France v New Zealand looks like a mouthwatering tournament opener. Both sides should progress comfortably with Italy looking the strongest of the rest

Who’s your picks for places? World ranking currently say

  1. France
  2. New Zealand
  3. Italy
  4. Uruguay
  5. Namibia

Any potential upsets? Could see France losing the opener of the whole tournament. Could Italy pull off a France mugging off the back of that? Last fixture of the pool, and Italy have done it not so long ago in the 6n iirc

        • TagMeInSkipIGotThis@lemmy.nzEnglish
          2·
          1 year ago

          Its an interesting one; I think the SA game was a great wake up call and typically the ABs bounce back from those in a big way (see the loss to Argentina & response last year).

          But, with Frizell and Retallick still out injured (presumably), and Lomax a casualty from the SA game (unless that cut has healed miraculously) we won’t have our top forward pack on the park.

          Over the professional era its only become more & more difficult to win games (let alone test matches) away from home so I think its one of those situations where France should be expected to win, but possibly at the same time nobody should be surprised if the All Blacks get the job done.

      • sokkies@lemmyrs.orgEnglish
        3·
        1 year ago

        To be honest I wish I could be optimistic. Theres a chance itll be a good game but at any rate it would be really nice seeing Nam give their best.

        Either way theres going to be an amazing game day braai going on lol.

  • YamayeEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    New Zealand should top the pool. France second. I think it would be hard for NZ not to get the most tries scored of the tourney.

    • 80HighDefinition @sh.itjust.worksMEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      New Zealand looks vulnerable, but I think NZ will turn it on once the world cup starts. Which is why I think NZ will finish first with France in second in Pool A