The short side: Summit battles and number eights

Adam Kyriacou

The short side returns to Planet Rugby as we study the major talking points ahead of this weekend’s pool games in the Rugby World Cup.

Rugby World Cup

Japan v Ireland

After kick-starting their Rugby World Cup campaign with a solid victory over Russia in Tokyo last week, Japan face an acid test when they go head-to-head against an impressive Ireland outfit on Saturday.

That win in their tournament opener was a good confidence booster for the Brave Blossoms as they were made to work hard during the encounter – especially during the early stages when Russia were very competitive – but they eventually took control of proceedings and secured a 30-10 victory in front of their fans.

They will have to hit the ground running in this encounter, however, as they face a much tougher challenge against one of the world’s best sides. The return of Amanaki Mafi will boost Japan’s confidence as he’s superb in attack and will be expected to give his side much needed momentum with his strong ball carrying.

As one of the pre-tournament favourites, Ireland came into the World Cup under plenty of pressure but didn’t affect them as they delivered a clinical display in their opening pool match against Scotland, notching an impressive 27-3 triumph in Yokohama.

After that fine performance, Joe Schmidt’s men head into this match high on confidence although they’ll be without their first-choice fly-half and current World Rugby Player of the Year Jonathan Sexton, who has been rested for this encounter after injuring his groin in the win over Scotland.

Despite Sexton’s absence, Ireland have plenty of quality in their ranks and in Jack Carty they have a good replacement, who will be keen to impress in a rare start for his country.

Australia v Wales

This fixture in Tokyo on Sunday is arguably the match of the round between two well-coached teams and whoever comes out on top should also finish at the top of Pool D.

Both sides come into this match in good form after starting the tournament with solid victories. Australia were under the cosh for long periods in their opening game against Fiji but did well to remain calm and gained the upper hand in the second half before running out 39-21 winners. Meanwhile, Wales delivered a dominant performance en route to a 43-14 triumph against Georgia in the City of Toyota Stadium.

Australia’s opening win came at a cost, however, as they lost the services of utility back Reece Hodge, who received a three-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on Fiji flanker Peceli Yato early in that game.

Despite that setback, the Wallabies will approach the game with some confidence as they have dominated this fixture over the years. Australia and Wales have faced each other in 42 Tests since their first encounter in 1908, with Australia winning 30 of those and Wales 11 and there has been one draw.

Wales will not pay too much attention to those statistics though as they were on the winning side in the previous encounter between these sides, albeit narrowly (9-6) in Cardiff in 2018.

That result was a momentous one for Warren Gatland’s troops as it ended a 13-match losing streak against the Wallabies which stretched back to 2008.

Player to watch – Schalk Brits (South Africa)

While we’re looking forward to seeing the continued progress of Carty at fly-half for Ireland, the biggest talking point in terms of selections this week simply had to be the number eight before Brits’ name on the Springboks’ team sheet for their fixture against Namibia.

South Africa do not possess a genuine back-up number eight for Duane Vermeulen in their 31 so it was always going to be somewhat of a stand-in if he was rested. We expected either Kwagga Smith or Francois Louw to be that player shifting one position over and therefore it was a shock seeing Brits in the back-row. Needless to say he has the ball skills and speed around the field so it promises to be a good watch.

One-v-one battle to watch – Amanaki Mafi (Japan) v CJ Stander (Ireland)

These players are amongst the best ball carriers in the business and will have big roles to play when the sides meet in a crucial Pool A encounter.

The duo will be expected to get their respective sides over the gain-line with their strong ball carrying skills and it will be a case of the proverbial irresistible force coming up against an immovable object when they should collide with each other.

But bashing into opponents is not all that these players are good at. Both are also adept defenders and capable of putting in big hits while they are also handy ball-players, who are capable of providing try-scoring opportunities to their team-mates. Although Mafi is the more skillful of the two, Stander has improved in that department of late – after being too predictable earlier on – and will also be hoping to make an impact with his creativity in this match.

Subplot to watch – Chance of redemption for Scotland

After their hugely disappointing opening showing against Ireland which they lost 27-3 in Yokohama City, Monday’s match against Samoa is a chance for Gregor Townsend’s men to prove a point at this World Cup. Victory is first on the agenda but they also need a performance.

The Scots need to recover confidence in their two mid-pool games, against first Samoa and then Russia, before they face Japan in the group finale on October 13. Samoa is their first opportunity to do that but it won’t be an easy clash against a nation they have struggled against in the past. Since 2005 they have met six times, winning five and losing one, but all of their victories were by no more than seven points.

We’ve already had one shock at this tournament with Fiji losing to Uruguay. Are people too quick to write off Samoa ahead of this game?

Best of the rest

Saturday’s action starts with a Pool C clash between Argentina and Tonga with both sides coming into the game on the back of opening losses. The Pumas simply must win if they are to keep their qualification dreams alive, as next weekend they take on England at Tokyo Stadium.

It is then the aforementioned Japan v Ireland game before a much-changed South Africa meet neighbours Namibia in what promises to be a decent match. Look out for the likes of S’bu Nkosi and Makazole Mapimpi getting amongst the tries and Bongi Mbonambi at the back of mauls.

Sunday sees Georgia face a Uruguay side riding high after beating Fiji before Australia face Wales and then Scotland meet Samoa on Monday.

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