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The first 3 1/2 weeks of the Rugby World Cup have often been predictable. Top-ranked Ireland and new No. 2 France have won all their games. But Ireland, France and the southern hemisphere powers of South Africa and New Zealand are not yet guaranteed a place in the quarterfinals heading into the final set of pool matches starting on Thursday and running through to Sunday. There might still be a twist or two when the remaining six quarterfinalists are decided in a furious four days of last-minute jostling.
