Rugby World Cup: It’s here… at last!
The Rugby World Cup starts today. Let the bone-crunching begin.
David Rush, South Coast Herald.
ENGLAND doesn’t have that bad a record in Rugby World Cups.
They’re the only northern hemisphere to win the William Webb-Ellis trophy – and did it Down Under to boot.
They’ll get things going against Fiji tonight and it will be interesting to see what the outcome is.
.@FijiRugby announce side to face @EnglandRugby and kick-start their #RWC2015 campaign 🏆 #ENGvFJI pic.twitter.com/dIY9aGd7xd
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 16, 2015
Fiji is much-improved. They’ve always had devastatingly rapid runners in the backline, but have lacked substance in the pack.
That has apparently changed, but England will be prepared.
So, in front of millions of patriotic fans, they could be a handful.
Here’s a quote from former England player, Jeremy Guscott:
“Host nations invariably do well. Statistically they’ve always made the knockout stages and three times they’ve won it, albeit New Zealand have done it twice. South Africa in 1995 were the other home winners. On that basis alone, England should do well.”
And here’s Bobby Skinstad’s take on his views of South Africa’s chances:
“The Springboks are probably slightly under-cooked, with half a dozen players coming back from injury. They are possibly not quite at their best yet, but I think that helps them. The selection has remained consistent and they have leaders with huge character.”
