Rugby World Cup 2015: Odds and Group-Stage Scenarios

Title
Outright Winners	New Zealand (6/5)	Australia (3)	South Africa (15/2)	Ireland (10)
Top Tryscorer	Julian Savea (1)	JP Pietersen (6)	Nehe Milner-Skudder (9)	Bryan Habana (12)
Highest-scoring Group	Pool C (1/100)	Pool A (1/3)	Pool B (1/3)	Pool D (1/3)

The 2015 Rugby World Cup has captured the imagination of the public so many times since it began at the end of September. With shocks, spills and jubilation at nearly every twist and turn, it has entertained and surprised in equal measure.

Whether it has been England's early exit, Japan's vivacious victory over South Africa or Ireland's unconvincing display against Italy, there hasn't been a lack of talking points along the way.

But how is it going to pan out from here? With so many of the pools as yet unresolved, we can expect plenty more excitement as the drama unfolds in the coming days.

Before we take a run through each group and examine the multiple scenarios to see how things could unfold, let's take a quick look at the latest odds, via Oddschecker.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Pool A

Strangely enough, this pool is done and dusted long before it was expected it would be.

As relayed by the Telegraph's Ben Rumsby, Wales head coach Warren Gatland branded this the "group of hell and death," so it's clear that this was always going to be one of the toughest from which to emerge, but not many could have imagined that everything would have been decided heading into the final round of group games.

It was supposed to have been a heck of a lot tighter.

The English are playing for pride against Uruguay, having lost two key games against the Welsh and Australians.

As for the two qualified sides, they can now look ahead to the remainder of the tournament safe in the knowledge that they have a part to play in the next round, but the biggest question remaining here is: Who will top the group?

If you believe Graham Henry's column in the Guardian, it's got to be the Aussies: "With most of the quarter-finalists decided, Australia are ones to watch."

Indeed, as relayed by the Telegraph's Steve James it's easy to see why as the Dragons have lost 10 against the Wallabies on 10 consecutive occasions since 2008.

The top two are locked on 13 points each, so a win for either would guarantee pole position and, more than likely, an easier path. A draw seems highly unlikely as they have only ever shared the spoils once, back in 2006 when the scores ended level on 29 points each, but it would mean Australia would top the group with a better points difference. "Exciting" is not the word.

Pool B

A little less straightforward this time around, Pool B remains about as up in the air as a scintillating Handre Pollard drop-goal. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Not for Japan, at any rate.

Heading into their final pool match, they are in with a real shout of clinching a spot in the quarter-finals, but they face a nervy wait, as their fate isn't exactly in their own hands. In addition to relying on minnows Samoa to get a result against Scotland, Japan also have to defeat the United States at Kingsholm. Simply put, they need to win even if Scotland lose or draw.

Nevertheless, with the support of the nation behind them, the Cherry Blossoms have the extra support they need to get over the line:

DAMIEN MEYER/Getty Images

As for South Africa, they look to have recovered since their shock loss to the Japanese—a match that drew a TV audience of over 25 million in the Land of the Rising Sun—and have cantered into the last eight with an emphatic win against the Americans.

The way it's currently shaping up, South Africa will face Wales in the last eight, while Scotland will take on the might of Australia if Japan fail to muster the necessary fightback.

Pool C

World champions New Zealand are sitting pretty atop the pile in this group after a series of solid displays to date. In fact, the All Blacks are one of only five teams to have remained unbeaten so far (alongside Ireland, Australia, Wales and France), so it's fair to say they are still one of the best teams in the competition.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

With an easy contest to come against Tonga, they are all but guaranteed to wind up with at least 18 points, which means they will face whoever places as runners-up in Pool D.

Meanwhile, Argentina look a safe bet to finish behind New Zealand, which they will do with a routine win against Namibia. Unfortunately for the bottom three of Tonga, Georgia and Namibia, it doesn't look good.

Namibia and Georgia have absolutely zero chance of escaping their group, while the White Doves of Tonga are the only outsiders here who can qualify, mathematically, though it's highly unlikely they will upset New Zealand at St James' Park.

Pool D

Ireland and France are certain to make it into the quarter-finals; that much is certain. What's not so clear-cut are the ramifications of who they will face in the coming weeks.

Depending on who finishes top, either team could experience a rocky welcome to the next round outside of Pool D, which means that all eyes will be on their upcoming clash at the atmospheric Millennium Stadium in Cardiff at the weekend.

Finish top, and they will face Argentina. Wind up second, and they'll face an enormous task in the shape of New Zealand. Simply put, the result of their weekend showdown could signal either the end of their tournament or the beginning of a magnificent run into the last four. Meanwhile, a draw would see Ireland safely through as group leaders due to a better points difference.

However, it's clear whom Steve Hansen's men would ideally face next: Ireland. Indeed, Michael Guerin of the New Zealand Herald (h/t Irish Independent) pinpointed precisely why: because the Irish have never beaten them before.

"I want Ireland. Ireland were poor this morning and we know France can beat us, but Ireland have never beaten us, so why wouldn't we take Ireland?"

Italy, Canada and Romania are all now playing for pride, but it's the Romanians who can finish strongest by picking up at least eight points in the space of five days.

Predictions and Conclusion

There is still lots to play for in the remaining matches, even if there is plenty of mystery and intrigue clouding the future. New Zealand remain the top dogs and everyone will want to avoid them for as long as possible, but they are not perfect, as Argentina's attack on their maul has suggested on several occasions already.

However, that's just one aspect of the whole tournament, and the narratives to unfold are manifold. So, let's go out on a limb and predict the quarter-final match-ups.

First up, let's plump for South Africa to face Wales in the initial quarter-final. Due to the fact the Springboks have the highest points tally so far, their ability to conjure scores at any moment means they will prove a handful for anybody. In the second quarter-final pairing, let's suggest a New Zealand vs. France clash, with the All Blacks the favourites having won the last eight meetings between the pair.

The third clash has every chance of being Ireland against Argentina and it would be only the Men in Green's second real test of the competition so they could well be rusty, while Argentina will be as eager to cause an upset as ever. Lastly, a reliable Australia look on course to face underdogs Scotland and should beat them based on current form.

Obviously, there will be plenty of incredible action to come between now and the end of the tournament, and judging on the top level we've all seen so far, it's safe to say that things will only get better in the coming weeks, regardless of who wins what.

Hold on to your seats, folks.