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ChuckieNZ · 10-13-2015, 04:58 PM

My predictions:

Quarterfinal 1 - South Africa v Wales
South Africa & Wales met in the pool stages of the last World Cup, a very close encounter that South Africa ended up winning 17-16. The last time these two sides met in Cardiff in November, Wales came out on top with a 12-6 victory. I see this one going the distance, keeping in mind that South Africa didn’t really have much competition in their pool, and have an aging tight five.

Prediction: Wales wins a tight matchup, this should be the most physical of all the quarter-finals.

Quarterfinal 2 - New Zealand v France
France won’t mind playing the All Blacks, and may have even preferred it to a matchup with Argentina who have had their number in recent history. There is a lot of World Cup history between these two teams; France lost World Cup Finals to New Zealand in 1987 & 2011, but in games played in the Northern Hemisphere (see 1999 & 2007), France have been on the winning side of the ledger. There are a couple of players and coaching staff in the New Zealand squad that were there that day in 2007, so there will be no underestimating the opposition next Saturday.

Prediction: New Zealand will be too much for the French this time around, and erase the ghosts of 2007 with a big win.

Quarterfinal 3 - Ireland v Argentina
Argentina are an “in-form” team and have been improving as a side, especially since joining the Rugby Championship with Australia, South Africa & New Zealand in 2012. Ireland have all sorts of injury worries to key players and Sean O’Brien has been ruled out of the quarter-final after being cited for foul play in the game against France.

Prediction: Argentina will match a depleted Irish side up front and win a close one.

Quarterfinal 4 - Australia v Scotland
Australia have looked very threatening through the pool stages, and this looks like one of the best Wallaby sides in years. They seem be putting it together, as highlighted by their defensive effort against Wales, and are facing what I consider the weakest quarterfinal opponent in Scotland.

Prediction: Australia should win comfortably.

10-13-2015, 04:58 PM	#208
ChuckieNZ Crash and Bang Winger Join Date: Oct 2008 Exp:	My predictions: Quarterfinal 1 - South Africa v Wales South Africa & Wales met in the pool stages of the last World Cup, a very close encounter that South Africa ended up winning 17-16. The last time these two sides met in Cardiff in November, Wales came out on top with a 12-6 victory. I see this one going the distance, keeping in mind that South Africa didn’t really have much competition in their pool, and have an aging tight five. Prediction: Wales wins a tight matchup, this should be the most physical of all the quarter-finals. Quarterfinal 2 - New Zealand v France France won’t mind playing the All Blacks, and may have even preferred it to a matchup with Argentina who have had their number in recent history. There is a lot of World Cup history between these two teams; France lost World Cup Finals to New Zealand in 1987 & 2011, but in games played in the Northern Hemisphere (see 1999 & 2007), France have been on the winning side of the ledger. There are a couple of players and coaching staff in the New Zealand squad that were there that day in 2007, so there will be no underestimating the opposition next Saturday. Prediction: New Zealand will be too much for the French this time around, and erase the ghosts of 2007 with a big win. Quarterfinal 3 - Ireland v Argentina Argentina are an “in-form” team and have been improving as a side, especially since joining the Rugby Championship with Australia, South Africa & New Zealand in 2012. Ireland have all sorts of injury worries to key players and Sean O’Brien has been ruled out of the quarter-final after being cited for foul play in the game against France. Prediction: Argentina will match a depleted Irish side up front and win a close one. Quarterfinal 4 - Australia v Scotland Australia have looked very threatening through the pool stages, and this looks like one of the best Wallaby sides in years. They seem be putting it together, as highlighted by their defensive effort against Wales, and are facing what I consider the weakest quarterfinal opponent in Scotland. Prediction: Australia should win comfortably.