World Cup jigsaw is complete as Gatland looks to solve puzzle
THE final piece in the 2019 Rugby World Cup jigsaw slotted into place on the weekend when former Dragons coach Kingsley Jones led Canada to victory over Hong Kong in the repechage tournament, right.
It means Jones will go up against another former Welsh international – Phil Davies – as they take on his Namibia side in Pool B.
Another former Dragons coach Lyn Jones will be in charge of Russia in the Land of the Rising Sun where they will be taking on 2018 Six Nations champions Ireland, Scotland, Japan and Samoa in Pool A.
The Welsh coaching trio will readily admit their chances of lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy in Yokohama, stand somewhere between nil and zero. But what of the chances of Wales winning the final on November 2, 2019?
We take a look how their Pool D rivals are shaping up and the two routes facing Wales on their journey to potential World Cup glory.
THE POOL STAGES Pool A:
Ireland; Scotland; Japan; Russia; Samoa.
New Zealand; South Africa; Italy; Namibia; Canada. England; France: Argentina; USA; Tonga. Australia; Wales; Georgia; Fiji; Uruguay.
Pool B: Pool C: Pool D: THE CURRENT STATE OF WALES’ POOL D RIVALS Australia:
Whether coach Michael Cheika survives to remain in charge of the Wallabies out in Japan remains to be seen.
They’ve dropped to sixth in the world rankings following just four wins and nine defeats this year, including a first loss to Wales in November for close on a decade.
One thing you can guarantee from the Georgians is a hefty arm-wrestle up front with set-piece prowess a rite of passage in the eastern European country.
But recent results suggest they’re not quite the force they once were, when making strong claims to be part of the Six Nations.
Their November campaign saw wins over Samoa (27-19) and Tonga (20-9) while earlier in the month they were beaten 28-17 by the Italians, in Florence.
The Pacific Islanders are on the crest of a wave rising to a career high eighth in the World Rugby rankings following their first ever victory over France in 10 attempts, in Paris, on the weekend.
They’ve leapfrogged Les Bleus and Argentina and with more preparation time during World Cup campaigns, Wales know all too well how dangerous the flying Fijians can be, as anyone around in 2007 will tell you.
Georgia: Fiji:
Wales opened their 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign with a 54-9 victory over the South Americans in Cardiff.
Los Teros may have beaten Romania 27-20 in Bucharest last weekend, but seven days earlier they were thumped 68-7 by Fiji at Hartpury College, Gloucester.
Uruguay: WHO WILL FACE WHO IN THE KNOCKOUT ROUNDS Quarter-final one:
Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B.
Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C.
Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A.
Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D.
Two: Three: Four:
Winner quarter-final one v Winner quarter-final two. Winner quarter-final three v Winner quarter-final four.
Semi-finals: SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR WALES?
Warren Gatland’s side know all too well how damaging a defeat against the Wallabies can be in the pool stages of a World Cup.
Though Wales earned huge plaudits for coming through the Pool A ‘of death’ that saw hosts England eliminated, their 15-6 loss to Australia had far-reaching consequences.
It meant instead of Scotland in the last eight, it was the Springboks. And should they have won that game, the All Blacks were lying in wait in the semis, while the Wallabies took on Argentina.
It’s a similar scenario in Japan with their potential pool decider with the Wallabies having a major say if Wales can secure a more favourable route through the knockout stages.
Beat Australia to finish top of Pool D and the likelihood is Wales would be taking on France or Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Lose to the Wallabies and a date with England would be looming on the horizon.
The Red Rose route would also see a likely semi-final with the All Blacks should they beat England.
Top the pool, dispose of France or Argentina in the quarter-finals and Wales would be set for a semi-final with the winners of Ireland-South Africa who look destined to meet in the last eight.