RWC - The 6Ns vs 4Ns Showdown

I am being rather thick this week, but it was only driving home that I realised the quarter finals this weekend all match up a side from the northern hemispheres Six Nations with one from the Southern's Four Nations tournaments.

In the pool stages we had three such match-ups - all won by the southern team - and there is a strong chance we could see the same happening in all four quarter finals. Up till now there has always been at least one northern team in the last four. After all the excitement surrounding Super Saturday, way back in March, it would be a sad indictment if the 4Ns sides completed their clean sweep and filled all four semi final spots.

Well it's fairly reflective of the results over the last few years to be honest. The SH is clearly some way ahead.

Ireland, Scotland and Wales all have kiwi coaches too, maybe England missed a trick there - if you can't beat em then join em ...

I hope Wales and Ireland can continue to fly the flag for the NH .

Wales - SA - Wales have a chance against perhaps the weakest SH side - but I wouldn't bet on it given injury woes and given that the way Wales play might be an easy pattern for SA to defend - or will Gatland pull a rabbit out of the hat?

Scotland - Aus - well we have beaten them in recent years - but Aus look to be right on form and with few weaknesses. Hard to see beyond a convincing Aus win

France - NZ - very hard to see France doing anything here. NZ by a hatfull

Ireland - Argentina. Perhaps the most even matchup. Argentina have really impressed in the last year - their time in the 4N has really done them a world of good. Ireland probably the best of the NH teams but will be missing a few guys who give them that bit extra. Could go either way.

One of them has to slip up this time.......

My money's on Australia.

Ireland have never been past the QF stage, so if Ireland are the most likely to get through the next round of game then it is a poor reflection on the NH sides.

At least the NH created the best upset of the tournament when Japan defeated SA.

Though in reality it feels like most of the games have just gone to form (the higher IRB ranked team winning on each occasion)... must check that out if I've time later.

England lost to two teams ranked below them. SA lost to a team ranked below them. Scotland beat Samoa ranked above them

England were well behind Australia when they played (about 4 points). They were ahead of Wales when they lost to them.

HammerofThunor wrote:England were well behind Australia when they played (about 4 points). They were ahead of Wales when they lost to them.

Ah.

The rankings mean absolutely nothing during the World Cup as they change too quickly. They usually take a year or so to settle down again (removing the benefits received by those countries that only get one chance to properly prepare every 4 years.

indeed. Its too volatile with double points awarded

Yet NZ ranking is remarkably stable. Sorry.

nganboy wrote:Yet NZ ranking is remarkably stable. Sorry.

Not after World Cups, it's not. Usually.

I thought we were talking about during the RWC. But its true we dropped down a spot after 2003 and 2007 for a while but since 2004 we've been 1 or 2. That's pretty stable