2018 Predictions Thread

[rowan]

Already set up a Wish List thread, but maybe best to keep the actual predictions separate. So here goes:

Super Rugby - Crusaders to go back-to-back, Canes to again dip out in the play-offs. Jaguares to again narrowly missed the cut. Aussies and Saffas to improve. Sunwolves to suck as ever.

Mid-year tests - of the announced fixtures so far:
England - beat the South Africans 2 win, 1 loss
Wallabies beat Ireland 2-1 in a test series
NZ whitewash France
Argentina 1-1 with Wales
SA beat Wales in DC
Scotland - should win their tests against 2nd tier sides.
Italy - 1-1 against Japan
Georgia - Losses to Fiji and Japan
Romania - Loss to FIji

Rugby Champs -
All Blacks to win
Springboks & Wallabies to vie for 2nd place as per usual
Argentina to pinch a win somewhere.

AIs: England to slip up against one of the Tri Nations, but it may not be NZ . . .

Other: Same 20 teams to qualify for the World Cup.

[rowan]

I don't foresee much change in 2nd and 3rd tier competitions either. Argentina, Fiji, Namibia and Japan, of course, to continue their domination, while Georgia should recover from last year's loss to Romania and reclaim the ENC title it had monopolized for several years previously. The performances of newly promoted Morocco, Malaysia and Colombia to the top divisions of their respective regional championships will be interesting, but only the former are likely to avoid whipping boy status. Tahiti's World Cup qualifying playoff against Asian opposition (probably Hong Kong) will be interesting, but I don't fancy their prospects at all. Hong Kong to join Spain, Kenya & Canada in the repechage. I believe that won't take place till November, with the venue yet to be determined (likely one of the competing nations).