{"id":94820,"date":"2023-10-20T11:25:02","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T11:25:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/?p=94820"},"modified":"2023-10-20T11:25:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T11:25:02","slug":"rugby-world-cup-power-rankings-assessing-england-south-africa-and-the-final-four","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/rugby\/rugby-world-cup-power-rankings-assessing-england-south-africa-and-the-final-four\/","title":{"rendered":"Rugby World Cup power rankings: Assessing England, South Africa and the final four"},"content":{"rendered":"
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1. South Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Holders South Africa reached the semi-finals with a brilliant win over France <\/p>\n Top of the pile after pipping the hosts in Paris are the Springboks. In a game of fine margins, their bench impact and calm telling crucial in the final few moments. England will be charged up for the semi-final given what happened in Yokohama four years ago but this version of South Africa might be even better.<\/p>\n 2. New Zealand<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The All Blacks take on Argentina in the last four <\/p>\n New Zealand took the other instant classic in Paris, their 37-phase final defensive stand a remarkable physical and mental achievement. All three Barrett brothers were outstanding at the Stade de France, with Sam Cane producing a real captain\u2019s performance, too.<\/p>\n 3. England<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n England beat Fiji to reach another World Cup semi-final <\/p>\n Credit must be extended to Steve Borthwick and England, who have navigated their way into a World Cup semi-final that, while far from ever being out of reach, looked distant during their August struggles. Will the emotional intensity of a World Cup final rematch against the Springboks enable them to lift their level? <\/p>\n 4. Argentina <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Argentina will hope to shock New Zealand and reach a first World Cup final <\/p>\n Argentina celebrated their quarter-final win over Wales wildly, perhaps recognising that a last four berth makes this tournament a success. But the Pumas will be in the mix against the All Blacks, a side they beat twice during the four-year cycle before this tournament and who perhaps have a few physical frailties that Argentina\u2019s gainline winners are capable of exploiting. <\/p>\n