The Quarter Finals presented four great games with France redeeming their poor showing against Tonga to beat England, Wales peaking right when it counts to beat Ireland, Australia just managing to outlast South Africa and Argentina proving that they would be able to foot it with the All Blacks if they could only sustain their passion for 80 minutes.
So how will the Four Remaining Teams Fare in the Semi's?
It really is so tight that i'm going to base my picks purely on Match Fitness
Wales were fantastic against Ireland and showed better execution, equal passion and good match fitness when compared to France's win. Wales also had a slightly easier game than France and to me that'll decide it.
France showed that they do deserve to be in the playoffs by beating England but both teams were poor and I'm picking that game to have taken enough out of them to have em struggling against Wales.
The effects of a previous fixture on match performance will also be the undoing of Australia. While I believe their freshness following the pool stages helped them against South Africa, this game hurt, requiring their 'go to players' stay on the field and give 100% for the full 80minutes.
A Spanner in the Works
Though I don't want to believe it; history could have a say in this World Cup.
Apparently, every team who beats the previous World Cup Winner goes on to win the title...but we don't take history that seriously right?
The All Blacks had a hard 50minute encounter against Argentina and that hit out will have given them a better sense of the big match familiarity they require to get up for the semi final. It won't have had the same physically taxing effect as the Australia v South Africa game so I'm expecting our boys to run the Aussie to a stand still.
The only way the AB's can loose is if Craig Joubert has a shocker and allows Aussie to slow the game down.
So who will be in the Rugby World Cup Final?
The Mighty All Blacks vs The Perfectly Timed Peakers (is that a word?): Wales
Other points to consider:
Can Wales make their first ever World Cup Final?
What do you think?
So how will the Four Remaining Teams Fare in the Semi's?
It really is so tight that i'm going to base my picks purely on Match Fitness
Wales were fantastic against Ireland and showed better execution, equal passion and good match fitness when compared to France's win. Wales also had a slightly easier game than France and to me that'll decide it.
France showed that they do deserve to be in the playoffs by beating England but both teams were poor and I'm picking that game to have taken enough out of them to have em struggling against Wales.
The effects of a previous fixture on match performance will also be the undoing of Australia. While I believe their freshness following the pool stages helped them against South Africa, this game hurt, requiring their 'go to players' stay on the field and give 100% for the full 80minutes.
A Spanner in the Works
Though I don't want to believe it; history could have a say in this World Cup.
Apparently, every team who beats the previous World Cup Winner goes on to win the title...but we don't take history that seriously right?
The All Blacks had a hard 50minute encounter against Argentina and that hit out will have given them a better sense of the big match familiarity they require to get up for the semi final. It won't have had the same physically taxing effect as the Australia v South Africa game so I'm expecting our boys to run the Aussie to a stand still.
The only way the AB's can loose is if Craig Joubert has a shocker and allows Aussie to slow the game down.
So who will be in the Rugby World Cup Final?
The Mighty All Blacks vs The Perfectly Timed Peakers (is that a word?): Wales
Other points to consider:
- Eden Park-The AB's do not loose to Aussie at Eden Park!
- Injuries Gallore-I've intentionally disregarded the raft of injuries as they effectively cancel one another out...Has Piri really "got this"?
- Is Quade Cooper due a match winning performance? He'll be reeling after his poor Quarter Final
- World Cup Ch@#ers: Four years of success means nothing if our boys choke against Australia
Can Wales make their first ever World Cup Final?
What do you think?
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