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IRB rankings and RWC 2015 pool draws
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<blockquote data-quote="psychic duck" data-source="post: 539680" data-attributes="member: 48703"><p>I wonder whether Samoa now a guaranteed second band team, they could persuade even more New Zealanders to play for them. A large reason for their resurgence in 2010, is that they've managed to get players like Paul Williams, Kahn Fotuali'i, Ti'i Paulo etc all available, whilst they were previously not available. They could perhaps get even more now the side is being successful.</p><p></p><p>Interesting that if Samoa and Tonga get drawn in the same pool, then we are guaranteed at least one Tier 1 team in the Quarter Finals at 2015. It is hard to say what is the hardest or easiest pool, but Wales or Argentina are a team in band 3 which everybody will want to avoid.</p><p></p><p>I think England are the least preferable team to have in band 2 as they will be at home, Samoa are probably the weakest, but teams would perhaps prefer to play Ireland as Samoa basically mash up sides physically win or lose, very inconvenient at a World Cup, and they are too good to rest players against as well.</p><p></p><p>Remember that we can predict band 4 and 5 will likely be as well:</p><p></p><p>Band 4: Japan (Asia 1), Georgia (Europe 1), Fiji (Oceania 1), Canada or USA (Americas 1)</p><p>Band 5: Romania (Europe 2), Canada or USA (Americas 2), Spain, Russia or Portugal (Repechage), An African side (Africa 1)</p><p></p><p>I think Americas 1 will be the side you want to avoid most as the USA have impressed in 2012 and much improved on 2011 and are a tricky side to play, Japan I think are the side most would want to play as they don't offer unpredictability like Fiji, and won't physically mash a team. In band 5, Americas 2 is the side to avoid, and Africa 1 is most certainly the easiest side you would want in your pool.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="psychic duck, post: 539680, member: 48703"] I wonder whether Samoa now a guaranteed second band team, they could persuade even more New Zealanders to play for them. A large reason for their resurgence in 2010, is that they've managed to get players like Paul Williams, Kahn Fotuali'i, Ti'i Paulo etc all available, whilst they were previously not available. They could perhaps get even more now the side is being successful. Interesting that if Samoa and Tonga get drawn in the same pool, then we are guaranteed at least one Tier 1 team in the Quarter Finals at 2015. It is hard to say what is the hardest or easiest pool, but Wales or Argentina are a team in band 3 which everybody will want to avoid. I think England are the least preferable team to have in band 2 as they will be at home, Samoa are probably the weakest, but teams would perhaps prefer to play Ireland as Samoa basically mash up sides physically win or lose, very inconvenient at a World Cup, and they are too good to rest players against as well. Remember that we can predict band 4 and 5 will likely be as well: Band 4: Japan (Asia 1), Georgia (Europe 1), Fiji (Oceania 1), Canada or USA (Americas 1) Band 5: Romania (Europe 2), Canada or USA (Americas 2), Spain, Russia or Portugal (Repechage), An African side (Africa 1) I think Americas 1 will be the side you want to avoid most as the USA have impressed in 2012 and much improved on 2011 and are a tricky side to play, Japan I think are the side most would want to play as they don't offer unpredictability like Fiji, and won't physically mash a team. In band 5, Americas 2 is the side to avoid, and Africa 1 is most certainly the easiest side you would want in your pool. [/QUOTE]
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