RWC Quarter-Finals Update – Starting Lineup Revealed
The Rugby World Cup of 2021-22 heats up this weekend as squads confront contrasting destinies. Matches this weekend pit the final eight teams against each other and give us the next stage of the intense elimination round. As with any knockout-style format, the competition's intensity ramps up dramatically. And yet, here we are, making changes to the starting lineups for some of these teams.
England Vs Australia RWC Quarter-Finals
The thrilling quarter-final clash between Australia and England is scheduled for October 15, 2022, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France. Although England holds the fo position in world rankings and is considered the favorite to win, Australia, ranked seventh, has a history of playing well against England and must be reckoned with. Fans are guaranteed a good show. The match will take place at 10:30 a.m. local time.
The England squad is strong and is led by important figures like Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, and Jonny May. All three have recently been integral to the team, which has had some important successes. Eddie Jones is the head coach now and appears to have England on a slightly fresher path than where it seemed to be headed under the previous coaching regime.
Yet, Australia has one of the most storied Rugby histories, with a talented squad that boasts players like Michael Hooper, James O'Connor, and Samu Kerevi. These men will not be shy about taking England to task in the quarter-finals and will be more than happy to create some narrative by upsetting a first-seed team.
Wales vs New Zealand RWC Quarter-Finals
New Zealand produces world-class rugby players; they are the current Rugby World Cup champs, and they have announced that they are going to defend their title. Their players include stars like Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick, and Ardie Savea. They are an attacking rugby team; they are a rugby world-class team.
Notwithstanding this problem, Wales has reliably done well in global rugby competitions and today sits at fifth in the world rankings. Their roster also includes several skilled performers like Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, and George North, who will try to amass an upset victory over the All Blacks.
The quarter-final match that is to come between these two teams has all the makings of a genuine contest. It is hard to see either side laying down without a serious scrap. A place in the semi-finals beckons, and the two combatants can be expected to go all out in search of it. Wales has a certain, though admittedly sketchy, recent record of having a measure of success against the All Blacks. Can they take inspiration from that and ply their trade sufficiently well to earn a shot in the final? Or, will the All Blacks continue on a pathway much more likely to terminate in their 20th World Cup final?
France vs Italy RWC Quarter-Finals
France has a strong international rugby presence, putting a premium on attack. Last time out in the Rugby World Cup, they were runners-up. Not that they need any extra motivation, but the French side is very gung ho to up their performance in 2022 and do one better than last time. “Not on my watch”, they seem to say, or vis-à-vis very Nicolas Dupont, surfing badass Antoine. Gregory Alldritt, Virimi Vakatawa: heroes of consequence.
At the same time, Italy has been toiling mightily to elevate its standing and gain in the World Rugby rankings. The freshly arrived Franco Smith, a former coach of the Philippines, has brought a new style and strategies to the Italian team. It truly seems to be making progress now. With stalwarts such as Sergio Parisse, Matteo Minozzi, and Jake Polledri leading the way, Italy's rugby union side is angling to make some history in this match by pulling an upset against France.
Although it may seem improbable, Italy has the capacity to pull off a surprise win against the French national rugby team. Such an outcome would make for an electrifying match in the Rugby World Cup 2022. One way or another, this contest between the Azzurri and Les Bleus promises to serve up some thrilling drama.
Canada vs USA RWC Quarter-Finals
For many years, the Canada–USA rugby rivalry has been a hot one, as their match history shows. The two have met 61 times, with Canada winning 38; the USA has won 22. Only one game has ended in a draw, which by any standards makes their encounters closely contested. Already, the two have scheduled a quarter-final at the Rugby World Cup in a not-so-distant future, so expect the rivalry to continue.
Despite the hard work that both teams have put in, they have not had much success on the world rugby stage of late. Still, they are hoping to turn things around, and the Rugby World Cup 2022 is as good a place as any to try to do that. Our guess is that they won’t succeed, but that’s why they play the game.
