Cape Town - Pool C at RWC 2015 looks pretty clear-cut in terms of who will progress to the quarter-finals. Defending champions and tournament favourites New Zealand will have their only real test in the group stages when they meet Argentina on Sunday. Tonga, Georgia and Namibia are the other sides in the pool, but it is hard to see them causing any upsets.
NEW ZEALAND
World ranking – 1
Best WC – Winners (1987, 2011)
The All Blacks are the obvious and overwhelming favourites to win the pool and are also expected to go the distance in the tournament. They are losing a number of key players at the end of the competition, and that group will be more motivated than ever to end their international careers on a high. If the All Blacks win their group, as expected, a quarter-final against either Ireland or France awaits … which could be a banana peel game.
ARGENTINA
World ranking – 8
Best WC – 3rd (2007)
The Pumas have a good draw. Even if they lose to the All Blacks in their first game, they should move through the remainder of their matches unscathed and secure second place in the group. They will be boosted by their showing in the Rugby Championship this year after they comprehensively outplayed the Springboks in Durban, and will approach their match against the All Blacks knowing that they have the capability to cause an upset.
TONGA
World ranking – 11
Best WC –Pool stages (1987, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011)
The islanders have only missed one World Cup, but have never progressed out of the group stages. They will be eyeing their clash against Argentina in Leicester on October 4 as a way of making that happen. A win there would more than likely be enough to secure a historic quarter-final appearance, presuming they get past Namibia and Georgia.
GEORGIA
World ranking – 16
Best WC – Pool stages (2003, 2007, 2011)
In their fourth straight showing at the tournament, Georgia are unlikely to ruffle any feathers. They are simply surrounded by too much quality to realistically contend for a place in the playoffs. The match against Namibia will be considered a must-win, and they will fancy their chances against Tonga too. Two wins would make this their most successful World Cup yet.
NAMIBIA
World ranking – 20
Best WC – Pool stages (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011)
The Africans have finished bottom of their pool in all four of their previous World Cups and have lost all 15 matches along the way. So a World Cup win in 2015 would surely be considered a step in the right direction. Their clash against Georgia on October 7 will probably be their best shot.