to lead them through every game, and if they are to stand a chance of winning he will need to be at the heart of it. They have beaten Georgia once before, which will give them hope, but I sadly don't see it happening for the Welwitschias this year. Their best chance is going to be with a spirited performance against the Tongans, but not even Jacques Burger will be able to get them a chance of winning.

Predicted Finish: 5th in Pool C

New Zealand:

The only side with a winning record against every international side that they have played, New Zealand are almost certainly going to make the final this year. Electrifying winger Nehe Milner-Skudder and powerhouse Julian Savea are lethal when the ball makes its way to the wings, and there is quality in every position, notably in the forms of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter who will think anything other than a winner's medal in their last World Cup will be failure. However, their route to the final will be far from straightforward.

The pool will be a walk in the park for the Kiwis, but they will be facing a completely different challenge when it comes to the knock-out stages. The quarters will see them face Ireland or France, and they won't be delighted with either team coming out against them. The Irish came oh so close to securing victory against the ABs last time they played eachother, and France have been a thorn in New Zealand sides for a while now, although since the 2011 World Cup Final that thorn has been getting smaller and smaller. There is no chance of this being a regulation victory for New Zealand, and I'm sure there will be plenty of heart-in-mouth moments throughout their quarter-final, but the world-class quality and strength in depth should be enough to come through... provided they don't choke.

Then it is very likely that they will face one of their Southern-Hemisphere rivals, we think it will be South Africa, but Australia have looked good lately and have every possibility of being there too, or even on the other side of the draw. A tough loss to Australia in early August reminded New Zealand that they are not unbeatable, but the 41-13 victory a week later should give them the confidence they need when it comes to facing either of these sides in the semis, and they will fully expect to be playing in the Final at Twickenham after another tough round.

It is in the Final where many expect New Zealand to face England, which has been far from an easy fixture for the All Blacks in recent years. In 2011, New Zealand needed that home crowd to lift them in the toughest of moments, and with the weight of the occasion I can see it working against them this time if they face England in the final. Against any other team in the final I have New Zealand to win it, and even if they were to meet earlier in the tournament, I think they'd pull through. But a final against the home side is a big ask, and it isn't something I think New Zealand will be capable of.

Predicted Finish: Runners Up



Tonga:

The Tongans, led by Nili Latu, are in for a disappointing campaign this year. Ranked 11th, one place below Scotland, you'd think they would have an outside chance of making the quarter-finals, but I just can not see it happening for Tonga, with Georgia looking the more likely to push for third. They should secure a result against Namibia, and although they almost deserved to make it through to the quarter-finals last time around, I think one victory is what the Tongans will have to settle for given the progression of the Georgian national team and the relative decline that Tonga have made since their victory over Scotland in 2012. The game against Georgia on the 19th of September will be physical and tight, and one we will be keeping a close eye on, but there isn't anything about this Tongan side that suggests they will be able to make third in their group, so they will rest just above Namibia in 4th.

Predicted Finish: 4th in Pool C