Rugby World Cup 2019 quarter-finals predictions - Page 2 of 2 - Ruck
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Rugby World Cup 2019 quarter-finals predictions

18 October 2019
Steven

Wales vs France

Prediction: Wales

 For many pundits, this last-eight encounter would have been the easiest to predict. With many not being able to see past a convincing win for Warren Gatland’s side. 

 Wales topped their Pool after a thrilling 25-29 victory over Australia, followed by dogged wins over Fiji and Uruguay. France opened the tournament with a determined display against Argentina in which they ran out 23-21 victors. With their fixture against England cancelled Les Bleus have enjoyed a fortnights rest before this quarter-final showdown.

 Warren Gatland’s men will be out for revenge after the French robbed them of their first World Cup final showing in New Zealand back in 2011. They go into this match as favourites with scrum-half Gareth Davies being one of the tournaments stand-out performers over the last four weeks. 

 France are the ultimate wild card side in Webb Ellis Cup history with the men in blue reaching the semi-final stage in six of the eight tournaments that have been held. Jacques Brunel’s side have been average in the Six Nations in recent years but in knockout rugby that will count for nothing. 

Japan vs South Africa

Prediction: Japan

In the final matchup of this years World Cup quarter-finals we see tournament hosts Japan face the Springboks in what promises to be a night of high tempo, attacking rugby in Tokyo.

 The Blossoms have been in electrifying form in this tournament with a shock victory over Ireland in the second round, backed up by a commanding display against Scotland in which Japan secured top spot in Pool A. 

 Before the tournament began South Africa were for many seen as the side most likely to challenge New Zealand for the trophy. Fifteen-minutes into their opening game with the All Blacks it looked like those predictions were well-founded, only to be overpowered by Steve Hansen’s men in the intervening hour of the match. 

 Japan winger Kotaro Matsushima has been of the outstanding players of this World Cup with four tries from five, making him joint top scorer. He will hope to profit from more of Japans frenetic offloading rugby which has served them so well in the group stages. 

 There is a wealth of experience in Rassie Erasmus’s starting fifteen with 665 caps, so this will occasion will not daunt his side. If the Springboks are to make the semi-final stage they will need to muscle their way in with a pack weighing in at 900kg.

 Whatever the result on Sunday, this Japan side have already cemented their names into rugby history and have dazzled supporters with their brand of rugby. With a home audience of sixty million watching their recent triumph against Scotland, Japanese rugby looks set in the coming years to become a rugby superpower.

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