The World Cup is now literally around the corner, rugby fans are sure to be glued to their television sets as England kick-off proceedings when they meet Fiji at Twickenham on Friday, 18th September.
The lead up to the tournament has seen many a twist already. Be it in the form of the composition of the squads that have been selected, as well as some gut wrenching injuries during the warm-up internationals that have robbed the rugby loving public of some real talent. Being grouped in the ‘pool of death’ with former winners England, and Australia was daunting enough. Now Wales have to devise a plan of upstaging both powerhouses, sans two vital components that propped up their side.
Rhys Webb was in the form of his life for club and country this year. His link with Ospreys team and Fly Half Dan Biggar was working exceptionally well, and he also was a live wire at the breakdown with his sniping runs. Unfortunately fate had other plans. Ten minutes into a, now seemingly needless game against Italy, Webb finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it’s all over.
The case with lynch pin Leigh Halfpenny, is a bit more curious. The Full Back looked to be carrying an injury coming into the game judging by his heavenly strapped leg. ACL tears do not heal easy, and a lengthy, and no doubt frustrating spell of recovery and rehab awaits. The query many past legends such as Shane Williams ask is simple – ‘then why take the risk?’ Not that simple I’m afraid. Given the composition of the group Wales are in, they would have to hit the ground running come their first game against Uruguay, on the 20th of September. Given that Warren Gatland named his strongest available fifteen, its evident that the Kiwi wanted to carry momentum going into the tournament. Boy would he regret that now.
Spare a thought for Webb and Halfpenny though. A four year wait is a long time, and may not even come by again.
The other teams seem to have come out of their preparations relatively unscathed. The All Blacks had some anxiety over Colin Slade, and Thierry Dusautoir was kept in the sheds with a troublesome knee. However, both players have been received the all clear as has Springbok Skipper Jean De Villiers.
Much of the hype around the England squad selected by Stuart Lancaster, has been concerning the inclusion of Rugby League convert, Sam Burgess. Many fans have labeled the 26 year old, as England’s answer to Kiwi Sonny Bill Williams, who himself made the switch between codes. Who is Sam Burgess? ‘Slamming Sam’ as he was known, came into prominence whilst playing with distinction for the Bradford Bulls in England’s Super League. He was then persuaded to by A-list Actor Russell Crowe to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs, which was co-owned by the ‘Gladiator’ star. His brothers Luke, and the twins Tom & George soon followed him to the Rabbitohs, and were part of the National Rugby League winning side in 2014. A proven track record in the 13-man code. But did Sam have it in him to make it big in Union, and more pertinently, did he have enough time to shine and make the squad? His first premiership season at Bath, saw him start in the centres and then end on the flank, where he seemed to be more at home. However, strangely enough, the England management see him as an inside centre. With ball in hand, he’s probably going to burst through defenders, no question about that, nor his ability get out the line and smash the ball carrier. But in those finer moments, has he had enough experience to read the play and position himself? The jury seems hung on this one. Former Captain, Will Carling, and Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll do not find favour with his selection, for the very points given. However, in my mind, after the Rugby Football Union splashed the money to lure him into the game, Burgess was always going to be a shoe in. And in reality, he is not going to be a first choice selection in any case. At least not in the big games anyway, as Brad Barritt and Jonathan Joseph are likely to be paired together. As for me, I believe Sam Burgess is good for the game, and more importantly, good for the occasion. He will play some part, and is sure to leave his mark when he does.
On the other side of the equator, Sonny Bill Williams has also had to fend off a fair share of criticism. At the last World Cup, four years ago, SBW was far from the finished article. However, he really stepped up the following Super Rugby season when playing a significant part in a victorious campaign with the Chiefs. Unfortunately, just as Williams seemed to be maturing as a union player, he was off again – first to Japan en route to another venture in NRL with the Sydney-based Roosters. His second coming has been less than flattering. Some have even questioned his inclusion in the touring party. Williams endured a quiet Rugby Championship, and has evidently yet to hit his straps. However, his talent cannot be questioned. New Zealand are likely to persist with veterans Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, with Malaki Fekitoa also pushing for selection. Chances will not come by too often in the tournament, and Williams will look to make the most of the openings given.
Another code hopper, certain to dazzle crowds at this World Cup is Wallaby flyer Israel Folau. The Warratahs Full Back has the distinction of now having played all three codes – League, Aussie Rules Football, and Union, and has represented his country in the Rugby League World Cup in 2008. Folau burst into the Test rugby scene with a bang, scoring a couple of tries against the touring British and Irish Lions in the first Test in 2013. Since then, he has been a mainstay in the Wallaby side wining the coveted John Eales Gold Medal back to back in 2014, and 2015. The Wallabies have shown vast improvements this season in their set pieces, especially their scrummaging. If they could take this form into the World Cup, and feed the likes of Folau, Kuridrani, and Adam Ashley-Cooper with front foot ball, they will cause the big sides many a problem.
It’s interesting to know that there have been many others who have graced the rugby world stage, after having plied they trade in the rival code. England World Cup winner Jason Robinson comes to mind. His dancing feet that wrong footed Chris Latham in 2001, when playing for the Lions, as well as the try he scored in the 2003 final against the same opposition were real gems. Robinson first made a name for himself at Wigan, also representing Great Britain and England before crossing over to Union in 2000, earning 56 Caps, including 5 for the Lions.
Remember Scott Gibbs anyone? One of my favourite players of the late nineties. Gibbs first toured with the Lions in 1993 to New Zealand, ousting Will Carling to play in the last two Tests. He then crossed over to play for St. Helens, but returned to Union when the game went professional in 1996. The burly Welshman will be remembered for two defining acts, The first was for his ‘Man of the Series’ winning performance for the Lions in 1997, when they beat the then World Champions 2-1. I distinctly remember one incident in when he ran straight into the monstrous Os Du Randt, flattening the Springbok prop. The other act of brilliance was in 1999, when he bamboozled the English defense at Wembley in 1999, to win the game 32-31 for Wales, in the process, denying Martin Johnson’s men a Grand Slam in what was the last five nations prior to Italy’s introduction into the competition, the following year.
