RWC Forecast Round 2b

Predictions take 2… b! The second part of this week’s predictions, this time covering the half-dozen games ahead on Saturday on Sunday. There are a couple doozies up ahead, so read below to hear from the pros!

The midweek action went pretty much entirely as predicted, though once again Bryan’s dissension cost him with the bizarre decision to choose Romania in an upset. We all underrated Scotland, and perhaps underestimated the amount of fatigue in the Japan side, hence the more lopsided result than anticipated. Similarly Argentina’s win over Georgia was large, certainly a surprise that it eclipsed the New Zealand-Namibia spread! Junior and Ted each get a pat on the back for predicting the +15 win for Australia over Fiji. It’s still razor-thin, but there are at least some contentious games that should make things interesting.

Sadly we don’t have Chris and Victor with us for the weekend, which means Paul is the token South American, but we do have our North American campadres Doug Coil (DJ Coil Rugby / TIAR), Junior Blaber (Rugby Wrap Up), and Patrick Johnston (The Province) still armed and dangerous!

STANDINGS
10-2 Chris, Junior, Paul, Ted, Victor
9-3 Bryan, Doug, Patrick

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

ROUND 2(b)	ITA v CAN	RSA v SAM	ENG v WAL	AUS v URU	SCO v USA	IRE v ROM
Bryan Ray Americas Rugby News	CAN +5	RSA +15	ENG +8	AUS +48	SCO +16	IRE +27
Doug Coil DJ Coil Rugby	ITA +11	RSA +8	ENG +2	AUS +44	USA +2	IRE +33
Junior Blaber Rugby Wrap Up	CAN +3	RSA +4	ENG +5	AUS +50	SCO +15	IRE +20
Patrick Johnston The Province	ITA +6	RSA +8	ENG +12	AUS +50	SCO +10	IRE +25
Paul Tait Americas Rugby News	ITA +9	RSA +30	WAL +2	AUS +55	SCO +5	IRE +25
Ted Hardy Americas Rugby News	ITA +15	RSA +18	ENG +10	AUS +40	SCO +15	IRE +25

 

ITALY v CANADA

A tough call, with most picking Italy. Can the men in red score an upset?

BR: Call me an optimist, but I have to believe Canada can win this. Italy are terrible. They are there for the taking. Inspired by Ardron’s return, Canada earn the upset.

DC: Italy makes only four changes against Canada and see an opportunity for a win. They will, but Canada will compete. Look for Mauro Bergamasco to enter his 5th RWC later in the match.

JB: This is a tough one to call. Italy has lacked depth for a while and though Crowley’s Canada has been far from impressive, I back the players to come up with enough for the win. Warning to fans, this will be a turgid affair to watch.

PJ: It could be a cracker, but I think the odds are very good that it’s a snoozer. Italy aren’t in the best form and are missing players. Canada are… Canada. There’s some spark in the backline and it’s an interesting forward pack – other than the front row, which is average (being generous).

PT: Based on their opening performances significant improvements are needed from both. Italy’s pack should prove the difference.

TH: Italy just hasn’t impressed me at all in their lead up to the tournament or in their opening match. Fortunately for them, they face a Canadian side that impressed me even less. Would love to see a Canadian upset though.

 

 

SOUTH AFRICA v SAMOA

Nobody here thinks Samoa have what it takes to sink the Springboks.

BR: I would love for Samoa to win this, but I just can’t see it. The Boks will be out to make a point, and their command at the set piece will see them through without too much trouble.

DC: South Africa was embarrassed against Japan and look to redeem themselves against Samoa. It will be a tough match in which Samoa will give everything, but South Africa will prevail in the end. To do otherwise would haunt them for a long, long time.

JB: The Boks can’t lose two in a row, can they? They have not shown me any reason to believe they are better than Samoa, who looked good against the USA. My heart says Samoa, my head says it seems illogical. We will see.

PJ: Would love to see upset number 2, but let’s be real, SA is damn good, despite everything.

PT: Samoa to start strongly, but the Springboks should be ruthless and win comfortably.

TH: Here’s an intriguing match with lots of subplots. How will South Africa rebound? Can Samoa bash their way to a win? Pool B could get very interesting pending the outcome of this match. I expect the Springboks to bounce back.

 

 

ENGLAND v WALES

A titanic match, with one of the big guns set to fall. Surprisingly, only one pick for Wales.

BR: I desperately want Wales to win, but let’s be honest. They need all their ponies to win, and they’re clutching at straws to piece together a competitive team. England are the better side.

DC: Wales made seven changes in their lineup and this will likely result in a greater England margin of victory. The winner will be in the quarter-finals, while the loser must beat a strong Australia side. The key match in the pool.

JB: Here we go, the big clash between old rivals! This comes down to passion and not so much records. Unfortunately passion is not enough and the Welsh injury ward looks like a civil war MASH unit. England have the healthy bodies to scrape by.

PJ: England may be starting a fresh backline, but c’mon, Sam Burgess is no rookie. Plus, Wales are running out their C team. Jamie Roberts is an incredible player but he’s not superman (or is he?).

PT: Likely elimination for the loser makes this must-see. Both have well-documented strengths but it may be England’s lack of mobility in the back-row which factors in most.

TH: Old rivals going at it in the World Cup. Doesn’t get much bigger than this. Don’t count out Wales just because of their mounting injury woes, they have been known to rise to the occasion. England is England. Hard to bet against them at the World Cup.

 

 

AUSTRALIA v URUGUAY

No worries here, the Wallabies are set to light it up.

BR: I hope Los Teros put up a fight. Wallabies will stroll through this one.

DC: Australia has a tune-up opportunity as they face England next. Uruguay will offer some glimpses of excitement, but Australia will have an easy day at the office.

JB: Australia will get their bonus point in this match. The second stringers will sling the ball around and should hit 50 easily.

PJ: The biggest no-brainer of the weekend. Love the Teros’ passion but the Wallabies are here to do the business.

PT: Australia’s win over Fiji was far from convincing, and a team has been thrown together for Uruguay without extensive time together. Australia will win but Uruguay will perform well at times.

TH: Australia weren’t impressive in their opener against Fiji. They’ll use Uruguay to work out some of the kinks. Uruguay are in for a long day.

 

 

SCOTLAND v USA

Doug seems to think the Eagles are set to fly. The rest of us know better.

BR: Not the strongest Scottish lineup possible, but more than enough to get the job done. Excited to see Strauss start against Manoa. Scots take this with impressive ease.

DC: Scotland have changed 10 players in a short turnaround and are obviously looking toward South Africa, but still confident that this side will win. The USA has its best chance to beat a Tier 1 nation, but must play almost perfect rugby with minimal errors. The Eagles believe. Who am I to doubt them? A MacGinty penalty wins it for the US.

JB: Anyone that saw Scotland’s summer tour last year got a preview of this match, and knows that the USA were outclassed.  Expect more of the same.

PJ: I hit up the USA press conference and I can tell you they are confident. Meanwhile Vern Cotter has dressed a second-ish team. That performance against Samoa has me worried about the Eagles. I picked them last week but there were just too many stupid errors. I think the Scots will burn them for those.

PT: A tired Scotland will be vulnerable against the Eagles but should have what it takes to close out a win. No bonus point though.

TH: Don’t be fooled by Scotland naming 10 changes – it is still a very good Scottish side taking the field. The USA needs a complete turnaround from the egg they laid against Samoa. Whether the Eagles can produce a full 80 minutes of good rugby will decide how this match goes.

 

 

IRELAND v ROMANIA

Another easy pick. Not even a hint of an upset in the crystal ball.

BR: This could not be a worse match-up for the Oaks. They are going to get pulverised.

DC: As Ireland reshuffles their team, Romania will play their second match against second sides. France won by 22, but Romania did disrupt. Ireland’s players are hungry to impress. Expect a huge win for them.

JB: They may not put 50 on Romania like they did against Canada, but Ireland will cruise to an easy win.

PJ: This will be a wipe out. The Irish keep the field moving all the time and that’s the last thing Romania want. Lynn Howells has been brutally honest about his side: they want to keep things as static as possible. We saw what happened once the French got rolling – and they never even got out of third gear.

PT: The force that was Ireland who big over Canada will not be repeated due to the team named for Romania weaker overall. A bonus point win will, nonetheless, take place.

TH: Ireland got off to a good start and get another relatively easy match to follow with. They’ve named quite a few changes, but shouldn’t have any problem dispatching Romania.