The Rugby World Cup has gotten off to a great start. Japan's victory over South Africa has given the sport a huge lift, and it's not just the Irish who are on the Japan bandwagon. The Australian's are loving the Japanese heroics according to Rugby HQ's Seanny Maloney.
Maloney took some time out to talk to us about all things World Cup, from the Japanese victory to how Ireland's chances are viewed down under amongst other things.
Seanny has enjoyed the first week of the tournament, but like everyone is frustrated that the officiating with the TMO in particular interrupting play.
But who has impressed the Australians from the northern hemisphere? It's only a familiar face to us Irish fans:
Not much out of England impressed me. I only saw the highlights of Ireland's win against Canada. Actually speaking to Greg Martin, who is one of our Fox Sports experts, Ireland are his pick of the top tier nations after that opening week. He loved the way they went about getting things done in their opening game against the Canadians, and having seen the highlights it's hard to argue the toss. He thinks that Sexton is the form flyhalf of the tournament at the moment.
Which is reason enough to wrap him in cotton wool for the physical Romanian game. Although looking across the first games, there haven't been too many others who have impressed, whilst Sexton looks back to his usual confident self.
Moving on to this weekend's games, the England v Wales clash will be hugely relevant in Australia's pool. Seanny is brutally honest in saying that he hopes that the two teams "smash each other senseless". The victor will take a huge step towards qualification, but Australia are waiting in the wings to face the two battered teams.
In terms of who he thinks will reach the semi-finals, it's good news for Ireland fans. He fancies France in the tournament, but thinks that Ireland should have the edge, and join New Zealand and Australia in the semi-finals.
You can listen to the full interview here, starting with Seanny's thoughts on the tournament so far:
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Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
