Finally, the last round of pool play in the Rugby World Cup. Though there have been a few surprises, far too many of the preliminary round matches have been so one sided that they haven’t been interesting to watch. Round four was the exemplar.
Round five offers a few interesting options, and though on paper this week’s winners should be easy picks, Rafters is keeping fingers crossed for an upset or two.
Interestingly enough, with all of the drubbings in the previous weeks, only five out of twenty teams have been mathematically eliminated, and Wales is the only one team in the tournament to secured a spot in the quarterfinals. The rest of the seeding will comedown to the final round.
Let’s take a look at how things are likely to shake out.
Rafters’ Round Five World Cup Quarterfinal Picks
Pool A - Round Five match predictions.
France is well positioned to secure the top spot in Pool A with a likely win over Italy, but Rafters would love to see Italy comeback from their embarrassing loss to New Zealand last week. The Azzurri often play their Six Nations rival tough, but Rafters wouldn’t put money on an upset.
New Zealand will secure the runner up spot in what should be an easy win over Uruguay.
New Zealand over Uruguay forty-seven.
France over Italy forty six.
Namibia - Bye.
Pool B - Round Five match predictions.
Pool B has what could prove to be a competitive match between Ireland and Scotland, though it is Rafters opinion that a stingy Irish defense will shutdown Scotland’s powerful offense.
In the nothing game of the week, Tonga plays Romania.
Ireland over Scotland by twenty eight.
Tonga over Romania by fifty.
South Africa - Bye.
Pool C - Round Five match predictions.
A likely Fiji win over Portugal will send the Wallabies and new coach Eddie Jones back to Australia to watch the finals on TV. Rafters wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve already secured tickets.
Though Georgia is mathematically eliminated from the quarter finals, look for them to play Wales tough. As much as Rafters would like to see an upset on Saturday, Wales has performed surprisingly well in pool play following a dismal performance in the Six Nations.
Look for Wales to take the top spot in Pool C and Fiji to secure runner-up.
Fiji over Portugal by thirty one.
Wales over Georgia by twelve.
Australia - Bye.
Pool D - Round Five match predictions.
Mathematically, Pool D is still a toss up between four of the five sides. England will likely be the pool winner with a win over Samoa, but never underestimate England’s propensity to blow a lead in the eleventh hour.
In the most interesting match of the week, Japan and Argentina will be playing the first elimination match of the tournament. With both teams locked at nine points each on the Pool D table, it will be winner take all on Sunday.
England win the top spot in Pool D and Argentina the Runner-up.
England by twenty three over Samoa.
Argentina over Japan by ten.
Chile - Bye.
That’s one fan’s view of Rugby from Beyond the Rafters.