Argentina troubled the All Blacks, and other would-be contenders could find them tough to beat. Photo / Getty Images
Argentina troubled the All Blacks, and other would-be contenders could find them tough to beat. Photo / Getty Images
The World Cup is now in full swing. Our rugby experts Gregor Paul, Ali Williams, Wynne Gray, Nigel Yalden and Patrick McKendry give their verdicts on some of the first week’s big talking points
1. The British media say the All Blacks look vulnerable. Do you agree?
GP: Not especially, no. The All Blacks are like everyone else - they will be under pressure at times and forced to dig deep. It's outcome that counts at World Cups and they found a way to beat Argentina.
AW: The British media are always looking for weaknesses in the All Blacks, so no change there. The All Blacks are not vulnerable. We need to give credit to Argentina for how they played, and especially defended. They will be a team to watch over this tournament.
WG: When their forward cohesion goes awry and they're a shade slow to the breakdown, the All Blacks look as vulnerable as any other team. Their record says they still do all right.
NY: If games are punctuated by long Hawkeye intrusions then, yes, the All Blacks are vulnerable. They need the game to flow because stop-start rugby doesn't suit them.
PM: No. The All Blacks were always going to lose some moments in their opener against Argentina, but they comfortably won in the end thanks to their bench and an ability to dominate possession in the final quarter. They looked vulnerable when missing tackles but that should be a reasonably easy fix - tackle lower. They were a bit frustrated against Namibia, but not vulnerable.
2. Was Japan beating South Africa the biggest upset ever in any team sport and has the gap between tier 1 and tier 2 nations been closed forever?
GP: It's up there - but then Algeria beat West Germany in the 1982 Fifa World Cup. The gap has closed, largely because of the proliferation of career coaches moving around the world.
AW: It was the biggest upset in rugby, for sure. The best part about it was that Japan beat South Africa - South Africa didn't lose it - which suggests the gap has closed. Tier 2 nations are getting a lot more competitive and that's down to the sharing of rugby intellectual property as the game becomes more global.
WG: It's one of the biggest rugby upsets I can remember but Sydney beating the All Blacks 40-17 in 1992 and the Wallabies' 28-7 win in 1999 were massive reversals. The gap is closing between some teams and the big boys.
NY: No, the United States beating England 1-0 at the 1950 World Cup was a bigger upset. Yes, the gap is closing as the tier 2 nations look far better organised, especially defensively.
PM: Probably a bit over the top to say biggest upset ever. I would also be reluctant to say the gap between the tiers has closed forever - there is a long way to go yet - but it is closing.
3. Are South Africa still capable of winning the World Cup?
Japan's win over South Africa indicates a closing gap between the best and the rest. Photo / Getty Images
GP: Yes, but they look like they may have timed this wrong. Their experienced core are not in great form and that's a worry for them. They lack a bit of pace and energy, and may be found out in the knockout rounds.
AW: Yes. It was probably the best thing that could have happened to the players because they can't take anything for granted now. Some of their senior players would never have been in this situation, so there is a challenge in front of them that they can really get excited about.
WG: Never say never but you would have to say unlikely. It was a huge match overnight (NZT) against Samoa when Heyneke Meyer returned to his old and uncertain crew.
NY: Absolutely. There's too much talent in that squad to write them off, especially Handre Pollard, who is the key to a Springbok revival.
PM: No, they looked over the hill before this tournament and now look broken beyond repair.
4. Who have been unexpectedly poor so far and could struggle to progress far?
GP: It's not fair to judge on one game against Canada, so this opinion is reached independently of what has happened so far, but Ireland may be over-rated. Plus they have a bad record at World Cups.
AW: The Italians were below par. They are missing Sergio Parisse but the politics might also be effecting their on-field performances.
WG: Fiji have disappointed. They were caught out by the conditions against England and probably again by their quick turnaround before they had to take on the Wallabies.
NY: South Africa. They will still make the playoffs but won't progress past the quarter-finals.
PM: France didn't look great in beating Italy and Romania - they lack their usual fluency. But I'd be reluctant to write them off at this early stage given their history of turning it on in the knockout rounds.
5. What has happened so far that you never expected (Japan aside)?
GP: England hitting the panic button with their selections after just one game. George Ford wasn't great at first-five on the opening night, but dropping him and redrawing the midfield entirely ... What have they been doing for the past four years? Do they not know their minds by now?
AW: That's a simple one: the great New Zealand prime minister in waiting, Sir Richard McCaw, getting a yellow card and then being joined by the future Green Party leader Conrad Smith. What is happening to the nice guys of the sport?
WG: Romania showed their potential against France. With a bit more training, competition and time, they have the raw materials to make some inroads.
NY: I didn't expect Hawkeye to be so intrusive and disruptive to the games.
PM: It was apparent England coach Stuart Lancaster was struggling to get a handle on his best inside backs combination, but to axe George Ford in favour of Owen Farrell for the No 10 jersey so early in the tournament is staggering.
6. Rate the tournament out of 10 on what you have seen so far.
GP: 9. Great stadiums, well organised, crowds are into it and the rugby has been good. I can't give a 10 because, well, you just can't.
AW: 8.5. The crowds have got into it and there have been a few upsets. There have been some issues with the TMO but that should get sorted sooner rather than later - and you'd want them to get it right if it was the final.
WG: 6. Great crowds, atmosphere and loads of passion but modest levels of performance, refereeing and scheduling in the opening week.
NY: 6. Japan's victory helped push that mark up, as did the Georgian win, but everything else has been very vanilla.
PM: 8. A fantastic opening ceremony at Twickenham followed by a brilliant performance from Japan to beat the Boks. Full houses, fine weather, a real buzz at the stadiums and beyond, this is shaping up to be a magnificent World Cup.
7. Which team are set to over-achieve and how far could they go?
GP: Argentina could make the final. Seriously, they have the players and game plan to get there. They would have beaten any other team in the competition at Wembley playing the way they did against New Zealand.
AW: Argentina, Georgia, Ireland.
WG: Japan have already overachieved but are unlikely to get to the quarters. Victory against the Springboks was a bombshell result for the losers and the tournament.
NY: With a bit more composure, Argentina could make at least the semifinals. They are perfectly built for tournament rugby.
PM: Argentina. They play perfect World Cup rugby and were undaunted by the All Blacks at Wembley. They were competitive in the quarters last time out and could make the semifinals this time.
8. It's early on but who would you tip as a potential player of the tournament?
Sonny Bill Williams is shaping up as one of the stars of the tournament. Photo / AP
GP: Sonny Bill Williams. He seems to have learned how to deal with the mental hang-up he had with his knee. His head is clear, he's in great shape and the man can play when he just gets on with it.
AW: Mamuka Gorgodze from Georgia. His performance on defence and his leadership was incredible. His team are all following him. England's Mike Brown was also outstanding.
WG: Aaron Smith had a sharp start and his repeat work at halfback is going to be the crucial litmus test for the All Blacks in the rest of the tournament.
NY: David Pocock, who was excellent in all facets against Fiji and will only get better.
PM: Fiji halfback Nikola Matawalu. The 26-year-old has been sensational. He is unbelievably tough and brave around the ruck and deserved to score that try at the end of his 50m run against England. Unfortunately, he lost the ball on the line but had no right to get that close.
