1 NEW ZEALAND
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Tempting to look to the vulnerability shown against Argentina, the desperation of Richie McCaw’s yellow card and the way Nehe Milner-Skudder butchered such a glorious chance. But more relevant is the final half an hour. Victory looked in doubt after 50 minutes but the response was phenomenal and, in retrospect, typical. Sonny Bill Williams’s intervention was imperious – he also shone against Namibia – while Aaron Smith demonstrated he is the world’s premier scrum-half. It was another lesson that no one can cope with the All Blacks when they find top gear. Last autumn Wales lived with them for 65 minutes and the year before that Ireland for 79, but the result was the same. They were made to work by the Namibians but there was far too much quality to marvel at – who else can stick 550 caps on the bench?
• Milner-Skudder scored two tries, made 95 metres against Namibia and was voted man of the match. Some response to his horror show against Argentina.
Next match: Georgia, Friday 2 October (Pool C)
2 FRANCE
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In the absence of any genuine flair they still underwhelm some ardent supporters but there is an austere quality to France. They are lacking in frills but exude power. It is not pretty, it can be bleak but it is mightily impressive. They could not overpower Romania at scrum time but then not many teams can, and their class eventually told with late tries from Wesley Fofana and Gaël Fickou. Losing Yoann Huget is a considerable blow but Philippe Saint-André made 13 changes to the side that beat Italy, demonstrating the strength at his disposal. France against Italy tends to be an uninspiring fixture and that was again the case last Saturday – Craig Joubert’s refereeing did not help – but Les Bleus’ power was pivotal, typified by the bullocking Louis Picamoles. Expect more of the same against Canada on Thursday.
• Saint-André’s greatest concern will be the 29 penalties conceded in two matches. Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton will punish similar ill-discipline.
Next match: Canada, Thursday 1 October (Pool D)
3 AUSTRALIA
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Will they rue a missed bonus point against Fiji? It is unlikely, save for a draw in Pool A, but the Wallabies would have liked the added momentum it gave England even if Michael Cheika refused to admit it. Still, Australia were in fine fettle – not flashy but very professional and the performance of David Pocock at No8 will give Messrs Lancaster and Gatland sleepless nights. The set piece went to pot in the last 20 minutes though overall Australia were tactically astute, refusing to be drawn into an open game that would have suited Fiji while Michael Hooper ruthlessly chopped down the heavy carriers. We know their backs can play but Bernard Foley brings structure at No10 and we will see 14 different starters against Uruguay. So far the most polished team in Pool A.
• In perhaps the best individual performance of the tournament so far, David Pocock made 16 tackles, won three turnovers and scored two tries against Fiji.
Next match: Uruguay, Sunday 27 September (Pool A)
4 ENGLAND
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The selections at 10, 12 and 13 means knives will be out should Wales batter their way through the heavy artillery in midfield. England had their problems against Fiji, namely the scrum, breakdown and a lack of direction that has cost George Ford his place, but more worrying was an inability to think for themselves. Fiji’s scrum is vastly improved, although at times it did not look legal at Twickenham, hence England’s difficulties. The bigger problem, though, is that no one had the gumption to do anything about it. England became more direct only when a raft of replacements were brought on – coaches intervening rather than players. It is likely to be tight against Wales so the bench may again be decisive, but Warren Gatland will not complain that the Bath fly-half is not starting. The form of Mike Brown and Tom Wood were genuine positives against Fiji though, as was the fourth try.
• Mike Brown made 191m in England’s opening victory against Fiji – more than 100m further than anyone else on the night.
Next match: Wales, Saturday 26 September (Pool A)
5 IRELAND
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Better but still not brilliant. Apart from DTH van der Merwe’s try, when Jonathan Sexton kicked straight into his hands, Canada did not threaten at all. Defensively, Ireland are very hard to break down but are far from fluid in attack. This pool is shaping up to be a slow-burner until Ireland’s final match against France. Joe Schmidt will be pretty content with that but again his side left you with the feeling they are holding something back, not yet at full throttle. The worry for Ireland fans, optimistic from what we have seen, that – with the obvious exception of Japan against South Africa – defences will dictate the destination of the trophy this year, is that there is nothing up the sleeve.
• Ireland’s seven tries against Canada put them joint third on the scorers’ list and they were scored by seven different players.
Next match: Romania, Sunday 27 September (Pool D)
6. SCOTLAND
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The party-poopers but nonetheless eye-catching in bursting Japan’s bubble. It is easy to argue Scotland’s rustiness kept Japan in it in the first half and fitness eventually told – their five tries came in the second half. But in the fly-half Finn Russell Scotland have a lovely player and there are not many better midfield partnerships than Mark Bennett and Matt Scott. John Hardie was also sharp at openside. They will be buoyed by South Africa’s shock defeat, pleased that it is Samoa rather than themselves facing the Springboks next and hopeful both sides knock seven bells out of each other. Defensive solidity will please Vern Cotter just as much as the tries, and they should continue to progress against the USA on Sunday.
• They ran in five tries but also made 185 tackles, at a 94% success rate, and conceded only nine penalties.
Next match: USA, Sunday 27 September (Pool B)
7 WALES
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The virtues of Warrenball are by now well known and England are clearly expecting it. Stopping it, however, will be far harder. It is difficult to read too much into the victory over Uruguay – a slow start was followed by a flurry of tries before injuries, most worryingly to Samson Lee, struck again. And so, much rests on the sizeable shoulders of Tomas Francis. You get the feeling Warren Gatland is still keeping cards close to his chest when it comes to injuries but they can at least call on plenty of cavalry in the shape of Alan Wyn Jones, George North, Dan Biggar and Taulupe Faletau. In Sam Warburton they also have a superior operator at the breakdown to anyone in the England ranks, and it is a safe bet Dan Lydiate’s tackle count will be through the roof.
• Against Uruguay Wales scored eight tries but more impressive were the six scrums against the head and the 25 lineouts won.
Next match: England, Saturday September 26 (Pool A)
8 ARGENTINA
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Inspired for 50 minutes, outclassed for 30, but the fact that the overriding emotion was disappointment rather than surprise in what they had nearly done against the All Blacks bodes well. As is to be expected, they scrummaged well but there are some talented backs as well. Marcelo Bosch oozes class and Joaquín Tuculet excelled at Wembley. Key against Georgia will be continuing to show faith in those talents rather than getting drawn into the arm wrestle that their opponents would thrive on. So far they look every bit worthy of a quarter-final spot, and victory against Georgia can all but settle it.
• Juan Martín Hernández is a class act but he missed six tackles against New Zealand.
Next match: Georgia, Friday September 25 (Pool C)
9. SOUTH AFRICA
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Hell hath no fury like a Springbok scorned, so expect the first few collisions against Samoa to be monumental. Chastised by their public, sports minister and coach, Heyneke Meyer, South Africa are going back to basics. Much like England, the expansiveness that has been the focus in recent times has gone out the window. South Africa will play to their strengths from here on in, all abrasive, suffocating power. With their low tackling, Japan showed the limitations of that kind of strategy but the return of Willie le Roux and in particular Duane Vermeulen is welcome. They is so much more balance with Vermeulen, Francois Louw and Schalk Burger in the back row.
• If ever there was evidence the Springboks are an ageing side, they enjoyed 76% territory in the first half against Japan and only 40% in the second.
Next match: Samoa, Saturday 26 September (Pool B)
10 JAPAN
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There was perhaps an inevitability to the manner of their defeat to Scotland but Japan have brought this competition to life. Turning down the penalty in favour of going for the match-winning try against South Africa was – as JK Rowling pointed out – pure fiction. Indeed fortune favoured the Brave Blossoms throughout. Eddie Jones’ fingerprints were all over the performance but he must now earn his corn by reminding his players that qualification remains a huge possibility. They will have to beat Samoa next Saturday but at least they have some time off until then. A noteworthy mention too for Ayumu Goromaru, who followed up a nerveless display against the Springboks with a remarkable tackle against Scotland. The stand-out back of the tournament so far.
• Goromaru has scored the most points, the most penalties and a wonderful try against South Africa. There are plenty of world class full-backs about but none as good so far.
Next match: Samoa, Saturday October 3 (Pool B)
11. SAMOA
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Mission accomplished against the USA’s rough diamonds, with a stand-out performance from Tusi Pisi at fly-half, the most pleasing element for Stephen Betham. Brute force up front coupled with some scintillating backs – none more so than Tim Nanai-Williams – will always make Samoa dangerous but to have Pisi marshalling his troops like this brings an added dimension, even if he still needs to improve his goal-kicking. If you were to handpick a side to face the wounded Springboks it would be Samoa. Villa Park will be rattled to the rafters.
• Sonny Bill Williams is having a fine tournament but so is his cousin Tim Nanai-Williams. He made three clean breaks and 83m against the USA.
Next match: South Africa, Saturday September 26 (Pool B)
12 GEORGIA
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You have to feel for them. A fourth World Cup victory in their history in a match they really were not expected to win but they became a mere footnote, forced into the shadows by Japan’s performance just a couple of hours later. They made more than 200 tackles against Tonga – more than his fair share coming from their indomitable captain, Mamuka Gorgodze – and managed victory despite only 28% possession and 26% territory. If they can reduce their match with Argentina to a battle up front they may be dreaming of a first place in the quarter-finals.
• Only seven players have made more than 20 tackles and only three of them have played one match – and they are all Georgian, led by Gorgodze’s 24.
Next match: Argentina, Friday September 25 (Pool C)
13 FIJI
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Another defeat to Australia effectively ends their slim hopes of qualification but they continue to earn admirers. With the Wallabies on top at half-time, Fiji could have folded, not least because they ran out of puff against England. But they went back to the well, were on top for prolonged spells of the second half and got a try through Ben Volavola, the talented if error-prone fly-half. They have made such impressive strides in terms of structure and organisation and would have given England an almighty scare with a more accurate kicker.
• In the last 10 minutes against Australia Fiji had 82% territory and 68% possession, five days after facing England at Twickenham.
Next match: Wales, Thursday October 1 (Pool A)
14 ITALY
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That there were 34 penalties in their defeat to France tells you all you need to know about their opening match at Twickenham. Italy brought endeavour but very little else. They are a side short of confidence, again without their totemic captain, Sergio Parisse, against Canada and the revamp to be brought about by Jacques Brunel’s successor cannot come quick enough. That said, they ought to have too much for Canada, can squeeze past Romania and have beaten Ireland as recently as 2013. An unlikely quarter-final spot is not entirely out of the question yet.
• Parisse missed the defeat to France and misses out against Canada. Italy last won without him in June 2012.
Next match: Canada, Saturday 26 September (Pool D)
15 USA
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A frustratingly naive performance against Samoa that brought glimpses of obvious improvements but was ultimately let down by a lack of discipline, as their captain, Chris Wyles, admitted afterwards. The Saracens man’s try was a beauty, though, and – thanks in no small part to their sevens investment – their skill-sets are getting sharper swiftly. They are rather unfortunate that Japan’s emergence in turn labels them as the whipping boys in their pool; Scotland are likely to inflict a second defeat, South Africa a third, so their final match, against Japan, will be their likely chance to take something home with them.
• In their 25-16 defeat to Samoa, USA conceded 15 penalties, more than double their opponents’ count.
Next match: Scotland, Sunday 27 September (Pool B)
16 TONGA
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A highly dispiriting defeat to Georgia despite enjoying so much of the ball. Things did not go their way, they were two disallowed tries and while they did finally stir themselves with Fetu’u Vainikolo’s score, they ran out of time. Typical of Tonga really. Four years ago they beat France but did not reach the last eight because it came after losing to Canada. Expect them to vent their fury at Namibia on Tuesday but that may be as good as it gets.
• Tonga made 395m against Georgia, who managed only 210, and made just 48 tackles despite their seven-point defeat
Next match: Namibia, Tuesday 29 September (Pool C)
17 ROMANIA
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More than held their own against France for 25 minutes – indeed theirs was the superior scrum – and it was not until the prop Paulica Ion was shown a yellow card that Romania buckled. Lynn Howells has Romania playing to their strengths up front and while they will not feature in too many highlights reels, no one is going to embarrass them. Ireland will be similarly tough on Sunday but Howells will relish the return to Wembley, having been part of the Welsh side that denied Clive Woodward’s England the 1999 Five Nations in spectacular style at the old stadium.
• Against France they scrummaged well but missed 27 tackles whereas Les Bleus missed only six.
Next match: Ireland, Sunday 27 September (Pool D)
18 NAMIBIA
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There was a lovely video that sprung up, just a few hours before kick-off, of Namibia having a sing-song en route to face the All Blacks – so calm in preparing for a match they knew they could not win and then so fearless on the field. But there was a moment midway through the first half that rather summed up their night. Sonny Bill Williams was five yards out from the try line and another score looked inevitable when Jacques Burger hit him with one of his ferocious tackles. Problem was, the ball had gone, another sumptuous offload, and Malakai Fekitoa was over. So committed but inevitably outclassed.
• They made only 61m against the All Blacks and one clean break, although they won more turnovers – six to New Zealand’s five.
Next match: Tonga, Tuesday 29 September (Pool C)
19 URUGUAY
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The expected cricket score against Wales did not materialise – Uruguay even found themselves 6-0 up after 10 minutes – and while they were shoved all over the place by the Welsh forwards, they allowed their opponents no rhythm in Cardiff. The problem is going to be maintaining those levels in their next three matches. Australia are up next and are changing 14 of their XV – a luxury unfathomable to the Uruguayans.
• Despite Wales running in eight tries, Uruguay made fewer tackles than their opponents - 104 to 110.
Next match: Australia, Sunday 27 September (Pool A)
20 CANADA
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The writing was on the wall when their captain, Jamie Cudmore, was sent to the sinbin after 17 minutes against Ireland. They may have been on a hiding to nothing but it was the most one-sided match so far. Reasons for optimism are few but at least Italy, their opponents on Saturday, were similarly poor in their opening game against France. They may fancy an upset against the Azzurri, although it is unlikely. Some belief would help as it was patently lacking against Ireland.
• When Cudmore was sent to the sinbin Canada were 3-0 down. A minute after he returned the score was 22-0.
Next match: Italy, Saturday 26 September (Pool D)
