RWC semifinals: What the experts say...
New Zealand will meet Wales in the 2011 World Cup Final.
That is the view of a number of experts canvassed by this website, ahead of this coming weekend’s semifinals.
Only one expert, retired Springbok prop Robbie Kempson, hinted at a French upset over Wales in Saturday’s seminal. The others all backed the Dragons to continue their impressive run and reach a World Cup Final for the first time.
It was unanimous on the other side of the draw, with all of those canvassed prediction a New Zealand win over Australia on Sunday.
WHAT OUR EXPERTS THINK AHEAD OF THE WEEKEND:
Brendan Venter’s predictions:
“I believe it will be Wales and New Zealand [in the Final].
“France are an undisciplined team, who got lucky against England, while Wales play consistently good rugby. It is not by chance that they [Wales] are doing well at present.
“New Zealand are, for me, a far better team than Australia. They do have a problem with [Dan] Carter’s injury, as well as the [Colin] Slade injury, but they remain a better team. It would be heartbreaking if Australia beat New Zealand.”
Corné Krige’s predictions:
“Wales should beat France and I really think Wales are a dark horse for the World Cup now. They’re a young side and play with a lot of confidence, carry the ball well and have defended fantastically so far.
“I think New Zealand might just pip them. They are playing at home and have a lot at stake and they’ll edge out the Australians, but it won’t be a big score. Everyone will lift their games to make up for the loss of Dan Carter.”
Werner Swanepoel’s prediction:
“With the French you never know what to expect and they have been a thorn in New Zealand’s flesh, so the All Blacks won’t want them to win and leave a potato skin for them in the final. Wales have been structured and they can keep the ball away from you, so on current form I have to tip the Welsh by seven.
“Such a difficult one to call, whoever wins the battle between Pocock and McCaw will be on the winning team. I’ll tip the All Blacks based purely on home ground advantage.”
Robbie Kempson’s predictions:
“I tend to say that France will get through to the Final, but that is thinking with the heart as opposed to the head. It is going to be a very interesting game but if France are up for it like they were against the English then I think they will take it.
“It is a no-brainer for me I think that New Zealand will definitely go forward, they have got a lot more to offer than they have shown us at the World Cup so far. That side is not all just about Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, there are a lot of quality individuals within the pack and the backline.
“For them to make as many tackles as they did against us it is probably the most tackles they have ever had to make in internationals. They are more of an attacking flair side which we haven’t really seen as yet but they have been battered by the Springboks and New Zealand will relish the fact that they can take them on, particularly up front.”
Naas Botha’s predictions:
“I still believe that the two better teams in the semifinals, considering the way they have played up till now, is Wales on the one side and New Zealand on the other side.
“The French can upset anybody, Australia have a great chance to rewrite history as the first team to win three World Cups, or becoming the first team to lose a pool game and still win the World Cup.
“I think Wales have really been playing superb rugby, they can still have an off-day and then we all look quite stupid by saying that Wales should win. But I think that Wales have proved a point during this World Cup, I think they are a really well-organised, well-coached side.”
