2011 Rugby World Cup

[MCdread]

Guess I'll have to support the Pumas for the remainder of the competition.

The Pumas won't stick around for too long though.
It would always be tough but they've been really unfortunate: they've had lots of injuries all affecting precisely their best players.
At least from 2012 onwards this fixture will become a regular one in the new 4 Nations.

Think we're maybe just short in the depth of the squad, really. Two weeks in a row, winning after 60 minutes, but giving up a try in the last three minutes to pluck defeat from the jaws of victory. Pretty sickening stuff. My brother flew half way round the world to get to that game - I doubt if he's feeling too good right now.

Ultimately Scotland almost never seems likely to score a try. Not even against Georgia. It makes it harder to win games...

Nobody, I also think the All Blacks will still win it. I just didn't think anyone else was within a country mile of the All Blacks with Carter in the team. Now, the Aussies and England (and maybe Ireland?) could have a bit more of a chance.

I think Carter is the best rugby player in the world, but it seems to me the biggest problem with his absence might be felt at the psychological level. If the team manages to put this shock behind them, they should still be the number 1 team, I agree. I haven't been too impressed by Slade though. He looks like a guy for whom the occasion and pressure is too big. NZ needs to find a 9-10 combo that's competent and lets the rest of the team do their thing. They're more than adequate in any other position, and pretty much unrivalled in some positions/combinations (eg, the centres or the forwards backrow).

 

[Takhisis]

My father couldn't understand the concept of Scotland being eliminated in the group stages last night.

 

[classical_hero]

The final will have one Northern Hemisphere team against one Southern Hemisphere team.

 

[Nobody]

The final will have one Northern Hemisphere team against one Southern Hemisphere team.

The final is being held on the 16th of october. The game the following weekend is just part of the ceremony.

 

[Lambert Simnel]

The final is being held on the 16th of october. The game the following weekend is just part of the ceremony.

And if the All Blacks think like that, then they'll blow yet another tournament.

 

[rugbyLEAGUEfan]

And if the All Blacks think like that, then they'll blow yet another tournament.

If?..

 

[classical_hero]

I think you mean, if the Wallabies think like that.

 

[Lambert Simnel]

I think you mean, if the Wallabies think like that.

They've already been roughed over by Ireland, so I doubt there's much chance of the Wallabies taking a northern hemisphere team too lightly a second time. Anyway, concentrate on the Saffers first, mate - they at least managed to win their group.

 

[snarzberry]

Slade has my support 100% if that's what Henry thinks is best, but I feel more comfortable with Weepu's playmaking, not to mention his goal kicking under the pump. You have to say that the AB's looked fantastic against Canada when he came on in the second half at first five. Man, good luck to Colin Slade as he will be feeling the pressure big time now.

 

[ShadowNX]

They've already been roughed over by Ireland, so I doubt there's much chance of the Wallabies taking a northern hemisphere team too lightly a second time. Anyway, concentrate on the Saffers first, mate - they at least managed to win their group.

Thank you for pointing that out, people have been dissing the Saffers non stop, good a non Saffer points out the obvious.

 

[Arwon]

so yeah guys I'm totally on Wales to win the cup now

 

[Takhisis]

I still don't get why there are four groups leaving one 'free' team at the end of each match. A match between the free team in each group could have been organised for intergroup matches (I've seen it done in fitba) or just do a more normal thing and have groups with even numbers of teams.

 

[snarzberry]

How would you suggest transitioning from 5 groups of 4 teams into a knockout quarter-finals of 8 qualifying teams? Four groups is simpler, no?

 

[Takhisis]

You have a point. Have more teams invited in, then?

 

[Nobody]

Thank you for pointing that out, people have been dissing the Saffers non stop, good a non Saffer points out the obvious.[/QUOT]

South Africa has to be the second favourite team right?

 

[Lambert Simnel]

South Africa has to be the second favourite team right?

Actually, I'd expect England to be second favourite now. France look like a disaster in motion (and I know you can never rule the French out, but...), and then they face the inconsistent Irish or Welsh. I'd like that draw far better than anything involving Australia and the All Blacks.

 

[snarzberry]

Current betting markets have the All Blacks still hot favourites at about 3/4, so well under even money. Australia, South Africa and England are next favoured in that order with Australia still seen as second most likely to win the cup by the bookies. However the chances of the Wallabies, Springboks and England are rated as quite close with Australia getting about 7-1, South Africa 8-1 and England around 10-1.

England's chances are only so high because of their sick draw.

Personally, as an ancestral Irish Kiwi I'm hoping for an All Blacks and Ireland final. England have been far from impressive so far in the tournament and Ireland have taken out Australia so will be full of confidence. If they can get through Wales in the quarters then I fancy their chances against England, or less likely France. It's not that unlikely that we'll see Ireland or Wales in the final. They'll have to import more lager if that happens.

 

[Lambert Simnel]

I see England at 8/1 on Ladbrokes, same as South Africa. I'd take them at 10/1 - they haven't been great so far, but they have a marvellous chance to get to the final, and they certainly changed their fortunes in the 2007 WC once they got to the knockout stages.

 

[snarzberry]

Yeah, it's knockout rugby from here on in. As all New Zealanders know all to well, anything can happen in one off games. 10-1 for England to win on the trot against something like France, Wales, NZ? (one possible scenario of many). I don't know, good luck if you take it.

It's shaping up to be the best quarter finals ever I'd say. With 2 of the matches absolute coin flips (Ireland V Wales and South Africa V Australia) and England only a warm favourite over France. This means there are about 8 different scenarios for the semi finals that are possible, if you take a Pumas victory off the table, and it's very hard to pick between them.

If I had to back a semi-finals set up I'd take the most likely as NZ v SA, England v Wales. It's so hard to pick a winner between Ireland and Wales and though my heart is with the boys in green I think Wales has been ever so slightly more impressive so far.

 

[Nobody]

Actually, I'd expect England to be second favourite now. France look like a disaster in motion (and I know you can never rule the French out, but...), and then they face the inconsistent Irish or Welsh. I'd like that draw far better than anything involving Australia and the All Blacks.

Has England been impressive at all? They barely defeated Argentina and Scotland. Compared to what the All Blacks did to France. Even though Australia got beaten by Ireland I can't help but think South Africa and Australia are way ahead of England.

England is very lucky Australia lost to Ireland. Now they get a easy run to the finals.