4. Pool C: Australia vs Fiji – Sunday 17th September, Saint Etienne, 16:45 KO GMT
Australia secured their first win under Eddie Jones last weekend, in a hard-hitting 35-15 win over Georgia. The Wallabies ended their five match losing streak, that stretched back to the start of the 2023 Rugby Championship this past Summer. This match against the Flying Fijians is arguably the hardest to predict of the weekend, with the Pacific Islanders fired up for redemption after a narrow defeat to Wales.
Simon Raiwalui’s side were at the top of their game against Wales, in what was the match of the weekend for the opening round of action. However, they were unable to get the job done, and will need a victory over the Wallabies if they want to stay in the hunt for a place in the play-off places. This match is truly all to play for, the Wallabies are in no way in ‘world beating’ form, yet they did present quite a lot of positive take-homes from the win against the Eastern Europeans.
Fiji entered the tournament hot off the back of beating England for the first time in history, yet the Welsh fire burned brighter than any Fijian flame in last weekend’s defeat. Radradra’s knock on in the final play of the game was the brutal decisive factor for Fiji , who had climbed to seventh in the World Rugby rankings ahead of the tournament. Wales’ win has taken the side back up to eighth in the rankings, after entering the competition ranked at tenth.
The Wallabies and Fiji have swapped rungs in the rankings, with Australia heading into this weekend at seventh, whilst Fiji drop down to nineth. This match looks set to go down to the wire again, as the unpredictability of Pool C continues. After ending their losing streak the momentum goes to the Wallabies, with Eddie Jones’ sides ever so slightly favourited for Sunday’s hotly anticipated match-up.
RUCK’S Prediction: Australia 27 – 25 Fiji
Pool D: England vs Japan – Sunday 17th September, Nice, 20:00 KO GMT
Steve Borthwick’s side close out the action for round two of the Rugby World Cup pool stages, as they look to build on their opening win over Argentina. George Ford played an inspired Wilkinson-esque match, with his three drop goals and six penalties kicking uncatchable daylight between his side and the South Americans.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Borthwick spoke to the media immediately after the game, ensuring that all focus is now on Japan. Borthwick’s record in charge of England now stands at four wins in 10 games, yet England are in no way guaranteed victory against this Sunday’s opponents. Japan have made a recent habit of upsetting some of the world’s biggest teams on the Rugby World Cup stage. Look no further than the ‘Brighton Miracle’ of 2015, to see Japan defy the odds with a comeback win over South Africa.
The Brave Blossoms then secured a clean sweep of victories over Ireland, Scotland, Samoa and Russia at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, to finish at the top of Pool A. And despite losing Eddie Jones as Head Coach after the 2015 Rugby World Cup, former All Black Jamie Joseph remains in charge after their home-soil competition four years ago. England need to view this match as any other high-stakes test, with over-confidence being a proven downfall for sides when they face the Brave Blossoms.
Joseph’s men began their Rugby World Cup campaign last weekend, with a clinical display against Chile. Despite Los Condores possessing the element of the unknown in their World Cup debut, Japan were able to squash the threat of the South Americans, with a convincing win that has flown under the radar for some England fans. Understandably, supporters of Borthwick side could have been caught up in jubilant celebration after the win over Los Pumas, yet they should not ignore Japan’s 42-12 statement of intent from last Sunday.
RUCK’s Prediction: England 26 – 15 Japan, Nice, 20:00 KO GMT