Breaking Down the Final Four of the 2015 Rugby World Cup

The 2015 Rugby World Cup is coming to a close. Four teams remain as each competes for the right to be called the best rugby team on the planet. New Zealand remains as one of the best rugby teams in the world after ploughing right through their opposition into the World Cup semifinals. But they have a stiff test ahead of them in long-time bitter rival South Africa. On the other side of the bracket, Australia and Argentina go toe-to-toe to reach the Rugby World Cup Final.

Read on as we take a look at each team’s chances of winning the Rugby World Cup. You can also check out our complete previews for Australia vs. Argentina and New Zealand vs. South Africa.
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The Final Four of the 2015 Rugby World Cup

New Zealand

[sc:Other240banner ]There’s no more devastating team in the Rugby World Cup than New Zealand. The All-Blacks dominate many of the statistical categories in the tournament. Julian Savea has scored the most tries (eight) among all players. Daniel Carter has the the most conversions (19). Kiearan Read has stolen the most lineouts (five). Ben Smith has run the most metres (400).

Tries have come aplenty for New Zealand in the tournament. The All Blacks have scored the most tries in the tournament (34), eight more than the next best team. Savea has been solid for the All Blacks, but Nehe Milner-Skudder isn’t too far behind with five tries.

The All Blacks are the favorites to win it all at -175.

Australia

While New Zealand has been the best offense in the World Cup, their Oceania neighbors in Australia are just a few steps behind. The Australians rank second in the tournament with 1,599 points scored and second with 203 tries scored. Bernard Foley leads Australia with two tries scored, seven conversions and 14 penalties scored for 66 points.

Foley has some support among the Wallabies. Drew Mitchell scored two tries in the 35-34 semifinal win over Scotland, while Adam Ashley-Cooper, Michael Hooper and Tevita Kuridrani each had a try as well.

Australia is +275 to win the World Cup.

South Africa

No team has a better win percentage against tournament favorites, the All Blacks, than South Africa. The Springboks even lead the World Cup series against New Zealand 2-1. South Africa enters the semifinal round with a couple of weapons in Handre Pollard and Bryan Habana. Pollard has scored the most points for South Africa (64) and has converted the third-most penalties in the tournament (14).

Considering South Africa upsets New Zealand in the semifinal round, it could be a steal at +700 to win the World Cup.

Argentina

Argentina stormed to a big 43-20 upset over Ireland in the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup. The offense was at full force with Juan Imhoff scoring two tries, while Matias Maroni and Joquin Tuculet each had a try.

The Pumas have benefitted greatly from Nicolas Sanchez’ amazing kicking in this tournament. Sanchez has made the third-most conversion (12) and third-most penalties (14) in the tournament. He was nearly flawless in the quarterfinal match against Ireland, nailing 9 of 10 kicks (five penalties and four conversions).

The Pumas are big underdogs at +1,600 to win the World Cup.

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