And then there were eight
So, the 2011 World Cup will now enter its knock-out phase. Just eight teams remain. Who would you pick as your winner at this stage?
As we look ahead to next weekend’s four quarterfinal match-ups, it’s amazing, actually, how much can change in a week…
Just seven days ago New Zealand were the talk of town after their demolition job of France… Now, the Kiwis’ World Cup campaign is potentially in tatters after the competition-ending groin injury sustained by their mercurial No.10 Dan Carter. (Not to mention Richie McCaw’s foot injury still bothering him – which also forced him out of the Canadian clash on Sunday.)
Defending champions, the Springboks, suffered a big injury of their own when Frans Steyn was ruled out of RWC 2011 with a shoulder injury, whilst they were very nearly without utility back Francois Hougaard after he took a heavy knock to his head in an unlucky collision shortly after taking to the field as a replacement.
France, however, went from bad to worse. After losing 17-37 to the All Blacks last weekend, they slipped to a 14-19 defeat to Tonga on Saturday – very nearly costing them a quarterfinal place; Vincent Clerc’s late try just seeing them home (thanks to the losing bonus point).
England could easily have joined France on the plane home, had they not rallied from behind on Saturday to beat a passionate Scottish team 16-12 in Auckland; manager Martin Johnson admitting as much to the media afterwards. (Not to mention the latest ‘sex scandal’ that is now hanging over the England camp!)
The Six Nations rivals – England and France – will no go head-to-head in a quarterfinal in Auckland in one of two all-northern hemisphere battles, the other seeing Ireland (who topped Pool A) taking on Wales in Wellington. (Both these matches will be played on Saturday.)
Sunday will see the Tri-Nations (or should that be Four Nations?) superpowers go head-to-head as the Boks take on the wobbly Wallabies – who have their own injury concerns – and hosts, the All Blacks, taking on the determined Pumas from Argentina.
Given that line-up, would you risk your had-earned beer money on picking four winners?
Surely – based on who topped their pools – it has to be Ireland, England, SA and New Zealand? But what about Wales, France, Australia and Argentina (respectively)?
The only given at this stage would have to be that last QF clash – NZ v Argentina (on Sunday); the Pumas having never beaten the All Blacks in an international Test match. Also, NZ have never lost a RWC match at home and have not lost at Eden Park since 1994 – 25 Tests ago.
Ireland and Wales have met twice before in RWC history; both in pool matches and both sides winning one clash each. In 1987, also in Wellington, Wales beat Ireland 13-6. In 1995, in South Africa (Johannesburg), Ireland won 24-23. There is hardly anything to choose between these two sides in World Cup history.
England have not lost a ‘live’ RWC knock-out match to France in three previous meetings (1991 – QFs, 2003 – SFs, and 2007 – SFs); their only defeat to Les Bleus in World Cup history coming in the third/fourth-place play-off match at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in SA.
SA and Australia have met twice in RWC history – in 1995 and 1999.
On both occasions the eventual tournament winners triumphed; in ’95 SA beat the Wallabies 27-18 in the opening match of the tournament in Cape Town and in ’99 Australia beat SA (the defending champions) in extra-time of their semifinal clash at Twickenham.
Care to make a bet now, anyone?
(CLICK HERE for the full quarterfinals line-up!)
Pointing the way forward:
As we head into the knock-out phase of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, which players are worth keeping an eye on during the next three weeks?
Well, the top points- and try-scorers, of course!
Leading points-scorers at RWC 2011:
53 – Morné Steyn (South Africa)
45 – Kurt Morath (Tonga)
39 – Ronan O’Gara (Ireland)
36 – Colin Slade (New Zealand)
35 – James O’Connor (Australia)
34 – James Arlidge (Japan)
33 – Dimitri Yachvili (France)
30 – Chris Ashton (England)
28 – Merab Kvirikashvili (Georgia), Morgan Parra (France)
26 – Jonny Wilkinson (England)
25 – Adam Ashley-Cooper (Australia), Vincent Clerc (France), Israel Dagg (New Zealand), Tusi Pisi (Samoa), Rhys Priestland (Wales)
* Broken down a bit further:
Most tries: 6 – Ashton; 5 – Dagg, Ashley-Cooper, Clerc
Most conversions: 14 – Slade, Steyn; 12 – O’Connor
Most penalties: 11 – Morath; 8 – Kvirikashvili
Most drop-goals: 3 – Theuns Kotze (Namibia), Dan Parks (Scotland); 2 – Ander Monro (Canada)
Ciao Nick!
Sunday’s 6-36 defeat to Ireland not only meant the end of the road for Italy in the 2011 World Cup, but it also signalled coach Nick Mallett’s final game in charge of the Azzurri.
The former Springbok boss coached Italy on 42 occasions, with nine wins and 33 defeats during his four-year reign.
He said after Sunday’s loss: “It’s very hard to think this could have been the last match with them, it’s very hard to say how this feels.”
However, Mallett also revealed afterwards that he had a chat with Irish coach Declan Kidney, which left the South African feeling “incredibly touched” – something which really does warm the cockles of one’s heart.
Said Mallett: “I was incredibly touched by what Declan Kidney said to me at the end.
“He’s an amazing gentleman and rugby is very privileged to have men like him running national sides.
“To have another coach say the things he did was very touching.”
Neither man would reveal the details of their conversation. (For more on this, READ HERE.)
A nice touch from the opposition:
With all the talk in New Zealand still surrounding Carter’s groin injury, it was always going to be interesting to hear from opposition players and coaches what their thoughts were on Carter’s unfortunate withdrawal from RWC 2011.
One man asked about the loss of Carter was countryman Warren Gatland who currently coaches Wales and whom many believe could – in the future – take over the All Blacks coaching job from Graham Henry.
“I think a few teams will be a little bit happier that he’s been ruled out,” said Gatland.
“It’s unfortunate for Dan because I know what it means to him and if you want to beat a team, you want to beat them with their best players available.
“So I don’t think anyone would take any delight in Dan Carter being injured and being ruled out of the World Cup.”
* Some Dan Carter comments seen on Twitter in the last 24 hours:
– “Gutted for Dan Carter, a true genius of the game and a top guy.” England loose forward James Haskell (@jameshaskell).
– “Frans injury a big loss for us. He is just a special player. Also feeling really sorry for Dan Carter.” Springbok lock Victor Matfield (@VictorMatfield).
– “Really sad news on Dan Carter. Best player in the world. Will be measure of the ABs now to see if they can go on and win.” Scotland scrumhalf Rory Lawson (@rorylawson9).
– “Feeling for my boi Dan Carter right now.. You train all your life to become an All Black and wait another 4years to play a world cup #Gutted.” All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata (@NeemiaTialata).
– “So sad, Dan Carter out of World Cup! They should ring Nick Evans NOW!!!” 2003 England World Cup winner, and current TV pundit, Will Greenwood (@GreenwoodRugby).
– “Very sad about Dan Carter. brilliant player,humble guy & one of the most likeable. he would have been brilliant on the biggest stage #rugby.” Former England captain Will Carling (@willcarling).
– “Don’t know Dan Carter at all but feel so sorry for him. He just seems so nice and humble, despite being the greatest player of a generation.” Bath and England prop David Flatman (@davidflatman).
– “Nick Evans. Got ya phone on?” Former All Blacks – and current Toulon – prop Carl Hayman (@Carlhayman).
Mum’s the word for Piri’s mother:
When Piri Weepu, the All Blacks replacement scrum half, came on after 50 minutes of Sunday’s match against Canada, there was no prouder mum in the stadium than Kura Weepu.
She was also the first person to congratulate him when he came off the ground by virtue of her role as a security officer in the Wellington Regional Stadium players tunnel.
Kura has worked at the stadium since 2004 but has never drawn a wage. Instead, her pay goes to help disadvantaged children in the local community with their sporting and educational development.
And the best part about working at the stadium during the Rugby World Cup?
“I get to kiss and cuddle my boy straight after the game,” she said.
With thanks to rugbyworldcup.com
