Group A

Teams:  New Zealand, France, Tonga, Japan, Canada

Can the All Blacks finally live up to the hype?

Colm: It is difficult to see anyone, let alone France, Canada, Japan or Tonga, preventing New Zealand from World Cup glory. Not only do they boast an extraordinary 95% winning record at home, the only team many believe capable of stopping them, the Wallabies, have not tasted success in Auckland since 1986. There are no excuses for New Zealand if they do not win. However, the key matchup in Pool A will be New Zealand vs France. New Zealand have twice been dumped out of the cup by France (1999, 2007) and so will be wary of giving them any leeway. However, they will not meet in the knock out stages of the competition, so don’t expect New Zealand to choke this time. New Zealand and France should go through, although expect Japan to give the French a tough time with their fast running style.

Ed: Group A has two excellent teams, New Zealand and France who will most likely dominate the table. Canada, Tonga and Japan finish up the rest of the group. All of these teams play exceptionally well; all of the games from this group will be excellent to watch! Keep an eye out for the first game of the group between New Zealand and Tonga which looks to be an excellent match up and an excellent way to start the competition. Also, Japan; for a country where rugby isn’t that big, the team has traditionally played well. Japan won the Asian Five Nations this year including a victory over Tonga. If there will be an upset winner of the group, Japan will be it. I think New Zealand will win all of their games easily; the home ground advantage should also help. I expect New Zealand to win the cup this year too – just as long as they don’t follow tradition!

Gordon: Interesting group this. New Zealand should have no problems, it could be an emotional tournament after the disaster in Christchurch earlier this year, but expect that to gel the team together rather than distract. The rest of the field could produce some shocks. I think France are bit overrated at the moment whilst Tonga are not slouches. The islanders are going to have a HUGE fan base in New Zealand so that could prove a vital lift for them. Japan is definitely on the rise and if they get a good start could be a huge dark horse for the group. However, for Canada, I don’t think it will be anything more or less than a learning experience. I think New Zealand and France will qualify, but don’t be surprised to see Tonga go through at France’s expense.

Who’ll go through?

Colm: New Zealand, France

Ed: New Zealand, France

Gordon: New Zealand, France

—–

Group B

Teams: England, Scotland, Argentina, Georgia, Romania

Can the Pumas spring some upsets?

Colm:Pool B is very difficult to predict, as it contains Six Nation stalwarts England and Scotland, whilst it also contains the surprise packet of 2007, Argentina. Georgia and Romania make up the numbers. England have a habit of struggling at pool stages so don’t be surprised if Argentina gives them a hard time. That said, with the form England is in, they should qualify 1st and book a mouth-watering quarter-final with France. The key clash will be Scotland vs Argentina to see who plays New Zealand in the quarters. The conditions in New Zealand are more suited to Scottish rugby so expect a low-scoring penalty-fest here, with Scotland to scrape home.

Ed: Group B really only has England as a team that will shine. Not to say that other teams such as Romania and Argentina won’t perform badly, but don’t expect any big games from this group. That being said, it will be interesting to watch games such as England and Argentina – who fought a war in 1982. Overall, expect big hits and some good tries but nothing more. Still, watch some of the England games, you might be pleasantly surprised. Scotland is a team to watch here as well, if not for any particular result but the possibility of an upset victory. Scotland hasn’t done too well this year and lost to Japan not that long ago, however they have in the past performed very well when push comes to shove. England and Argentina are the teams to watch in this group, both are easily the best teams in the group and should perform admirably.

Gordon: Pretty easy group here for England and really, they should top it without much fuss, with competition from Scotland and Argentina for the second spot. England I believe is one of the four teams capable of lifting the trophy this year and should challenge the bigger boys in the knockout stages. I think Argentina have been the big improvers in world rugby of late and I think they’ll just pip Scotland. The important thing for them will be getting themselves up for and beating the ‘smaller’ opponents. Unfortunately for Georgia and Romania, things could get messy very easily for them in this group.

Who’ll go through?

Colm: England, Scotland

Ed: England, Argentina

Gordon: England, Argentina

—–

Group C

Teams: Australia, Ireland, Italy, USA, Russia

Colm:Despite the Australia-Ireland crunch match, the most eagerly awaited encounter in this Pool is the Cold War, USA vs Russia, a game of nuclear proportions! In terms of a winner, you would be a brave man to bet against the Wallabies, Tri-Nations champions, in their current form. Ireland however, have a history of scaring them and will fight tooth and nail to prevent Australia from finishing first. Despite this, the key encounter will be Ireland vs Italy. Ireland have been in poor form lately and Italy have recently won their first six-nations victory. Expect a passion-filled game that goes down to the wire.

Can the Wallabies continue their strong form and win a third World Cup?

Ed: Group C offers a major contender in Australia and is also the only group to have a team qualify for the first time – Russia. I think that Russia and the United States game will be fun to watch, the US traditionally doesn’t perform well at all. Italy and Ireland round out the group, both are pretty good, the Irish are also fun to watch. It’s a pretty interesting group with a mix of talent, but Australia tops it for me. As for a dark horse, I can’t decide between Italy and Ireland. Both play well and both have good teams. That being said, the US might pull a rabbit out of the hat and do rather well, this group is probably the most likely to have an extra special surprise! I’m not sure just how far Australia will go, but they are in my pick for the top four. Ireland I think will be a good chance to qualify as well, the Italians have a tendency to run out of steam so to speak.

Gordon: Australia is probably the form nation in the world at the moment after winning the Tri Nations, expect some strong performances from them as they look to become the first ever nation to win the cup three times. Ireland worry me, they’re one of the most inconsistent sides in the world and could struggle against the Italians. However, they were the only team to beat England in the Six Nations earlier this year – so anything is possible with them! Italy have a real chance and a great kicking game, however I get the feeling they might come up just short.

Who’ll go through?

Colm: Australia, Ireland

Ed: Australia, Ireland

Gordon: Australia, Ireland

—–

Group D

Teams: South Africa, Wales, Samoa, Fiji, Namibia

Colm:The most difficult pool to predict. With South Africa fielding an ageing team and Samoa, Fiji and Wales slugging it out for a likely 2nd spot three way struggle. Although Samoa recently defeated the Wallabies, it is difficult to see South Africa allowing them the same liberties. Despite their form, South Africa should win this pool. However, if they reach the end of the group stages without injuries from the Pacific Islander bruisers, it will be nothing short of a minor-miracle! Wales have a history of losing to the Islanders at World Cup time (Samoa 1991, 1999; Fiji 2007). Expect lightning to strike again. Samoa should progress using the confidence they have gained lately, although the must see match is Fiji vs Samoa. Fast running rugby, with huge hits and a cricket scoreboard. What more could you want?

Will the Springboks become the first side to win back-to-back Cups?

Ed: Finally group D. Fiji and South Africa look to dominate this table, with Wales, Samoa and Namibia rounding out the group. For a group of good games, this is probably the one to watch. Both Samoa and Fiji play really well, with the Samoa v Australia game earlier this year being exceptionally interesting to watch – with that upset victory to Samoa. Samoa is of course the dark horse here with the upset victory against Australia, playing very well and having quite a good team. It’s debatable however just how much of skill was required to win against Australia, due to benching of players, but still, Samoa, watch them! Fiji and South Africa will most likely top the table. South Africa have always been a top team and have been playing quite well this year, if not a tad patchy. Fiji also traditionally have done well. Their big forwards should help them against teams within this group.

Gordon: I love a speckie and every world cup, no matter the sport, seems to have one. I’m going with Fiji in what is an obvious ‘group of death’ if you like. Wales and Samoa will be in contention as well, whilst South Africa should be fine – although they’ll be tested. I think the Fijians are a real chance with their willingness to throw the ball around and go at the opposition from the start. At the same time it may be an omen for failure, but I’ve got a good feeling about the men in white! In saying that, the Samoans have plenty of form with them and I’ll go as far as saying that the only team the Welsh will finish above is Namibia.

Who’ll go through?

Colm: South Africa, Samoa

Ed: South Africa, Fiji

Gordon: South Africa, Fiji

—–

Who Do You Fancy?

So there are all of our picks as we await the start of what is sure to be another fantastic World Cup! Stay tuned to Injury Time throughout the Rugby World Cup for some great coverage of the tournament and be sure to tell us your thoughts below!

Offence... Pim looks like he will start both Josh Kennedy (left) and Tim Cahill (middle) up front, finally, some might add.

Why?

Australia always performs at their best when it seems no one gives them a chance. Let’s go back four years. The Socceroos could only manage a pre-match draw with Liechtenstein and journalists were writing us off, claiming we are lucky to score a goal let alone a win. But we made the second round.

Let’s go back even further to the game which meant the Socceroos qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Facing a daunting qualifier against Uruguay, the South Americans took a one-goal lead to Sydney. So much did they dominate in that game that the South Americans said it would be a ‘travesty’ if they didn’t beat the Aussies. The rest is history.

Still not convinced?

Serbia have NEVER won a game against a non-European based team at the World Cup and even more telling is that in those three games, they conceded 10 goals. They couldn’t beat New Zealand pre-tournament, they hardly dominated either. Also, so cocky it seems are the Serbians that Coach Radomir Antic has hinted at resting players on a yellow card so they don’t risk a suspension.

If that is true, which we doubt, he will have to rest his entire starting back line and strikers Zigic and Kuzmanovic. But still, like every other team that has played Australia this World Cup, they think a win is a certain result.

What about those red cards you say?

Well here are the facts. Australia have played more than half of their two games with 10 men and have only conceded three goals in that period. Add to the fact that the two players sent off are arguably Australia’s two greatest players at this Cup.

Some are also suggesting that the Australians will also be unable to keep up with Serbia’s slick possession and passing game. But when you look more carefully, Australia have run as astounding 10 kilometres more than Serbia, so they certainly won’t have time to dwell on the ball.

Who’s the ref though?!

Jorge Luis Larrionda Pietrafesa is his name and let’s hope he’s not the reason behind more idiotic decisions. He is card happy and has come under corruption allegations recently, just what we need. The worst thing is that he is from Uruguay! Who appoints these bloody refs? Hopefully he is a bit happier after Uruguay’s undefeated qualification for the round of 16!

Fact is, when the Socceroos have needed to step up in the past they have. They did it against Ghana and I think they’ll do it again here. Form is loss, draw so technically it should equate to a win next in the cycle! Whether or not it’ll be enough to qualify is debatable, but the Germans and Ghanaians are still both a chance to miss out on the next round so let’s hope they get stuck into each other!

Aus 3-1 Serbia.