Whenever Serbia performs in a slightly more difficult group at a competition in any sport, we have a habit of saying that it is the group of death. However, Group B of the Rugby World Cup is seriously strong, because above all there are the defending champions South Africa, the best selection in the world rankings Ireland and Scotland who are in great form. There are Tonga and Romania who are not given too many chances. We analyzed each selection and forecasted their range.
South Africa
Number of tournaments: 7
Best result: 1st place(1995, 2007 and 2019)
Head Coach: Jacques Nienaber
Captain: Siya Kolisi
Nickname: Springboks
Rugby is definitely the most popular sport in South Africa. Soccer and cricket are also popular, but they cannot compete with rugby. The beginnings of rugby are linked to Canon George Oglivie who, as the headmaster of a private school in Cape Town, in 1861 introduced young people to the egg shape ball. Soon the sport became very popular, so more and more young people came to rugby. The first match was played in 1862 between South Africa who met with a combined team of military and public sector officers. The result was a draw, 0-0.
The most important competition in South Africa is the Currie Cup, which is considered one of the oldest competitions in the history of rugby. The first matches took place in 1889 but since 1892 ,the competition began to be played under the name Currie Cup. An extremely important domestic competition for the development of rugby, because South Africa was isolated on the African continent, so it had to turn to domestic forces.
South Africa has faced numerous problems due to the political regime. During the 60s and 70s, anti-apartheid protests began to become more frequent. As many as 26 countries boycotted the Olympic Games in Montreal in 1976 because of apartheid . The Springboks were a symbol of apartheid and protests were particularly active on touring rugby players. In the end, it all culminated in sports isolation from 1985 to 1991 . In this way, the Springboks missed the first two World Cups. However, with the fall of the regime, South Africa was rewarded with the organization of the World Cup in 1995. , which led to greater national reconciliation and general hysteria for rugby. South Africa won the World Cup by beating John Lomu’s favored New Zealanders 15-12 after extra time. Countless documentaries were made about that World Cup, even Hollywood filmed the entire event.
South Africa has had quite a bit of success at World Cups. Together with New Zealand, they won 3 trophies each. They did not wait long for the second trophy. In France 2007 they defeated the favored English with a score of 15-6. They won their third trophy at the previous World Cup, where they again defeated England 32-12. A huge achievement by a great generation that showed that rugby in South Africa is still played at a high level.
South Africa has thirty high quality players. And each of their composition is capable of making a serious result. They went to the defense of the World Cup without the flyhalf Handre Pollard, whose injury prevented him from being part of the Springboks, although there are more and more rumors about some disagreement with Rasi Erasmus, who is the alpha and omega of the national team. A charismatic manager who is one of the creators of this generation. We must mention the popular “bomb squad”, i.e. the first and second line players who simply dominate in statics and in contact.
Expectations │ We can expect South Africa to be among the best. The draw is not in their favor as they are in a group with Ireland and Scotland. However, together with the Irish, they are definitely the favourites, but they still hold those selections 1. 1st and 2nd place in the world rugby list. It will be extremely interesting to see the scrum duel between Ireland and South Africa.
Ireland
Number of tournaments: 9
Best result: ¼ final
Head Coach: Andy Farrell
Captain: Johnny Sexton
Nickname /
The University of Dublin was the first to form a club in Ireland in 1854 . The club was formed by students who had their first contact with rugby in schools across Great Britain. After the adoption of official rugby rules in 1868 , rugby began to spread at a tremendous speed throughout the territory of Ireland. In december 1874 In 1950, an alliance was formed that had jurisdiction over the territories of Leinster, Munster and part of Ulster. At the same time, an alliance was formed that had jurisdiction over the territory of Belfast. The Irish Rugby Union was founded in 1879 which merged these two organizations into one.
Ireland has participated in every World Cup in history so far. The biggest success is reaching the ¼ finals, and it’s simply incredible that they never went beyond that. Perhaps they had the best chance to reach the semi-finals back in 1991 when they met Australia and the legendary Michael Lynagh scored the winning try for 19-18.
The professional era did not start very well for the Irish, which was reflected in the result in 1999 , as well as the placement in the 5 Nations Cup, where they finished last three years in a row. However, the Irish rugby Union reformed and built respectable teams in the four provinces which in 2001 started competing in the then Celtic League (URC League). It brought long-sought progress, although in 2007 in the World Cup stopped in the group. At the last World Cup, Ireland suffered quite the disappointment as they managed to lose to sensational Japan 19-12 in a relatively easy group to finish second, which saw them face New Zealand in the quarter-finals and lose. 46-14.
Ireland welcomes this World Cup on the 1st place in the World ranking list and belongs to the group of narrow favorites. They will certainly not have an easy task in a very difficult group, but they have been simply fantastic all year. Andy Farrell has managed to create an excellent and deadly team, where the best players in the world can be found in every position. They did not have too many problems with injuries, so they enter the competition extremely prepared. They are led by legendary captain Johnny Sexton, who announced his retirement after the World Cup. In the scrum, you don’t know who is better than who, just like in the line, and if we had to list literally everything.
Expectations │ We expect the Irish to make at least the best result in World Cup history. They have a very difficult path. The group of death with South Africa and Scotland, then in the ¼ final they cross with the group where New Zealand and France. Admittedly, in the ½ final, they would have to face a somewhat “lighter” opponent. If you want to be a champion, you have to show it on the field, from the first to the last game.
Scotland
Number of tournaments: 9
Best result: 4th place (1991)
Head Coach: Gregor Townsend
Captain: Jamie Ritchie
Nickname /
Scotland is a traditional rugby nation where rugby has been played since the mid-19th century . Scotland’s first international match was played when a group of Scottish players sent a letter challenging the English in December. The match was played the following year on the field of the Academic Cricket Club in Edinburgh. The Scots then defeated the English 1-0. Please note that the scoring system for tries and conversions was not developed at that time. The English celebrated in the return match later that year.
The story that follows the Calcutta Cup is particularly interesting. Namely, the Calcutta Cup is an annual match between Scotland and England, which is now played as part of the 6 Nations. The Calcutta Cup trophy was donated to England in 1878 by the Calcutta Rugby Club. Since the club members decided to close the club, they had to close the bank account as well. The resulting coins were melted down into silver and made into a trophy that is still awarded today. The first Calcutta Cup match was played in 1879 which ended in a draw.
Scotland have participated in every World Cup so far. And it is one of the 12 nations that has never missed a tournament. It is an incredible fact that the Scots even reached the ¼ finals 8 times, but once they entered the ½ finals of the World Cup, while they finished the competition in the group stage only once. In the early 90s, the Scots had an exceptional team led by Gavin Hastings. In the 1990, 5 Nations ,the Scots were exceptional and in the last game of the competition they met England, who were also undefeated. Then the unofficial anthem of Scotland “Flower of Scotland” was performed for the first time, which ignited the atmosphere in the stadium. The Scots defeated the English and won the Grand Slam. The following year at the World Cup, they won the group, to defeat Western Samoa in the ¼ finals. In the ½ final, England’s ruthless flyhalf Rob Andrew broke the hearts of Scottish fans with a dropkick in the dying moments of the match. Scots are in the match for lost the 3rd place to New Zealand and eventually took 4th place.
Scotland last celebrated in the 5 Nations in 1999 . It was also the last competition with five teams, because Italy was added the following season. 1999 Triumph is the last in this competition, up to date. World Cup in New Zealand 2011 was the worst tournament in Scotland’s history. They barely beat Romania and Georgia, only to lose to Argentina and England and end their competition in the group stage.
Scotland has very good players. It does not have a broad base like some other nations, but it has outstanding individuals. The big bad thing is that Stuart Hogg had to end his career due to injury. Finn Russell is definitely the alpha and omega of the team, a player of creation and vision who breaks the opposing defenses with a high tempo of the game. If he doesn’t create with his hands, he creates with shots where he has Duhane Van de Merwe and Kyle Stein on the wings, who are excellent in the air. Leading the scrum is the fantastic Gilhirst and captain Jamie Ritchie. It will be very interesting to see if Hamish Watscon finds his form and his place in the Scotland team.
Expectations │ Scotland currently ranks 5th in the world ranking. The draw for the upcoming World Cup has put them in a group with defending champions South Africa and Ireland, who are ranked 1st place in the ranking list. Group of death, as we like to say. It will be very interesting to see how it unfolds, that is, who and from which position will advance to the ¼ finals. The Scots are definitely not favorites, but they are very dangerous, organized, combative and strong.
Tonga
Number of tournaments: 8
Best result Group stage
Head Coach: Toutai Kefu
Captain: Sonatane Takulua
Nickname: ʻIkale Tahi (Sea eagles)
Tonga is a country located in Polynesia and an archipelago made up of 176 islands in the South Pacific. As such, it was a mandatory stop for ships heading to the American continent. Rugby was brought to Tonga by sailors and missionaries in the early 20th century . Rugby Union was founded in 1923 and they played their first match against Fiji in 1924 and won with a score of 9-6. It is interesting that the matches between these two rivals were quite difficult and tense, because in a way they simulated the wars that these two nations fought in the past.
The Tongans have participated in all but one World Cup. They did not have much success in terms of placing in the ¼ finals, although they were quite close. We are especially thinking of 2011 when they beat the French 19-14 in the group, but lost to Canada and New Zealand, so they missed out on a place in the ¼ finals. Tonga had a very strong team in 2007 as well when they played in the group stage with the finalists of that year, England and South Africa. The South Africans barely beat them 30-25, eventually becoming World Champions that year.
One of the biggest issues facing rugby in the Pacific Islands is emigration and playing for major rugby nations. Until tomorrow, we can count how many players originally from Tonga have played for New Zealand, Australia, and now they play for the countries of the northern hemisphere, including Japan. A new rule where players can switch national teams under certain conditions helps them bring back aces who can play for Tonga.
There have always been excellent individuals performing for Tonga. It is the same this time. First of all, it is necessary to say that Israel Folau is injured and will not play at the World Cup. But there is the famous Fekitoa who in 2015 won the trophy with New Zealand. Also there is the experienced Pietau, as well as Temeifuna. The players mostly play for big European clubs, but there is also a lot of talent playing in Super Rugby, primarily for the Moana Pacific team.
Expectations │ Expectations are not too high due to a very strong group. It is very unlikely that Togo will make it past the group stage alongside Scotland, South Africa and Ireland. So they have a match with Romania, where they have the epithet of favorites. It would be a real surprise if Tonga manage to achieve a score higher than 4th place in group stage.
Romania
Number of tournaments: 8
Best result Group stage
Head Coach: Eugen Apjok
Captain: Mihai Macovei
Nickname: Stejarii (The Oaks)
Rugby in Romania has quite an interesting and glorious history. The first beginnings were recorded in 1913 when the students returned from their studies in Paris and brought with them a rugby ball and a new sport. Soon, a large number of clubs were formed in Bucharest. Already in 1919 the first international match was played against the United States of America. It is interesting that Romanians took part in the Olympic Games in Paris in 1924 , where they won the bronze medal. The Romanian Rugby Union was founded in 1931 and in 1939 The first club outside Bucharest was founded in the building of the old airport in Brasov.
After World War II, the communist regime used rugby as a propaganda tool during the Cold War. Unlike other communist countries that were not interested in investing in a sport played by the elite in the West, Romanians then established rugby as one of the most popular sports in the country. A lot was invested in military and police clubs, such as Steaua and Dinamo from Bucharest. A generation of trained coaches from France built the system in the years after the Second World War and led the Romanian team to great success in the following decades. It is necessary to point out that our neighbors beat France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The victory over the French away from home in 1990 is especially memorable , when the Romanians celebrated 12-6.
With the advent of professionalism in rugby, we can safely say that the former communist countries, which could not keep up with the Western European clubs, suffered the most. The Romanians especially suffered because of this, because in those years over 200 players found professional employment in France and Italy. As a result, generations of future sports workers, coaches, reffs and volunteers were lost. However, the Romanians were still a very strong team, which appeared in all World Cups except 2019 , when they were sanctioned because of a player who did not have the right to perform.
Once upon a time, the skeleton of the Romanian national team was made up of players who played in the French TOP14 and PROD2 leagues. Today the situation is drastically different, the vast majority of players perform in the Romanian Championship, where together with several players from abroad they form a very strong team. The trend of naturalization of players from the Pacific Islands did not bypass them either. They have modernized their style of play a lot, unlike in previous years where they forced a dominant scrum.
Expectations │ Unfortunately, the Romanians have been drawn in the group of death, the toughest group in the last few World Cups, featuring teams ranked 1st, 2nd and 5th place in the world ranking list. Which is a great experience for youngsters and a great reward for experienced players. Also, our neighbors have a match against Tonga left, where they would try to win. Tonga is the favorite in that match, but after all this is the World Cup, everyone is ready to give their best.
Verdict - Final standings
- Ireland
- South Africa
- Scotland
- Tonga
- Romania
