Rugby World Cup Competition Number 8

This competition is for the second batch of quarter finals to be played this coming Sunday on the 20th October. If you missed yesterdays post please look it up and enter as the more entries there are the better.

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The first game is between the favorites New Zealand playing Ireland.At one stage Ireland were number one in the world and has had some success against them in the past.This is a knockout game and anything is possible. I personally don't think it will be a run away victory even though Ireland lost to Japan. This is now very serious and teams will be trying to eliminate any mistakes. They have both had a good week off rugby and both sides are at full strength.

The New Zealand team looks superior on paper from whatever angle you look at it and I will expect them to come out on top by a few scores. If I was playing I would put New Zealand anywhere between 10 and 15 points clear in this one.

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The second game is between the hosts Japan and South Africa. Japan have sprung some surprises by beating Ireland and Scotland, but this is where their luck should run out. Recently South Africa played them in a warm up and comfortably won by a margin of more than 30 points with a score of 41-7. Both sides wouldn't have shown everything then so who is going to come out on top? If Japan are going to shock the rugby world it is going to take a super human effort and defending like they have never done before.

Japan beat South Africa back in 2015 playing in Brighton, England but that was a different team and a different coaching structure. The team was an embarrassment and were caught totally unawares. Today they are more organised and better prepared under the coach Rassie Erasmus. Pride has been put back into the jersey and I expect a good 20 to 30 point winning margin. This is payback for being humiliated last time out and just don't see it happening again.

The Japanese supporters will be willing their side on and doubt whether they know how big a hurdle this one is for their team. There are a few South African's playing for Japan and I am sure they know how big a task this one is going to be.

The same as yesterday I will be giving out bigger votes than normal on all entries so everyone is a winner.v There is 5000 Sports tokens riding on each game and all you need to do is select a winner and by what margin. For example if you think Japan is going to win with a score of 20-10 would then you would answer Japan by 10. It is that easy and no tricks. If you don't know rugby go with my hints and just guess.