So the die has been cast and the quarter finals match-ups have been decided.

New Zealand will go into their quarter final against Argentina with a feeling of emptiness, they will be lamenting the fact that Dan Carter, the talismanic flyhalf and inspirational senior team member and inspiration to the nation won’t be there to compete for the elusive Web Ellis trophy, whilst New Zealand will go into the knock out rounds with a feeling of when will the competition arrive.

Argentina on the other hand will be going into their quarter final with absolutely no pressure and the knowledge that they have nothing to lose against New Zealand, they will think back to their clash against England and rue the fact of that loss and how things could have been so different, and would have fancied their chances against their “favourite” opposition France.

On the same side of the draw as the no 1 team in the world, South Africa would be thanking their lucky stars (or so I’m told) that although they have no clue as to how the breakdown laws are interpreted during this RWC, that the double edged sword of Wayne Barnes have catapulted them into a quarter final but secretly hope his cheque bounces.

Australia will wake after the pool rounds realising that something went wrong somewhere and they will be contesting the same Tri Nations tournament they have just won as recently as a few weeks ago, wondering if 2012 have arrived early because just around the corner Argentina will form part of this newly formed four nations.

Wales on the other hand who has been blaming Wayne Barnes for something during their match against South Africa, albeit not too loudly anymore after realising that Barnes did them a favour (of some sorts) as they will now meet their Celtic neighbours Ireland for what will now be seen as the celtic clash of the decade and the bragging rights of reaching a semi final for only the second time in their RWC history.

In contrast to Australia, Ireland will know exactly how it happened that they will be playing against Wales in the quarter final and will be looking forward to continue their dominance of the past few years, to reach their first semi final in Rugby World Cup history.

Martin Johnson will most likely now put a curfew on his players and inform them that the “boring” pool matches are now over, the partying and womanising will stop until further notice, and that there is a little matter of three more knock out matches to contend with (assuming they get to the final).

France on the other hand may not have yet realised that they have indeed qualified for the quarters after their most dismal performance of the pool rounds and will most likely realise they are in fact on their way to training when the team bus does not turn left at the off ramp to the airport on Monday morning.

But that is not the reason why I am writing this.

There has been much said about the tier 3 and 4 teams during this Rugby World Cup, how they had less favoured scheduling and had the short end of the stick for a number of issues relating to the pool rounds.

This is where this World Cup would have been so much grander if Tonga and Scotland, Italy and Samoa could have gone to the training grounds tomorrow to prepare for a plate competition.

There is credit due to all four these teams for the way they played during the pools and for them to go home totally empty handed and now simply dismissed until the next Rugby World Cup seems like a hollow victory for the Rugby World Cup organisers.

Tonga, after having beaten Japan (the Pacific nation champions), and having caused the greatest upset in recent World Cup history, can feel desperately unlucky for not having qualified for the quarter finals and it would be only just for them to be able to compete further in a tournament they have singlehandedly kept interesting and exciting by showing the French up.

Samoa, who by all accounts have been treated rather unfairly with a turn around of 4 days between matches, to face not only Wales but also South Africa and then also being fined $10 000 for an unapproved mouth guard, put up two very brave and competitive performances against the two qualifiers from pool D. Once again it would have been just reward for them to continue in this tournament.

Scotland, showed a willingness to run with ball in hand and was it not for their lack of finishing in the red zone, may well have been quarter finalists.

Even Italy having scored 13 tries during the pool rounds, would have loved the opportunity to stick around for some more matches.

So, with only a little clear thinking from their side the Rugby World Cup Organising Committee could have used a little creative thinking and had a Plate competition for these 4 quality teams.

Wouldn’t it have been great to see similarly competent teams fight it out for a plate final.

 

Tonga vs Scotland and Italy vs Samoa, it would have been rather difficult to predict the outcomes of those two matches.

 

So, please International Rugby Board and Rugby World Cup Organising Committee, wake up and realise that the Rugby World Cup has not yet reached it’s full potential.

Three more matches and another 12 teams would have had a lot more to play for during the pool stages!

10 Responses to Quarter finals have been sorted, but what about the others?

  • 1

    Thanks Biltong, I agree totally with a Plate type continuation. The IRB could dangle the carrot of auto qualification to the Plate finalists to keep everyone interested.

  • 2

    Biltonge, good and solid reasoning, friend!

    With the current situation, the top 8 IRB ranked Nations were propelled into the play-off’s… so it’s no surprise they were!

    The ugly step children once again gets nothing, nada, zilch…

    I also agree with your summation of exactly which 4 smaller nations showed their mettle…

    All that the Pool stages have really showed us, was exactly who is No 9 to No 12 in the world, and all that these same Pool stages have been responsible for has been key injuries to a plethera of frontline players of the top 8 Nations!

    Having said that, I have enjoyed this World Cup temendously so far!

  • 3

    I agree….a Plate competition is a great idea. I also think the scheduling needs serious attention….if necessary the tournament must be extended by a week. The unfair hurdles previously junior/low qualifiers have to face…is just that….grossly unfair.
    I fancy Wales to take this one against their friends from across the Irish Sea. Young guys, no fear and nothing to lose…I also think they are better led. Warburton is a Gary Teichmann type leader he is prepared to put in the hard yards and is arguably the stand out no 7 for this tournament so far….and yes I am aware McCaw also has a 7 on his back. Look for upsets in the Quarters….The French will probably wake up and if England carry on the way they have been going, they will be out. SA/Oz….I must go for SA and that isn’t just parochial patriotism. NZ will hammer Argentina, but they will exposed in their Achilles heel…lack of depth in a few vital positions. Their replacement flyhalf is nowhere near the top 5 in the world and McCaw has been carrying an injury for some time. In the SA locks I think we should start with Pakslae and Vic should be the guy who comes on to finish it. Bakkies must play all of the next 3 games right through if he can. The first hurdle, we must starve Oz of quick ball and Cooper must be under pressure all the time. Our front row is probably one of the two best in the tournament now. A couple of Butch hits on Cooper and he will be out of his stride….danger man is Genia…who would be my walk on scrummie for a world team right now.

  • 4

    Nice one Biltong, thx.

  • 5

    Agree would have been great to reward the 3rd placed teams with a plate playoff. Would not have cost them much.

  • 6

    How can anyone disagree with a man named “Biltongbek”?
    Nuff said.

  • 7

    And it would be something for the others work for as well. It would inspire teams like Fiji etc to really put in the hard yards, so that they can come home with the “plate”.
    Biltongbek, send this suggestion to IRB now!!!

  • 8

    lees bietjie hier uit NZ herald

    Nick Farr-Jones: Wallabies will be too good for fading Springoks

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wallabies-rugby-team/news/article.cfm?c_id=358&objectid=10755968

  • 9

    8 @ Tripples:
    Nick FART-Jones se gat!

    Sê vir hom ek sê so!

  • 10

    Nick Faraway Jones is n’ overhyped ozzie en sy oupa grootjie se oupa grootjie was a criminal. Felon

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