RWC Quarter-Finals Update – Starting Lineup Revealed
This weekend, the 2021-22 Rugby World Cup steps up to an entirely new and different level for teams and their supporters. The next two matches represent the first quarter-finals of this World Cup, and as we look ahead to the two great games of rugby that will serve to reestablish the tension and build the atmosphere, we think it's a good time to recap the changes made to the last four teams' lineups.
England Vs Australia RWC Quarter-Finals
The match for the quarter-final between Australia and England is scheduled to happen on October 15, 2022. The venue is the pristine Parc des Princes that is located in the lovely city of Paris in France. Even though it is the England team that occupies the number four position in the world ranking, therefore making it the favorite team for this match, the seventh-ranked team does not have a low enough ranking to be brushed aside.
A formidable squad with star players such as Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, and Jonny May, who have played a critical role in the team's recent successes. A new head coach in Eddie Jones, who has brought a fresh perspective and approach to the team.
At the same time, Australia boasts a long and illustrious rugby history. Under the leadership of Michael Hooper, Samu Kerevi, and James O'Connor, a talented Wallaby squad will take aim at the World Cup quarterfinals and hope to upset England.
Wales vs New Zealand RWC Quarter-Finals
New Zealand has a renowned rugby style that is charged with an attacking creativity seldom matched anywhere in the world, and an ability to produce world-class players that makes their national team ever so formidable. They are the current Rugby World Cup champions and are determined to defend their title with a roster heavy with star names like Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick, and Ardie Savea.
Even with this challenge, Wales has been performing well in international rugby and now occupies the fifth-place slot in the world. Their group of athletes also includes several folks like Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, and George North, whom you might call talented, and they are certainly aiming to do what would be considered a huge upset against the All Blacks.
The quarter-final clash that is soon to be held between these two sides is going to be cutthroat, with both teams hell-bent on earning the right to play again in the last four. Wales will have the uplift of having beaten New Zealand only in 2019. Meanwhile, the All Blacks will be intent on preserving the dominance they have in this historical rivalry. If the match transpires as expected, it should be a must-see, no-holds-barred kind of rugby contest.
France vs Italy RWC Quarter-Finals
On the world stage of rugby, France holds a stellar record and plays an expansive, attacking style of rugby. They were the runners-up in the last World Cup and are determined to improve on that finish in 2022. With world-class players like Antoine Dupont, Virimi Vakatawa, and Gregory Alldritt, they present a formidable challenge to any opponent.
At the same time, Italy has been laboring mightily to put a better team on the field and ascend the rankings. Their new coach, Franco Smith (a veteran of 78 matches as a player and former scrumhalf for South Africa), has brought a fresh angle to Italy’s play. Led by a clutch of players with considerable experience—Sergio Parisse, Matteo Minozzi, and Jake Polledri, to name a few—it’s Italy’s ambition to make a mark on rugby history with an upset over France.
Despite the possibility of things being stacked against them, the Italians could spring a surprise and upset the French in the match. The two teams could face off in an exciting encounter between two talented ensembles. Both squads could easily embody the phrase "Semi-Finalists of the Rugby World Cup 2022."
Canada vs USA RWC Quarter-Finals
The rugby rivalry between Canada and the USA is a long and storied one, as shown by the match history they have together. In 61 total meetings, Canada has emerged victorious 38 times, while the USA has taken the mantle of winner 22 times. Only a single match has ended in a draw, showing just how even and tightly contested this series of matches has been. With a quarter-final match set to take place at the Rugby World Cup, the expectation is that this long-standing rivalry will continue for quite some time.
Even though the global rugby field held little interest for either team in recent years, a few of their players have worked—very hard, it seems—to make a case for the upcoming Rugby World Cup 2022. It should be said at this point that neither of the teams could be considered likely to win. But they do offer some vulnerable spots in their lineups that could be picked apart up front by a much bigger, much better opposing pack.
