Will defence win the rugby World Cup?

There has been a common trait so far in the high profile Pool games of this year's World cup. If you look at the scorelines so far for the matches between two highly ranked teams, there have been little points scored. Not once has a top 10 ranked side scored more than 20 points against an opponent also in the top 10. Defences have been so strong that try scoring opportunities have been few in games between top 10 teams, and with goal kicking still proving to be a difficult task for whatever reason, is it likely that a team will score more than 20 points past the Pool stages?

There are still plenty of pool games to be played, but so far no top of the rankings match has seen one side score more than two tries. Whether conditions or the ball are causing problems for the goal kickers, the points are not being made up much in this department either. Games have been exiting, and there have been a few close encounters and already some upsets, but in general the strength of defence has been the winner.

Ireland upset Australia in a try-less match, and they simply did not allow the Australian backs the ball. The game was dominated and dictated by the Irish pack, and they eliminated the threat of the opposition's wide attack. England only managed one try in their win over Argentina, and two scores were enough for South Africa to beat Wales and for Wales to beat Tonga in Pool D.

There are still several top 10 matches left in the Pool stages so it will be interesting to see if a team breaks this 20 points margin in such a contest. Samoa will do well to contain the Sprinboks if the South Africans perform to their potential on Friday the 30th Sept, and if the French switch off when they face the All Blacks this coming Saturday that 20 points margin could be broken for the first time between two top 10 teams.

From these Pool games, the style of the quarter finals are likely be dictated. If defence is the emphasis, and low scoring games continue, we are likely to see the same when the final eight teams are decided. With even more at stake and with game-plans and tactics conjured up to contain opponents, this 20 points margin will be difficult to break.

However, New Zealand still seem to be on another level when it comes to attack. They have not been tested yet, and have not come up against a strong, defence orientated team, but it is hard to see them failing to score several tries in any game.

Again, there is plenty to come, so all we can do is sit back and enjoy. But in these top 10 encounters, let's just keep this target of 20 points in mind....