By Mike Pearce - @MPsportsdragon, Colum John and Craig Muncey
September 13 2015

Final part of the preview of the World Cup Pools, written by a few contributors to the 1876 Cardiff Rugby sites. Early next week, will post our individual World Fifteen sides prior to the World Cup, which I am hoping will start a few debates amongst you. Thanks to all who have contributed to this piece, much appreciated. If you have any comments then please do on one of our 3 sites, Twitter @1876Cardiff, Facebook Page, 1876 Cardiff Rugby or on our website, 1876CardiffRugby.co.uk

Pool C

New Zealand

New Zealand, the All Blacks. They don’t need an introduction and just hearing their name says enough. You know what to expect from them and you know it will be good. They bring the best out of themselves and the best out of their opposition which in turn brings out even more of the best from them. However, they are not perfect and can be beaten. Come the world cup they have been labelled by many as under achievers. After winning the first world cup in 1987, it took them 6 tournaments to win it again, which the fans were not happy about it taking so long. New Zealand has always been picked to win the tournament or at least get into the final. This must have created added pressure on the players and could be part of the reason for the long gap between successes, but you cannot help but expect them to win every game they play. They have such strength in depth and always manage to never panic when it looks like they are close to defeat, creating some brilliance and end up victorious.

Like I said though, they can be beaten and most recently against a resilient Australian side in The Rugby Championship. Was this a rare off day for the All Blacks or with the world cup around the corner experimenting by Head Coach Steve Hansen proved a little too costly on the day. That being said with so many hard decisions to make it cannot be easy for the New Zealand coaching staff with an abundance of great talent to choose from they did need to see what each player could bring to the international stage.  

I could list the whole squad as players to watch in the world cup, Carter, Nonu, Read, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill, Retallick to name a few, but first the captain, Richie McCaw. The most capped player of all time (142 Caps). I don’t need to say too much about the New Zealand Captain his record speaks for itself and everybody, even if you are not a rugby fan, will have heard about him. This will be his final world cup and final few games for New Zealand. He will want to take hold of that trophy again and will be on fire throughout.

With Israel Dagg missing out of the squad selection and the inclusion of still injured Waisake Naholo, Steve Hansen and the New Zealand fans better hope that Naholos traditional herbal medicine works as well as it is claimed. If it does, Naholo with fellow wing Nehe Milner-Skudder, can cause any team problems, Naholo with is power and the effortless footwork of Milner-Skudder. Keep your eyes on these two if you can as the opposition will be trying to.

New Zealand will reach the final but with so much improvement from so many countries and the importance and passion of the World Cup; a question mark remains on who will take the trophy home this year.

Argentina

The Pumas go into this World Cup off the back of a Super Rugby season where they competed very well against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, so they have that confidence and experience.

Argentina have in the last 2 World Cups have been semi finalists and quarter finalists and are certainly have a far stronger unit in recent years not just the grunt upfront which they are renowned for.

Player To Watch

Augustine Creevy - The Argentinian hooker is on his day one of the best in the world in that position.  His performance against New Zealand this summer was outstanding, and he gets the chance to play against them again in this group.  An inspiring player who will drive the Pumas on.

Prediction - Quarter Finalists.

Georgia

The Georgians have some big tough forwards and will be looking to upset a team this World Cup which they almost did with Ireland in 2007 until losing by 4 points.  Their current World Cup record shows they have never been further than the group stages.

They do have a highly rated 18 year old scrum half Vasil Lobzhanidze, so if forwards such as Gorgodze and Kubriashvili can get rolling then they have a chance, especially against Tonga and Namibia.

Prediction - Group stages

Player To Watch

Mamuka Gorgodze - Georgian record try scorer, is a one man wrecking ball and is a fearsome sight when carrying the ball. 

Namibia

Never been further than the group stages, the team is made up of some tough players, with a few of their players playing for some very decent teams in Europe.

Team is coached by Phil Davies, so will be interesting to see what he can get out of this side.

Player To Watch

Jacques Burger - Totally committed back row forward who has no thought for his own welfare, is a tackling machine.  Once carried on playing against South Africa with two fractured cheekbones.  Fans love watching him play.

Prediction - Group stages

Tonga

South Sea Islanders have never been further than pool stages, but are a very proud passionate team who have caused teams problems in the past, they beat France in the 2011 World Cup as an example.

Player To Watch - Their inspirational captain Nili Latu, who was outstanding in the 2007 World Cup Finals.  The player is an outstanding back row player, he has recently been signed to play for Newcastle Falcons, and I expect him to shine in this World Cup for his country.

Prediction - Group stages

Pool D

Ireland

Ranked 2 in the world at the time of writing, genuine contenders astute tactical coach in Joe Schmidt established experienced squad and a final hurrah for Paul O'Connoll before his pale skin is released into the sunshine of Toulon almost certain to qualify from group

France

Another World Cup and another zany coach, Phillipe Saint Andre's obsession with Freddy Michalak could prove to be his downfall in his last knockings as French coach before Guy Noves takes over

France have reached two finals in 1987 and  in 2011 at the expense of Wales and despite being beaten by Tonga in the pool stages

Some great players in Wesley Fofana and Morgan Parra and are always capable of a one off shock as the All Blacks will tell you whilst crying into their steinlager

Their match against Italy should decide who qualifies from the pool along with Ireland

Italy

Any team with Sergio Parisse in it has a chance should beat Canada and Romania and qualification should rest with the showdown against France at Twickenham in the first weekend if the tournament

Canada

Reached the quarter finals in 1991 losing to the All Blacks 29-16

Current coach ex New Zealand full back Kieran Crowley  has his work cut out but this team will lay their bodies on the line and Osprey Jeff Hassler will finish off any chance that comes his way unlikely to qualify but could spring a suprise if Italy have an off day


Romania

Coached by Ponty legend Lynn Howells who was Graham Henry's assistant with Wales at RWC 1999

Will be a tough tournament for Romania who have a rock solid front five I think
their only possible win could come against Canada

Saracens full back/wing Catalin Fercu is Romania's most creative back, a silky runner and his morbid fear of flying resulted in him having to withdraw from the RWC 2011 tournaments