"Bye bye, Boks" - Matt Dawson makes his bold World Cup quarter-final predictions
Rugby NewsMonday, 09 October 2023 at 23:49
Matt Dawson, the World Cup champion, has joined the BBC to engage in discussions about the forthcoming quarter-final matches scheduled for this weekend.
This exciting clash features exclusively northern hemisphere teams facing off against their counterparts from the southern hemisphere, as the finest rugby sides from each pole converge in pursuit of rugby's highest pinnacle.
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Wales v Argentina
“Warren Gatland and his side have a happy habit of stepping up when they need to. They have a fantastic pedigree of raising their level in the latter stages of this competition.
“Gatland will be reminding them of the opportunity in front of them. They have a very winnable game for a place in a World Cup semi-final.”
“Argentina looked better against Japan in their final Pool D game, but, up until that point, I thought they had lacked cohesion and rhythm.
Louis Rees-Zammit of Wales is tackled by Alex Dombrandt of England during the Summer Nations Series Rugby match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on August 5, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
“That game, coming a day later than Wales’ game against Georgia, won’t have helped them overall. It was a really intense one, with lots of running, open rugby in hot conditions in Nantes.
“I think it will be a really tough ask for them to turn over Wales.”
Dawson’s prediction – Wales victory
Ireland v New Zealand
“New Zealand are a very dangerous beast. They have recovered from their opening-day defeat by France by scoring a total of 36 tries in their wins over Namibia, Uruguay and Italy and showing their free-flowing, intelligent rugby.
“But in a top-end Test match, against an Ireland side who have not put a foot wrong in the tournament, you need more. You need to be able to back up those moments of genius with relentless physicality and faultless consistency and I just don’t think the All Blacks have that gear in them.
Peter O'Mahony of Ireland during the Summer International match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 24th August 2019. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK.
“Ireland have a 16th man, with the fans at the Stade de France. They beat South Africa there a fortnight ago, they beat Scotland there on Saturday and they will play New Zealand there at the weekend. Paris has become a home from home with thousands of supporters in the stands and the streets. The team feed off the fans, the fans feed off the team and the connection feels really personal between the two.
“Ireland have been too good for too long and have too much momentum for the All Blacks.”
Dawson’s prediction – Ireland victory
England v Fiji
“England have greater experience of the Rugby World Cup knockout stages with veterans of the Japan 2019 campaign throughout the team, but let’s not over-state the difference.
“Fiji have Levani Botia who has played in the last three Champions Cup finals. They have Josua Tuisova who has played in an Olympic final. Half of their squad play their rugby with big European clubs and are used to week-in week-out high-quality rugby. The other half now get exposed to some of the best rugby in the southern hemisphere with the Fijian Drua’s participation in Super Rugby.
“They are tactically astute and disciplined in defence, while retaining that attacking edge, even if some of the old inconsistencies remain.
Caleb Muntz of Fiji kicks the ball out of play and celebrates with team mates the win over England during the Summer International match between England and Fiji at Twickenham Stadium on August 26, 2023 in London, England. ( Photo by Phil Mingo/PPAUK )
“I think England’s forward power will just about see them home, but they have to be so much clearer and more clinical compared to the Samoa game.”
Dawson’s prediction – England victory
France v South Africa
“One thing in France’s favour is the support of the home nation. We have sometimes wondered if the occasion and expectation might prove too much for them, but head coach Fabien Galthie, team manager Raphael Ibanez and defence coach Shaun Edwards seem to be able to manage them through the pressure.”
Antoine Dupont of France during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
“South Africa have the tools to beat France” he continued. “Their defence comes up so fast and they tackle so hard that they can defend the gain-line and slow down France’s supply of ball.
“But France have threats across their team and the intelligence and composure to find them and depose the defending champions.”
Dawson’s prediction – France victory
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