[Closed] Rugby world cup

Ha ha, that is true, but getting to the final is a bit of an achievement, england have actually made it to 3 finals along with australia, kiwis, france and sa have made two finals. The Kiwis and the french have never won, Auz, and SA won twice and England 1 once. TBH the finals make it looke like there are only ever 5 teames in it.

Unfortunately it's true. No one cares about second place, no matter how well a team may play to get there. You may as well come 3rd or 4th for all it's worth.

I disagree. The kiwis haven't won since 87 but they are always the team to beat.

I think you've forgotten 1987!

cheers for the link TJ!

doof doof 😀 really?

You may as well come 3rd or 4th for all it's worth.

The Kiwis wouldn't agree with that (if they were being honest) - them failing to make the final last time was considered a national disaster...

I think Scotland will beat Argentina,the team that was such a force at the last RWC was old even then and has not changed since,nor has their game.I think if we can force the pace,which is one of our few strengths,then we will get past them.Look out for a very pale ginger young back rower in the Scotland team (you heard it here first)Key for Scotland is keeping 1xv fit.

Doof doof Eng won it in 2003 🙄

Will the chaos at the RFU affect England?

I felt that England got to the final in 07 on experience rather than playing ability (if there is such a distinction). Thats something they don't have nearly as much of this time, and they are so hit and miss, that it is going to be difficult for them.

Ireland on the other hand have seen it all before; I have good odds on them getting to the final

But it really is anyones from NZ, Aus, SA, Eng, Fra, Ire

Sorry Scotland no chance for you

Italy will carry their roll on from the 6 nations and perform above themselves

Sneaky edit there Toys!

[mike phillips]It was within the rules..[/mike phillips]

I'm going to the match this Saturday wheres best to get a beer before the game?

Assuming that Wales have enough to beat Samoa, who seem to be the form team of the moment, my quarter/semifinals seem to line up as:

Aus/Wal v Eng/Fra
SA/Ire v NZ/Sco

Sadly I think Scotland would be out at that stage, Wales probably can't match Oz either. I'd put money on SA rather than Ireland even with SA's current poor form. Who wins a QF between England and France?

So, Aus v Eng/Fra. My money would be on Australia against either team.
SA v NZ. On current form NZ. Home advantage, bearing in mind collective suicide possibilities, NZ.

A final of NZ v Australia in Auckland which very interestingly is the exact Tri-Nations game on this coming weekend. Far more relevant than an England v Wales warm up game?

Doof doof Eng won it in 2003

Aye but they lost it in 1991 as well as 2007. France have also lost 2 finals.

Thankfully, the Green Machine won't have the weight of stupid expectations on them. But getting past SA? Well, anything's possible...however, it's improbable to say the least.

TandemJeremy - Member
Will the chaos at the RFU affect England?

Chaos at the RFU - SNAFU - no one will notice

deadlydarcy - Member
Thankfully, the Green Machine won't have the weight of stupid expectations on them. But getting past SA? Well, anything's possible...however, it's improbable to say the least.

You know what they say about million to one short, Darcy...!

As ever, will be supporting Wales first, then any home nation, then anyone Northern Hemisphere (and I include Argentina in that, as they play far more like a NH team!)

LOLs at clubber.

Scotland - gettingout of the group will be hard but they are capable of it. even of winning it there really is not a huge amount between England / Argentina and Scotland. Beyond that? Very much a case of maybe causing an upset or two but chances of getting to teh semis must be low.

Pretty much a full squad and prepared as well as they can be. One or two outstanding talents. A great team ethic and some real leaders. For one they will not be outmuscled having a few big guys. Lack of depth and weaknesses in some positions will cost them I guess.

Does every team need a ginger monster?

Maybe that's why France never win?

I don't mind the French winning, at least they do it with a bit of flair, and have been known to remove their shirts at the end. Can't ask for more than that !!

As ever, will be supporting Wales first, then any home nation, then anyone Northern Hemisphere (and I include Argentina in that, as they play far more like a NH team!)

Looks like Manu in the centres for Saturday with Flutey and Wilkinson at 10

When are the teams anounced? Rees injured so expect Bennett to butcher the lineouts and Wales to get a kicking.flutteyand tuilagi in centre? Good yeomen Englishman, expect gav to get upset ab
out his lack of tan!

Tomorrow I think, a_a

so thats the England team to face Wales announced.
D Armitage
M Banahan
M Tuilagi
R Flutey
M Cueto
J Wilkinson
D Care
A Corbisiero
D Hartley
M Stevens
S Shaw
T Palmer
T Croft
L Moody
J Haskell
Replacements: L Mears , D Wilson), M Botha ), T Wood , R Wigglesworth , C Hodgson , C Sharples

Now I have not been following English rugby closely recently but doe that look like a team to beat the best? or a conservative selection?

Does not look as dynamic and quick as some of last seasons teams. Where is Courtney lawes? is he injured?

Are Care and Wilko really the guys to get a back line moving? Waht happened to Flood? Youngs? Does anyone apart from Johnson think Banahan is a test wing? Where is Strettle? Foden?

I really hope for Englands sake / the sake of an exciting WC thats not indicative of the team Johnson intends to take to the world cup. I have been watching a fair bit of southern hemisphere rugby recently and they are playing a fast dynamic game that many of those players simply cannot do,

Sure can grind out wins against lower ranked teams but against teh Tri nations?

Strettle is dropped from the WC squad, but definitely looks like a "B" team with most of the team being bench hopefuls. Jonno still has to drop 10-15 players so apart from the front and back row I think it is people playing to get on the plane. Lawes was stretched off on a backboard last week but apparently he is OK but the backline is different to the end of the 6 Nations
Youngs
Flood
Tindall
Hape
Ashton
Cueto
Foden

will be interesting to see how they play (hope they play with the same flair as the Saxons)

Wales also seem to have put out a similar team.

Ah - Ta for that
So this is the possibles then hoping for a place in the squad or being tried out? Not indicative of the test team? Phew!

Highlights on BBC 3 at 19.00, which I guess will have to do.

Like Flashy I am Plastic Taff, born in Cardiff but everything else about me is English, have always supported Wales first then England second, although I always expect England to do better come WC time. Looking forwards to seeing Tuilagi getting a run out and seeing how he performs on the international stage.

I would love to see Wales or England win the WC but at some point NZ have got to stop chocking and with the team they have perhaps this is the year.

Very much a trial for the England team on Saturday, with some options being tried in the backs especially. But this is to be expected - current squad size of 40 to be cutdown to 30 just after the next Wales/England match. I suspect Johnson knows the squad, but wants players to impress him and change his mind.

Expect Wales to put out a similar sort of team. Neither team is that bothered about losing, but individual performance will matter. Expect lots of early subs to allow players a chance to impress, so the game will be disjointed.

Interestingthe different approaches., Scotland are putting out pretty much their best team against Ireland. Obviously Scotland ( with the exception of the back row) have less choice than England - but which is better - to be experimenting with possibles or to be giving your test team game time?

The only experimental bit for Scotland is the back 5 of the pack - where I defy anyone to state which is the best combo! Teh killer Bs? Rennie? Vernon?

Eventually Teletext have put up the Welsh team:

Priestland
North
J Davies
J Roberts
S Williams
S Jones
Phillips

James
Bennett
Mitchell
B Davies
Wyn Jones
Lydiate
Warburton
Faletau

Reps
L Burns
Charteris
Bevington
Ryan Jones
Knoyle
S Williams (Scarlets)
Stoddart

Not a team I'd choose to spend money watching. I can't remember how/where on the field Williams the replacement plays, but iirc he's midfield - there isn't a proper full back in the 22. Priestland has played there for the Scarlets, but he is a 10.

I wouldn't be surprised if the pack take a hammering at scrum and setpiece.

Also TJ Scot are only playing 2 warm ups, Ireland 4 and Eng and Wales 3 games so Scot have a settled team and know pretty much their strongest team, they just need to get a bit of game time together and avoid injuries.

Think Eng and Wales in Cardiff will be very different with both teams playing much closer to their 1st XV

Timp, I have it on good authority that Wales are playing more warm-ups than usual because they have to revise the 'rules' of the game after a summer of being on the pop and having fights in Chip Alley.

If you don't consider priestland or stoddart as fullbacks then Wales only have one in the 45and he's injured.not hopeful but backrow looks exciting. Williams (scot) is a pretty exciting 12 replaced Henson in last game, looks good but it seems like world cup is too soon.

Lol, sorry a_a, my brain filtered Stoddart out in disbelief that he is still mentioned in the same phrase as 'national team'.

The commentators will say something like, 'great counter-attacker', deftly avoiding the appalling defence that he provides. Or doesn't provide, if you see what I mean.

His inclusion, like Charteris and Mitchell, shows how desperate Wales are becoming at a national level.

Williams (scot) is a pretty exciting 12 replaced Henson in last game, looks good but it seems like world cup is too soon.

That's him - my mind was saying Steve Williams and I couldn't place him.

He has been included on the basis of two decent end of season games?

Back row is indeed interesting, but imo the WC is too soon for Faletau. I hope to be corrected on Saturday.

I thought Mitchell did well in the six nations. Andrews and bevington are shite mind. Toby might do well being a dragon has had plenty of game time. Hoping to see delve play next week.

Gents, does anyone have a working stream for this game please? Also has anyone used the vipbox.tv succesfully? Cureently in the US and having trouble finding this. Cheers muchly!

thisa one usually works for me
http://www.vipbox.tv/sports/rugby.html

tj your link hasnt put the feed up yet..

http://watch3sport.com/page.php?3732

Missed that tackle and Sky wouldn't show it...Link??