September 7, 20231 yr Author 8. Last Dreamer Australia 12-1 (Appearances 10) [best: Winners: 1991,1999] Eddie Jones has rolled the dice with his youthful selection and seems to be fostering a siege mentality among the squad by insisting that everyone, particularly the Australia media, has written the Wallabies off. Handing the captaincy to the La Rochelle lock Will Skelton also carries risk – the multiple Champions Cup winner revealed he didn’t want the job initially but that Jones persuaded him. It will be fascinating to see if Jones and his young squad can make a success of the campaign: the man who masterminded Japan’s victory against South Africa in 2015 surely has a chance of producing something spectacular.
September 7, 20231 yr Author 14. Sarah Japan 500-1 (Apperances 10) [best: Quarter-Finals 2019] The Brave Blossoms have illuminated the past two Rugby World Cups with their commitment to dynamic 15-man rugby, but perhaps have failed to kick on since the resounding success achieved as hosts four years ago. Jamie Joseph, the head coach who succeeded Eddie Jones, will depart after the tournament and a second quarter-final qualification would be a fitting way to sign off. Japan’s only previous World Cup meeting with England came at the 1987 tournament in Sydney, when they were beaten 60-7. It is safe to presume things will be different when they meet in Nice on 17 September.
September 7, 20231 yr Author 20. Dobbo New Zealand 3-1jf (Appearances 10) [best: Winners 1987, 2011, 2015] The consensus seems to be that the All Blacks lack the outright quality that won them titles in 2011 and 2015 but victory in the Rugby Championship this year – including an awesome display to defeat the world champions, South Africa, in Auckland – suggests they will be a match for anyone. The three-times winners fell to a humbling 35-7 defeat by South Africa in their final warm-up match at Twickenham, but perhaps that will only make them hungrier. If the fly-half Richie Mo’unga can replicate his Super Rugby form, he can pull the strings in a magnificently talented back line.
October 9, 20231 yr Author OUT: 8. Last Dreamer- Australia 11. PeteFromLeeds- Scotland 13. Riser- Italy 14. Sarah- Japan
October 9, 20231 yr Author Quarter-Finals: Wales (Houdini) v Argentina (steve201) Ireland v New Zealand (Dobbo) England (King Rollo) v Fiji France (One For Sorrow) v South Africa (Mack)
October 16, 20231 yr Author Semi-Finals: Argentina (steve201) v New Zealand (dobbo) England (King Rollo) v South Africa (Mack)
October 30, 20231 yr Author Final: New Zealand (dobbo) 11-12 South Africa (Mack) It is a win for myself in this sweepstake. Many thanks to everyone who took part, :)
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