World Cup – Opening Weekend Predictions
Rugby World Cup 2023
By Kaya 85
One day to go as defending world champions. On Friday the four-year cycle comes
to an end. It’s the time of the ‘gathering’ and 20 teams of rugby gladiators will
embark on their quests to scale the heights of the rugby world, with millions of us
watching. In the end, there can be only one new champion. These warriors will put
their reputations and bodies on the line, for the honour of their families, their people
and countries. Four, maybe five or six teams could win the trophy – defending
champs South Africa, world number one ranked Ireland, hosts France, the always
excellent All Blacks, or possibly dark horses Scotland, Argentina’s Pumas or even
Australia’s Wallabies. Even the English could do it if they click. The latter three teams
are helped along by an apparent easier route to the quarter finals where, if you make
it, the cauldron of knock-out rugby plays out in inches, and any team could perform
on their day.
Opening Match – France vs New Zealand
A red-hot firestorm: France are without three of their big name galacticos: mercurial
flyhalf Ntamack, inside centre crash-baller Danty, and SA-born behemoth lock
Willemse but are still supposedly favourites to win this much anticipated curtain
raiser. Captain Dupont is the darling of Paris, Marseilles, and all France, the envy of
northern hemisphere coaches and journalists (not to mention the fairer sex) who will
be leading an exceptional team of athlete-assassin-artists known for their brutality in
the power game as much as their flair and handling across the parc. The All Blacks
are fuming after being sjambokked by the Boks. Expect them to unleash the fury of
heck on the French, in a high-octane clash. But I don’t think it will be enough. The
XV of France will douse the firestorm, bring their own flamethrowers and incinerate
the All Blacks.
Prediction: France 32 – 26 New Zealand
Italy vs Namibia
Italy will dominate our neighbours, but by hook or by crook, the Namibians won’t let
them reach 50. The southwest Africans, with their collection of students, journeymen
and semi pros will try hard and fight gallantly.
Prediction: Italy 46 – 18 Namibia
South Africa vs Scotland
Scotland know they have to roll the dice, risk it all and play right on the very edge of
glory or doom if they have any prayer of living with the Springboks. And they do have
a prayer. In Finn Russel and his band of Bravehearts and Boere-Scots, astute coach
Gregor Townsend might just have the players, audacity, gameplan and sheer balls to
pull it off. It’s going to be close and nerve wracking. Neutrals will enjoy this game
immensely and expect the entire rugby world to pull for the Scots. We might not have
many fingernails left.
Prediction: Boks 31 – 29 Scots
Ireland vs Romania
A soft landing for the Irish, who will control the tempo and intensity of their opening
game and put a big score on the eastern European Oaks.
Prediction: Ireland 59 – 9 Romania
Australia vs Georgia
Georgia will live with the Aussies in the scrums, mauls and tight loose. As the game
goes on though, the Wallabies will pull away and give Eddie Jones his first win since
returning to coach them.
Prediction: Wallabies 37 – 22 Lelos
Wales vs Fiji
Wales will battle in vain to stem the tide of this Pacific tsunami. After this game the
Fijians will be more likely than the Welsh to qualify from the group.
Prediction: Wales 22 – 26 Fiji
England vs Argentina
The Pumas have an opportunity to put England in an early coffin, while Samoa
and/or Japan could hammer in the final nails later. They must take this opportunity,
because if England are allowed to stick around, they will get stronger and stronger
like they did in ‘07. The ongoing sporting drama between these two countries should
play out with a win for Argentina.
Prediction: England 18 – 26 Pumas
Dis flippen geen wonder die Franse het so lekker gewen nie ,hulle het dan die Cheetahs se kit aan gehad….
NZ,Italy,SA,Ireland,Aus,Wales,Eng
France, SA, Italy, Ireland, Fiji, Aus, Argentina,
@Wonder: yes please
@Wonder: ja hy was n Meester in die reen ne ….Max is ook baie goed op nat bane
@Smallies:Max is baie goed,mens kan nie teen 10 in ‘n ry stry nie. Michael bly nog vir my die beste,hy kon met enige kar wen,veral as dit reën.
@Wonder: ek praat onder korreksie maar die laaste keer wat ek sulke dominansie gesien het was Senna en Maclaren Honda
@Smallies: Kyk nou na die skedule, volgende een is Singapore, 15-17 September. Gaan lekker wees.
@Wonder: ja nee ekke ook, die enigste span wat ek minder as Ausie like is die verdomde engelse….
@Wonder: Bliksem dit sal nou vir jou n ding wees ne ,ek skat hy gaan baie naby kom ,daai Red Bull is totaal dominant op die staduim….Ou lewis is amper so groen van jaloesie soos prof Deon….Mercedes het lelik op geslip met hulle no side pod design
@Smallies: Dink jy Max kan die laaste 8 ook wen? Dit sal nou ongelooflik wees.
@Smallies: Sal dit love as Aus en Poms verloor.
@Kaya 85: Great post Kaya.
I think Bokke by 15+
@Kaya 85: I always bet against Aussie….Gorgia has a massive pack of forwards and could very well do a Japan on Aussie…
France,SA, Argentina, Ireland, Fiji & Aus
@Smallies: Georgia to waste the Wallabies? Bold prediction Smallies .
@Kaya 85: just because I dont check aussie …..🤣🤣🤣🤣
Smallies, Kaya is the prediction king – no pressure! 😃
I predict wins for NZL ,SA Argentina, Ireland, Fiji and Georgia