#RWC2015 Power Rankings – The group stages are complete
The winners and losers thus far through the #RWC2015. What teams are the movers and shakers? What do you think?
Please feel free to disagree in the comments section – I’ll be here all day.
Rank |
Team |
Win/Loss |
Trending |
1 |
|
4-0 |
– |
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They dusted Tonga after a tough first half to ensure they go thru to the quarter finals undefeated. While they are still number one a couple of things might have slipped them back to the field a little. 3 fairly easy matches against much lesser teams. Woodcock out. A fired up France in the Quarter finals. McCaw being ‘rested’. You get the feeling that the French could spring another World cup special on them. They’ve taken 1 step toward position 2. |
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2 |
|
4-0 |
– |
|
The attack stuttered against Wales but the defense delivered in spades, shovels, picks and sledge hammers. I hypothesize that any team with a half decent Tight head would have scored a penalty try against a 7 man scrum. Wales didn’t have the cattle to get the job done. in two weeks we’ve seen the attack dissect England and the Defense push back a one dimensional Wales. They’ve taken 2 steps toward position 1. I get the feeling Kurindrani will be unleashed in the Quarter Final. |
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3 |
|
4-0 |
|
|
Saw off France for the top of their Pool. It was always going to be Ireland and France to progress. They have done all that was asked of them and lifted for the French. They are above South Africa on long term form. They look a complete team that has yet to be truly tested. That will change against Argentina this week. |
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4 |
|
3-1 |
|
|
They finished at the top of the pool with the same win-loss ratio as Scotland and Japan. Bonus points sealed the deal and they finished first in their pool. It’s not often a team with a loss tops their pool. They are an wise team and will have looked at the Australia/Wales video. They know how to win ugly. They will take it to Wales in the scrum and back their defence against a forward pack lacking any true sting in attack. |
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5 |
|
3-1 |
|
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Getting the job done, it’s not pretty but its effective. Their hardest game of the group stage was a long time ago but they will push 6 Nations champions Ireland at Cardiff. Ireland will just oust them in a very close affair. |
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6 |
|
3-1 |
|
|
Finishing the Pool of death in 2nd was no easy feat. Many people are saying they should have beaten Australia when they were down to 13 men. They will be the first out of the Quarters and won’t enjoy the bus ride back to Wales after their second loss at Twickenham |
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7 |
|
3-1 |
|
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Awkward loss to Ireland takes away any momentum they had built. they are a special against new Zealand at any World Cup – you can’t deny the history. I think they will challenge the All Blacks. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to put a fiver on France to win by 1 point. |
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8 |
|
3-1 |
– |
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They have recent form against the Wallabies. This might be the only thing going for them. The Wallabies will be starting to feel at home at Twickenham and Scotland might feel they have the wood over them in the Northern hemisphere conditions. |
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9 |
|
3-1 |
– |
| Put the USA away to complete a 3-1 finish. If it weren’t for the short turnaround for Japan against Scotland they may very well have come in 2nd in their pool | |||
10 |
|
2-2 |
– |
| Didn’t exactly meet the 80+ expectation against Uruguay in their friendly but did enough to secure 3rd spot and their qualifying ticket to Rugby World Cup 2019. If their last World Cup was marred by player mistakes, this one seems to be a problem of micro-management. | |||
11 |
|
1-3 |
– |
| Were unlucky to be in Pool A and as a result of that bad luck will need to qualify for Japan 2019. As a result of playing well in all of their pool matches they finish higher than the under-whelming Italy. | |||
12 |
|
2-2 |
– |
| The 6 Nations also-rans haven’t improved their credentials. Georgia are nipping at their heels. | |||
13 |
|
2-2 |
|
| Very close to 12th spot as Europe’s 6th best team of the tournament. If they can continue this rise and Italy continue to falter they could really challenge in Japan 2019. They won’ need to qualify. They can hold their head high after a great performance. | |||
14 |
|
1-3 |
|
| Pacific Island rugby has taken a step back in this tournament. Samoa wouldn’t have contemplated losing to Japan 4 years ago. | |||
15 |
|
1-2 |
|
| As with Samoa – a sad indication of the state of play in the Pacific Islands. Losing to Georgia is no longer a shock. | |||
16 |
|
1-3 |
– |
| Pushed a poor Italy in their final pool match. Eastern europe really is the growth area at the moment. | |||
17 |
|
0-4 |
– |
| Did well to keep England to under 80. England would have been stinging. If Uruguay can continue this improvement and get seeded will in next World Cup they’ll challenge the likes of Italy, Samoa and Tonga. | |||
18 |
|
0-4 |
– |
| Finished with a couple of Bonus points and thats about that. Haven’t improved their standing in World Rugby along with their southern neighbours. | |||
19 |
|
0-4 |
|
| Their close effort against Georgia was an excellent game of Rugby. They were unlucky but will have plenty to be proud of and look forward to. With this development they should be a solid qualifier out of Africa for japan 2019. | |||
-20 |
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0-4 |
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| Zero wins, Zero Highlights, zero competition point….Mmmm Donuts. | |||
