The Underdogs

Will this be the year of the underdogs in the Rugby World Cup? England take on France in the first semi-final and they are clear underdogs (again) and after recent results against France there is no way anyone is giving them a chance. But then again that's what happened with Australia.

Argentina play the Boks and the Pumas are clear underdogs a lot of people are not really giving them a chance. Stats say that this will be win number 12 out of 12 for South Africa but need I remind you that stats said New Zealand does not miss out on semifinal action but alas.

All I can say is that a lot of people, particularly in South Africa, are looking at the final and not concentrating too hard on the semi's. Argentina have two players in the running for world player of the year. This means they have been tipped as the best players IN THE WORLD this year now you cannot ignore that. Hernandez has been a revelation at the World Cup for Argentina and with his dad being a former Argentinian soccer player it is understandable why his kicking game is so on point.

Dubes Says:(my predictions have been so crap thus far but anyway) -
France are going to have trouble against the English who have improved game to game. And in all honesty France did not have to do much against New Zealand in terms of creating attacking options they just kicked and capitalised on errors, its going to be a different game this time out which England will take with Jonnies boot.

Argentina are going to come out guns blazing and this is going to be a serious soccer match like you have never seen. Both teams are going to be scared to run it in their own half...(unless Fourie du Preez is in control)... and as a result it will be a goal kicking competition and tries will be scored two ways, through forward play from a line-out close to the try-line or through some opportunistic play and fortuitous bounces. No real phase play and not too much running rugby. The boks won't mind this as they usually struggle to be creative in the backline., a guy like Habana needs space and without Jean de Villiers he isn't getting much. It will be tight but I give it to the Boks as they are more experienced in playing boring defensive rugby.