As the World Cup beckons in New Zealand we look at the contenders; their squads, chances, odds and who they would be if reincarnated as pop stars.
Canada
How far will they go? Ranked 14th in the world – sandwiched between Fiji and pool opponents Japan – the Canadians will have their work cut out at this World Cup. Their preparations have gone reasonably well with a double victory over the USA in prep games but their last run out before flying to New Zeland ended in a heavy 24-point loss to the Australian Barbarians.
They are definitely capable of beating Japan and Tonga but forget about getting within 30 points of the All Blacks or France.
Squad:
Forwards: Ryan Hamilton, Pat Riordan (captain), Hubert Buydens, Scott Franklin, Jason Marshall, Andrew Tiedemann, Frank Walsh, Jamie Cudmore, Brian Erichsen, Tyler Hotson, Aaron Carpenter, Nanyak Dala, Adam Kleeberger, Jeremy Kyne, Chauncey O’Toole, Jebb Sinclair.
Backs: Ed Fairhurst, Jamie Mackenzie, Sean White, Nathan Hirayama, Ander Monro, Ryan Smith, Conor Trainor, Phil Mackenzie, Mike Scholz, DTH van der Merwe, Ciaran Hearn, Taylor Paris, Matt Evans, James Pritchard.
Key man: Canada’s second highest points scorer of all-time, James Pritchard, will be competing in his last World Cup and will be relied upon for accuracy from the tee. On his day and against average opposition, the full-back can tally well into double figures.
Odds: 5,000/1
If they were a pop star they would be… Cher Lloyd. Lacking swagger and the X Factor – but possibly unaware of it.
France
How far will they go? A guaranteed place in the quarter-finals where they will probably meet England – provided the All Blacks top this pool and the English top Pool B. The strength and depth of Les Bleus is frightening for any opponent as we learned from two warm-up games in August. Much will depend on loose cannon Marc Lievermont’s selection policy throughout the tournament, but if the correct personnel are on the field for the knock-out stages they will difficult to beat.
Lievermont may embarrass France with a karaoke performance
The squad is littered with star-studded names and their ability to play clinical rugby is undoubted. But, they also are well capable of not turning up and we’d be amazed if Lievermont – who will be replaced as head coach after the tournament – will come through it without cocking-up at some stage.
Squad:
Forwards: Fabien Barcella, Julien Bonnaire, Luc Ducalcon, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Imanol Harinordoquy, Guilhem Guirado, Nicolas Mas, Romain Millo-Chluski, Raphael Lakafia, Lionel Nallet, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Pascal Pape, Louis Picamoles, Julien Pierre, Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Dimitri Szarzewski.
Backs: Vincent Clerc, Patrice Estebanez, Cedric Heymans, David Marty, Maxime Medard, Maxime Mermoz, Alexis Palisson, Morgan Parra, Aurelien Rougerie, David Skrela, Damien Traille, Francois Trinh-Duc, Dimitri Yachvili.
Key man: The skill and athleticism of one of best number 8’s in the world, Imanol Harinordoquy can strike fear in the heart of any opposition. Alongside his captain and Biarritz team-mate Thierry Dusautoir, Harinordoquy could light up this World Cup.
Odds: 14/1
If they were a pop star they would be… Lady Gaga. Predictably unpredictable. The power to blow an audience away and at the same time un-do the extravagant performance with a moment of lunacy.
Japan
How far will they go? There’s no hope of a shock in the pool and it will be a matter of pride for the men from the Land of the Rising Sun to come away with at least one victory over either Tonga or Canada.
Their coach John Kirwan is a former All Black, who hopes the influx of foreign players will help the cause.
“We have nine foreign players. The Tongans (Sione Vatuvei and Ryukoliniasi Holani) and (Fijian) Leachy (Michael Leach) went there at nine (years old) to study,” Kirwan said recently.
“They have passports and are practically Japanese. Others have played for three years in Japan and under IRB rules can play for the country.
“I’ve always said we must use foreigners to improve our results and then when we arrive towards 2019, the Federation needs to work very hard to always get more Japanese players in the team.”
Anyway, no surprises if they finish up rock bottom.
Squad:
Forwards: Hisateru Hirashima , Naoki Kawamata, Yusuke Aoki, Shota Horie, Hiroki Yuhara, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Nozomu Fujita, Hitoshi Ono, Toshizumi Kitagawa, Luke Thompson, Justin Ives, Takashi Kikutani, Michael Leitch, Sione Vatuvei, Ryukoliniasi Holani, Itaru Taniguchi.
Backs: Fumiaki Tanaka, Tomoki Yoshida, Atsushi Hiwasa, James Arlidge, Murray Williams, Yuta Imamura, Ryan Nicholas, Koji Taira, Alisi Tupuailai, Hirotoki Onozawa, Kosuke Endo, Takehisa Usuzuki, Shaun Webb, Taihei Ueda.
Key man: The experience of Hitoshi Ono on the wing will be important to the Brave Blossoms’ chances of sneaking a win in New Zealand.
Odds: 5,000/1
If they were a pop star they would be… Shane McGowan. Always getting hammered, right?
New Zealand
How far will they go? All the way, don’t you agree? We know that their Tri Nations defeats to South Africa and Australia prove that the All Blacks are beatable, but in a World Cup on home soil, the only stumbling blocks they’re likely to encounter is an implosion or if the pressure of the home support and the expectations on their shoulders become too much to handle.
Going by the bookies you’d have to think the All Blacks are a shoo-in for the final and, if the roadmap pans out as we’ve designed it, they should be on course to lock horns with the Wallabies for what would make an epic final.
Squad:
Forwards: John Afoa, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Adam Thomson, Samuel Whitelock, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Victor Vito.
Backs: Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Zac Guildford, Richard Kahui, Cory Jane, Mils Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu, Sonny Bill Williams.
Key man: Daniel Carter is a leader, a provider and a game changer. Both he and Richie McCaw are the men to pick up the pieces if things aren’t going to plan.
Odds: 8/13
If they were a pop star they would be… Rihanna. A sell-out show, lots of sexy moves and sure to top the charts almost every time.
Tonga
How far will they go? Only for a fall-out in the camp we’d say the Tongans had a very good chance of coming third in this pool. The selection of Nili Latu by head coach and former All Black Isitolo Maka has caused a rift in the rugby-mad nation.
Some say there was political pressure and interference in the inclusion of a player who wasn’t even in the original 50-man squad for World Cup warm-ups, and that it will damage confidence in the side. And whatever confidence does remain could be wiped out after their opening game with the All Blacks. Interestingly, former All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu thinks they could be dark horses in the pool.
Squad: Aleki Lutui, Ephraim Taukafa, Aloisio Ma’asi, Alisona Taumalolo, Kisi Pulu, Soane Tonga’uiha, Halani Aulika, Taufa’ao Filise, Kelekolio Hehea, Sione Timani, Tukulua Lokotui, Joseph Tu’ineau, Sione Kalamafoni, Finau Maka (captain), Viliami Ma’afu, Samiu Vahafolau, Sione Vaiomo’unga, Taniela Moa, Thomas Palu, Samisoni Fisilau, Kurt Morath, Siale Piutau, Alipate Fatafehi, Andrew Ma’ilei, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, William Helu, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Alaska Taufa, Viliame Iongi, Vungakoto Lilo.
Key man: A brother of coach Isitolo Maka, Finau Maka is a distinctive figure on the field. Lots of power and drive, he won’t be found wanting when the chips are down.
Odds: 5,000/1
If they were a pop star they would be… Jessica Simpson. Looks the part but ultimately not very good at what she does.
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