Pool wrap up

So, the pool stages are over.

France rolled Georgia over, no surprises there. They looked good, as, in fairness did Georgia, but, hard though it is to judge, you'd have to say the ABs looked better. AB v France in Cardiff... the forecast is black, and comfortably so, although with France you never know.

Argentina beat Ireland. Sorry, no surprises there. Argentina v Scotland, no chance Scotland.

South Africa beat up the USA, although the USA looked good in patches, and their winger is rapid, it will be interesting to see him in some big contest honing his skills to go with the speed to skin Habana. South Africa improved as the game went along and they settled down to playing their structure and patterns. They'll roll up against Fiji, and the patterns will be just too good. They'd be too good even if Little was fit, but without him, despite that awesome back row, the Boks will be way too good.

Even more strongly on course for the big 4 Southern Hemisphere sides hitting the semis for my money.

You have to wonder, though. Argentina are firmly in that top 4 in the IRB rankings. They don't have a regular big contest - Tri Nations or Six Nations. They've just beaten the top two teams in this year's Six Nations, is everyone scared of them?