RWC Quarterfinals

After a few hectic weeks of scintillating rugby, the quarterfinalists are now almost known as I pen a few lines this week. If at all one is surprised the only omission appears to be Scotland. The Scots have only themselves to blame having lost two games.

At this level of rugby you cannot lose two out of four games and then expect to be in the quarter finals, for that to happen you need to be lucky. Those qualifying for the quarters have done so at a price in that the spate of injuries has been high. Whilst at this level of the game, one expects to have tough games the injuries to key players has at times taken the gloss off the game.

The All Blacks have looked the best team so far with no or very little errors in their style of play. They have been led well by one the greats.  Rugby fans queue up hours ahead of a game when their stars are on display and Richie McCaw is something special

They go into the quarters minus their playmaker Dan Carter out with a torn tendon in his left groin during kicking practice on Saturday at the team’s captain’s run training session ahead of the match against Canada, and scans confirmed he could not continue in the tournament.

The 29-year-old Carter, who missed an earlier match against Japan with a back injury, was due to captain New Zealand for the first time in the Canada match, replacing an injured Richie McCaw. He has played in 85 Tests for New Zealand and scored 1,250 points. This was his third Rugby World Cup. It is expected that Colin Slade will wear the # 10 jersey going forward.

Similarly the Wallabies were dealt another cruel blow with the latest injury to Drew Mitchell and Wycliff Palu. It has been a long spate of injuries and the Wallabies are bound to feel the heat as they have two tough games leading to a possible final. Once gain they have themselves to blame for the position that they are in after losing to a gallant Irish side.

The return of Barnes to partner Quade Cooper has been like a breath of fresh air and Barnes’ successful combination with Cooper should come as no surprise. They played beside each other for three seasons at the Queensland Reds and have established a strong working chemistry. This is amply evident in their last game and augurs well for the Wallabies as they attempt another hit at the RWC.

The road to the final for the Wallabies is tough and whether they have the aptitude to do that will be revealed next week with a clash against the Boks. The Boks have played well but were given a stern test in their last game. Samoa had nothing to lose and thus put up an impressive show against the Boks, alas a little too late to make an impact on the game.

Wales are looking solid in their past few games and they are making a strong statement and could winners of the cup if all goes to plan. Coach Warren Gatland has moulded a strong and winning combination rich in technical skill and high on levels of fitness. The pack is one of the heaviest regularly at 920+ Kgs yet very mobile. Sam Warburton leads the side well and is bound to be a very successful player in the years to come. The gallant Irish side will have their work cut out in this encounter if they finish the pool game as per forecasts.

England and the ever so unpredictable French will also do battle next week and the French will be lucky to get past the clinical English. The English three quarters are in good nick and they could well do without the off field controversy like Strauss Khan.

The games next week will be tight and nerve jangling and if you are with a weak heart I suggest that you do not switch on the telly on unless you are close to the heart centre.