Rugby World Cup

[Simster]

I think if anyone is going to stop the All Blacks, it'll be either South Africa in the semi or France in the final.

Actually, I don't think the French are good enough. The South Africans are not as consistent as NZ but do have the ability to beat them on their day, IMO.

England have no chance whatsoever, despite all the bluster in the papers.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

I think if anyone is going to stop the All Blacks, it'll be either South Africa in the semi or France in the final.

Actually, I don't think the French are good enough. The South Africans are not as consistent as NZ but do have the ability to beat them on their day, IMO.

England have no chance whatsoever, despite all the bluster in the papers.

The only team that has the ability to beat NZ is NZ.

Is there a team that bottles the big stage more?

 

[Trufflehound]

NZ or France.

England will be lucky if they beat the USA and Samoa and make it out of the group stage.

 

[Cian]

Got Setanta in mainly for this.

 

[Lethargic]

New Zealand have to be hot favourites and the only team that will beat them is...New Zealand.
The Saffas probably have the best chance of turning them over then perhaps France if they turn up, key match for them against the Argies start badly and its all over start well who knows.
The Aussie are simply not good enough in a similar situation to England.
Ireland will not turn up this year watch BOD get injured and their chances fade.
England will do better than people think but no more might scrap the semis if the results go there way.
What out for one of the outsiders there will be an upset maybe Italy or Argentina.

And the Saffas will NOT muller England, they may beat them but it will be a matter of 2-5 points diffence.

Personally I think the kiwis will win this one and in style and Im glad the Scots have a game at home I will be working in Edinburgh for the Romania game.

 

[Mick Beard BHA]

From Ireland's point of view it will be very interesting to see how Argentina will do against France on Friday. You'd expect the hosts to go all out to kick off in style, but its a pretty tough first fixture.

Plus Argentina want payback for Ireland's squeaky win in the group stages last time around (which in itself was payback for getting knocked out by the Argies in '99...)

I still think Ireland will get through, in second place mind (our record v France in France is appaling), but that will be that. NZ will take us apart in the first hour in the quarters before we stage our traditional, gallant, utterly pointless late comeback.

To answer an earlier question about BOD, i think he has a fractured sinus?

 

[keaton]

I have a bet on the Aussies as i think they're the team with the best ability to grind out wins and the All Blacks do have a habit of falling apart as the tournament progresses

 

[Cian]

To answer an earlier question about BOD, i think he has a fractured sinus?

Yes but he'll be back for the Georgia game if not the Namibia one...

 

[Lethargic]

To answer an earlier question about BOD, i think he has a fractured sinus?

True but I think they are hoping he will be back for the WC might miss the first game, but will be be back to full fitness?

 

[Brighton Breezy]

South Africa will take some beating. They have the mental strength sometimes lacking in the All Blacks and probably the most lethal finisher in world rugby.

 

[Mick Beard BHA]

True but I think they are hoping he will be back for the WC might miss the first game, but will be be back to full fitness?

Yeah, i suppose if he's fit enough to be played against Georgia etc (ie. a match Ireland should win without him) then he's deemed 'fully fit' and therefore shouldnt have any lasting effects. I guess i was thinking that, having had a nasty enough injury, he might be a little off the pace, not flying into tackles as normal etc. But thats probably just me being paranoid!

 

[e77]

England team for first game:

England: M Cueto (Sale); J Lewsey (Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle), M Catt (London Irish), J Robinson (unattached); O Barkley (Bath), S Perry (Bristol); A Sheridan (Sale), M Regan (Bristol) P Vickery (Wasps, capt), S Shaw (Wasps), B Kay (Leicester), J Worsley (Wasps), T Rees (Wasps), L Dallaglio (Wasps).
Replacements: G Chuter (Leicester), M Stevens (Bath), M Corry (Leicester), L Moody (Leicester), P Richards (London Irish), A Farrell (Saracens), M Tait (Newcastle).

Wilkinson injured.

 

[Icy Gull]

England haven't managed to replace Dawson imo, although Ollie's kicking is pretty good, on the games I've seen he's not too hot on picking the ball up and running through gaps or giving quick ball to the half backs. A decent scrum half is essential if we are to have any chance of progressing, not sure Ollie is up to World class rugby myself

 

[Monkster]

Barkley's a fly half.....Perry is the scrum half......but totally agree with your point

 

[Dave the OAP]

I know i am biased when it comes to London Irish, but I cannot for the life of me think why Shane Gerhaty is not at least in the squad.

When he came on against France in the 6 Nations he changed the game and ended up winning it for England with a brilliant pass to Catt.

 

[Icy Gull]

I know i am biased when it comes to London Irish, but I cannot for the life of me think why Shane Gerhaty is not at least in the squad.

When he came on against France in the 6 Nations he changed the game and ended up winning it for England with a brilliant pass to Catt.

Is he not or has he not been injured?

 

[Brighton Breezy]

Our biggest mistake is only taking one open side.

Rees will be a big player for us but if he gets injured we have no natural replacement in what, in modern rugby, is a vital position. Magnus Lund should have been taken as well.

 

[Icy Gull]

Barkley's a fly half.....Perry is the scrum half......but totally agree with your point

Good point Is Gomersall is the squad? I see he's not in the squad for the 1st game

 

[¤DãŃn¥ §êãGüLL¤]

Is it right Australia are like 10-1? That's gotta be worth a tenner.

 

[Monkster]

Good point Is Gomersall is the squad? I see he's not in the squad for the 1st game

Yep, along with Richards who should be playing....NOT postman Perry