Ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Paul Radley takes the supporters' pulse for Pool C's New Zealand and Argentina.
New Zealand
Name: John Larkins
Nationality: New Zealander
New Zealand have the highest winning percentage in professional sports history. Yes, they have struggled at World Cups overseas but that is the nature of a knockout tournament. One bad day at the office, a slightly forward pass by 1.5 metres (thank you, Wayne Barnes) and you are on a plane home.
The top four teams in the world are so competitive it means the margin of error is so small. Also, the television match official (TMO) and producers seem to be having ever more input into the outcome. I believe the incidents they show on screen will have a huge impact in this tournament.
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In terms of other potential winners, I would be looking at South Africa and Australia initially, then England, depending on how they get on in the “pool of death”. Conditions will play a part and it will be interesting to see who slows the game down into a set-piece, ruck-and-maul game come the knockout stages.
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I think the Haka adds to the occasion. There is history and meaning to it. If you ask the players who have either faced or performed it, they would tell you how important it is to the game.
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By the end of the tournament we will be complaining about the amount of time wasted walking to scrums, the TMO having so much influence and its over use. And, of course, the rest of the world will be complaining about Richie McCaw just doing his job, and doing it really well.
Argentina
Name: Santiago Saguir
Nationality: Argentine
Of course every team who enters the competition wants to reach the final and win the World Cup, but it is not always possible. I think a semi-final place would not be a bad finish for Argentina.
Rugby in Argentina is really big, and became even more popular after the 2007 World Cup when the team got to the semi-final and ended up in third place. I think this World Cup will get a lot of airtime back at home. We are very passionate about it.
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Being in the Rugby Championship has meant we have more chances to play against top sides. What is most important is that it improves our game.
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As passionate as I am about my country doing well, I am also an All Blacks fan. So I am picking New Zealand to be the winners, mainly because of the combination they have of experience and some explosive young players.
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Three players I am really looking forward to seeing play are Kieran Read, the All Blacks No 8, and Nehe Milner-Skudder, their new wing. Other than that, Juan Martin Hernandez, Argentina’s fly-half, will bring to this World Cup some outstanding rugby, and it will be interesting to see how Sam Burgess does, too.
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