Wales v Argentina
Last five games: Wales 20-13, Argentina 33-11, 20-20 draw, Wales 30-12, Wales 23-10.
World rankings: Wales seventh, Argentina eighth.
Best World Cup finishes: Wales third (1987), Argentina third (2007).
Forwards to watch: Will Rowlands is a tackling machine for Wales. Prop Thomas Gallo never stops for the Pumas.
Backs to watch: The Welsh backline has some injury issues but fullback Liam Williams is a class act. Pumas winger Mateo Carreras is fresh off a hat-trick against Japan.
Non-rugby clash for the ages: Tom Jones v Eva Peron. The sex bomb or the spiritual leader of a nation? Close call.
Food v food: Leeks v steak. Argentina wins.
Other sport match-up: Gareth Bale v Lionel Messi. The wee wizard Messi runs rings around Bale.
Meikle’s prediction: Wales 26-24.
Bundee Aki. PHOTO: REUTERS
All Blacks v Ireland
Last five games: Ireland 32-22, Ireland 23-12, All Blacks 42-19, Ireland 29-20, All Blacks 46-14.
World rankings: Ireland first, All Blacks fourth.
Best World Cup finishes: Ireland quarterfinalists (1987, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2011, 2015, 2019), All Blacks champions (1987, 2011, 2015).
Forwards to watch: Andrew Porter is a magnificent presence at prop for Ireland. The All Blacks might go as far as No 8 Ardie Savea can carry them.
Backs to watch: Irish talisman Bundee Aki is on track to become the player of the tournament. Try-scoring winger Will Jordan is the one player with genuine X-factor in the All Blacks backline.
Non-rugby clash for the ages: Bono v Edmund Hillary. ‘‘I still haven’t found what I’m looking for’’ against ‘‘we knocked the bastard off’’. Sir Ed, and it’s not even a contest.
Food v food: Pavlova v potatoes. Both can be a bit bland without adding extra bits. Spuds all the way.
Other sport match-up: Ryan Fox v Rory McIlroy. Foxy is in wonderful form. But McIlroy is just a bit classier.
Meikle’s prediction: Ireland 32-20.
Josua Tuisova. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
England v Fiji
Last five games: Fiji 30-22, England 58-15, England 54-12, England 45-24, England 28-12.
World rankings: England sixth, Fiji 10th.
Best World Cup finishes: England champions (2003), Fiji quarterfinalists (1987, 2007).
Forwards to watch: Maro Itoje has not exactly been in amazing form but he is capable of great things for England. Levani Botia — the ‘‘Demolition Man’’ — is still going strong for Fiji at 34.
Backs to watch: Owen Farrell has not yet seen a high tackle he does not like but the English five-eighth is a special talent.
Josua Tuisova loves a good run for the Fijians.
Non-rugby clash for the ages: William Shakespeare v Jimmy ‘‘Superfly’’ Snuka. Sure, Shakespeare was blessed with unnatural talent with words. But he would have no chance against the patented Superfly Splash.
Drink v drink: Warm beer v kava. Pass.
Other sport match-up: W.G. Grace v William Apted. The former is a cricketing immortal, the latter a bloke who scored 96 on his first-class debut for Fiji against Otago in 1953-54. Tough one to pick.
Meikle’s prediction: England 46-18.
Damian Penaud. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
France v South Africa
Last five games: France 30-26, South Africa 29-26, South Africa 18-17, South Africa 35-12, South Africa 37-15.
World rankings: France second, South Africa third.
Best World Cup finishes: France finalists (1987, 1999, 2011), South Africa champions (1995, 2007, 2019).
Forwards to watch: Gregory Alldritt is an absolute monster at No 8 for the French. Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth has had a tough year but could be a major figure in the final weeks of this tournament if his team can upset the home nation.
Backs to watch: Star winger Damian Penaud leads the tournament with six tries and 11 clean breaks for France. Faf de Klerk will need to be at his best for the Boks.
Non-rugby clash for the ages: Napoleon v Nelson Mandela. Both men with a big vision who inspired the people they led. Call it a tie.
Food v food: Snails v braai. To misquote the great Mandela, ‘‘There can be only one division amongst us: between those who cherish barbecued meat and those who do not.’’
Other sport match-up: Tony Parker v Steve Nash. Parker became an NBA great with those relentless San Antonio Spurs teams. Nash was fantastic but being born in Johannesburg does not really make him a South African. Je suis Monsieur Parker.
Meikle’s prediction: France 21-20.
