C is for…
Cruise. New Zealand do not lose pool games. As the defending champions and No1 team in the world they have been given the least taxing assignments in the early stages of the World Cup. They always stroll through. This time will be no different. Namibia, the weakest team here, will be swept aside. Georgia and Tonga will be physical but will be overrun. Even Argentina, who pushed the All Blacks with great determination in their quarter-final of 2011 in Auckland, cannot hope to beat them. In fact the Pumas, with an eye on the runners-up spot, may not pitch their first XV into the fray, although, since it is their opening game, they will not want to be showing too many signs of vulnerability to Tonga and Georgia. The reward for Argentina as second qualifiers is a likely quarter-final against either France or Ireland. That will suit them fine. Managing safe passage to that second spot will be a little tricky for the Pumas, but it is a solid target. New Zealand’s target of finishing first is cushy, but then the mind games start, the weirdness of being New Zealand at the World Cup. Logic says they are the best by a distance, even if Dan Carter is not the player he once was and Richie McCaw’s engine must surely one day begin to tire – no signs yet. But funny things happen, even in Camp Kiwi. No team have yet won two World Cups back to back. And New Zealand may run into France at some point.
Key match
Argentina v Georgia (25 September, Gloucester). It’s a stand-alone Friday fixture at Kingsholm, where they have had to learn to love pretty rugby, but still have a yearning for a good old rumble. Georgia are excellent up front, as are Argentina. This may be one to light up the bulbs of nostalgia in the West Country.
Watch out for …
Argentina are not exactly young, but Agustín Creevy as the hooker and captain brings a vitality to the field, as does the veteran flanker Juan Manuel Leguizamón in the back row. Should the ball be taken through the hands – not entirely out of the question – Juan Imhoff is outstanding on the wing.
