0
With the last round of pool matches approaching, there's plenty of room for speculation ....................
Pool A and B are sorted and we know who is likely to progress to the QF's as first and second in those pools. Pool C is virtually certain as well. But pool D is still open although one would expect that South Africa will finish top and Wales in second place. But it does depend upon the result of the last two matches in the pool ......
If Samoa beats RSA and Wales beat Fiji, then Pool D will end up with South Africa on top and Wales second with Samoa eliminated. This assumes none of the three teams get a bonus point so all three will be on 14 points and the positions are determined by points difference. If Samoa win they are unlikely to get a bonus point - RSA have only conceded one try so far in the competition (along with Australia and England). If Wales win and get a bonus point they could finish on top of the pool with 15 points. If RSA get a bonus point (or win) they finish top ............
So South Africa is looking likely to finish top with Wales in second place. But strange things can happen and facing Ireland and England on the way to the final must be a better proposition that Australia and NZ.
Which leads us to the key factor of match timings. South Africa play Samoa on Friday. Wales play Fiji on Sunday afternoon. It could be done and dusted before Wales take the field on Sunday. Or there again ........
Just some idle speculation.