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Rugby World Cup 2015 is just over a month away and all 20 participants are preparing accordingly. Argentina’s rivals are to be New Zealand, Georgia, Tonga and Namibia in that order. How then are the four looking for the sport’s biggest event?
New Zealand
New Zealand has been busy competing in international competition both in the Rugby Championship and in friendly matches. The All Blacks began their season with a first ever away match against Samoa in Apia, a match which took place four days before the Super Rugby Final. This meant players from the Hurricanes and Highlanders were not involved. They returned for the Rugby Championship, a tournament in which New Zealand finished second after losing this past weekend against Australia in Sydney. New Zealand will host the Wallabies this coming weekend in a Bledisloe Cup test which also serves as the final test before confirming the All Blacks’ World Cup squad.
Georgia
The leading Eastern European rugby nation is yet to begin on-field preparation. The Lelos will not play until August 28 when they face Aviva Premiership side the Newcastle Falcons in England. It is to be followed by an international against Japan at Gloucester the following weekend. Georgia recently overtook Japan in the World Rankings to move up to 13th in the world. It did so due to Japan’s string of losses in the Pacific Nations Cup.
Tonga
The Pacific Islanders have completed a highly successful Pacific Nations Cup campaign to move to an impressive 10th position in the World Rankings ahead of notable nations including Italy, Samoa and Scotland. Tonga defeated Canada, Japan and the USA in the Pacific Nations Cup but lost against Fiji. Next up is a warm-up fixture against second division English side Nottingham on August 28 which is to be followed by an away test against Romania on September 05.
Namibia
Africa’s number two ranked nation has achieved significant results recently and has, consequently, risen in the World Rankings to 20th. This past weekend Namibia was too strong for Kenya winning 46-13 and it followed consecutive wins over Rugby World Cup 2011 participants Russia. The results simply that Namibia in 2015 ought to be stronger than the side from previous Rugby World Cups. A weaker Namibian side competed in the World Rugby Nations Cup in Romania in June losing against the home side in addition to Spain and the Argentina XV.
