One year to go, so how do the leading teams rate... and can Wales triumph?
WE’RE precisely one year out from the 2019 World Cup in Japan, so it’s time to examine the prospects of the main contenders.
There are obvious nations to fancy, but South Africa’s defeat of New Zealand in Wellington last weekend and Argentina’s beating of Australia served as a reminder that international rugby can still be unpredictable.
So how are the big teams looking? Here we assess them all ....
Form:
Once in the dim and distant past, Wales built towards World Cups looking as if they might trip up against the Dog & Duck, let alone the Springboks or the All Blacks.
But a year out from the 2019 global showpiece, they are in decent shape, unbeaten on their summer tour and second in last term’s Six Nations.
There are massive calls to be named at openside flanker, with half of Wales seemingly in contention, headed by Justin Tipuric, Ellis Jenkins, James Davies, Josh Navidi and Ollie Griffiths.
In the back three, too, Warren Gatland will have tough decisions to make... Liam Williams or Leigh Halfpenny, anyone? Also, can he afford to take just five props, as he did in 2015? Dan Biggar v Rhys Patchell? Tough calls, but Gatland is picking from a position of relative strength.
Over and over again, Gatland has shown himself to be a big beast in the coaching jungle.
Pre-Gatland Wales were all over the place. But he turned them around quickly and does what it takes to keep his side competitive. His selection is rarely less than spot-on.
The fire at the heart of the Welsh pack.
Selection: Coach: Main man – Alun Wyn Jones: One year out from the World Cup, how will they do?: Form: WALES
Losing semifinalists.
SOUTH AFRICA
They are more than a bit all over the place, a side who can go from losing to Argentina in late August to beating the All Blacks in New Zealand three weeks later.
The inconsistency will infuriate Rassie Erasmus, but they have improved and the summer’s Test series triumph over England showed what they are capable of.
Duane Vermeuelen had such a stronger series against England it seems inconceivable that he could be left out of the Springboks starting line-up. But how much will a season in Japan help him at this stage? His battle with Warren Whiteley for the No. 8 spot will be significant.
Rassie Erasmus is widely seen as a seriously good thing in South Africa, and the honeymoon will continue after his side’s win over New Zealand. He is intelligent and knows the game inside out.
Selection: Coach: Main man – Malcolm Marx:
would be proud of him.
One year out from the World Cup, how will they do? Form:
England are striving to emerge from their worst spell under Eddie Jones, one that saw them suffer five successive Test defeats before regrouping to take victory in a dead-rubber against South Africa.
They also finished fifth in the Six Nations. Did they make the cardinal mistake of peaking two years too soon? Or can Jones put them back on track?
Selection:
Ford or Farrell or indeed Cipriani at fly-half? It’s a hugely important call for Eddie Jones. Hartley or George at hooker? Where’s the proven Test No. 7? So many options for Jones – perhaps too many, though the little man probably wouldn’t see it like that.
He is not to everyone’s taste – an entry for understatement of 2018, perhaps? – and he can overdo the mind games. But Jones is also a streetwise and ultra-sharp operator who is capable to upsetting the best.
A winner
Coach:
Losing quarterfinalists.
Main man – Owen Farrell:
wherever he plays.
One year out from the World Cup, how will they do? AUSTRALIA Form: ENGLAND
Karl
Losing semifinalists.
Two wins from their last nine matches underline that the Wallabies have problems.
They fell to Ireland in a home series in the summer and have just shipped 78 points in two games against New Zealand, and last weekend they lost at home to Argentina. Mayday! Mayday!
Selection:
The Wallabies have world class in a number of positions, not least on the flanks and throughout the backline. But the decision to drop Bernard Foley raised eyebrows, and Michael Cheika needs to improve Australia’s line-out.
Despite his mixed fortunes so far as Australia coach, Cheika knows his stuff and is respected by his players and peers.
Coach: Main man – David Pocock:
for any World XV v Mars.
One year out from the World Cup, how will they do? Form:
Losing quarterfinalists.
FRANCE
A cert
The French have never set too much store on form – the cliche says how they perform depends on which side of the metaphorical bed the players rolled out of, and over the years events have tended to prove the cliche right, with Les Bleus capable of producing performances that no one saw coming, sometimes not even the players themselves.
But this crop have won two out of their last 14 games and, in any language, that is not good.
A settled side is proving elusive for the French. They made five changes for the second Test in New Zealand in the summer, and dropped skipper Mathieu Bastareaud a week later. Unsurprisingly, they lost the series 3-0. Talent isn’t a problem, harnessing it is. Most sides would give a lot to have Wesley Fofana and Gael Fickou at their disposal. But France often fail to get the best out of them.
Led Perpignan to the French title in 2009 and had a long spell in charge of Italy, so Jacques Brunel is not lacking experience. At 65 he has a tough job on his hands.
Selection: Coach: Main man – Louis Picamoles:
a ball carrier. What
One year out from the World Cup,