The official Rugby Union World Cup thread

[demolition23]

There's logic to what you say, but France is basically the only 'second team' that has a realistic chance of beating us, meaning this draw leaves us with more chance of qualifying second in our group and facing a brutal QF than any other scenario, and a tougher win to top our pool than any of the other top seeds faces.

Sure, if all goes to plan in the group, it leaves us well placed, but if all went to plan we'd be gunning for our fourth title right now...

[pieceofme]

There's logic to what you say, but France is basically the only 'second team' that has a realistic chance of beating us, meaning this draw leaves us with more chance of qualifying second in our group and facing a brutal QF than any other scenario, and a tougher win to top our pool than any of the other top seeds faces.

Sure, if all goes to plan in the group, it leaves us well placed, but if all went to plan we'd be gunning for our fourth title right now...

That is a good point. The New Zealand vs France game I'm very much looking forward to.

Also Scotland just narrowly beat Romania. Didn't watch it but read reports that the Scottish pack was bullied. I'm really hoping for a couple of shocks this world cup (not with England mind you!) as I believe it is better for the tournament and the world of rugby as a whole.

Not long to go till the Argentina game. Quietly confident to be honest. Because I'm in Vancouver it doesn't start till 1.30am . What the hell its the weekend.

[demolition23]

Yeah, I'd love a few good upsets. Romania's put 3 drop goals, and a penalty on Fiji in 20 mins. Shame they can't defend them...

As for Argentina, it makes a joke of the IRB that they've only had 19 tests since the last world cup. There entry into major competition in next year's expanded Tri Nations is LONG overdue. All going well, I see them establishing themselves as a better side than most of the six nations teams.

Not sure how much threat they are this year though They're not the team they were in 2007.

[pieceofme]

Yeah, I'd love a few good upsets. Romania's put 3 drop goals, and a penalty on Fiji in 20 mins. Shame they can't defend them...

As for Argentina, it makes a joke of the IRB that they've only had 19 tests since the last world cup. There entry into major competition in next year's expanded Tri Nations is LONG overdue. All going well, I see them establishing themselves as a better side than most of the six nations teams.

Not sure how much threat they are this year though They're not the team they were in 2007.

You mean Namibia
And yeah I was rooting for them with them being the underdogs and lowest rank team, but Fiji as you would expect are a good running team.

Agreed about Argentina and its great they are joining the Tri nations. I think Argentina will make the group stages but they won't come near third place. Their games against France were some of the highlights of the last world cup.

[pieceofme]

Japan gave France a bit of a scare in the second half. The score flattered France thats for sure.

In most of the games the higher seeded team is just holding out. Fair play to Romania, Namibia and Japan for going to the end.

[demolition23]

Japan gave France a bit of a scare in the second half. The score flattered France thats for sure.

In most of the games the higher seeded team is just holding out. Fair play to Romania, Namibia and Japan for going to the end.

Pretty sure it was Tonga's best result against New Zealand too...

And man, if Argentina could kick, England would be in a spot of bother right now. I"m expecting England to pour it on in the second half though. Too many injuries mounting up for Argentina.

[pieceofme]

Japan gave France a bit of a scare in the second half. The score flattered France thats for sure.

In most of the games the higher seeded team is just holding out. Fair play to Romania, Namibia and Japan for going to the end.

Pretty sure it was Tonga's best result against New Zealand too...

And man, if Argentina could kick, England would be in a spot of bother right now. I"m expecting England to pour it on in the second half though. Too many injuries mounting up for Argentina.

Yeah this is painful to watch at the moment. It can't be too much worse in the second half.

[demolition23]

Well, England are winning 13-9 now, but they just don't look good at all. Still, a good test first up assuming they get through to win... could serve them well.

[pieceofme]

Well, England are winning 13-9 now, but they just don't look good at all. Still, a good test first up assuming they get through to win... could serve them well.

It was pretty painful to watch but a win is a win and Argentina are a tough team.

Was happy when Youngs came on and he made things happen. Gave a bit of injection into the team and obviously scored the try. He hit high standards last year but his form dropped with England and Leicester. He looked good when he came on and its not surprising pundits were saying he's a player to watch in the tournament.

Concerned with leadership in this team and even though we have a lot of good players in the pack we don't seem to have a leader there which is very concerning considering how much we rely on the pack.

Really looking forward to the South Africa vs Wales game. Should be a good one.

Hows the atmosphere in New Zealand so far?

[pieceofme]

So far this South Africa vs Wales game is really good.

The way South Africa started was impressive, but Wales soon got a foothold in the game. This could go either way.

[demolition23]

Atmosphere's pretty cool. Lots of South Africans and Welsh about town today. Considering picking up tickets to the NZ/Canada and Scotland/Argentina games.


Wales up 16-10. 56 minutes in.
Could this game deliver the first upset of the Cup?

[pieceofme]

Best game of the tournament so far.

Typical Wales - they should really have beaten the Southern Hemisphere teams more times than they have, including today against South Africa. They just don't have that way of grinding out games like South Africa and England do. They play a good game of rugby and are one of the most entertaining teams to watch but they won't win a world cup no matter how talented they are.

[pieceofme]

South Africa picked up some key injuries which could hamper them for later stages.

[Sleazyjack]

I'm actually very pleased with Englands result against Argentina, tehy are a decent team ,

If Wilkinson had his kicking boots on , England would have run out comfortable winners

Plus if we can remain inbeaten in the group, it's likely we won't get New Zealand in the next round , which is a bonus!

[DoubleVodkas]

I heard reports that SBW will be benched in the latter stages. The man is different class. Followed him when he was in the NRL and he always shone. I wished England had him at 12 instead of Tindall. It is pleasing to watch the All Blacks play what is in front of them whilst England seem to be scared to deviate from the plan of bash, bash and bash.

We haven't got a world class flanker either. Haskell is a flat track bully. All muscle and no end product. He has all the tools but just doesn't deliver.

Wilkinson can spark a back line as he showed at Toulon. He has great distrubution but has nothing outside him.

Having said that it is not about performance in a World Cup but it is about results and I feel England can bludgeon out a final place.

[demolition23]

If Wilkinson had his kicking boots on , England would have run out comfortable winners

Sure, unless Argentina got their kicks too...


Good first weekend of games all round though. No upsets, but credible efforts from all the underdogs.

[pieceofme]

I heard reports that SBW will be benched in the latter stages. The man is different class. Followed him when he was in the NRL and he always shone. I wished England had him at 12 instead of Tindall. It is pleasing to watch the All Blacks play what is in front of them whilst England seem to be scared to deviate from the plan of bash, bash and bash.

We haven't got a world class flanker either. Haskell is a flat track bully. All muscle and no end product. He has all the tools but just doesn't deliver.

Wilkinson can spark a back line as he showed at Toulon. He has great distrubution but has nothing outside him.

Having said that it is not about performance in a World Cup but it is about results and I feel England can bludgeon out a final place.

As well as Haskell, Tom Croft and Lewis Moody are great players. Its Nick Easter who is the weak link in the back row - far too cumbersome. If we had a decent number 8 it would be a very solid back row.

[pieceofme]

If Wilkinson had his kicking boots on , England would have run out comfortable winners

Sure, unless Argentina got their kicks too...


Good first weekend of games all round though. No upsets, but credible efforts from all the underdogs.

Yeah weird comment Sleazyjack considering the amount of kicks that was missed by Argentina as well.

Agree with you demolition23 about the first weekend of games. Would have liked an upset or two but it was nice not to see a complete thrashing that has happened in past world cups.

[demolition23]

Decided I was in the mood to catch a game... The only All Blacks match here though is the last pool game vs Canada, which will basically be a bullshit game, so I'm going to Argentina vs Scotland instead...

Viva los Pumas!

[Sleazyjack]

If Wilkinson had his kicking boots on , England would have run out comfortable winners

Sure, unless Argentina got their kicks too...


Good first weekend of games all round though. No upsets, but credible efforts from all the underdogs.

Yeah weird comment Sleazyjack considering the amount of kicks that was missed by Argentina as well.

Agree with you demolition23 about the first weekend of games. Would have liked an upset or two but it was nice not to see a complete thrashing that has happened in past world cups.

That is of course true , but I am being bloody minded and ignoring that fact !

I can;t see any surprises happening in this tournament to be honest in the early stages , hopefully the Argies now beat Scotland and England will then sail through this group

[pieceofme]

Decided I was in the mood to catch a game... The only All Blacks match here though is the last pool game vs Canada, which will basically be a bullshit game, so I'm going to Argentina vs Scotland instead...

Viva los Pumas!

Good choice.

That's going to be a key game of who progresses to the knockout stages.

[demolition23]

Also: Chicks from Argentina.

[pieceofme]

Also: Chicks from Argentina.

Really.

Although in all fairness I've only met one Argentinian girl and while pleasant she was hardly super model material. Still I can't generalise a whole country on just one person!

And its pretty much a guarantee they will be more attractive than Scottish girls!

[pieceofme]

Tonga vs Canada is a great game. Good trys, tough tackling, tight contest, going back and forth. Nice to see two evenly matched team involved in a game like this.

[KillDevilHill]

Tonga basically gave us the middle finger by resting 11 starters for this match. Great game, great hits. With this win, and hopefully one against Japan, with maybe a close game france, Canadian Rugby can erase the shite performance of the 07 RWC

[demolition23]

Well, it turns out that a not full strength All Blacks are still too strong for a Japanese b-team. I understand them resting players for their Tonga and Canada matches but it's a shame to see such an uneven game. I'm not sure putting SBW and Ma'a Nonu up against Japanese guys is even legal...

[pieceofme]

This weekend looks amazing.

Fiji vs South Africa
Australia vs Ireland
Samoa vs Wales

Should all be good games.

And although hardly a meeting of two top teams England will be playing Georgia which i'm also looking forward to.

[demolition23]

Motherfucker... The Irish have put a cat amongst the pigeons.

It's St Patrick's Day in Auckland tonight!

[demolition23]

Huh... Realistic chance of the two halves of the play-off draw winding up the big 4 southern teams on one side and 4 of the 6 nations on the other side. Samoa and scotland could mess that up though. Doesn't really impact on NZ's draw hugely though.

[pieceofme]

Motherfucker... The Irish have put a cat amongst the pigeons.

It's St Patrick's Day in Auckland tonight!

Was really cheering for the Irish and its good to see a bit of an upset finally even if both are classed as top tier teams.

Still Irelands form was poor coming into this World Cup and Australias was very good. Maybe the Irish just pretended the Aussies were English and hence why their game was raised!