The 2023 Rugby World Cup approaches and it may be the tightest tournament the sport has ever seen! Arguably, every pool aside from the host country’s, is considered a pool of death with the current from of some teams. Thank you, World Rugby, for determining the draw three-plus years ahead of the tournament… it’s brought about an uneven draw, but also tons of drama on the horizon.

POOL A

Pool A sees the likes of two juggernauts in New Zealand and France, who are sure to advance to their respective quarterfinals, leaving behind Italy, Uruguay, and Namibia. Although Italy has grown in the last year and a half, it’s very unlikely that they will be playing any sort of dark-horse card to escape the pool this year. The most important aspect of Pool A is the winner of the opening match of the tournament, which will most likely determine the seeding of France and New Zealand in the quarterfinals. 

France has sustained several major injuries, most notably losing their starting flyhalf in Romain Ntamack. However, with their quality of depth and one of the proudest home crowds in the world, this does not rule them out of defeating New Zealand in round one nor making their way to the Grand Final. 

The All Blacks of New Zealand have caught serious flak and doubt from the more dramatic media pundits around the world in regards to their most recent test in losing to South Africa fairly handily… but they are still the All Blacks. They simply can not be ruled out of any test at any time during this tournament. This Rugby Zealot predicts that the All Blacks will win the opener versus France and remain undefeated through the pool. 

POOL B

Pool B is the heavy-handed pool of death. Three of the top five teams in the world prepare for battle in this pool; Ireland, South Africa, and Scotland. Ireland has some serious pressure on them, as they have had for over a year while being number one. They have done everything that has been asked of them in the build up to this World Cup, from defeating the All Blacks in a three game series in New Zealand, winning The Six Nations, and holding a record 13 test wins in a row. Their true and final test will be running the gauntlet on their side of the bracket. The Irish will have two ‘easier’ tests to begin their tournament with Romania and Tonga, but this is followed by a five match gut-check in a row with South Africa, Scotland, quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final if they wish to win the Webb Ellis Cup. 

The Irish will have to compete against the reigning champion that is South Africa… a scary South Africa at that. The Springboks have turned on their form and will look to go undefeated on their way to two consecutive Grand Final wins, propelled by their nuclear squad that is their forward pack. South Africa has the highest quality of depth in this tournament and they will be looking to go full Demolition Man to obtain the Webb Ellis Cup for the fourth time in their history. 

Scotland has gone about a slow-burn style in making their way into World Rugby’s top five teams. With Finn Russell at the helm, this is not a team to be taken lightly. Look for Scotland to upset one of either Ireland or South Africa in this pool, but also like Scotland has shown in the past, they’ll muff it up by losing to Tonga or Romania as well. 

Tonga is a team with some serious upset potential in this pool as well, given the new rule change allowing previously capped players for other nations (Piutau, Fekitoa, Moala, Fifita, etc.) to return to international duty after three years absence and for their chosen home country. They may not make it out of this pool of death, but look for Tonga to upset a country or two this year. 

With regard to Romania, it’s unfortunate, but they are likely to fall to the bottom of the pool once it’s all said and done. This pool is simply too strong from top to bottom for them to have much of a chance, even against Tonga.

I suspect that Ireland and South Africa will advance from Pool B and in that order… giving Ireland yet another shot to taste their first knockout win ever.

POOL C

Pools C and D must also be considered pools of death. Pool C, with Wales, Australia, and Fiji rounding out the top three, feels completely unpredictable as to who will be advancing to the knockout stage. 

Despite their complete internal implosion over the last year, Wales can still see themselves rise above their off-field issues while being led by quite a few high quality youngsters. 

Australia is a complete dark-horse in this pool and given their competition, they very well could sneak their way into the quarterfinals as well. The Eddie Jones Show would go absolutely wild if we were to see the  youthful Wallabies advance while Jones’ former employer (England – Pool D) does not. Or imagine… Australia meets England in the quarterfinals! The drama!

Fiji has been considered essentially a shoe-in to top the pool and advance to the quarterfinals until they suffered a major setback with starting flyhalf Caleb Muntz and his World Cup ending knee injury during training this week. This certainly will impact the Flying Fijians, but I still expect them to advance from the pool stage. Will they bring in the likes of the initially-snubbed Ben Volavola? 

Portugal is unlikely to see a victory in this Rugby World Cup, but the possibility remains. Georgia, on the other hand, can very well see two or three wins in this pool which would be quite the statement for them.

Australia and Fiji will be the squads to escape the pool here.

POOL D

Pool D, for Death of the Queen! I might as well preface this in saying  that I hate England nearly as much as I love the Irish or Kiwis, my preferred teams. This pool is very similar to Pool C in that the overall pool is weak in comparison to Pools A and B. England has been in shambles on the field lately, making for this pool to be an opportunistic one for the likes of Argentina, Samoa, and Japan. However, like any perennial top tier team, England is still England and can rise up at anytime, unlike their dead queen. It’s alright, it’s meant to be harsh… the rugby community has one thing in common and that’s hating England. They’re like the Empire in Star Wars. If they do wake up in this tournament, I hope they are led by the likes of Marcus Smith and George Ford. 

Argentina seems to have the greatest chance of advancing from the pool. They have looked good on the pitch and they have the depth quality that rivals the top five teams. They’re full of talent and experience that can go toe to toe with any team in the world on any given day. However, their downfall could very well rest with their lack of discipline on the pitch. It will be difficult to win while playing down a man or two (cough cough, Lavanini).

Samoa has proven that like Tonga, they can pull themselves together for an upset or two. Seeing Samoa squeak out of the pool in the number two slot would not be surprising given the quality of the pool, especially with Lima Sopoaga in charge on the pitch. Expect to see Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga to go nowhere but up in the coming World Cups.

Japan’s preparation for this World Cup has been abysmal… but the thing about Japan is that they are always ready to strike when it counts. From defeating South Africa in 2015, to upsetting Ireland and Scotland in 2019, advancing to their first knockout stages ever… and as the host nation of all things. They have a history of not performing well leading up to the World Cup and then suddenly firing on all cylinders, upsetting the most giant of rugby nations. One can never truly rule out Japan in a World Cup at this point.

Chile’s first ever Rugby World Cup (RIP, USA) will see them at the bottom of this pool and likely without a win, but it would be a beautiful rugby moment to see them snag a win here.

For the sake of continuing to show my hate of England, I expect to see Argentina and Samoa advance from this pool and into the knockout stages.

Knockout Stage Predictions:

• Quarterfinal 1: Fiji v Samoa
• Quarterfinal 2: Ireland v France
• Quarterfinal 3: Argentina v Australia
• Quarterfinal 4: New Zealand v South Africa

• Semifinal 1: Fiji v Ireland
• Semifinal 2: Argentina v New Zealand
• Final: Ireland v New Zealand
• Grand Final Champions: Ireland

SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

Ireland’s destiny is not one of quarterfinal woes any longer. Yes, the Irish have been disappointing in each of the quarterfinals they’ve reached from the beginning of the Rugby World Cup in 1985 to the 2019 implosion, but this is their year (famous last words of any Irish supporter). In all seriousness, Ireland is as ready as they’ve ever been, if not more. They have been tasked with every sort of challenge a team could be presented with over the last year and a half. They’ve claimed #1 in the world for 13 months (longest run by any northern hemisphere team), beat the All Blacks in a series hosted by New Zealand, won the Six Nations, and possibly the most impressive… they’ve not committed a single yellow or red card in their last 11 matches. Not one card all year and only 2 yellow cards in 24 matches. Such discipline in a time where referees have totally cracked down on high tackles is astounding. 

If an Ireland side was ever to go the whole way and not only break their quarterfinal curse, but win the whole damn thing, it’s this one.