POOL B
South Africa
Ireland
Scotland
Tonga
Romania
KEY MATCHES (NZ TIMES)
SA v Scot
Sept 11, 3.45am
Ire v Tonga
Sept 17, 7am
SA v Ire
Sept 24, 8am
Scot v Tonga
Sept 25, 4.45aqm
SA v Tonga
Oct 2, 8am
Ire v Scot
Oct 8, 8am
Well, there’s always one, isn’t there?
By any criteria, Pool B has to be considered the so-called Group of Death, given it contains three of the top five sides in the world rankings at the end of the 2022-23 northern hemisphere season in Ireland, South Africa and Scotland.
The trio are also in the same half of the draw as the other two sides in the world’s top five, France and New Zealand, and so only two of this quintet will make it to the semi-finals.
Hence, while Andy Farrell has
