Preview: Rugby World Cup Pool C
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E-mail Xinhua, September 21, 2019
By sportswriter Jonathan Dixon
TOKYO, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- After the 2019 Rugby World Cup kicked off Friday evening, a total of 20 teams started again to chase for the Webb Ellis Trophy, which is coming to Asia for the first time.
Following is a preview of Pool C which consists of England, France, Argentina, USA, Tonga:
England
Rank: 3rd
Previous best: Champions (2003)
England's best chance to win the tournament since 2003. In the intervening four years since an embarrassing exit at their home World Cup, England has gone from Grand Slam winners to a dip in form to now hitting the quality they demonstrated three years ago. English supporters will hope coach Eddie Jones's experience as an ex-Japanese coach and his settled side will give them the edge in a country where many of the big sides are not used to playing. Entering the tournament with an almost clean bill of health, England has an almost perfect start to the pool in the Sapporo Dome against Tonga, while their biggest rivals for the group - France and Argentina - face off against each other. Topping the group will be vital; however, to reach the final, England will still have to go through one of either New Zealand or South Africa but the English will be buoyed by a second/third-string side handily beating and narrowly losing to Wales in the warm-up games. The big stars of the side should head into the games against France and Argentina fresh and firing.
Captain
Owen Farrell (28, Fly-half, 73) - On his day Farrell is the best 10 in the world and looks to be growing into the captain's role nicely. His influence on the field is essential to releasing the English wingers out wide, while his goal kicking in, on the whole, unflappable.
Player to watch
Maro Itoje (24, Lock, 29 caps) - The heartbeat of England's pack, Itoje is physical and skillful in equal measure. Despite his young age, Itoje is one of England's leaders on and off the field and that leadership is one of his most valuable assets. Genuine world-class, Itoje can be the MVP of this tournament, following on from Martin Johnson's heroics in 2003.
What does success look like?
Raising the Webb Ellis Trophy at the end. Eddie Jones has made it clear that this is the goal and falling short would be a disappointment to him. However, for the English public, a strong run to either the final or semifinals would be a nice way to get over the last World Cup.
France
Rank: 8th
Previous best: Runners-up
French rugby is in complete disarray. Arriving in Japan with two head coaches, the former and possibly current head coach, Jaques Brunel, and future and also possibly current head coach, Fabien Galthié, have a squad that looks bereft of confidence and quality associated with former French sides. However, as with previous French sides, dysfunction seems to be par for the course have done well despite disorder behind the scenes. The inbuilt style of French rugby that has got them through in the past, which on the other hand, looks to have disappeared. Winning their first game against Argentina will be key.
Captain
Guilhem Guirado (33, Hooker, 70 caps) - Guirado has been Mr. Consistent in a French team that has been up and down for a long time now. A calming influence on the madhouse of French rugby, there's even a chance that he could end up acting as a proxy coach if the players lose faith in Brunel. However, the aging forward will have to compete against his deputy Camille Chat, who really should be starting ahead of him.
Player to watch
Antoine Dupont (22, Scrum-half, 17 caps) - A livewire who is the little general of the backline. The French obsession with running everything through the number 9, as opposed to the orthodox dominance of number 10, has put a lot of pressure on the young man's shoulders. But he oozes class and skill and looks like French scrum-halves of yesteryear. He could be the breakout star of this World Cup.
What does success look like?
Topping the group and getting to at least the semifinals under normal circumstances, however, not falling apart first should be the priority.
Argentina
Rank: 11th
Previous best: Third
Argentina is masters of World Cup runs. With a foundation of a solid scrum and flair out wide, the Pumas have always been a side to reckon with at the World Cup. However, Argentinian international rugby has taken a backward step when compared to their Super Rugby domestic side and subsequently, the cracks have begun to appear, especially in the scrum and in the set-piece.
Argentina has a huge game against France first and if they can get through that tie then the pressure will be off for the England game.
Captain
Pablo Matera (26, Flanker, 62 caps)
Player to watch
Emiliano Boffelli (24, Utility back, 25 caps) - Tall, quick and athletic, Boffelli can play anywhere across the backline, although he prefers the wing. His height and ability in the air under the high ball have given his side a new dimension to their attacking kicking game.
What does success look like?
Reaching the quarters would be a good achievement considering the difficulty of the group, but with a potential quarterfinal game against either Australia or Wales then the semifinals could be beckoning.
USA
Rank: 13th
Previous best: Pool stage
The USA has a good side in Japan, perhaps their strongest ever. However, they have been put in the hardest group. Rugby in America has been growing steadily for the past few years and a large portion of the squad play in Europe, but even with that experience, it is beginning to look like mission impossible. This World Cup will be a good learning experience for the nation as they look to test themselves against the level they are aspiring to.
Captain
Blaine Scully (31, Wing, 50 caps)
Player to watch
Joe Taufete'e (26, Hooker, 23 caps) - Taufete'e is already the highest-scoring hooker in internationals, despite only playing 23 times for his country. Dynamic hooker with English Premiership experience with Worcester.
What does success look like?
If the USA could get close to either of the top three sides in the group during their games then they will leave Japan happy, a win against any of them they will leave Japan delirious.
Tonga
Rank: 15th
Previous best: Pool stage
This group's strength is epitomized by Tonga. While the Tongans are the lowest-ranked side in the group and on paper the weakest, Tonga has the potential to beat any of the other sides in the pool. Equal parts physical, equal parts skill full, Tonga embody everything that makes Pacific Island rugby great. Tonga takes on England in the first game and they will be looking to make a serious impression on the English players. With a team made up of stars from around the World, the union of Tonga's best stars in Japan could spur them on to a competitive World Cup.
Captain
Siale Piutau (33, Center, 39 caps)
Player to watch
Telusa Veainu (28, Utility back, 9 caps) - Seeing Veainu in Tongan red is a rare sight as the winger/fullback/center has not played for his national side since 2016. But Veainu is heading to Japan off the back of a brilliant season with Leicester Tigers where he was the side's top try scorer. He will hope to recover from a foot injury in time to start against England.
What does success look like?
They have to put away the USA and look to come close to France or Argentina. If France begins to fall to pieces, then Tonga can really target that game too. Enditem
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