The waiting is nearly over...
With the 2007 Rugby World Cup upon us, 1999 RWC centre and sport365 columnist Robbie Fleck looks at South Africa’s opening game this weekend, whilst also making a few RWC predictions of his own.
So, we’re just a few days away now from South Africa’s first match at the Rugby World Cup and to be honest, there’s not really a lot more to say at this stage, with Jake White’s team having done all the hard work already over the last four years.
Jake’s had virtually the same squad since taking over after the last World Cup and this is what he’s been building towards – if they’re not properly prepared now, they never will be…
But credit must go to Jake for all the work he’s put in. He took over a very creaky Bok ship at the start of 2004 after a disastrous World Cup, not to mention all the Kamp Staaldraad drama, but he has moulded this side into a feared unit, which are probably second only to New Zealand going into the tournament.
The big focus right now will obviously be on the Samoan match. Next week’s England match is a big one – and a crucial one… – but the Boks will be looking at getting past the Samoans first, before putting one past England.
Some would say that the Boks shouldn’t take Samoa for granted, and, to a degree, I agree with that, but they also need to believe in themselves and have a bit of arrogance in their own abilities. They are good enough to beat Samoa and England in the space of a few days – it’s an arrogance that we saw in the England team of 2003 and the Australian side of 1999; an arrogance that makes the players believe they can do it.
There will, of course, be a few nerves in the Bok camp at the moment, which is natural. Some guys like Butch James, Bryan Habana and Jean de Villiers have never been to a World Cup, but it’s only natural that they’re starting to feel a bit nervous in the lead-up to the opening match.
In a sense a World Cup is a bit like a tour, you have your ‘Test’ matches and your ‘midweek’ matches, but all 30 players in the squad have to pull together to make a success of things. Even better though, there is more to it than just the rugby and the guys will be able to take in some sights in France and also get a chance to mingle with the fans.
I remember in 1999 how the further we got into the tournament the more fans started popping up around our base. This year, however, the fans will be there from the start – there’s a different expectation from this side, but the guys will relish those expectations and their confidence should be high as a result.
The Boks could not have asked for a better first-up fixture than Samoa, especially with England (who could be without Jonny Wilkinson) next up. Samoa will climb into the Boks from the word go and get stuck in, but it’s the perfect way to welcome them into the World Cup and prepare themselves for England and set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
Fleckie’s first-round RWC predictions:
France v Argentina: Argentina are a good side, and strong up front, but France, at home and with their backline are my pick. France by 10 points.
New Zealand v Italy: I’m predicting a hiding here – New Zealand by at least 40 points.
Australia v Japan: I’m predicting another hiding here – Australia will boss Japan in every facet of the game and win by at least 40 points.
England v USA: Expect a typical English performance. Without Wilkinson Olly Barkley will be a weak link, but they will smash the USA up front and win by 30 points.
Wales v Canada: This is an interesting one… It will be close, but Wales to win by 10-15 points.
South Africa v Samoa: South Africa will win by 15-20 points in what should be the most physical match of the weekend.
Scotland v Portugal: This should be another big one – Scotland by 40, at least.
Ireland v Namibia: This match will produce the biggest hiding of the weekend, Ireland, even if BOD does play, are a fantastic side, with all the players well aware of their exact roles in the team.
Enjoy the opening weekend,
Robbie Fleck
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