We are now less than two weeks away from finding out which team will be crowned Rugby World Champions. Only four teams are left in the hunt, Wales, France, Australia and New Zealand and all will be acutely aware that their performances over the next two weeks will define their status within world rugby for the next four years. Will they be also-rans or glorious victors? This weekend the four teams will be reduced to two after the semi-finals are played at Eden Park in Auckland. We’ll take a very look at how the Openside Predictor sees the two matches panning out and give you an insight who the winners and losers may be.
Wales 27 France 19
With a resounding defeat of Ireland last weekend, the Welsh team are going from strength to strength as the World Cup progresses. The Openside Predictor sees no reason to doubt that the team will continue its great run and predicts an 8 point defeat of France. Although France played well to beat England, their inconsistency may well let them down against a Welsh team that are improving game by game.
New Zealand 36 Australia 21
No team has yet really troubled the hosts, even when briefly behind Argentina at the weekend, you always felt the All Blacks would step up a gear and eventually dominate the Pumas. The Openside Predictor sees this All Black domination continuing next weekend against Australia. Some may say the Wallabies were lucky against South Africa, others will say they played good defence, whatever the reason for their quarter-final win, their form will have to improve to make any dent in armour of the All Blacks. New Zealand by 15 points? No reason to see why not.
Tags: Australia, France, New Zealand, Wales