Rugby World Cup 2007 - Gregor Townsend
Well, I must say I’m getting used to retirement. Having had no pre-season training to endure, the transition from rugby player to rugby supporter has been very smooth indeed – especially when Scotland were dispatching Ireland with ease a few weeks ago. I’m looking forward to watching some more quality rugby over the next two months.
There is every reason to believe that this will to be the best ever World Cup. Admittedly, it would have to be something special to match the 2003 tournament in Australia, which in terms of organisation, support and the quality of the stadiums was tremendous. But, with 85% of the tickets already sold, RWC 2007 has the makings of being a fantastic event.
Rugby has really grown in popularity throughout France over the last few years, expanding its appeal away from the traditional stronghold of the southwest. Money has poured into the sport and there has been considerable investment in facilities – my former club Montpellier are one of a number of sides to have recently unveiled a brand-new stadium. The current passion for rugby across France is bound to translate into an unforgettable spectacle with much more potential for upsets than any previous World Cup.
Pool D alone could provide all the drama you need. France, Ireland and Argentina will be going all out to secure first place in the group, as the runners-up will have the unenviable task of playing the All Blacks in the quarter-finals. Speaking to a French journalist last week, there are even worries in home camp that Georgia, who with Namibia make up the rest of Pool D, might push France right to the wire, and that they will have to field their strongest side on three occasions before the knock-out stages.
Spare a thought also – if you can – for England. Pool A might not be the group of death, but with South Africa, Samoa and Tonga as their opponents, it will be a miracle if England make it through the group stage without some injuries to their key players.
Scotland might not be pushed very hard against either Portugal or Romania, but having to face New Zealand and Italy in the space of six days is as tough as it gets. It will certainly be a thrilling denouement to the group stage.
Wales are probably the happiest of the home nations as regards the draw, but given their recent poor displays against England and France, there will be much chewing of fingernails down in the valleys during their final pool game against Fiji. I am painfully aware just how dangerous the Fijians can be, as I was a member of the Scotland team that almost crashed out of the 2003 tournament against the same opponents.
And what can we read into the Test matches of the summer? For most teams, the warm-up games were just another element of their extensive preparation work, with the ultimate goal of being able to peak during September and October. However, momentum is a crucial factor for success in sport, and I’m sure France, South Africa and, to a lesser extent, Scotland, will be feeling much better about themselves than England, Wales or Ireland on the eve of the tournament.
For all the potential of upsets and the relative closeness between the teams ranked two to ten in the world, realistically, I reckon there are only four sides that could lift the Webb Ellis trophy on October 20th – France, South Africa, Australia and the clear favourites, New Zealand.
Since 1987, the All Blacks have been consistently the best team going into a World Cup, but have only triumphed once, some twenty years ago. Going into this year’s tournament they have undoubtedly the best coaching team, the strongest group of players, the most effective game plan, and have been streets ahead of any other nation over the last two seasons. However, in recent months it can’t be denied that chinks have started to appear in their armour. Having been pushed all the way in the Tri-Nations against the Springboks and then lost to Australia, they no longer have an air of invincibility about their play. Can they rise to the occasion or will the All Blacks once again fail to play to their potential on the biggest stage?
This is just one of a number of questions intriguing rugby supporters everywhere. Who is going to be the star man at the World Cup? Will teams adopt a defensive approach or go for an all-out attacking strategy? Can Scotland come up with the goods in St Etienne on September 29th?
It’s going to be fascinating finding out the answers over the next six weeks.
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