Motive for winning.

[Nz]

Seeing as though the first 3 teams from Pool A in the World Cup proceed automatically, i ponder what is the point of Aus, NZ & Eng playing full strength sides other than in the PNG game to advance?

I mean, wouldn't playing full strength teams against one another risk injury & thus chances in the semis?

Moreover, wouldn't tactics be exposed in less important games?

This is what i fear most about Australia. They will see what ENG & NZ are up to & with a loss, they would be back quick sharp to claim the title.

And so i ponder, is there any motive for winning these early games?

 

[deluded pom?]

Wouldn't the teams finishing 2nd and 3rd play each other?

 

[Perth Red]

National Pride?

 

[LordLeague]

Teams will want to finish top of the super pool to ensure they get the easy semi-final. That 2v3 semi is going to be cracker and could go either way on the day.

If NZ or England could upset OZ in the pool game they could quite easily finish top of the super pool and get the easy road through to the Final.

Every game in the super pool is worth playing for if you ask me and I don't expect any players to be rested.

LordLeague

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Not to mention the fact that NZ will probably have to be on their game considering how sh*t their squad is likely to be.

 

[pilmax]

Not to mention the fact that NZ will probably have to be on their game considering how sh*t their squad is likely to be.

let NZ quiet, they have more to gain than to lose.

 

[Poul]

Teams will want to finish top of the super pool to ensure they get the easy semi-final. That 2v3 semi is going to be cracker and could go either way on the day.

If NZ or England could upset OZ in the pool game they could quite easily finish top of the super pool and get the easy road through to the Final.
.........

Exactly. It would be a dangerous approach to take the pool games lightly, risk losing the harder semifinal and be bundled out of the Cup.
However, if Australia defeat New Zealand and England in their first two pool games, it is possible that they may look at playing their second stringers against PNG in their fnal pool match. Also the Poms and the Kiwis could play ducks and drakes in their pool match, as it wouldn't make a difference (assuming both had defeated PNG) as both of the teams would finish either 2nd or 3rd, and then meet each other again in the semifinal. So, it is possible that they may not want to show their full hand, and play their second stingers, to avoid the possibilty of injury to key players, and also to allow players carrying niggling injuries further chance to recover.