Rugby World Cup Quarter-Finals: Clash of the Celtic Nations
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October 7, 2011 TheFreshOutlook  |
The Rugby World Cup quarter-finals kick off this weekend with northern and southern hemispheres going into battle against each other.
The first game of the weekend sees Wales take on Ireland at 6.00 BST on Saturday morning, in what looks to be a highly competitive affair.
Both teams come into this game on good runs of form from the group stages but this game will be the classic cliché of youth versus experience.
The Welsh youngsters have done themselves proud so far in this tournament with wins against Fiji, Samoa and Namibia and came close to beating South Africa, losing by one point.
The Irish have not lost so far in this tournament, but they did struggle at the start of this campaign with a poor display against the USA. However, they moved past this and improved with a superb victory over Australia
Wales Coach Warren Gatland has decided to stick with his form players and use the youth of the Welsh team, which includes eight players under the age of 24. This means there is no place in the squad for veteran fly-half Stephen Jones as Rhys Priestland has maintained his position. Gatland’s most controversial decision is to play Leigh Halfpenny at full-back and place James Hook, possibly one of Wales’ best players, on the bench.
Ireland on the other hand have a great deal of experience with the likes of Brian O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara, who have almost 300 caps between them. The Irish team will have hooker Rory Best available after he has recovered from a shoulder injury and have decided on Connor Murray over Eoin Reddan at srum-half.
England take on France in the second quarter-final match up, in a game that sees both teams surrounded by controversy. The England squad have been involved in six different incidents in this World Cup which range alleged dwarf throwing to ball switching, whilst the French squad have been on poor form. This poor form was highlighted by their loss to Tonga last week which lead to a number of disgruntled players and coaches in the French camp.
The big decision made by Martin Johnson this week was to play Toby Flood in the centre and let Jonny Wilkinson start at fly-half. This decision has lead to Mike Tindal being dropped from the squad and England only having two backs on the bench.
Livermont, the French head coach, has made a controversial selection in the form Morgan Para at outside-half, when he usually plays his rugby at scrum-half. The French also see the return of Imanol Harinordoquy who could be a great asset in this match up.
The southern hemisphere battle on Sunday will see Australia take on current world champions South Africa.
Australia have made five changes to the scrum after their last game, with Rocky Elsom, Dan Vickerman and Sekope Kepu all reinstated. The injury woes in the Australian back line have been relieved by the return of Kurtley Beale, Digby Ioane and Pat Mcabe.
South Africa will field their most experienced side ever with John Smit as captain. The team boasts 836 caps but will be without second row Bakkies Botha due to injury.
The last game of the weekend will see the tournament holders, New Zealand, play Argentina. The New Zealand team consists on six changes following 79-15 win over Canada, which includes the return of Ma’a Nonu and outside-half, Colin Slade, in for the injured Dan Carter.
Anything but a New Zealand win is hard to see but the Pumas will put up a fight, especially up front through their highly experienced front row, but Argentina could struggle at the break down, especially without Fernandez Lobbe who is key player for the Argentineans.
By Jonathan Davies
[Image courtesy of erase]
