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George North—aptly nicknamed the “Man Child” of the Wales national rugby team—not only carries his nation’s hopes of success on his shoulders in the Rugby World Cup, but also his own need for redemption. And it is that personal mission that will allow Wales to be victorious.
At just 23 years, the winger has already emerged as one of the most talented players in the modern game of rugby even before he earned two Six Nations titles.
Named to the Wales squad for the 2010 November Internationals, North holds an extraordinary record-breaking resume for such a young player. According to ESPN Scrum’s Huw Richards, North—age 18—became the youngest player ever to score a try in his debut for Wales; have scored two tries in his debut and have scored two tries against a major rugby nation. He also remains the first person to have scored two tries while making his debut against South Africa.
Then, at age 19, he became the youngest ever try scorer at a Rugby World Cup competition and to score 10 international tries, Telegraph’s James Corrigan reported. His contributions to major teams have been historic: ESPN Scrum notes that his outstanding tries while playing for the Lions in 2013 not only stand out as some of the best in the team’s history, but they even led to a pivotal final test victory over the Wallabies, the Lions’ first series win since 1997.
North—Wales’ prized prodigy and the special weapon they’ve tried to protect from the spotlight for five years—is destructive, there is no doubt about it.
The Daily Mail’s Nik Simon explained, “With a 40 metre time of 4.96sec—just 0.32sec slower than Usain Bolt—and the strength to squat while carrying 496lb on his shoulders,” North has been compared to the All Blacks’ infamous Jonah Lomu “before [he] had even pulled on a Wales jersey.”
Having already impressed the international rugby world at such a young age, North will no doubt surpass the accomplishments of even Lomu.
North has earned over 50 caps.
Yet, despite his record-breaking resume, the young star still plays like he needs to prove himself in an international arena.
“Over the last 12 months, he probably hasn’t played as well as we would have liked and he’s aware of that,” Welsh coach Warren Gatland told the Daily Mail.
In fact, North’s career has been an ongoing series of head injuries. He suffered three concussions in the last four months, according to the Daily Mail, and thus has been left off the roster for most of Wales’ matches in 2015.
What’s worse: Specialists told Simon that another serious injury could potentially end his career.
North’s fight to take back control during the Rugby World Cup has no doubt worked in favor of the Welsh team. Though he did not participate in the team’s 54-9 defeat of Uruguay in their opener, he returned to the pitch for their contest against England. According to Simon, there were many doubts from critics and spectators whether North would even return to play at the World Cup to compete against England and Australia.
There is no doubt that the Wales vs. England match was North’s easing back into the international scene rather than a stunning show of his brilliance; it’s unquestionable that outside-half Dan Biggar held the spotlight as the man of the match. However, we were reminded of North’s importance to the Welsh team in the final 10 minutes of the game, after England’s Sam Burgess came off the pitch. In those crucial final minutes of regulation, North was relocated to the center, creating great danger for the English squad. Yet, without Burgess’ defensive security, England fell apart.
Wales’ 28-25 defeat of England saw the them rise to second in world rankings, their highest position yet, according to Rugby World. Meanwhile, England dropped down to sixth.
North regained his stride in Wales’ match against Fiji, in which he made impressive line breaks and runs from the very beginning of the test, putting much pressure on the Fijians. Though it was a stern challenge, Wales yet again came out on top.
Wales and Australia have both qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals, and the winner of the game at Twickenham will top their group.
Wales currently holds a 10-match losing streak against Australia—an unfortunate pattern the team must break in order to win Pool A of the Rugby World Cup. Gatland, however, does not feel that such a feat is impossible.
"A lot of people have written us off, and we have demonstrated that character when we are under pressure," he told the BBC.
Whereas the Welsh team has had time to adjust to injuries of various key players, such as centers Jonathan Davies and Cory Allen and now midfielder Scott Williams, the Wallabies have suddenly been hit with team blows. Today the BBC reported that Australia flanker Michael Hooper has been suspended for one week due to a physical violation in the Wallabies’ match against England, thus removing him from the Wales game lineup.
Luckily for North, the BBC also reported that Australia full-back Israel Folau could miss Saturday's Pool A decider with Wales at Twickenham due to an ankle injury he suffered in the 66th minute of the Wallabie’s 33-13 win over England last weekend. The full-back has a history as North’s rival—no one can forget when the Welshman effortlessly threw Folau onto his shoulder during the second Test of the 2013 Lions tour, the highlight of the series. In the case of Folau’s injury, Australia’s loss is most definitely North’s—and thus, Wales’—gain.
Yet, North’s greatest contribution to the Welsh team will be his resilience and flexibility. With the growing injuries on the team, the possibility of the veritable giant moving into the midfield is increasing.
“If need be, I will play center or wing, nor front row!” North told the Press Association (h/t ESPN). “That is the World Cup—you have to adapt and learn roles. Center is not one I am unusual with, and it may have to be … From number one to 31 in the squad we have always been there together.”
North has faced Australia 10 times, of which Wales was only victorious in two.
The result of the match between Wales and Australia will determine which side tops the group. While either Scotland or Japan are likely to be the opponents for whichever side wins Group A, the runners-up will most likely face South Africa from Pool B in the quarter-finals.
North has the stats and the skills to pull Wales ahead, there’s no questioning that; you don’t break multiple records on mere luck. But it’s this sense of irrepressible determination, this all-in mentality, that will truly make North a legend on the Rugby World Cup pitch. Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards emphasized to the Press Association that resilience was a key factor in the team’s triumph over England, and North himself projects that very quality.
Carrying both his personal and Welsh pride, North bears a heavy weight on his shoulder going into the match against Australia on Saturday. Perhaps more than any of his teammates, North needs to continue on in the tournament to prove his worth and his relevance to the future of rugby more than just the pride of a World Cup victory.
Having two games to pick up his stride behind him, the winger will no doubt step onto the pitch ready to show the world that he still has the exemplary talents that gave him the reputation as one of the greatest rugby players alive.
Kaitlin McCabe is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report's Advanced Program in Sports Media. Follow her on Twitter @kam3194.
England lost a heartbreaking encounter with New Zealand at Wembley in a game that will linger in the memory for a very long time.
| England | 18 | 20 | New Zealand |
| Tries: O'Loughlin, Watkins, Burgess | Tries: Tuivasa-Sheck (2), Johnson | ||
| Conversions: Linfield (2) | Conversions: Johnson (2) | ||
| Penalties: Linfield | Penalties: Johnson (2) |
The hosts survived an early period that saw them forced back into their own half for the opening minutes. However, inspired by a remarkable defensive stand that saw Sam Tomkins and James Charnley offer strong resistance, the crowd got behind the hosts and England began to make progress in attack.
New Zealand started to look a little rattled, and England took full advantage when James Graham and Sam Burgess broke powerfully through and offloaded the ball to Sean O'Loughlin to go through for a try.
Burgess added to his already strong reputation with a quick step past Elijah Taylor and earned a penalty, which Kevin Sinfield put over.
New Zealand were suddenly all over the place and in need of a miracle to get some momentum back. Luckily, Dean Whare obliged with one of the passes of the tournament.
The All Blacks were attempting to keep the drive going on sixth tackle, but the ball looked to be going out when Whare chased it down, leapt to grab it, stayed in touch and somehow flipped the ball to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to create a try out of nowhere.
It's the sort of thing you see in the NBA but not often in rugby. New Zealand were back in the game, but the feeling persisted that those sorts of moments would again be necessary to break England down.
Instead of rallying New Zealand, it instead seemed to inspire England to new heights.
Again led by Sam Burgess, the home side continued to match their opponents physically, wearing the defence down with powerful drives and pinning them back in their own half.
Despite this pressure, England failed to capitalise and New Zealand drew level through a penalty for an infringement by George Burgess.
It was a breathless first half that ended with both teams going into the tunnel with eight points each.
The second half began in much the same way as the first, with the Kiwis aggressive in attack and forcing England to remain strong in defence. Sonny Bill Williams caused all sorts of problems and England could only deal with him in groups of four or five.
Unlike the first half, however, the home side couldn't contain the onslaught and Tuivasa-Sheck broke through a weak Ryan Hall tackle to go over.
Small consolation for England came when Shaun Johnson missed the conversion, but they now had to play from behind for the first time in the game.
In order to do this, however, they had to get into the New Zealand half. Williams kept hammering the defence and it was only a desperate defensive stand that kept Tuivasa-Sheck from getting his hat-trick.
England continued to hold their line and withstood the tide to get back into the game.
A series of penalties conceded threatened to hold them back, but Sinfield marshalled his side into Kiwi territory and played Kallum Watkins in for the try.
Sinfield's influence failed to extend to his conversion, however, which sailed wide of the upright.
England kept pressing, Sinfield again at the heart of everything. With just under 15 minutes to go, Hall suddenly found daylight and ran up the left touchline with four points within his grasp. Unfortunately, he fell with 20 yards to go and fate suddenly seemed to frown on England.
As is commonplace in such classic encounters, there was more drama to come.
Immediately after, Sam Burgess was presented with an opportunity that he held on to, surging through after more solid work by Sinfield. No one was going to stop him and he ran over a tackle to cross the line and give England the lead.
Sinfield converted and there were four points and 14 minutes between England and a World Cup final.
England defended everything New Zealand threw at them until a high tackle on Williams with 50 seconds to play granted the All-Blacks another six tackles with which to attack.
Johnson was the man to benefit, skipping past two tackles and diving over the line to level the score. He converted his own try under immense pressure to send New Zealand through to the final with seconds to spare.
England can be very proud of the way they played but will be bitterly disappointed with the half chances missed and the penalty that eventually gave the game away.
As the 2013 World Baseball Classic enters the qualifying stages tonight in Jupiter, Florida, the collection of talent on each team is interesting, to say the least.
All eight teams that will be playing in games over the weekend boast former Major League players, prospects at various levels of the minors and players looking to make a name for themselves on a big stage.
To preview the qualifying round, I'll be taking a look at all eight teams that will be playing over the weekend and ranking them based on their talent. Obviously, talent alone does not win in a double-elimination format like this, so don't be shocked to see upsets along the way.
No. 1 Canada
Click here to see the full Canadian roster.
I really like what Canada has done with its preliminary roster. It has the perfect collection of old and young players who can shine in this kind of environment.
The best player is Phillies outfielder Tyson Gillies, who hit .299/.369/.440 across three levels of the minors in 2012. He could be in the big leagues next season.
Other notable players include Rangers catching prospect Kellin Deglan and Indians outfielder Nick Weglarz, who doesn't hit for average but does have some power and can draw walks.
No. 2 Germany
Click here to see full German roster
Germany doesn't boast a lot of big-league talent. Instead, it will rely on young players like Donald Lutz, who brings some power, and Max Kepler, who slugged .539 in the Appalachian League.
The Germans don't have much pitching, so the offense has to carry them if they hope to make it out of qualifying.
No. 3 Spain
Click here to see full Spanish roster
Even though Spain comes in at third on my list, I think it might be the team to beat in its qualifying round.
The roster has a lot of high-upside talent, such as Rangers prospect Engel Beltre, who is still more tools than performance, and a great lefty-righty duo in Chris Manno and Richard Castillo.
With those two carrying the rotation, Spain might have the best pitching staff of all eight teams playing this weekend.
No. 4 Israel
Click here to see full Israel roster
Israel is using an interesting tactic to try and make it through qualifying. Few of its players are actually from Israel, though they do have ties to the country.
Former big leaguers Shawn Green and Gabe Kapler will be instantly recognizable to fans, but the roster also boasts Joc Pederson, who hit .313/.396/.516 in the California League.
Like Germany, there isn't a lot of talent on the pitching staff, so it is imperative that the offense is firing on all cylinders every game in order to make it out of qualifying.
No. 5 South Africa
Click here to see full South Africa roster
South Africa is using a lot of youth and high-upside arms to fill out its roster. It is a risky gamble, though it can pay huge dividends if even half of the players manage to hit.
Pitchers like Robert Lewis Walker and Kieran Lovegrove have minimal professional experience, so if nothing else, this will be an excellent learning curve for them.
No. 6 Great Britain
Click here to see full Great Britain roster
I might be underselling Great Britain a little, because I really like its top two pitchers (Chris Reed and Michael Roth). This team might be able to ride those two far if they are on top of their game.
That said, their offense is filled with a lot of players who have scuffled in the minors. I do like the youth on this team, but it will take a lot to go right for them to make it out of qualifying.
No. 7 France
Click here to see full French roster
A lack of depth and little power will force the French to play a lot of small ball. That might work in qualifying, though it will be difficult to see this team go very far if it makes it into the big event next March.
No. 8 Czech Republic
Click here to see full Czech Republic roster
The Czech Republic roster does not boast star power or impact at many spots on the field. Its best player is Mike Cervenak, who is a 36-year-old third baseman without much range or bat to speak of.
Australia's preliminary World Cup list was released on Tuesday, the main attraction of the list being the inclusion of the still injured Kewell, Bresciano, Emerton and Grella, and the calling of one single A-League player representative for the international tournament's preliminary list: Gold Coast United's midfielder, Jason Culina.
However, with up to twelve players on the list having played in the A-League in the past, the representation of the five year old league in the World Cup is very notorious nevertheless.Verbeek has made sure not to fall in the excitement of having a national soccer league, if even a young one; leagues such as the A-League or Major League Soccer for that matter have been proved to provide its respective national teams with very valid and even key players, too many domestic players on the World Cup list could mean too little experience at an international stage.
This is evident for Australia's coach. Over 90% of the players on the 30 men list currently play in the Old Continent, most of them in England, the Netherlands or Turkey. The Australian coach is ensuring that most of his key players will be very familiar with whom they are competing against in June and hopefully, July of this year. At the same time, 16 of the 30 players listed on Tuesday were part of 2006's World Cup. Tommy Oar, recently signed by FC Utrecht this summer, also made the list. Oar will be one of the torurnament's youngest players, at eighteen years of age.
Other young players selected by Verbeek include James Holland, Nikita Rukavytsya, Shane Lowry, and Dario Vidosic.
When it comes to the injured key players, Verbeek has noted that he hopes all of them will be ready for the first game against mighty Germany. Even though the Socceroos have not had any added trouble when it comes to late injuries, which are happening all throughout the world's international teams as the domestic tournaments end, they will be struggling to make its already injured players make it to the first game in mid June.
The 30 men squad reads as follows:
Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), Brad Jones (Middlesbrough), Adam Federici (Reading)
Defenders: Craig Moore (No Team), Lucas Neill (Galatasaray), Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow), Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel), David Carney (FC Twente), Mark Milligan (JEF United), Jade North (Tromso), Michael Beauchamp (Al-Jazira), Shane Lowry (Aston Villa), Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough)
Midfielders: Jason Culina (Gold Coast), Tim Cahill (Everton), Brett Emerton (Blackburn), Mark Bresciano (Palermo), Vince Grella (Blackburn), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar), Carl Valeri (Sassuolo), Mile Jedinak (Antalyaspor), Richard Garcia (Hull), Nicky Carle (Crystal Palace), Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht), James Holland (AZ Alkmaar)
Forwards: Harry Kewell (Galatasaray), Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus), Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough), Dario Vidosic (FC Nuremberg), Nikita Rukavytsya (FC Twente)
Australia seems to get more and more comfortable when it comes to getting through qualifying stages and onto the final stages of the World Cup.
An entire country is eager to prove that 2006 was not a fluke, and as most of Australia's stars approach what could potentially be their last big tournament, the time seems right for the Socceroos.
Having qualified as the only undefeated team in its group, leaving Japan, Bahrain, Qatar and Uzbekistan behind, Australia has finally had both the experience and the talent to get to the final stages, with a squad and a momentum building that resembles that of the United States.
The main problem for Australia, however, could be the way Pim Verbeek is transitioning his team from mainly physical, to a style that treats the ball more nicely.
The Socceroos have not fully adopted this tweak in the way they are supposed to play, and that could be disastrous in the group stage and against teams that either really know what they are doing (Germany,) have the advantage of a coach that stays two steps ahead of you (Serbia,) or a team that outplays you physically (Ghana.)
Schedule
Germany — June 13
Ghana — June 19
Serbia — June 23
A group of death where Germany stands taller than three very competitive teams will surely be one of the big attractions of the group stages.
When it comes to thinking about Australia's chances, their chances would be even bigger if the schedule were any different.
The Socceroos take on mighty Germany on the very first day.
The German team has about had enough of hovering around the title, and after being runner-up in Korea and Japan in 2002, and third in its own country in 2006, they will want to start the tournament with a strong win against Australia.
While Germany moves on to get nine out of nine, Ghana will await Australia.
The physical strength and desire to do well in South Africa of The Black Stars could prove deadly for Australia, even more if they happen to get three points out of Serbia in the first game.
Whether Australia gets three points out of Ghana or not will determine if the last game against Serbia will be of any importance for the Socceroos.
Serbia has in Radomir Antic a strategist who knows when to play his cards; if Serbia has anything to play for on this last game, Australia will have to counteract with the experience of Mark Schwarzer and Cahill.
One of the most competitive groups in South Africa will see three teams looking to get those six points to move on to the round of 16, with Germany hoping to do its homework sooner than later and watch the other three teams fight for the second qualifying spot.
Key Players
The core of the Australian national team is on its prime, or slightly over it. However, the time seems right for several of Australia's key players.
For once, Mark Schwarzer will arrive to South Africa having played a Europa League final.
Regardless of who the champion is between Fulham or Atletico de Madrid, the 6'4" goalkeeper will have one more experience to add to his repertoire in the World Cup.
At the same time, Australia possesses two important players in the midfield—and one upfront—all with over decade of experience in Europe, and all three ready to shine at an international level.
Both Mark Bresciano and Tim Cahill should take over in the midfield against teams with less quality of pass in this position.
Harry Kewell has found regularity in Turkey, leading Galatasaray with one goal every two games in the current season, and showing that he can still be Australia's main target man.
If he does not follow his Turkish strike, Scott McDonald is willing and able to look after his first international goal.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Australia has an experienced team, and they are physically capable of beating anyone.
The team has exponentially improved in the past eight years, to the point to where not going to the round of 16 would be a shame for the entire country.
After the 2006 run, the team has earned the mentality that it needs to believe in itself and act accordingly upon it.
The backbone of the team, Schwarzer-Neill-Bresciano-Cahill-Kewell has the quality and experience needed to perform well, but without the downside of being too old, such as Italy's key players.
A couple of things could cut Australia's stay in South Africa short. First, without those key players, Australia's capability is very limited.
Galatasaray defender Lucas Neill will have to work out any flaws in his defense, during every minute of the ninety minutes of every game.
Same with Bresciano and Cahill; everybody else in the midfield just looks up to them, too much. Upfront, Kewell is pretty much on his own, unless McDonald wakes up from his international siesta.
At the same time, Pim Verbeek will need to stop experimenting with his team, at least for the time being.
Australia's run in 2006 showed the team was capable of performing against better teams. We add that to the fact that the team has gained other skills in the past four years, and Australia should have a good run in South Africa as well. If the dutch manager starts asking for things that not even the big players are used to doing with the national team, the setback could be catastrophic.
It Would Be A Great World Cup If
For Australia, anything beyond the group stage would be superb.
A balanced squad, if none of the older players suffers a minor injury during the first three matches, could take the team beyond the round of 16.
However, the more than likely rival in this round would be England; only a major surprise, with either Australia getting the first spot in its group, or England failing to qualify as the best team in theirs, would see the Socceroos advance to the round of eight.
It Would Be A Disaster If
Australia does not prove competitive against both Ghana and Serbia.
Nobody is going to ask much of them against the Germans, but against two teams just as hungry as Australia is (but not as gifted as them,) they should prevail as the better team.
Anything below second would be disappointing, even more after the successful run in Germany.
My Prediction
On one hand, Australia has what it takes to surprise anyone.
On the other, their dependency on their key players, or their manager trying to experiment with the way they plat could have them sent back home two weeks after they arrive.
The best players Australia has ever gotten are on their prime, and they know this is it.
This is their last chance to make it happen.
If Australia's coach lets them play they way they know how, and the less experienced players bring on their hunger to shine, Australia could give England a run for their money, or even go to the round of eight if Capello's powerhouse does not get the first sport in their group.
