RWC Forecast Round 2a

Predictions take 2… a? As the ’rounds’ start to mesh in with each other, we’re going to have to break up our week into two parts, so here are the mid-week matches from Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Before we get into it, a quick review of what happened last round. Bryan’s strategy of picking Fiji against all odds backfired and cost him the lead, though he and Paul were the only ones to take Georgia over Tonga. Japan threw everyone for a loop, and the Eagles had a bit of a stinker against Samoa and let down hopefuls Doug, Patrick, and Paul. Patrick wins the round’s ‘guru’ award, being the only person to accurately predict any score, with New Zealand coming through on his +10 spread. As it stands there are no clear leaders, and it’s still all to play for.

Once again we welcome our all-star lineup of Christian Gómez Csher (Rugby Fun / Rugby Mania), Doug Coil (DJ Coil Rugby / TIAR), Junior Blaber (Rugby Wrap Up), Patrick Johnston (The Province), and Victor Ramalho (Portal do Rugby) to step up and take on ARN editors Paul, Bryan, and Ted.

STANDINGS
6-2 Bryan, Chris, Junior, Paul, Ted, Victor
5-3 Doug, Patrick

Here are our RWC 2015 Round 2(a) predictions!

ROUND 2(a)	SCO v JPN	AUS v FIJ	FRA v ROM	NZL v NAM	ARG v GEO
Bryan Ray Americas Rugby News	SCO +9	AUS +30	ROM +3	NZL +75	ARG +18
Christian Gómez Csher Rugby Fun	SCO +20	AUS +18	FRA +20	NZL +80	ARG +15
Doug Coil DJ Coil Rugby	SCO +6	AUS +24	FRA +18	NZL +40	ARG +13
Junior Blaber Rugby Wrap Up	SCO +8	AUS +15	FRA +5	NZL +50	ARG +10
Patrick Johnston The Province	SCO +6	AUS +11	FRA +20	NZL +80	ARG +13
Paul Tait Americas Rugby News	SCO +10	AUS +60	FRA +55	NZL +115	ARG +35
Ted Hardy Americas Rugby News	SCO +8	AUS +15	FRA +24	NZL +70	ARG +30
Victor Ramalho Portal do Rugby	SCO +10	AUS +18	FRA +22	NZL +70	ARG +15

 

SCOTLAND v JAPAN

Nobody willing to take a punt on Japan, despite their famous win. Can they make it a double?

BR: I think people are underestimating the Japanese lineup, which in my opinion is stronger than the one against the Boks. That said, Vern Cotter has no intention of becoming the next Heyneke Meyer, and the schedule is ridiculously unfair on Japan.

CGC: After being knocked around by the Springboks… um… I may need to revisit this one…

DC: Scotland scrum looks strong, and they can handle Japan’s wide open style. Expect the effect of the physical game against South Africa to be a factor.

JB: I am not rooting against the little guys, I am booing the schedule makers. After the Herculean task the Brave Blossoms just pulled off, they now take on a fresh and raring to go Scotland. Unfair to them to run out their seconds for this match, so Scotland wins.

PJ: Could be too close to call. The Scots are in good form and well rested. I love the Japanese story but they’re getting screwed by the schedule.

PT: Clearly a game that has taken on new importance, and what joy this brings me to say. I am still buzzing about Japan and wish them all the luck against Scotland. The Northern Europeans, though, will be fresh and prepared. They will keep it tight and be too strong.

TH: Tough turnaround for Japan, who aren’t going to sneak up on Scotland. Should still be a good game.

VR: Japan was the big surprise of the first round, but the schedule isn’t helping them. Scotland now knows exactly what to expect, and the Scots will be fitter.

 

AUSTRALIA v FIJI

Not much hope for Fiji here. The Wallabies are a class above.

BR: Another tough ask physically. Fiji will really be struggling in the final quarter.

CGC: The Wallabies need to show that they have the character to fight for the title. The Fijians, besides being a fun team, will not be a obstacle.

DC: This is a very good Australian side. Fiji have lost Waqaniburotu and made only four changes.

JB: Boo the schedule makers again. Fiji have to unfairly get ready on short rest for a match against big time opposition in Australia. Not having their best weapons available means the Wallabies will cruise.

PJ: I still believe in Fiji’s flat attack and their improved consistency – but Cheika’s squad looks the real deal. Again gotta go with the fresh team.

PT: A star-studded Wallaby team will be looking to score as many points as possible and will face a Fijian team backing up from a physical match on Friday. England’s woes at being slow to the breakdown will not be repeated as Australia will starve Fiji of possession.

TH: Going to be a blast to watch. Australia better not sleep on Fiji or they could be in for a surprise.

VR: Fiji played well against England and improved a lot in the set pieces, but Australia will field their best back row and are very aware of the dangers of the underdogs.

 

FRANCE v ROMANIA

Scores for this one are all over the shop, but Les Bleus are probable winners.

BR: Rugby loves a good upset. The French pack looks very lightweight behind Atonio, not a good thing against the Romanian scrum machine. Picamoles won’t play more than 50 minutes, and I need to find a way to break from the pack!

CGC: The Romanians will give a good fight, but not enough to break with logic. France will run away with it in the second half.

DC: France has 13 changes from their win over Italy. They will still be too strong for Romania.

JB: Finally one of the big shots has to play on short rest. Romania will try and take France in the forwards and create a slugfest. Unfortunately, we know that France has enough class in their reserve backs to win courtesy of one moment of brilliance.

PJ: T2Rugby (who is he? what a fun mystery!) gave me serious heat over the podcast chatter with Curtis Reed about Romania. Underselling them, he says. Yes, there’s the scrum and yes, there’s Vlaicu’s boot but c’mon, that only works against Canada.

PT: Strangely the team named to face Romania is, in my opinion, superior to that which faced Italy on Saturday. France will be unleashing a far better backline with greater speed and players that run around and look for gaps rather than act as battering rams.

TH: Inconsistent as they may be, France will be too much for Romania.

VR: France started with a safe match against Italy and didn’t fail. Even changing 13 players in the starting lineup, France has much more depth than the extremely forward-oriented Romania.

 

NEW ZEALAND v NAMIBIA

One thing is for certain: Namibia are not Japan.

BR: No Bothma, Kitshoff, or Botha in the Namibia run-on side. This is going to stink.

CGC: Really? Do I need to write something? The All Blacks win by… what time allows!

JB: Another big shot on short rest. Unfortunately, Namibian rugby has peaked. They will be caught by other African nations soon enough. This means that in order for this to be close, it would have to be New Zealand u20 B team. This one will be over in the first quarter.

PJ: Is Marc Ellis dressing in this one?

PT: Despite this being Namibia’s first and New Zealand’s second match, this is not going to be pretty. I have no intention of disrespecting Namibia and hope I am utterly wrong but I simply see too much talent in the fresh All Blacks team named and an absurd list of skilled replacements.

TH: Most lopsided match of the RWC? Magic 8-Ball says… yes.

VR: Cruel start for Namibia. It is just a matter of how many points the All Blacks will score. It might be the largest margin in the pool stage.

 

ARGENTINA v GEORGIA

Physical game but the Pumas are convincing favorites over the Lelos.

BR: Argentina have too much class for the Georgians, who will still be hungover from Saturday.

DC: The lineups have not been released yet, but I expect Argentina to win regardless.

JB: This will be an interesting affair, with both teams having already played one match. Argentina will be looking to bounce back and Georgia will be looking for a major upset after completing a minor one. It will be a big forward battle but the Argie backs will lead them to victory.

PJ: Ok, I need to give the Lelos credit. A quality defeat of Tonga. But Argentina’s defense is very, very good and their attack is better than ever.

PT: A day too soon for Argentina who have injury concerns in the forwards. There is, nonetheless, enough quality options on the roster to fill in as required. The Pumas backline will be on the hunt and the pace of play will challenge Georgia extensively.

TH: Georgia is coming off a high note, but it isn’t going to last. Argentina still a dark horse to go deep in the tournament. Quality side in all phases of the game.