World Cup Warm-Ups: Round 1 Predictions

The build up to the Rugby World Cup starts in earnest this week with a full fixture list of warm-up matches getting underway.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll see how each of the top nations are shaping up ahead of the main event, and following all the action may give you an edge in your Superbru picks come for the World Cup Predictor in September.



Here are my predictions for Round 1.

Samoa v Tonga

Samoa have had the upper hand in meetings between these teams recently, and with this game taking place in Apia, a home win should be on the cards. Samoa by 18

New Zealand v Australia

The next instalment of the Bledisloe Cup is in Dunedin, where the All Blacks will be hot favourites. They comfortably dispatched Eddie Jones’ underperforming team in Melbourne last weekend, and whilst I’ll wait for team news before locking in my pick, a straightforward home win looks likely. New Zealand by 23

Japan v Fiji

Japan have lost narrowly to Samoa and beaten Tonga over the last fortnight, whilst Fiji have beaten them both comfortably and should start as favourites here. Fiji by 9

Scotland v France

France are many people’s favourites to win their home World Cup and should have the beating of Scotland if both teams were at full-strength playing in a competitive match. The Scots won the warm-up match between these two sides ahead of RWC 2019 and I have a hunch that they’ll take this one at Murrayfield too, raising Scottish hopes of World Cup glory in the process. Scotland by 4

Wales v England

England desperately need to show that they are capable of challenging for the World Cup trophy after another poor Six Nations campaign. Wales have selected an inexperienced side, such that if they win it’s a huge boost to confidence but if they lose it doesn’t really matter. Meanwhile, this is likely to be the last chance for some of England’s fringe players to stake a claim for inclusion in the World Cup squad, and given that they have better depth than Wales, I’m expecting an away win here. England by 8

Romania v USA

The USA have not qualified for the World Cup but should give Romania a tough game to help their hosts’ preparations. This is a stab in the dark to be honest, but I’m backing the visitors. USA by 6

Uruguay v Namibia

Uruguay beat Chile last weekend, and should benefit from that competitive game before taking on Namibia. Another guesstimate, but I’m picking a home win. Uruguay by 7

Ireland v Italy

The Six Nations Grand Slam champions should continue their winning ways over their well-known European counterparts in Dublin. It should be fairly easy for them, but some untested combinations, some rustiness and heavy legs from their RWC training camp may keep the score respectable for Italy. Ireland by 18

Argentina v South Africa

Argentina very nearly turned the Springboks over last weekend in the final match of the Rugby Championship, and this is the return fixture back in Buenos Aires. There is less at stake in this ‘Friendly’, and so I suspect the Boks will take their foot off the gas a little, whilst Puma pride in front of their own supporters could see them take the win. Argentina by 4

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