RWC Pool D: Contenders, ones to watch and more

Adam Kyriacou

Ahead of the Rugby World Cup, we preview each pool in our own unique way as we build towards the ninth global tournament. Last up, Pool D.

Contenders: Wales ended a run of 13 straight defeats against the Wallabies with last year’s 9-6 win in Cardiff. All the more reason why the pool clash between these two teams will be a fascinating encounter.

Australia are generally among world rugby’s powerhouses and have two World Cup titles to their name (1991 and 1999). However, the pecking order has changed over the last four years.

The northern hemisphere has risen while Australian rugby has hit a roadblock at the worst possible time.

Israel Folau’s dispute with Rugby Australia over his homophobic social media posts means the Wallabies will be travelling to the World Cup without him.

Kurtley Beale, who ironically was at the centre of controversy over a sexist text message to Wallabies staff member Di Patston in the build-up to the 2015 World Cup, is likely to start at full-back in Folau’s absence. Dane Haylett-Petty will probably be second choice in this position.

Uncapped Jordan Petaia is another headline-maker in the squad, while at the other end of the experience spectrum, Adam Ashley-Cooper makes the cut. Michael Cheika has also found room for David Pocock despite fitness concerns.

Should Pocock start against Wales on September 29, one of the main concerns for himself and his loose trio companions will be silencing Justin Tipuric.

The Wales flanker was man of the match in their win over the Wallabies last year and will be looking to help Warren Gatland’s charges continue their tremendous run of form.

Their incredible 14-match winning streak may have been ended by England last month, but Wales bounced back against the same opponents before two losses to Ireland sends them into the World Cup with a reality check they will hope acts as a driving force in Japan.

Players to watch: Wales’ Justin Tipuric was tremendous in the breakdown in last year’s win over the Wallabies, nullifying the menacing Michael Hooper and Pocock.

At 30 years old, he is primed for a tournament which could write his name in the history books as one of the game’s great flankers.

Australia’s Reece Hodge starred with two tries in their 47-26 Rugby Championship win over the All Blacks. The 25-year-old has a golden opportunity to go from good to great at this World Cup.

Hodge is likely to be utilised on the wing, where he will look to shake off the “jack of all trades, master of none” tag. He may not be the most explosive player in the game, but makes up for it with his clever running lines.

Add solidity in defence and a powerful boot to that and you have a near complete package.

Another wing who is racking up the tries ahead of the World Cup is Wales’ George North. At 27, he is heading into his third World Cup and will likely never have a better time leave his mark on this tournament after an unspectacular showing in 2015.

Outside chance: Georgia are renowned for their fearsome forward pack. Even big guns Australia and Wales will have to devise a plan to deal with them at scrum time.

Milton Haig’s men decimated Russia at scrum time in March’s Rugby Europe International Championship match, milking 12 penalties off them including a penalty try. This set a record for a match between two top 20 international sides since new scrum laws were introduced in 2013.

Haig has made no secret of Georgia’s desire to join the Six Nations, so when they come up against the Wallabies and particularly Wales, they will be out with a point to prove.

While Georgia won the Rugby Europe International Championship, Fiji came close to clinching the Pacific Nations Cup, ultimately finishing as runners-up to Japan.

Despite disappointment there, John McKee’s men remain a dangerous outfit. There are plenty of young talents in their ranks, but also more familiar faces such as Josua Tuisova and Ben Volavola.

Fiji have plenty of players in their ranks with Sevens experience, which could serve them well. This is a format known for explosive athletes, but it can also help players hone other skills which the Fijians take to another level.

Like Georgia, Fiji have the potential to spring a surprise, as they did when they shocked France 21-14 in Paris last year. If Australia or Wales are off beat, they can expect the fight of their lives against McKee’s men.

Subplot to watch: Wales unseated New Zealand as World Rugby’s top-ranked side – for a brief time at least – after 509 weeks in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup, but Steve Hansen was not in any mood to concede defeat when it happened.

“I’ve never understood their system. You win a game and you lose the top ranking?” Hansen was quoted as saying by Stuff.co.nz.

“When you sit back, it’s something that’s going to happen anyway – the top-ranked sides are playing each other in the northern hemisphere, and you get more points if you beat top sides.”

Even though they have won 15 of their last 18 games, few would count Wales as a serious challenger for the Rugby World Cup. Despite their incredible form towards the end of last year, they were not viewed as Six Nations favourites either although they went on to win.

Gatland’s men will feel they have a point to prove again and the pool stage is the ideal time to start. If they can pick up comfortable wins over Uruguay, Georgia and Fiji and beat Australia by any means possible, surely then the world would sit up and take note.

Also ran: Uruguay were hammered 68-7 by Fiji in November, suggesting they are unlikely to be any more than cannon fodder in an otherwise competitive pool.

They do have an exciting scrum-half in Santiago Arata, who plays for Houston SaberCats in Major League Rugby. The 23-year-old is renowned for his passing and running ability.

Head coach Esteban Meneses has been in charge since 2015 and achieved the all-important task of earning World Cup qualification.

The 2015 Rugby World Cup was not kind to Uruguay as they lost to Australia, Wales, England and Fiji all by more than 30 points. As difficult as this year’s pool is, it should not be quite as tough as that one was and Uruguay will be looking for improvement.

However, making the knockout stages is almost certainly an insurmountable challenge for a team that has lost nine out of 11 Rugby World Cup games in its history.

Newbie to watch: Uncapped Jordan Petaia could challenge for a spot on the wing and will relish the starts he will likely get against Uruguay and Georgia.

He burst onto the scene at outside centre for the Reds, proving himself to not only be lethal on attack, but also capable in defence.

Quite a set of attributes for a 19-year-old, and it has been some time since this much hype was generated over an Australian player of that age.

He would surely have made his debut already for the Wallabies were it not for injury setbacks, but for a player of his quality, it is only a matter of time.

Cheika himself described the Wallabies squad as “unpredictable”. This might just work in Petaia’s favour in terms of opportunities afforded to him, and if it does, the 2019 Rugby World Cup will be richer for it.

Best bets on 888sport: Wales are a good bet to win the pool at 7/10. Having enjoyed that remarkable recent run of form, it is unlikely that they will suddenly fall apart at World Cup time.

Australia are their only real competition for top spot in the pool and Cheika’s men are no longer among the most likely teams to win the Cup.

If Wales beat a team against whom they already triumphed last year, it is unlikely that they will let top spot in the pool slip.

If you fancy Australia to top the pile, they can be backed at 11/10. This is certainly still a possibility, but the potential returns only slightly exceed what you could win on Wales and the Wallabies have been weakened by the aforementioned Folau saga.