Rugby Union World Cup - Just for Slasher

Subject: Rugby Union World Cup - Just for Slasher Thu Sep 08, 2011 4:36 pm

Surprised no-one has started a Thread on this.

For me I can't see past the Southern Hempishere. Just think the 6 Nations are all more or less on equal footing [with Scotland and Italy being the wooden sponners of the group at the mo]. As for the other guys, like USA and even Russia, well lets be honest they are to make up the numbers and offer ridiculously high scoring record defeats.

So thoughts.....

_________________
We don't want fucking Martinez. Bungle was bad enough. - If FSG have any sense left them Rafa is the only candidate for the job.

Subject: Re: Rugby Union World Cup - Just for Slasher Thu Sep 08, 2011 4:52 pm

Thanks Mate:

I like Ireland's chances to finish 2nd behind the Aussies. It will then depend on who we get (FUCK, looks like The Springboks or Wales if they can produce a miracle) to see if we get further to the 1/4 finals.

I think if they play like they can or when they finished strong to the 6 Nations, then they can go at least to the 1/4 finals with some luck........maybe the semi finals. But it will depend how the battles with Italy and Russia go, we always seem to make hard work for ourselves.

Pool A

Canada
France
Japan
New Zealand
Tonga

Pool B

Argentina
England
Georgia
Romania
Scotland

Pool C

Australia
Ireland
Italy
Russia
United States

Pool D

Fiji
Namibia
Samoa
South Africa
Wales

Posts: 7626 Join date: 2010-04-22 Age: 45 Location: Wales

pool D is shit, samoa and fiji pack weights are about 9 tons, add to that south africa and the welsh are up against it. England have the easiest group, only argentina will give them a game. Georgia and romania will put up a bit of an effort before they roll the stiffs out from north of the border to get everyones goal difference up.

Subject: Re: Rugby Union World Cup - Just for Slasher Fri Sep 09, 2011 6:41 am

can't see past the Kiwi's this year..although they always manage to mess it up somehow...

Subject: Re: Rugby Union World Cup - Just for Slasher Fri Sep 09, 2011 9:29 am

England have been average since they won it 8 years ago but still managed to get to the last final and I think they could be sneaky bastards and do it again this year (in short I'm not writing them off)! Expecting a real strong performance from New Zealand this year with them being the home nation so I'm going to say it'll be between them and South Africa to win it and maybe add Australia to the mix as long as they don't face England (seem to be their bogey team over the last few tornaments)!

IRB World Rankings - 05 September 2011Position (last week)Member UnionRating Point

1(1)	NEW ZEALAND	90.55
2(2)	AUSTRALIA	88.84
3(3)	SOUTH AFRICA	85.69
4(4)	FRANCE	83.78
5(5)	ENGLAND	82.89
6(6)	WALES	80.79
7(7)	SCOTLAND	78.83
8(	IRELAND	78.50
9(9)	ARGENTINA	78.40
10(10)	SAMOA	74.54

Subject: Re: Rugby Union World Cup - Just for Slasher Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:18 pm

DutchRed wrote:

can't see past the Kiwi's this year..although they always manage to mess it up somehow...

Yep the All Blacks should win it... but how often have they had teams capable of that before and come a cropper.

_________________
We don't want fucking Martinez. Bungle was bad enough. - If FSG have any sense left them Rafa is the only candidate for the job.

Subject: Re: Rugby Union World Cup - Just for Slasher Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:21 pm

SpekeRed wrote:

England have been average since they won it 8 years ago but still managed to get to the last final and I think they could be sneaky bastards and do it again this year (in short I'm not writing them off)! Expecting a real strong performance from New Zealand this year with them being the home nation so I'm going to say it'll be between them and South Africa to win it and maybe add Australia to the mix as long as they don't face England (seem to be their bogey team over the last few tornaments)!

IRB World Rankings - 05 September 2011Position (last week)Member UnionRating Point

1(1)	NEW ZEALAND	90.55
2(2)	AUSTRALIA	88.84
3(3)	SOUTH AFRICA	85.69
4(4)	FRANCE	83.78
5(5)	ENGLAND	82.89
6(6)	WALES	80.79
7(7)	SCOTLAND	78.83
8(	IRELAND	78.50
9(9)	ARGENTINA	78.40
10(10)	SAMOA	74.54

Regarding England... Union & cricket are the only time I get behind the nation my City resides in. I'll be rooting for them and they have a group from which they should emerge as top dogs. Just then depends who they get in the Qtrs, but again given the other groups and how these pan out you'd feel that Semis should be reachable.... and then anything is a possibility.

_________________
We don't want fucking Martinez. Bungle was bad enough. - If FSG have any sense left them Rafa is the only candidate for the job.

Posts: 932 Join date: 2010-08-18 Age: 34

I think it'll be South Africa. Too strong.

Posts: 7626 Join date: 2010-04-22 Age: 45 Location: Wales

australia

Posts: 3416 Join date: 2010-04-24 Age: 46

steelaway wrote:

australia

Ditto, they'll be fired up to do it on the Kiwi's doorstep.

Subject: Re: Rugby Union World Cup - Just for Slasher Sat Sep 10, 2011 3:15 am

prslfc77 wrote:

I think it'll be South Africa. Too strong.

Are they that good Pete... I just can't see it, but they are in the mix. Did it on home soil when lease fancied... who knows.

_________________
We don't want fucking Martinez. Bungle was bad enough. - If FSG have any sense left them Rafa is the only candidate for the job.

Posts: 932 Join date: 2010-08-18 Age: 34

jbarkingmad wrote:

prslfc77 wrote:

I think it'll be South Africa. Too strong.

Are they that good Pete... I just can't see it, but they are in the mix. Did it on home soil when lease fancied... who knows.

Its going to be South Africa, New Zealand or Australia. (Or England, seriously!)

South Africa have political problems and a poor coach, Australia are lacking a strong scrum and no specialist kicker, and New Zealand have sooooooo much pressure on them that they could choke, again.

England.... well, they're not the best team but they are a very strong tournament team. The WC seem to bring the best out of England. We should get to the semis, and then, who knows?!

So all the top teams have their problems, but I still think South Africa have enough to go all the way.

Got up at 4-30 this morning to watch Namibia v Fiji. Have in-laws in Namibia so supporting them. Playing well! But will lose... They're a bunch of part timers!

Subject: Re: Rugby Union World Cup - Just for Slasher Sat Sep 10, 2011 10:43 am

Typical of England! Struggling against a well drilled Argentina! Losing 9-3 atm still expect a win tho but only just!

Subject: Re: Rugby Union World Cup - Just for Slasher Sat Sep 10, 2011 11:04 am

Finally deadlock broken 10-9 England! Wilkinson missed 4 kicks in a row now there's a shock!

Posts: 932 Join date: 2010-08-18 Age: 34

SpekeRed wrote:

Finally deadlock broken 10-9 England! Wilkinson missed 4 kicks in a row now there's a shock!

I couldnt believe it either. The wind must have been a nightmare as the argies missed a load too!
But they were going to be the hardest game in the group. We didnt play well, but we won. Thats the main thing. Move on and improve!