Southern to battle it out against Northern Hemisphere – Rugby World Cup
With Rugby World Cup on its way in New Zealand during September and Six Nations’ results out, it seriously is a huge question mark on the face of the trophy that who will grab it.
It’s not even about which country, it’s about which region; Northern Hemisphere or the Southern Hemisphere.
England has proved to be the best from Northern Hemisphere after the Six Nations, but France has always been a surprising and harmful opponent to the Southern hemisphere cannons. After a long journey of seven years, it’s for the first time that England has
found its form and is showing signs of being a unit.
It had lost its color soon after they grabbed the 2003 World Cup. They won a few good matches in between but majorly failed in the important clashes. This year will decide a lot on the future of a few big players on the England’s squad. Toby Flood is the
youngster to look forward to in this World Cup and has
On the other hand, France has been claiming a few important victories throughout the decade, excluding this year’s Six Nations. They bagged a few Six Nations and a few major tests against Southern Hemisphere teams and are renowned for doing their homework
on the opponent pretty well. It’s a huge test for players like Sebastian Chabal, as he needs to prove himself more as a player and less as a hardcore model. His performance in Six Nations this year wasn’t what the coach actually expected and he was even dropped
from the squad in the last two clashes.
Being a true rugby fan, if we focus on Southern Hemisphere’s probability for the title, we might get chills and nightmares. It is the most complex set of three teams that have been cunning and the most feared since they started playing this game. South Africa
(Springboks), Australia (Wallabies) and last but not the least New Zealand (All Blacks), the hosts themselves, are the most anticipated sides in this World Cup. The drama that these teams bring about when they play each other or even the Northern Hemisphere
sides is something to witness.
It was New Zealand who took the first World Cup in 1987 against France at Eden Park. The second World Cup went to Australia in 1991, when the Wallabies outshined England by 12-6 at Twickenham. 1195 was the last time when All Blacks qualified for a World
Cup final but couldn’t make it through South African side. The match was a close one, as Springboks held the trophy at Ellis Park after a score of 15-12. The next World Cup that took place in 1999 at Millennium Stadium was owned y Wallabies by a score difference
of 35-12 against France. It was the second time France made it to the finals.
The 2003 World Cup was the only international rugby title ever claimed by a Northern Hemisphere side. England took the cup under the leadership of Martin Johnson. Wallabies came in the final for the third time, but this wasn’t their year, as the English
side took over Telstra Stadium with 20-17 on scoreboard.
World Cup trophy made its way back to Southern Hemisphere in 2007, when Springboks claimed their second international title of rugby’s history. England was shocked by a 15-6 thrasher from John Smith’s side. Stade De France witnessed one of the greatest matches
of history and since then Springboks have somehow dominated the field.
The question is, whether Springbok will continue their reign or England will make a comeback for the Northern Hemisphere. Such a statement might undermine the strengths of Wallabies and France’s capabilities and World Cup history, but what it will affect
the most is the true standing of All Blacks as the strongest side of 2010.
All Blacks claimed 13 tests out of 14 they played last year and it will not be an over judgment if we say that the champions of upcoming Tri-Nations and World Cup will be New Zealand. They are the hot favourites this year.
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