Rugby World Cup

[Zoe]

This is only a month away now. England won in 2003, South Africa won in 2007. I think New Zealand will win this year though.

 

[Greenback]

NZ are overdue a win. I can't see them choking it this time, especially being at home.

I think it's fair to say none of the NH sides have much of a chance this time. The SH is streets ahead, just look at their domestic teams.

 

[Zoe]

NZ are overdue a win. I can't see them choking it this time, especially being at home.

I thought that about France in 2007.

 

[newbie babs]

New Zealand have been favorites in the last three world cups but they choke in the knock out stages.

I am putting my money on England as Phil Vickery said on Saturday England are very good at playing the big battles and especially knock out competitions.

 

[richw]

england no matter how bad form they are in before the cup, always seem to pull good performances at the world cup, 2007 being prime example!.

if anyone is interested still tickets available for saturdays game in cardiff £30 from wru, i'll be there!

 

[DarloRich]

I cant see past New Zealand - would love England t do well butjust cant see it

 

[Hydro]

I'm in New Zealand from the 28th, may see if I can get tickets for England - Scotland in Auckland, hopefully the Scots will pull some of the old magic out! Edit, crap didn't read the dates correctly will be home before then. Won't be able to see the other Scotland fixtures, bollocks! Invercargill and Dunedin, come on! That's all the way down the bottom!

 

[newbie babs]

For any Rugby followers in Sheffield, then have a look at this

Sheffield RUFC Beer and Cider Festival. 9 th - 11th September

Venue - Abbeydale Sports Club

Friday 17.00 - 23.30
Saturday 12.00 - 23.20
Sunday 12.00 - 20.00

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Today, the average current betting odds on the top 8 teams are:-

New Zealand...................8/11
Australia........................ 4/1
South Africa................... 6/1
England.........................10/1
France..........................16/1
Ireland..........................20/1
Wales...........................50/1

 

[Greenback]

I would have put Wales as more like 100/1 myself! I think Argentina have more chance than Wales!

 

[newbie babs]

Just watched England loose 19 - 9 to Wales, what a shambles.
Started well but had no imagination after winning the ball on the scrum (and they had loads in the first half they won), the line outs were great with Thomson but then it all went to pieces in the second half and Wales had two men on separate occasions in the sin bin and we could do nothing.
Wales defense were great and their turn overs equally as good.

Ireland next on 27th August and they have a lot to do and I hope Johnson gets a team that shows the imagination we know they have.

 

[Greenback]

England should have won that game easily. They seem to have gone backwards again, maybe it's just instict for them to play pedestrian ten man rugby based on forward power. They don't seem to be able to naturally play an expansive and open game with pace.

Having said that, they did make a lot of changes from last week, which can't have helped.

 

[newbie babs]

Johnson's reasoning I suppose was having to cut the 40 man to 30 man for the world cup, but he is probably going to have a hard decision now.

 

[Greenback]

If I was Martin Johnson I would cut Hape from the squad immediately.

If I was Warren gatland I'd cut Faletau immediately.

 

[newbie babs]

Greenback, they were discussing at the start how the only one they would recommend is Hape, but I agree with you, he was one of the ones that played terrible. Shame Ashton could not play.

What happened to Flood, I know Hodgson is getting a bit old but Flood totally lost the plot.

 

[Greenback]

Greenback, they were discussing at the start how the only one they would recommend is Hape, but I agree with you, he was one of the ones that played terrible. Shame Ashton could not play.

What happened to Flood, I know Hodgson is getting a bit old but Flood totally lost the plot.

I don;t think Flood had a good game, but even the best can have an off day. I think he's done enough for England to be allowed a poor game in a warm up match.

I have never seen much in Shantayne Hape to be honest. I certainly don't think he and Tindall will ever work well together. I'd definitely leave Hape behind.

I don't know what Ashton does but he seems to lift the players around him when he's playing. They seem to have more confidence, I've heard he's quite a bubbly character!

 

[newbie babs]

Ashton successfully made the transition from League to Union and of course he is a Lancastrian so bubbly is a must.

He raises spirits and his attitude of showing no fear is what is sometimes missing in the England game.

 

[Greenback]

Ashton successfully made the transition from League to Union and of course he is a Lancastrian so bubbly is a must.

He raises spirits and his attitude of showing no fear is what is sometimes missing in the England game.

Yes, that's a good point. The England backs sometimes look scared to try anything, but less so when Ashton is playing.

By the way, the Scots seem to have enjoyed the result!

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/rugby-news/2011/08/14/wales-19-england-9-86908-23344256/

 

[richw]

i was in the stadium yesterday and was disappointed. you've got to remember though these are trial games to test who to take and leave behind. i think several players showed they should be left behind!
ashton is very much an athlete, give him the ball and he can run well, i've never been sure on his tackling though

 

[Greenback]

Ashton is a good support runner, this is why he finishes off so many moves. For that reason alone he is worth his place in the England side.

 

[Nigel Gresley]

By the way, the Scots seem to have enjoyed the result!

There is nothing more satisfying than beating England. No matter which celtic team manages to do it, they all rejoice together.

 

[Kneedown]

My support will be 100% behind Wales although i think there's more chance of the Robin Hood linespeed being raised to 125mph than us winning it!

I don't begrudge England though and wish them the best of luck (unless they're playing us!)

 

[newbie babs]

Its getting closer and the 30 man team has just been announced and this female is very happy

Forwards: (17)

Props: Dan Cole (Leicester, Age 24, 17 caps), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish, 22, 6), Andrew Sheridan (Sale, 31, 38), Matt Stevens (Saracens, 28, 34), David Wilson (Bath, 26, 18).

Hookers: Dylan Hartley (Northampton, 25, 29), Lee Mears (Bath, 32, 37), Steve Thompson (Wasps, 33, 67).

Locks: Louis Deacon (Leicester, 30, 24), Courtney Lawes (Northampton, 22, 9), Tom Palmer (Stade Francais, 32, 27), Simon Shaw (unattached, 37, 67).

Back row: Tom Croft (Leicester, 25, 25), Nick Easter (Harlequins, 33, 44), James Haskell (Ricoh Black Rams, 26, 36), Lewis Moody (Bath, 33, 67), Tom Wood (Northampton, 24, 7).

Backs: (13)

Full-backs/wings: Delon Armitage (London Irish, 27, 20), Ben Foden (Northampton, 26, 16), Chris Ashton (Northampton, 24, 12), Mark Cueto (Sale, 31, 52).

Centres: Matt Banahan (Bath, 24, 13), Shontayne Hape (London Irish, 30, 12), Mike Tindall (Gloucester, 32, 71), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester, 20, 1).

Fly-halves: Toby Flood (Leicester, 26, 41), Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon, 32, 86).

Scrum-halves: Joe Simpson (Wasps, 23, 0), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 28, 7), Ben Youngs (Leicester, 21, 12).

 

[newbie babs]

I left work today and no one could quite understand why I was so excited about the Rugby World Cup.

Nick Easter and the crew are playing Saturday and tomorrow I am off work and going to enjoy the opening ceremony and New Zealand.

To make it even better I can go play on trains after both games

 

[Statto]

Quite looking forward to this apart from the Kick Off times.

New Zealand always cruise through the group stages but have that game, were they don't play well & lose. Always remember that game, probably the greatest Rugby World Cup game ever held, at Twickenham when France battered the All Blacks in the 99 Semi.

 

[Zoe]

New Zealand 41 - 10 Tonga.

 

[newbie babs]

I got so close with my prediction on the rugby forum, if they had not let them have that last try.
It was a good game but don`t think New Zealand was pushed at all, they seemed a bit boring and when they come up against France it could be good.
Tonga did well especially to get the try.

The start was brilliant though, hairs on the back of the neck stuff, so passionate.

 

[sonic2009]

Imo Tonga played well to keep the all blacks at bay 2nd Half. Okay they scored 2 tries but many expected NZ to win by 50 or 60, best moment was the tongans tackle on Dan Carter, just knocking him off the ball

 

[Greenback]

I wasn't too far away with my prediction either. It went pretty much as I expected.I'm not sure that will be the case with some of my other predictions!

 

[richw]

New Zealand looked immense, and i suspect they will take some stopping not to win the tournament!