“History never repeats” or so goes the iconic song by Kiwi band Split Enz. All New Zealanders will hope that’s not the case for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
And there’s a real sesne of deja vu when it comes to the final four. The same teams who made the semi finals of the innagural 1987 tournament in NZ are through again; only this time they’re matching up differently with Wales taking on France and New Zealand doing battle with Australia.
And, to quote another kiwi band – Flight of the Conchords – it’s really “business time” in the tournament now.
Based on form no one really expected the four teams we have left. Certainly our predictions for the RWC 2011 quarter finals were terrible. We only got the New Zealand result correct. Our scoreline was pretty close in that match but we’re the first to admit it was a much closer match than the final score of 33-10 suggested.
For the record, these were our predictions and the actual results:
Ireland 21 v Wales 18 – ACTUAL: 10-22
England 20 v France 11 – ACTUAL: 12-19
South Africa 19 v Australia 14 – ACTUAL: 9-11
New Zealand 37 v Argentina 9 – ACTUAL 33-10
So the All Blacks have made it further than the 2007 Rugby World Cup, much to the relief of the home nation fans. Up next are neighbours and fierce rivals, Australia who the Kiwis have never beaten in the two times they’ve played them at a RWC.
There’s been every other piece of history dug up to suggest who will or won’t win this tournamnet as well. The impressive Eden Park record is being suggested as a trump card for the All Blacks along with the fact no team has lost a match in the tournament and gone on to win it. Since the All Blacks are the only undefeated team left it bodes well.
Countering this, no team has won the tournament without beating the current cup holder. Of course NZ didn’t have a chance to beat an existing cup holder in ’87 since it was a brand new tournament. And we didn’t have the opportunity to face the current champions – South Africa – this time either.
No matter, every team will be trying to create their own piece of history. Wales have never made it to a final while France have never won a cup. But we have our eyes firmly on the future and here’s how we think it will go.
Wales 21 v France 16
New Zealand 23 v Australia 16
It’s also worth noting that it’s not just the players matching up. There are some interesting coaching battles too, with three of the four teams having a Kiwi in charge. Only France don’t have a New Zealander at the helm.
Let’s hope the rival Kiwi coaches will play their part in helping Graham Henry and all New Zealanders singing for joy and making the final of RWC 2011. We’d take France in a repeat of the first world cup but most Kiwis will be wishing to see Wales make their first final this time around.
If previous matches are anything to go by the half back and open side flanker will have a massive influence on the result. And all four teams have highly influential players in those positions. Let’s hope Piri Weepu and Richie McCaw are both singing from the same hymn sheet on Sunday.
Game(s) on.