The run-up to the tournament
Two surprises have hit the rugby world in the last 2 weeks before the tournament kicks off in Paris:
England have continued their poor performance of recent seasons with a shocking loss to Fiji (22-30) at Twickenham on August 26, capping a miserable run of match results ( 5 losses in 6 games)that will encourage little optimism for their chances in France.
New Zealand’s All Blacks, after an inconsistent string of matches that recently had shown promise, were taken apart by South Africa (35-7) in their final preparation for the big stage, also at Twickenham Stadium in London.
True, England have been beset by problems in the preparation period: red cards for ill discipline for two key players, captrain Owen Farrell and #8, Billy Vinupola that resulted in bans that delaying their appearances in the World Cup; and injuries to key players such as Anthony Watson and first-choice scrum half, Jack van Poortvliet (both out for the whole World Cup) and first-choice regulars Kyle Sinckler, Tom Curry, Eliot Daly and Henry Arundell. But the loss to Fiji for the first time ever at home must have the Argentine Pumas licking their lips for the first pool stage match on September 9 in Marseille.
Due to the lighter competition in their pool and their half of the main draw, England may still pull a rabbit out of the hat and advance to the semi-final (Wales, Australia, Argentina and now Fiji stand in their way), but New Zealand have a much tougher challenge right from the first whistle. The route to the knockout stages looks achievable, France being their strongest opponent in Pool A, but the Quarter Finals will bring them face to face with either South Africa, Ireland or even Scotland, all of whom have been on excellent form of late.
England will be ruing their missed opportunities over the last few weeks and even have a surprising apathy to contend with from their supporters; while England mamaged to get 50,000 + fans in to Twickenham for their match against Fiji, the Springboks vs. All Blacks match was sold out, with over 80,000 in attendance at the same stadium.