Ireland V Samoa
An 11 point or more win will see defiantly see Ireland into the next stage of the World Cup, and with their display against Tonga added to the team spirit in the camp there is a real possibility of this happening. Having had a coaching session by Andrew Johns leading up to the game tomorrow and the entire team getting tattoos as a sign of team spirit, the Irish couldn’t be more motivated to succeed and prove the critics wrong.
Samoa will go into this game as favourites though. They look the strongest on paper and came away with a promising win over Tonga on Friday. But the short five day turn around in preparation to this game may not be enough compared to a team that has had a week and a half rest period. In any other scenario, Samoa should carve Ireland apart. But Irish spirit, motivation and a lengthy rest period between matches could see a close competitive game.
Prediction: Samoa by 6
Scotland V Fiji
Scotland must have been worried watching Fiji tear France apart on Saturday. However, the same question applies with Fiji about Samoa. How will the short turnaround in preparing for this game affect their performance against a side that has had a longer wait than Ireland for this match? Also, how much has the France game on Saturday taken out of the faithful Fijians? That said, I thought Scotland buckled late on against France on day two of this tournament. To beat Fiji it will take a massive turnaround, but its one they have been preparing for over a week for.
Fiji can’t go into this game complacent of winning. That is despite a heavily scoring match against France. However, it seems likely that whatever the result tomorrow Fiji will go through to face the winners of Pool C on points difference. Scotland have to make up a 56 point deficit to get to the semi final qualifier, which for me is way too much.
Prediction: Fiji by 20
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