Most of the teams flew out yesterday to Japan so the World Cup is getting ever closer. The disappointments of not making the squad or the elations of making it are a reality now and it is time to get to the business end.
Most team have a few injury concerns, but in reality those players have a good 4-6 weeks before the crunch games start. The way this tournament is set up it is fairly straightforward for the major teams to qualify for the quarter finals. Only a major upset would see someone go home and even then maybe not.
If we look at the tables or groups that the teams are in you can basically select the quarter final match ups except for one or two. I think the draw has actually favored a few tams and even though I don't support them South Africa has come out smelling like roses.
The benefit they have is that they have the All Blacks in their pool and play them first. This I don't think matters a huge amount whoever wins as they should be happy with whoever they play in the last 8. They shouldn't meet New Zealand again until the final if both teams make it that far. That is my pick for the final right now as I don't see much threat in the 6 Nations teams.
I will be running a competition of sorts so keep looking out for that announcement. I need to come up with something that isn't too obvious and maybe choose one game per day for someone to receive a full upvote and maybe a bonus prize for getting something spot on.
