Rugby is a sport on the rise. It’s fast, furious and little else in the sporting world makes you wince as much as the sight of a six-foot, 150kg man-monolith shunting head-first into his opponent’s solar plexus as he attempts to score a try. This month’s World Cup in New Zealand, featuring the 20 best international teams in the world, will be the highlight of the autumn sporting calendar. New Zealand, favourites as ever, will be looking to win their first World Cup since the inaugural event in 1987, but first they will have to overcome the likes of neighbours Australia, current holders South Africa,
and the unpredictable French, who tend to veer wildly from the woeful to the wonderful. We look at the five favourites to take home the trophy, plus the five most likely to throw up a surprise - because there are always surprises at the World Cup.
New Zealand
Despite a reputation for choking at the highest stage (since winning it in 1987 they have reached the final just once), the All Blacks are still overwhelming favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup in Auckland on October 23. For their skill, power and the intensity they bring to the game, they are rightly considered to be the Brazil of rugby. Both feared and revered, they’re the team most fans support when their own country is knocked out. With the likes of Richie McCaw and talismanic fly-half Dan Carter in their prime, this should be New Zealand’s year — even if their jinx team, France (who have knocked them out on two occasions) is in their qualifying group.
Best Finish: Winners (1987)
Worst Finish: Quarter finals (2007)
Bet you didn’t know… that captain Richie McCaw’s passion off the rugby pitch is flying and he has been made an honorary squadron leader in the New Zealand Air Force.
Australia
Australia’s recent 32-23 loss to Samoa will not have dented their confidence too much. Within days of that humiliating defeat they bounced back to beat South Africa convincingly in the Tri Nations cup. Champions in 1991 and 1999, Australia performed poorly at the 2007 tournament, getting knocked out by England in a low-scoring quarter-final. If they can beat Ireland in the group stage they will almost certainly play Wales or one of the stronger Pacific Islands teams in the quarter-final – a game they would be expected to comfortably win. If the vastly experienced trio of Matt Giteau, Rocky Elsom and Nathan Sharpe are in-form, the Wallabies could prove formidable opponents for any team.
Best finish: Winners (1991, 1999)
Worst finish: Quarter finals (1995, 2007)
Bet you didn’t know… that when flanker Rocky Elsom played for Irish club Leinster the fans sang the Rocky theme tune each time he scored.
South Africa
The Springboks, aiming to be the first team to win back-to-back World Cup tournaments, will first have to escape the so-called ‘Group of death’. Coach Pieter De Villiers has been left scratching his head in the run-up to the World Cup, forced to rest some of his best players, including Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana, due to minor injuries. There have even been rumours that they have been attending a secret training camp – something Villiers vigorously denies. Some displays in the Tri Nations tournament and a defeat against Scotland last autumn might suggest a team that has regressed under
De Villiers, but write the Boks off at your peril.
Best finish: Winners (1995, 2007)
Worst finish: Quarter finals (2003)
Bet you didn’t know… that before his rugby career began, Danie Rossouw entered the popular South African talent show Idols where he finished in the top 12.
England
The 2003 champions, reasonably confident after their best Six Nations tournament finish in years, take to New Zealand a squad that is a healthy blend of youth and experience. Veterans Mike Tindall and fly-half Jonny Wilkinson know what it takes to go all the way, but this is a first tournament for the likes of rising stars Chris Ashton and Dylan Hartley. Coach Martin Johnson has been criticised for his team’s lack of creativity, but that didn’t stop them reaching the final in 2007. With none of the Tri Nations teams in their qualifying group, it is likely that England will at least make it to the quarter-finals.
Best finish: Winners (2003)
Worst finish: Quarter finals (1987, 1999)
Bet you didn’t know… that England fly-half Toby Flood is descended from a thespian lineage. Both of his grandfathers were actors, with one appearing in the 1961 World War II classic, The Guns of Navarone.
France
Coach Marc Lievremont’s side find themselves in a bruising qualifying pool. Aside from the mighty All Blacks, they must face up to the brute force of Pacific Islanders, Tonga, who could stifle the famous French flair with their hulking physicality.
But there’s reason for optimism. A glance at the World Cup history books tells us that France is the only northern hemisphere side capable of knocking the All Blacks out of the tournament, sending them home early in 1999 and in 2007. Twice runners-up, France need to be uncharacteristically consistent if they are to end their 24-year wait for the trophy.
Best finish: Runners up (1987, 1999)
Worst finish: Quarter finals (1991)
Bet you didn’t know… that scrum-half Morgan Parra is dubbed the ‘petit generale’ (the little general), by the French media after a former French player described him as ‘snarling and loud’ to his teammates.
Best of the rest
Wales – Welsh victories against southern hemisphere teams are rare, but if they survive the ‘Group of death’, they have a chance.
Ireland – Imperiously dismantled a decent England team in this year’s Six Nations but their route to the final looks daunting.
Argentina – Securing an impressive third place in the 2007 tournament roused the Argentinian public and imbued the team with confidence. They will fear no-one.
Samoa – Arguably the strongest of the Pacific Islands sides, Samoa will certainly not be a push-over for its rivals in Group D. Wales and South Africa beware.
Scotland – Scotland will be keen to atone for a poor Six Nations tournament performance. They showed what they are capable of when they beat South Africa in a friendly last year.
Where to watch it
- The Irish Village, Garhoud, Dubai: You’ll find a large Irish contingent and fans from many other nationalities enjoying the action al fresco.
- Rydges Plaza, Diyafah Street, Dubai: Jam-packed with ebullient Australians and Kiwis but it can get a little claustrophobic.
- Nezesaussi, Manzil Hotel, Dubai: The southern hemisphere fans will be well-represented at this Old Town favourite.
- PJ O’Reilly’s, Le Royal Meridien, Abu Dhabi: A decent Irish-themed pub with several screens showing the games.
The Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off in Auckland, New Zealand, on September 9. Matches will be televised on OSN Sports. See www.rugbyworldcup.com for fixtures.
POOL A
Canada
France
Japan
New Zealand
Tonga
POOL B
Argentina
England
Georgia
Romania
Scotland
POOL C
Australia
Ireland
Italy
Russia
United States
POOL D
Fiji
Namibia
Samoa
South Africa
Wales
New Zealand
