NEW ZEALAND 34, AUSTRALIA 17: Rugby World Cup Final

IS THIS THE GREATEST RUGBY TEAM

EVER ?

New Zealand has rewritten Rugby World Cup record books by defeating Australia in the final at Twickenham. They have now won three Rugby World Cup titles and the last two in a row. They withstood a determined second half comeback by Australia and then did what they do best; applied pressure in the last 15-20 minutes to score two tries and take the Cup.

It was a superb performance both on attack and importantly on defence. They held out all but two Australian attacks and did not allow the Australian renown loose forward trio to dominate.

This has to be the greatest All Black team ever and also the greatest rugby team ever to grace the paddocks of world rugby. This team will never play together again as several legends will be either retiring or playing out their careers overseas. McCaw is yet to make up his mind and is on a world record 148 test caps. Conrad Smith, Nonu and Carter are off to European clubs whilst 37 year old Mealamu hangs up his boots.

AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND: World Cup Final

31.10.2015

Venue: Twickenham

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Preview
This is the game we have been waiting for for nearly four years. Here it is. The 2015 Rugby World Cup final.

We have the two best teams at this tournament in the final. One of these teams will make history. Whoever wins will become the first team to win three Rugby World Cup titles. If New Zealand wins they will be the first team to win successive titles. There is so much at stake the wait has been unbearable!

New Zealand has been the class act. Slowish to get going they sprang to life with the thumping of France in the quarter final. The semi-final against South Africa was won by two points although New Zealand looked a deserving winner. They came into the tournament as the hot favourites to retain the title and have consistently been at the top of the World Rugby Rankings for the last five years. It will take a super special team to beat them.

Could Australia be that team? Yes, most certainly. The self belief that has built up in this team since Cheika took over as head coach has transformed them from a motley crew into a well motivated, skilful team. They also started quietly with wins over Fiji and Uruguay. But then they disposed of hosts England and pushed them out of the tournament. Next they defeated Wales in a bruising encounter and the belief grew. They were lucky to win against Scotland even though they were the better side. That was an off day. And finally they were most convincing in their semi final win against Argentina.

This is very close to call. I believe the All Blacks will just have the edge. Theirs will be a nervy performance first half but I expect them to settle in the second, apply the pressure and win the last twenty minutes. But it will be close!

Prediction: New Zealand by 4 points. Score 23-19

TEAMS

Australia
15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matthew Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 William Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Robert Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas,
3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (Capt.), 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Gregory Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Benjamin McCalman, 21 Nicholas Phipps, 22 Matthew Toomua, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Head Coach: Michael Chieka

New Zealand
15 Benjamin Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (Capt.), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick,
3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joseph Moody.
Replacements
16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Benjamin Franks, 18 Charles Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Samuel Cane, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams.
Head Coach: Steve Hansen

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Second Semi-Final

25.10.2015
Australia 29, Argentina 15 at Twickenham (World Cup, Semi-final 2)

AUSTRALIA ARE IN!

Preview
Australia defeated Argentina 29-15 (4 tries to none) to secure a Rugby World Cup final place. They will face New Zealand at Twickenham, next Saturday.

They key to Australia’s win were their defence and their ability to secure possession at the breakdown. Australia took their chances despite a horror run of errors at the start of the second half but Argentina fluffed a number of scoring opportunities especially in the second half. They always looked dangerous with ball in hand.

Adam Ashley-Cooper score three tries his last after a magnificent run by Drew Mitchell. This score sealed the game. Argentina, though, never gave up and were attacking right to the end.

Australia will need to up their performance from today’s but in the final we will see the two best teams at the tournament in the final.

AUSTRALIA 35, SCOTLAND 34: World Cup Quarter final

18.10.2015

HEARTACHE!

That was how Scotland felt after a last minute penalty goal by Australia saw them lose 34-35 in an exciting game at Twickenham. Scotland should have won this game. They deserved to. Australia were never allowed to settle by a tenacious Scottish side that could sense Australia were having an off day.

There were times when Australia were brilliant but if they make as many mistakes next week against Argentina as they did today they will not reach the final.

Scotland can be proud of their effort. The future for them looks good despite the heartache of today.

I do not believe Australia will repeat this performance next week. They will, like the All Blacks bounce back.

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Quarter Finalists Confirmed

17.10.2015
South Africa v Wales at Twickenham (World Cup, Quarter Final 1)
New Zealand v France in Cardiff (World Cup, Quarter Final 2)

18.10.2015
Ireland v Argentina in Cardiff (World Cup, Quarter Final 3)
Australia v Scotland at Twickenham (World Cup, Quarter Final 4)

Briefly
Here they are. Now we are down to the real business end of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The eight quarter finalists are listed above.

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Results Saturday 10 October

Australia 15, Wales 6 at Twickenham (World Cup, Pool A)
England 60, Uruguay 3 in Manchester (World Cup, Pool A)
Scotland 36, Samoa 33 in Newcastle (World Cup, Pool B)

Briefly
Australia put on a stunning ten minute display of defence against Wales in the second half. Reduced to 13 players they held out a great effort by Wales to score in a thrilling encounter. The score was 12-6 to Australia. A Welsh try with the conversion would have put them in the lead. But Wales could not breach the defence. Stand up tall Australia and be proud. Yet another amazing game at this tournament.

Probably the best game of rugby at the tournament to date saw Scotland just edge out Samoa 36-33. What a game! Running rugby at its best. Whew!!

England defeated Uruguay 60-3. That was that!

After today’s results the quarter finals look like this.

Australia v Scotland
Wales v South Africa
New Zealand v Ireland or France
Ireland or France v Argentina

The quarter finals will take place next Saturday and Sunday

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Saturday’s Games

Due to other commitments previews have to be brief.

10.10.2015
Australia v Wales at Twickenham (World Cup, Pool A)

This is a crucial game in Pool A. The winner will take top spot and will play either Scotland or Japan in the quarter finals. The loser will have the much harder game against South Africa.

Prediction: Wales by 5 points. Score 26-21

England v Uruguay in Manchester (World Cup, Pool A)

Nothing much to write about this one. England are out of the tournament and will want to appease their fans with a huge win which they are capable of doing. Uruguay will be going home without a win and having to re qualify for the 2019 tournament.

Prediction: England by 73 points. Score 81-8

Samoa v Scotland in Newcastle (World Cup, Pool B)

Samoa has been a huge disappointment at this tournament. They will put up a good fight in the first half but I expect Scotland to be too strong in the second.

Prediction: Scotland by 13 points. Score 24-11

AUSTRALIA 33, ENGLAND 13: Rugby World Cup, Pool A

03.10.2015

SENSATIONAL GAME. ENGLAND OUT!

In what has to be one of the most sensational results in all Rugby World Cups, Australia has created rugby history by eliminating host nation England from the tournament.

This has been a sensational Rugby World Cup already and we are only at the pool stages. Is there more sensation to come? I blooming hope so!

England were comprehensively outplayed by Australia in every facet of the game. Australia’s defence was outstanding, they dominated the breakdowns, the scrums and simply out scored their opponents.

For England this is the end of their tournament. How bitterly disappointed the team, coaching staff and fans must be. Heartbroken would probably be putting it mildly. Devastating!

Australia has now put their hand up as a serious contender for a place in the finals.

ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA: Rugby World Cup, Pool A

03.10.2015

Image thanks to www.englandrugby.com

Venue: Twickenham

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Pool Standings

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	BP	PT
WALES	3	3	0	0	105	47	58	11	2	1	13
AUSTRALIA	2	2	0	0	93	16	77	14	1	1	9
ENGLAND	2	1	0	1	60	39	21	5	2	2	6
FIJI	3	0	0	3	37	86	-49	3	9	0	0
URUGUAY	2	0	0	2	12	119	-107	0	19	0	0

Preview
It doesn’t get better than this. Probably the most crucial pool match of this World Cup and certainly the most important to this date. A loss by England would be catastrophic as it would almost certainly eliminate them from the quarter finals. If that happens it would be the first time at a Rugby World Cup tournament that the host nations has not reached the quarter finals.Heads could roll!

A win to Australia would bring them to at least level with Wales on the points table and set up a vital pool clash on the 10th October. The Aussies have been the improving team among the top nations in world rugby. They won the Rugby Championship for the first time, including win over New Zealand. This is a vastly improved side from a year ago.

Twickenham will be all noise but the English fans will also be holding their breath and crossing everything they can find.

Last Five Encounters
29.11.2014 England 26-17 at Twickenham (Cook Cup)
02.11.2013 England 20-13 at Twickenham (Cook Cup)
17.11.2012 Australia 20-14 at Twickenham (Cook Cup)
13.11.2010 England 35-18 at Twickenham (Cook Cup)
19.06.2010 England 21-20 in Sydney (Cook Cup)

England has dominated Australia at test level in recent times.

Previous World Cups
06.10.2007 England 12-10 in Marseilles (World Cup,quarter final)
22.11.2003 England 20-17 in Sydney (World Cup, Final)
11.06.1995 England 25-22 in Capetown (World Cup, Quarter final)
02.11.1991 Australia 12-6 at Twickenham (World Cup, Final)
23.05.1987 Australia 19-6 in Sydney (World Cup)

These two teams have a long history at World Cup tournaments with England holding an edge.

Australia Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
27.09.2015 v Uruguay W 65-3 in Birmingham (World Cup, Pool A)
23.09.2015 v Fiji W 28-13 in Cardiff (World Cup, Pool A)
05.09.2015 v United States W 47-10 in Chicago
15.08.2015 v New Zealand L 13-41 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup)
08.08.2015 v New Zealand W 27-19 in Sydney (Rugby Champ., Bledisloe Cup)

England Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
26.09.2015 v Wales L 25-28 at Twickenham (World Cup, Pool A)
18.09.2015 v Fiji W 35-11 at Twickenham (World Cup, Pool A)
05.09.2015 v Ireland W 21-13 at Twickenham (World Cup Warm Up)
22.08.2015 v France L 20-25 in Paris (World Cup Warm Up)
15.08.2015 v France W 19-15 at Twickenham (World Cup Warm Up)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: England 2nd, Australia 6th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Australia 86.75, England 82.35

Prediction: Almost too close to call. Australia by 1 point. Score 27-26

TEAMS

England
15 Michael Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Bradley Barritt, 11 Jonathan May, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Benjamin Youngs, 8 Benjamin Morgan, 7 Christopher Robshaw (Capt.), 6 Thomas Wood, 5 Geoffrey Parling,
4 Joseph Launchbury, 3 Daniel Cole, 2 Thomas Youngs, 1 Joseph Marler
Replacements
16 Robert Webber, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 George Kruis,
20 Nicholas Easter, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 George Ford, 23 Samuel Burgess
Head Coach: Stuart Lancaster

Australia
15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matthew Giteau, 11 Robert Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 William Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Robert Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas,
3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (Capt.), 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Gregory Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Benjamin McCalman, 21 Nicholas Phipps, 22 Matthew Toomua, 
23 Kurtley Beale
Head Coach: Michael Cheika

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Sunday 27 September

27.09.2015
Australia 65, Uruguay 3 in Birmingham (World Cup, Pool A)
Scotland 39, United States 16 in Leeds (World Cup, Pool B)
Ireland 44, Romania 10 in London (World Cup, Pool D)

Briefly
Australia, Scotland and Ireland all got through their pool matches last night predictably with bonus points.

The next match is on Tuesday, Tonga v Namibia.

My next preview will be on Wednesday as I will be away.

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Today

27.09.2015
Australia v Uruguay in Birmingham (World Cup, Pool A)
Scotland v United States in Leeds (World Cup, Pool B)
Ireland v Romania in London (World Cup, Pool D)

I’m unable to review these games due to other commitments.

Predictions
Australia to defeat Uruguay by 55 points-Score 66-11
Scotland to defeat USA by 21 points-Score 33-12
Ireland to defeat Romania by 33 points-Score 49-16

RUGBY WORLD CUP: Thursday 23 September

23.09.2015
Australia 28, Fiji 13 in Cardiff (World Cup, Pool A)
Scotland 45, Japan 10 in Gloucester (World Cup, Pool B)
France 38, Romania 11 in London (World Cup, Pool D)

Briefly
Australia’s first outing at this Rugby World Cup met with a win but not without many anxious moments. Fiji were very competitive right to the end and exposed weaknesses early on at scrum time and in the lineout throughout the game. Australia failed to gain a bonus point in the win a factor that could be telling later.

Japan’s fairy tale entry into the World Cup came to an abrupt end when Scotland, playing their first game in this tournament, dominated at the game progressed. Japan showed glimpses of the form, speed and skill they showed against South Africa, but another hard game four days after their first was too much to ask.

France stuttered and stumbled their way to a win over Romania and were made to fight hard throughout the game.

POOL A

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	BP	PT
WALES	1	1	0	0	54	9	45	8	0	1	5
ENGLAND	1	1	0	0	35	11	24	4	1	1	5
AUSTRALIA	1	1	0	0	28	13	15	3	1	0	4
FIJI	2	0	0	2	24	63	-39	2	7	0	0
URUGUAY	1	0	0	1	9	54	-45	0	8	0	0

POOL B

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	BP	PT
SCOTLAND	1	1	0	0	45	10	35	5	1	1	5
SAMOA	1	1	0	0	25	16	9	2	2	0	4
JAPAN	2	1	0	1	44	77	-33	3	4	0	4
SOUTH AFRICA	1	0	0	1	32	34	-2	4	3	2	2
UNITED STATES	1	0	0	1	16	25	-9	2	2	0	0

POOL D

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	BP	PT
FRANCE	2	2	0	0	70	22	48	7	2	1	9
IRELAND	1	1	0	0	50	7	43	7	1	1	5
ITALY	1	0	0	1	10	32	-22	1	2	0	0
CANADA	1	0	0	1	7	50	-43	1	7	0	0
ROMANIA	1	0	0	1	11	38	-27	1	5	0	0

Stats from www.rugbyinternational.net

RUGBY WORLD CUP

23.09.2015
Australia v Fiji in Cardiff (World Cup, Pool A)
Scotland v Japan in Gloucester (World Cup, Pool B)
France v Romania in London (World Cup, Pool D)

Briefly
Australia should account for Fiji. The Australians play their first game in this world cup whilst Fiji accounted well for themselves in the opening game against England. I expect Fiji to last the distance with Australia until the last twenty minutes.
Prediction: Australia 34-16

Can Japan repeat the fantastic performance they put up against South Africa? If they can play as well again they could well win two in a row. The question is-Can they play another cracker of a game. Scotland will be prepared. Their form has been poor this year and Japan could well create another upset.
Prediction: Japan 28-24

Romania has been going from strength to strength this year, slowly building a good side. They could well give the French a torrid time up front but I expect the French to outlast Romania.
Prediction: France 38-12