Who do you think will win? What will be the matches to look out for?

 

 

 

 

 

I'm watching Argentina vs France atm..it's half time and Argentina are being very dominant against the French. So many mistakes by the French! They break away, one mistake and the Argentinians have their own break away try :wink: .

New Zealand, baby. :D Not a big rugby watcher myself, but everyone vaguely knows about rugby if you live here. ;)

 

 

 

Just watched the last fifteen minutes or so of the France vs. Argentina game - Argentina won 17-12. Woo! I thought they played a great game against France (even though I didn't know what was going on half the time and kept bugging my brother to explain ^ : )

 

 

 

Next game's New Zealand vs. Italy, I think... go the All Blacks! Woot!

And a cool ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã80 was made. Viva Los Pumas! :D

 

 

 

NZ are clear favourites, but consider this: The ammount of pressure on them is immense. They've entered every tournament (bar 03 possibly) as favourites and, despite their solitary triumph in 87, the infancy of the cup, they have failed to live to expectations. Everyone, literally everyone, doesn't think they could win, but should and will. Anything less is another failure, and if they do it, everyone expected it. In a sense, bar the cup obviously, there's not a lot to gain.

 

 

 

South Africa and Australia look far more ominous to me. Both are hitting great form at the right time, compared to NZ who seem to be trailing off. Adding to the fact that Carter doesn't know who'll be playing 12/13 outside of him, compared to Aus and SA's accomplished pairings, is yet another hinderance. Frankly, I don't think NZ have the midfield to do it, not unless they shift up Muliani and have McDonald at full-back.

 

 

 

Don't write off France yet, I'd be very surprised if they didn't make the semi's at least. As for the home nations? Quarters at best for all of them. Ireland are the strongest of them, but they have been given a rotten draw and are perennial croker chokers.

 

 

 

Too close to call, IMO.

My mate's put ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã80 on South Africa and ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã10 on Italy. Nutter. :XD:

Bit upset with Argentina France eh?

And a cool ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã80 was made. Viva Los Pumas! :D

 

 

 

NZ are clear favourites, but consider this: The ammount of pressure on them is immense. They've entered every tournament (bar 03 possibly) as favourites and, despite their solitary triumph in 87, the infancy of the cup, they have failed to live to expectations. Everyone, literally everyone, doesn't think they could win, but should and will. Anything less is another failure, and if they do it, everyone expected it. In a sense, bar the cup obviously, there's not a lot to gain.

 

 

 

South Africa and Australia look far more ominous to me. Both are hitting great form at the right time, compared to NZ who seem to be trailing off. Adding to the fact that Carter doesn't know who'll be playing 12/13 outside of him, compared to Aus and SA's accomplished pairings, is yet another hinderance. Frankly, I don't think NZ have the midfield to do it, not unless they shift up Muliani and have McDonald at full-back.

 

 

 

Don't write off France yet, I'd be very surprised if they didn't make the semi's at least. As for the home nations? Quarters at best for all of them. Ireland are the strongest of them, but they have been given a rotten draw and are perennial croker chokers.

 

 

 

Too close to call, IMO.

 

 

 

Remember Ireland's backs when they're on forum are pretty much the best in the world imo, especially the wings. :)

I think it will be New Zealand v South Africa in the Final.

 

I don't think Australia will do any good, we will probably get to the semis, then get smashed :P :-$

Italy vs New Zealand soon to kick off :)

 

Aussies vs whoever :P

 

USA vs England

every time I think Rugby world coup I think Jonny Wilkinson and the terrible luck his been having ever since, he seems such a nice bloke an all real shame :cry:

Remember Ireland's backs when they're on forum are pretty much the best in the world imo, especially the wings. :)

 

You could throw Lomu in there, but without a front five or any tactical and technical discipline, it's a waste. Ireland lack that in the big games.

 

 

 

Today we saw the gulf between Northern and SOuthern Hempishere's - particularly England's fall from grace. Aston has a bit of a poisoned chalice at the moment. Of course, the arguement is that he should have got the job earlier to actually try and piece together a cohesive unit. However, the fact is, it's beyond his control and even his predecessor, the happless Andy Robinson. The difference is - England don't have the quality.

 

 

 

Ashton quickyl established that for his battered and beaten side, literally and metaphorically, to have any chance of winning the RWC, they'd need to specialise in his brand of rugby - Ashton's style of rugby. This kind of rugby is head's up, improvising, being adaptable and skillfull enough to adapt to different conditions, situations and moments in varying circumstances. To have a game plan, but to be able to adapt it and pick another one, should they see it fit during the game. That is incredibly hard.

 

 

 

The best exponents of this are New Zealand, with Australia not too far behind. South Africa are getting there, courteousy of another Aussie, Eddie Jones (bet that went down well?). To perform this kind of rugby, your 10 needs to be a genius, your 12 has to be a pinnacle and the other players - that's all of them, need the nous to know to adapt. Every one. NZ have Carter and Mauger/McAllister. Australia have Larkham and Giteau. Ultimately, this is where I think SA will fail, as Butch James isn't capable, and they will revert to their direct approach. This may be enough, and the only reason England aren't doing it is that they can't match the power of these teams, or of the team who won 4 years ago.

 

 

 

With regards to England, there merely don't have the quality of player to do this. They have the coach who gave birth to this rugby, but not the player. There are exceptions of course: Wilkinson at 10 - but we already knew that. Josh Lewsey as well as he has always been an avid fan of Ashton's - plus if you gave the ex-Army man any task he'd probably be able to do it. And, as we saw today in our only promising performance, Olly Barkley is capable. This is mainly due to the years he spent working with Ashton at his club: Bath.

 

 

 

The other men simply can't contemplate the philosophy. Many have spent 10-15 years playing a different way and just can't now. Andy Farrell was brought to Union with this gameplan in mind. Had he not lost a year to injury, perhaps he could have done it.

 

 

 

As of now, it's hard to look past the Tri-Nations for the trophy. Throw in France as well. Get them in Marseilles and watch the sparks fly.

italy vs nz = 14-76

 

australia vs japan = 91-3

 

england vs usa = 26-10 (i think)

 

 

 

the nz game was a great game, even though it was over decided after about 20 minutes and i am italian.....

 

imo italy played very well in attack putting a lot of pressure on nz and causing a few mistakes leading to italian tries (should have been 3 *kicks ref*) anyway they conceded a lot less penalties and made fewer mistakes than they were doing in the 6 nations, if they didn't slack off at the begginning they would have put up a good fight....beating scotland is not out of our reach, we did it in the 6 nations, we could do it again and make it to the quarter finals, though probably not much further

 

to a neutral supporter this game would also have been a very good one since most of it was fast open play with quick offloads in the tackles, and generally an exciting game

 

 

 

the australia was very interesting in the first half, when japan were putting up great resistance against a vastly superior side, they were a lot better in defence than italy however in the second half they felt the effects of all the resistance put up in the first half and could do nothing against the australian backs

 

 

 

the england game was an interesting one, imo england didn't play as well as they are able to and made a lot of mistakes, they still managed to win although it should have been by a lot less after that foul in the first half when the americans were close to scoring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

then of course there was the france game, argentina deserved the victory, they were the better side, france were making mistakes left right and center and the subs were brought on far too late, while the argentinians were great in defense making it very difficult for the french to score, making what seemed to be desperate tap tackles

You Have Seen Nothing.

rugby = similar to american football, but the ball actually touches the feet of the players sometimes, with no armour, stricter rules and it doesn't have stoppages every 20 seconds

 

 

 

imo it is a lot more physiacal and exciting than american football

Watching Phil Vickery thug his way through another game really pissed me off...England Rugby team lack discipline and when their captain is deliberately tripping people up it doesn't help. You can tell they are lacking so much without Wilkinson.

 

I thought Usa did not bad considering the scoreline.

 

Nz are favourites but as an outside bet I think South Africa or possibly Ireland?Anyways will be exciting to watch.

I only watched the NZ vs Italy game last night which was fairly entertaining. Doug Howlett just one try away from a new record. I didn't watch the England and Australia games but from what I've heard the English didn't play too well compared with the other two. So it looks like the ABs could be headed to Cardiff in the QF to play France. That would be a great game, compared with the tedious thrashings that we New Zealanders are set to endure over the next few weeks :D .

I don't know what it is but NZ just have a more appealable style of playing rugby really, always having that support to do a quick pop pass for an easy try after making a break. Just look at their try's, always support right there.

New Zealand and Australia didn't have much trouble, did they?

New Zealand and Australia didn't have much trouble, did they?

 

 

 

Nope. \

Wales vs Canada

 

Ireland vs Namibia

 

South Africa vs Samoa

 

Scotland vs Portugal

Wow, Bubsa, you sure do know your Rugga!

 

 

 

I think it will come down to the ABs and the 'Boks in the final. I don't think Aussie has what it takes. After watching us play Italy, we did a good job, we have peaked at the right time.

 

 

 

You are right, we do place an immense amount of pressure on our team, but I think they will come up with the goods this time. They better anyway, 'cause after this world cup, we are losing around seven key players to overseas franchises.

^ Which to me strikes me as a bit of complacency - thinking they won't have to represent their country for a few years because they know they'll win the RWC. They should, but they have to be careful.

 

 

 

On the topic of Phil Vickery, frankly, I think it was disgusting. The trip was cynical and he should be banned. I don't think he has what it takes anymore, to be honest. He has had a poorer start to England captain than Martin Corry, but Corry was lamented for it. Matt Stevens is a far more mobile tight head, a better footballer and I think the most accomplished technician in the front row (he should be, he's South African). I don't know why Vickery persists.

 

 

 

Rugby knowledge - I has it :P

On the topic of Phil Vickery, frankly, I think it was disgusting. The trip was cynical and he should be banned. I don't think he has what it takes anymore, to be honest. He has had a poorer start to England captain than Martin Corry, but Corry was lamented for it. Matt Stevens is a far more mobile tight head, a better footballer and I think the most accomplished technician in the front row (he should be, he's South African). I don't know why Vickery persists.

 

Agreed, I think Corry was doing a better job tbh. Anyway the Samoa v South Africa game looks good.

On the topic of Phil Vickery, frankly, I think it was disgusting. The trip was cynical and he should be banned. I don't think he has what it takes anymore, to be honest. He has had a poorer start to England captain than Martin Corry, but Corry was lamented for it. Matt Stevens is a far more mobile tight head, a better footballer and I think the most accomplished technician in the front row (he should be, he's South African). I don't know why Vickery persists.

 

Agreed, I think Corry was doing a better job tbh. Anyway the Samoa v South Africa game looks good.

 

 

 

I'm doubting England will get out the group stages at the moment. Samoa were playing pretty well in the first half. Also the Wales vs Canada game was good :) Lots of action and suprises (mainly Canada having the lead for a bit :-s ).

The thing Samoa have to worry about are England's far superior fitness and set pieces. They might also be on the receiving end of a backlash, should England fail to beat the Boks. Conversely, Samoa might feel good if they thrash the USA.

 

 

 

Should be a good one.

Wales and Ireland were a bit worrying today..i was expecting more points in both of those matchs.