WALLABIES WORLD CUP POOL OPPOSITION
FIJI (ranked 9th), Sapporo, September 21
The most pivotal match comes first, against the power-packed Pacific Islanders, who can be an absolute handful if their attack fires. They’re close to full strength after acquiring all their Europe-based stars, including former NRL juggernaut Semi Radradra and a clutch of Rio Olympic Sevens gold medallists. A rousing defeat of France in Paris last November says enough about the Fijian threat.
WALES (5th), Tokyo, September 29
Have dropped to fifth in the world rankings but only two weeks earlier they’d ascended to the top after an exceptional 12 months. Warren Gatland’s Six Nations champions marched to a record 14-straight wins before easing off in the World Cup warm-up Tests. Amid that streak was a 9-6 arm wrestle victory in Cardiff that ended a long period of misery for the Welsh against Australia. They boast the tournament’s most inspirational captain in Alun Wyn Jones.
URUGUAY (19th), Oita, October 5
It’s a fourth World Cup for Los Teros but there’s little to suggest they’ll get closer to anyone in pool play than in 2015, when all four of their defeats were by more than 30 points. Michael Cheika fielded most of his under-used players against the South Americans at that tournament and may well consider the same approach.
GEORGIA (12th), Fukuroi, October 11
Have steadily improved at each World Cup since their 2003 debut, using their renowned forward power to notch two wins four years ago. Led by evergreen hard man Mamuka Gorgodze, the Lelos will want to provide further evidence they should be considered for a place in the Six Nations if Italy continue to languish.