Tue 1 Aug 2023 | 12:46
Fans predict fascinating outcomes for World Cup group stage

In just over a month's time, the fans of the world's most passionate rugby nations will gather to witness a spectacle of brute force, unwavering spirit, and raw athletic prowess—the Rugby World Cup. The much-anticipated event, held every four years, is a celebration of camaraderie, rivalry, and the enduring spirit of the sport.

As fans around the globe eagerly await the arrival of this grand tournament, there is plenty of time and scope for supporters to inflict their own predictions upon anyone that will listen.

Fortunately for these fans, RugbyPass has given them an online platform to share their votes on the winners and the losers.

Pool A is anticipated by fans to be dominated by the All Blacks with four wins from four, including a 53% predicted win rate over tournament hosts France in the opening game. Expected to be the tightest, and possibly the most exciting match of the opening stages, this could easily go either way. Fans do expect France to take victory over their remaining 3 games, which will likely leave them finishing the group in second place.

Pool B is expected to be a two-team race for first with Scotland bringing up the rear in third place in the pool. First place position is expected to come down to the match between South Africa and Ireland, with fans currently believing they both have an equal 50% chance of victory.

Pool C has an element of sadness to it, with two of the great rugby nations in Australia and Wales struggling for form as they approach the tournament. Wallaby fans have been keen to put support behind their side with the majority expecting a grand slam in the pool, but Wales aren't expected to fare quite so well. 58% of fans expect Fiji to defeat Wales, whilst a ginormous 80% expect the Wallabies to put them out of the competition just two weeks later.

Pool D gives Argentina the plaudits over 2003 winners England with a 54% majority, leaving Steve Borthwick's men to pick up wins elsewhere to take a very comfortable second place.

Should these predictions prove correct, then the quarter-finals would line up as follows:

QF 1: England vs Australia

QF 2: Ireland/South Africa vs France

QF 3: Argentina vs Fiji

QF 4: All Blacks vs Ireland/South Africa

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