Rugby World Cup: Pool B Preview

Rugby World Cup: Pool B Preview
Apart from Pool C this is the most talked about group with the current World Champions involved and up against a South African side that in the last 18 months have managed to claw their way back in contention. Italy will be looking to give Sergio Parisse a great farewell in his final games while you feel Namibia and Canada will make up the bottom 2.
 
 
 

Pool Facts:
 
  • This pool has 5 World Cup Trophies with both New Zealand (3 titles) and South Africa (2 titles) having previously won the tournament.
  • New Zealand are on the hunt for their 3rd successive title, something that has never been achieved before
  • Should the All Blacks and the Springboks continue to compete for the final on November 2nd, it will be the 100th meeting between the 2 sides.
  • Canada are the only side besides New Zealand and South Africa to advance out the groups in previous tournaments, They made the Quarter Finals in 1991
 
 
Key Matches:
 
  • New Zealand vs South Africa - This is the opening game of the tournament for both sides and the winner will almost certainly finish up as Pool B winners
  • Namibia vs Canada - Namibia will fancy their chances against Canada to get their first ever World Cup win

Players to Watch:

  •  The likes of Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick and Sonny Bill Williams are obivious names that jump out when you look at the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup squad but keep an eye on the likes of wingers George Bridge and Sevu Reece as well as back up scrumhalf Brad Weber.
  • The same can be said of the Springboks with Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk and Malcolm Marx all players that catch the eye. Sbu Nkosi is a player to keep an eye on while Pieter-Steph du Toit is in incredible form.

Check out our Tier Two players to watch from Pool B:




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