Rugby World Cup 2011 Thread

[Team Sheep]

With less than a week to go until the big kick off, I thought this deserved its own thread. Really can't wait for this, and if it's anything like as unpredictable and exciting as 2007, we're in for a hell of a 6 weeks. I love how the groups are set up this year, with Pool A being the only one where it's clear who's going through. From a personal stand point it's great to see Wales hitting some form going into a World Cup for once. I can't see anyone stopping New Zealand this time though. It's been said time and again and they've choked, but on their home turf they'll surely put their World Cup demons to bed.

Pool A:
Canada
France
Japan
New Zealand
Tonga

Pool B:
Argentina
England
Georgia
Romania
Scotland

Pool C:
Australia
Ireland
Italy
Russia
USA

Pool D:
Fiji
Namibia
Samoa
South Africa
Wales

[Londoner]

gonna be a huge thread this

[Londoner]

though i may post during england games

[Team Sheep]

Shhh. Some of us do actually talk about rugby here!! I remember back in the day there was a RWC 2003 thread and it was huge. WTF happened?!

[Team Sheep]

Also being in America, I got really excited when NBC announced they had the rights to the World Cup. Then they released the schedule of matches and all they're showing is the opening game and then all the USA games :| What a great way to promote the sport over here... :roll:

ITV Player on my laptop in the middle of the night it is for me then.

[Bad Company]

With 2 days to do, I thought it was time to make this thread.
Will anyone else be watching besides me, newstead, and dowunder?
Australia looking strong, South Africa, England and France area always there or there abouts. NZ at home will be tough to beat.
Thoughts on what's about to unfold?

[Bad Company]

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/poolstage.html

Draw for pool stage.

[Londoner]

already a thread

[Team Sheep]

The Kiwi can host the thread if he likes, I guess it's rather fitting ;) Someone delete one or merge them or whatever.

[Londoner]

you just don't want to be the idiot who created a thread no one cares about. ;)

[Team Sheep]

There'll be plenty of activity once it kicks off trust me ;)

[Londoner]

I've actually just checked the schedule finally on itv and seen that there's 4 games in a row in the morning. I'm actually looking forward to it now! Though its a football weekend so how long i stay up for it we shall have to see! lol

[Bad Company]

Weren't you ragging on rugby last time?
Anyway, All Blacks Tonga tonight, well in 6.5 hours, should be some massive hits!

[Team Sheep]

Can't wait for the opening ceremony and first kick off. 4:30am for me, but well worth it.

[Londoner]

Weren't you ragging on rugby last time?
Anyway, All Blacks Tonga tonight, well in 6.5 hours, should be some massive hits!

Its not an overly exciting sport to me but i do like to watch the world cup if the coverage is good. Dunno if you mean last time by the last rugby thread on here, don't think i was posting in that at all.

[Team Sheep]

Typical All Blacks vs minnow game, boring blow out. Watched the first half before I retired to bed. Fucking ITV online is doing my head in. Awful.

[Ogen]

We should finish 2nd in our group, which then means we play South Africa more than likely followed by New Zealand in the semi-finals and Australia again in the final...so that won't be happening.

[Downunder]

Bloody Jocks are being taught a lesson by Romania

[Sting Fan]

Wish I had bet on Romania now, I thought they might run them close (Within 20 points).

[Bad Company]

Romania were awesome. Even Namibia leading Fiji for a bit was awesome. Enjoying the Japan v France game right now, if Japan can keep the ball in hand a bit more then they will do fine.
Game last night was horrible. All Blacks looked like they'd never heard of set piece. Was schoolboy rugby.

Looking forward to England v Argentina tonight, and South Africa v Wales tomorrow should be awesome too. Pretty much gonna watch every game I can.

[Bad Company]

Holy shit Japan v France. 20mins to go!

[El Vaquero de Infierno]

There is a rugby world cup!? :p

[Londoner]

johnny's lost it lol

[Team Sheep]

Come on you Argies!!!

[Team Sheep]

Come on you Argies!!

[Londoner]

streaker :lol:

[Londoner]

Good thing i've only just woken up and not caring too much about this score atm :D

[Londoner]

"panic" over :D

[Londoner]

lucky lucky england!

[Team Sheep]

Hah. That's how England do when they don't have a guaranteed goal kicker. Jonny needs to get his head out of his ass if they hope to go beyond the quarters. Of course they'll just be happy with the opening game win and move on. Horrendous performance by England but such an epic game. Felt like a knock out game already :D Love it.

Awesome full day of games though. Watching the Scotland game with a Scot was hilarious, and loved Japan's spirit, genuinely thought they and Romania could pull it off at one point.

[Londoner]

Didn't see the other games but i assume scotland won? Oh i remember seeing that the japan/france score was close at one point...

[Team Sheep]

Gonna go out on a limb and say Italy knock out Ireland on the last day of group games. Haven't been impressed with the Irish this year unless they're holding something big back for the RWC...

Tomorrow's game is huge for Wales. Pretty much decides whether we're going further than the quarter finals or not. Can't wait to find out if we can finally beat those South African bastards after coming so close countless times. Always suspected Gatland's had something up his sleeve for the World Cup and here's the time to see it. The warm up games have gone great and the fitness is incredible, and for once there's some strength in depth with the squad as the bench looks superb. The young guys have delivered and even the ones that lack quality make up for it with their work rate. Quietly confident but nervous as hell. Don't think I can stumoch another agonising loss to them.

[Team Sheep]

Didn't see the other games but i assume scotland won? Oh i remember seeing that the japan/france score was close at one point...

Yeah Scotland won but were losing with like 8 minutes left. Japan rattled the fuck out of France, was great to see.

[Londoner]

Ha, atleast we weren't the only big team struggling.

[Team Sheep]

This has lightened my mood and given me a nice chuckle :D Doubt any of you will get much of it but what the hell:

<iframe width="560" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eE_jofIa5Pk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Londoner]

just seeing highlights of the scotland game, seems like a classic.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Gonna go out on a limb and say Italy knock out Ireland on the last day of group games. Haven't been impressed with the Irish this year unless they're holding something big back for the RWC...


Some of the play in the 6 Nations was great, but inconsistent, looked like it was just waiting to click properly and it did in the last game vs. England. But in the summer series warm-up games it looks like they went backwards rather than forwards, so not holding out much hope. Still, I don't think we'll lose to Italy.

Gutted for David Wallace. I was at that England and that was easily the worst part of a very shit day.

[Sting Fan]

First off a lot of these big Teams will be having opening game jitters.

I think next weekend a lot of bigger teams will do a number on the smaller teams by bigger margins. Also the depth in bigger squads is a lot better and I think a few smaller teams (Romania, Japan) played there finals yesterday. They left it all out on the field and might struggle to match that intensity again.

That said I think cricket scores against smaller nations may be a thing of the past, a lot of the smaller nations have players from Heineken cup, Super 15 etc so there conditioning and professionalism is so much higher than 10 or even 4 years ago when a lot of the smaller teams were at sometimes 90% amateurs playing pros.

Its an awesome progression for the sport.

[Razzamajazz]

fucking pissed i can only watch these games on pay per view

[Bad Company]

or on stream? http://www.vipstand.net or http://myp2p.eu

Italy v Australia on right now, 6-6 at half time. Hope Quade Cooper gets killed.

[Sting Fan]

Depressing!!!

[Stickman]

There is a rugby world cup!? :p

Itsno big deal, only the third bigget sporting event in the world behind olympics and world cup of soccer

[Sting Fan]

Basketball worlds champs?

Commonweatlh games?

[El Capitano Gatisto]

That was shite. Next week is going to be horrifying. Really dreadful kicking from Sexton there was the main problem, Ireland started well and should have had the game won early on through penos before opening up with tries. Instead it was well into the second half before the win was secured. Too many silly errors also. One good thing was how good Ferris looked back in the side after a long time out.

[Londoner]

or on stream? http://www.vipstand.net or http://myp2p.eu

Italy v Australia on right now, 6-6 at half time. Hope Quade Cooper gets killed.

Myp2p doesn't work anymore actually, they use a different site now. (or atleast that's the case for me/others)

[Londoner]

South Africa 17-16 Wales

Unlucky Wales! Bet you're gutted Team Sheep.

[Sting Fan]

Really wanted the other sheep shaggers to win :(

Plus I love seeing the Saffas get dealt to by anyone.

[Team Sheep]

Can't explain how gutted I am right now. Feel like we'll never beat South Africa again. We dicked all over them and we still lost. Can never seal the deal against any Southern Hemisphere teams. Sickening.

[Bad Company]

Well, at least you know what it's like to be shafted by Wayne Barnes at the RWC.

[Sting Fan]

Was a bit interesting a video ref wasnt called for the kick in the first half that "Missed"

And lets be honest BC we shafted ourselves at the last RWC. We spent far to long fucking around and not playing rugby against France.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Great effort from Wales. That's something to build on at least.

[Moonax]

Nice to see that rampant steroid abuse isn't just limited to wrestling.

[Londoner]

Nice to see that rampant steroid abuse isn't just limited to wrestling.

/NFL

[#BROKEN Hasney]

O2 are sending me 2 breakfast pies and 2 cans of beer because of the rugby. That's the first time I noticed the world cup was even on.

[Sting Fan]

Nice to see that rampant steroid abuse isn't just limited to wrestling.

Looking down at the old shrivelled meat and vege are ya champ?

[Moonax]

You need to learn that your own interests (looking at other people's penises) and your own problems (tiny penis) are not really any concern of mine.

Anyone would think that you are in denial about both steroid abuse in rugby and your sexuality.

[Team Sheep]

Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins back fit and available for Wales. Promising stuff. Glad we got out of yesterday's game unscathed injury wise at least. Looking forward to see how Samoa look on Tuesday. Bit of a come down waiting until next weekend for the big games now :(

[Bad Company]

Moonax, don't come back to TPWW and ruin this thread. Steroid abuse is rampant in all sports.

Yeah, next round of games start tomorrow. I've been getting withdraws having 2 days of no rugby!

[Moonax]

And your point is what? That we should ignore steroids abuse in rugby because it takes place in other sports? That is the kind of obtuse hand washing that would make Pontius Pilatus blush.

'Ruin the thread'? oh dear, your poor little thread, however will it cope with the discussion of doping. My apologies for disrupting your oh so insightful thoughts and comments. I'm sorry I must have missed the meeting to declare you a member of the thought police to tell people what they can and can not discuss.

[Bad Company]

Aussies have suffered a pretty serious blow with Digby Ioane breaking his hand vs Italy.
He might be out the whole RWC, and they will certainly miss his attacking skills.
Looks like Drew Mitchell could be an option to replace him after coming back from his terrible ankle disclocation/broken leg.

[Sting Fan]

Ioane will come back if they make the semis, I would bet on it. He will tape it up and go for it if he can catch.

I see the English lock got a 2 week suspension too, good job, was a pretty dirty slide.

[Bad Company]

Yeah it was nasty, and he hit that centre pretty late as well.
I can see it being reduced to 1 week on appeal, but something needed to happen.

[Londoner]

Canda 25-20 tonga :eek: 5mins left

[Londoner]

CANADA WIN!!

[Team Sheep]

Just woken up and glanced at the scores. Looks like a good win for Canada and a good performance by Georgia, running Scotland close like they did Ireland 4 years ago. Fair play.

[Team Sheep]

Toby Faletau

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/resources/images/1234080/?type=display

I played in the pack with this guy for 5 years. He's only 20 but he's going to be world famous soon. He'll definitely be on the plane to New Zealand for Wales in the World Cup this September. With only a year's professional experience he's made prime players for teams like the Blues and Ospreys look silly. We love him here at the Newport Gwent Dragons but I doubt he'll be here for long :(

Posted this in the 'Lesser known players who are loved by your city' thread back in May, and he pops up with Wales' first World Cup try on Sunday :D I was talking to him on Facebook last week and nothing fazes the guy, he was always so shy and quiet, and he was never that keen on rugby. Sunday mornings our coach would go banging on his door to wake him up. His dad just sat him down when he was 17 and said he could go far in rugby, trained him up and got him fit as hell and here he is. Great story.

He's also signed a 2 year contract for the Dragons since I posted that :cool:

[Londoner]

Good win for Ireland. :)

[Bad Company]

Holy shit, what a win. So glad to see Australia lose, and Ireland win for that matter.

[Londoner]

First ever time Ireland have beat Austrailia in a world cup.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Great performance, I think with Ferris, O'Brien and Heaslip together in the back row I'd fancy Ireland to take the game to anyone but all the forwards were immense. It would have been a more comfortable victory but for Sexton again having trouble with kicking at goal. The backs haven't really hit top gear yet so if we can get them playing with a bit of fluidity, cut out the handling errors then it will be very interesting indeed. I think Wales will be delighted with this result but at the same time I'd much rather face Wales than South Africa for a place in the semis.

[Team Sheep]

Just woke up in my gross motel in Georgia to this. What a result! Amazing. Where on earth did that come from after the two teams' form coming into it?! That's what makes the World Cup special, so gutted I missed it. Never count out the Irish. Delighted with this now, what a difference a week makes, almost makes the South Africa defeat for Wales a blessing in disguise. Much more comfortable playing the Irish than the Australians in the quarters. Although I'm thinking ahead, must take care of business and bury our demons tonight once and for all first.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Ireland still have to beat Italy as well, which I wouldn't take for granted. It's exactly the sort of game Ireland could balls up due to the pressure of expectation. But it's really interesting how the knock-outs could be effectively split into northern and southern hemispheres.

[Team Sheep]

Jesus Christ that was exhausting to watch. Such an ugly game but fuck it, tonight was all about getting the W and we got it. We didn't concede a single second half point which showed a lot for our character if you ask me, we just lack the cutting edge in opposition territory. Cost us last week and almost cost us this week. Maybe a good run out against Namibia will help us out. For now I'm just delighted we've overcome our Samoan World Cup demons and we're moving on.

[Londoner]

I see we beat georgia comfortably. Hopefully all those media cunts making a big deal out of the night out they had will eat their words and shut the fuck up now.

Capello locks England players away. THEY COMPLAIN.

Johnson lets England players out. THEY COMPLAIN.

Can't win. It's interesting how they both have entirely different strategies.

[Cuzziebro]

France v Canada is an awesome game. Hope Canada get up!

[OssMan]

I want to watch the Rugby World Cup. How do I do it

[Stickman]

France v Canada is an awesome game. Hope Canada get up!

Missed this game but looks like i didnt miss much.

Epic Canadian beards, eh

[Team Sheep]

I want to watch the Rugby World Cup. How do I do it

NBC are showing some but nothing much. You're better off searching for streams or something.

[Team Sheep]

I want to watch the Rugby World Cup. How do I do it

http://footballfashion.org/wordpress/2011/09/07/rugby-world-cup-2011-u-s-broadcast-schedule/

[Bad Company]

Italy v Russia
Tonga v Japan
South Africa v Namibia
Australia v USA
England v Romania
New Zealand v France
Fiji v Samoa
Ireland v Russia
Argentina v Scotland



Looks like we're on for week 3.
NZ v France, Argentina v Scotland, Fiji v Samoa will all be tight, I think.

[Sting Fan]

Be interesting to see who starts at Fullback for the ABs, I'm picking Dagg but part of me wants to see Mills get 2 starts to bring up his 100.

The Argies should smash Scotland I think. Fiji Samoa will be a matter of who puts more glue on there mitts.

Abs should do the job against France, I say that with no arrogance, theres just nothing riding on this game really. So we will demolish them I think. If we meet them in the Final I wouldnt be so confident.

Also how amazing would it be for a France NZ Final, say what you will about all the Teams NZ has history with but you would be hard pressed to say we have a lack of history with France. A World cup final we win, they bundled us out of World cup twice (I think?) and when theres nothing on the line we seem to demolish them.

Its compelling stuff.

And lets not forget the Wallabies are so unpredictable, the Boks are the English of the southern hemisphere, and ya cant trust the Poms to lie down and die.

What a rant, im so engrossed... COMPELLING!!!!

[Team Sheep]

I wouldn't say Argentina smashing Scotland is a given. Scotland are a lot better than what they've shown so far. Every tournament they come in with some confidence and expectation and they fall flat. Disappointing that they only get up for test matches or at the end of 6 Nations tournaments when they're only playing for pride by that point. Either way, they'll be up for the England game which should be a cracker. And if they get their heads out their asses they can certainly beat Argentina this weekend.

[Sting Fan]

If the Scots can turn it into a grind then it will be close.

But if the Argies get to chuck it around I reckon 15+ points in it.

[Team Sheep]

They beat Argentina twice in Argentina last Summer, and have claimed wins over Ireland, South Africa and Australia, and a draw against England over the last 2 years, so the ability is clearly there. But then it's Scotland so fuck knows.

[Bad Company]

I just haven't been convinced by Scotland, or Argentina this world cup, so I'm predicting the game to be shit. At least.
Aussies weren't so convincing vs USA last night, and had 3 pretty serious injuries. Their chances are seriously going down the toilet.
NZ v France tonight, fucking pumped. Crush these motherfuckers.

[Team Sheep]

Oh god this English commentary is making me sick. Fuck off mun, it's a fucking knackered Romania. You'd think they've just won the World Cup. Jesus.

[Team Sheep]

This NZ/France game better be close. Had a shit night so staying up this late better be worth it. Although I've got a feeling it'll be over by half time.

[Londoner]

Oh god this English commentary is making me sick. Fuck off mun, it's a fucking knackered Romania. You'd think they've just won the World Cup. Jesus.

Pretty sure welsh commentary would be exactly the same if it wales and not england doing this. Think you're just bitter mate. :)(love it when people can't take england doing well) Also why would they be anymore knackered than us?

[Londoner]

never heard of teams being 'knackered' after 2 games of a world cup before, that's a new one to me.

[Team Sheep]

Well unless you haven't noticed, the top tier teams get at least a week's rest whilst the lesser nations are playing once every like 3-5 days. Granted, this hasn't been the case for Romania, but from what I've read this is a weak Romanian XV, and I fully expected an absolute blow out from England tonight seeing as Romania are not of the same class or fitness, and already played their "cup final" against Scotland in the opener. I just hate ITV's horrendous commentary. Nothing bitter about it. If I start complaining about England beating the likes of New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Ireland, France and Wales, then fine call me bitter ;)

[Team Sheep]

And yes, I get it, it's ITV's job to toss England off, but put a cap on it at some point for goodness sake.

[Londoner]

It just seems whenever England do well, people from other countries who naturally 'hate us' always find something to moan about rather than give any credit. Alright i know they're a 'weaker' team but they would've taken us just as seriously as Scotland and we've been 'below par' until then. They can't really blame the schedule though as you pointed out.

I will agree that ITV's commentary is shit. But that should be well known enough not to be wound up by it now. :p

[Bad Company]

Awesome win, hope we don't have too many injury problems. Both French tries were pretty weak, so not too worried about giving them up.

[Sting Fan]

Was a good game France vs. Aus, ABs looked very strong.

Richie looked pretty emotional getting his 100 test cap, good on him.

Was at a pub for the first half of the England game and everytime the English passed a ball (I shit you not) he would scream out "Nonu who?" Made me want to stab him...

[Londoner]

France v Aus?

[Bad Company]

how drunk are you sting fan?

[Sting Fan]

Gonna call it 50-50 tbh, a lil drunk but typing is ok... well no worse than usual.

Why you ask?

[Sting Fan]

Oh ha ha, just clicked, I put France vs. Aus, obviously France vs. ABs, slip of the keyboard.

Was watching World cup promo with Aus in it as I typed ha ha.

I also missed out the fact that it was asshat in an England jumper calling out "Nonu who?"

Tough night for me it seems.

[Londoner]

Finally some classic rugby going on again. Been far too many thrashings for my liking.

[Londoner]

Was just thinking how funny it would be if Argentina scored a try now Scotland had a 6 pt lead, and it took barely a minute.:lol: Conversion easily taken.

[Sting Fan]

Just caught the end of Arg vs. Scotland, looks like it was a cracker.

[Team Sheep]

Exciting game. Heartbreaking for the Scots. Haven't seen a replay but the Argies looked a mile offside for that charge down at the end. Unfortunate for the Scots but they were too sloppy overall for me, and full credit to Argentina getting that try when they looked down and out and had no momentum.

[Sting Fan]

That was a ridiculous bit of individual skill tbh...

[Team Sheep]

Wales 81-7 Namibia. Nice to see the squad rotate and the kids pick up a lot of tries. Got a lot of confidence with squad depth for once.

[Londoner]

Woohoo, another thrashing. So much for thrashings being a thing of the past in rugby but fair play to Wales. I'd rather this rugby tournament was a straight knock out, much less boring games then.

[Bad Company]

To be fair, there's still a pretty big gap between the tier 1 teams, and the tier 3 teams. There will always be thrashings.

Looking forward to NZ Canada this Sunday. I'll be going!
Also, how good was that Argentina Scotland game, Contemponi was a mile off side on that drop goal attempt though. But Barnes couldn't referee his way out of a paper bag, so not surprised he missed it.

[Londoner]

Atleast in a straight knock out there would be less of them.

[Team Sheep]

Meh, I like it the way it is. There will always be a few thrashings in the group stages. Everyone knows the "real" World Cup starts at the knock out rounds. It's all about who can manage and utilise their squads better. Often times you'll see a ridiculous thrashing by some team and then they'll fall flat the next game. Also there's no sense in saying the group stages are a waste of time, two of the home nations didn't even get out of their groups in 2007.

[ridzy]

Rugby World Cup 2011 will combine the passion and intensity of the world's largest Rugby tournament with the picturesque beauty of the New Zealand landscape.

[Londoner]

.............

Are you some kind of advert?

[Team Sheep]

South Africa/Samoa coming up now should be a good one. On the one hand I'd like an RSA win to kill Samoa off, but on the other I'd love to see the upset.

[Sting Fan]

I really enjoyed seeing John Smit go off, he is my player I (probably partially irrationally) hate in rugby.

[Team Sheep]

The yellow was a bit harsh. It's not like he blatantly slapped the ball down or anything, just extended his arm instinctively to go for the ball, like anyone would. It happened earlier in the game and there wasn't even a penalty that time.

[Sting Fan]

I missed the start of the game tbh, so cant comment on that.

But I don't think he had any chance of pulling that in, that should have been obvious to him. The reasons its a professional foul is because a pro should know better.

Whether its judging that they can pull it in or not, or simply having enough professional integrity not to try and illegally disrupt the the other teams attack.

[Bad Company]

Great win by Tonga, they were amazing. Shame they don't get to go through due to bonus points.

Looks like Daniel Carter is going to be out for the rest of the world cup... Don't know if NZ can do it without him.

[Londoner]

Wilkinson ruining so many try scoring chances for us today.

[Londoner]

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssss

[Londoner]

FT ENGLAND 16-12

But my word that was tough to watch, those 40 mins flew by though.

[Team Sheep]

Great effort by Scotland. Gutted for them. The knowledge in the back of their minds in the last ten minutes that they had to win by 8 just got on top of them in the end. England winning ugly, once again. Not impressed by them at all but a win's a win.

[Londoner]

We were shocking, didn't help that Wilkinson was so selfish when we could've got a couple more tries.

[Sting Fan]

Great win by Tonga, they were amazing. Shame they don't get to go through due to bonus points.

Looks like Daniel Carter is going to be out for the rest of the world cup... Don't know if NZ can do it without him.



Weepu for starting 1st 5, they cant leave it to Slade.

[Stickman]

To be fair, there's still a pretty big gap between the tier 1 teams, and the tier 3 teams. There will always be thrashings.

Looking forward to NZ Canada this Sunday. I'll be going!
Also, how good was that Argentina Scotland game, Contemponi was a mile off side on that drop goal attempt though. But Barnes couldn't referee his way out of a paper bag, so not surprised he missed it.


Have fun watching your far superior team thrash my team with epic beards.

[Team Sheep]

Wales 66-0 Fiji

2007 can be put to bed. Onwards and upwards to the quarter finals. Loving this confidence. That's all I'll say for now. Way too nervous to make any predictions from here on out.

Ireland vs Italy up next. Should be a good one.

[Team Sheep]

Ireland looking impressive disposing of Italy. Next week's going to be incredible.

Quarter final fixtures:

Ireland vs Wales
England vs France
South Africa vs Australia
New Zealand vs Argentina

We've got ourselves a 6 Nations and a Tri Nations tournament. Winners of each play each other to become world champions. Mouth watering stuff.

[Sting Fan]

Ireland looking impressive disposing of Italy. Next week's going to be incredible.

Quarter final fixtures:

Ireland vs Wales
England vs France
South Africa vs Australia
New Zealand vs Argentina

We've got ourselves a 6 Nations and a Tri Nations tournament. Winners of each play each other to become world champions. Mouth watering stuff.

Time to start picking winners perhaps???

My Picks...

Ireland vs Wales - Wales, They just look more dangerous in the backs to me so far Will be a cracker game though.

England vs France - France, I just cant see them being that shit two weeks in a row.

South Africa vs Australia - South Africa, I think there forwards will see them win this.

New Zealand vs Argentina - New Zealand, They will just be to strong I feel. Would love to see Cruden get a decent run. The boy has a point to prove and his pre tournament form was very good even if it was a much lower class oposition.

[Team Sheep]

Three of the four games I may as well toss a coin, honestly have no idea who's gonna edge them but I'll have a go anyway...

Ireland vs Wales - Like I said, I have no clue, but obviously I'm biased so I say we edge it by a whisker. It'll come down to belief though. The Irish are a lot stronger mentally than we are, and are a lot better at closing a game out. We beat them in the 6 Nations back in March so that should help us out slightly in that aspect at least. I'm expecting a very cagey game just like that last encounter. The Irish look very strong at the scrum, which could be where the game is won. Will be fascinating.

England vs France - As bad as these two teams have been, I'll go with England just because they're good at World Cups and know how to get a job done when the chips are down. And of course, the old cliche pops up about which French team will show up. But England seem to be France's bogey team, particularly at World Cups.

South Africa vs Australia - I'm expecting Australia to come to life in this game, which they haven't really done yet, but when it's all said and done I think South Africa will be able to grind out the win due to the Australian injuries, and just the pure fact that South Africa have some momentum going.

New Zealand vs Argentina - New Zealand comfortably.

[Gertner]

Question. I'm a newbie to this sport. How do you get "bonus points". I've noticed this in the standings.

[Team Sheep]

Either by scoring 4 or more tries, or by losing a game by 7 points or less.

[Londoner]

Bonus pts for losing a game? That's a bit stupid.

[Team Sheep]

If a team is down by say 2 scores with only a few minutes left then it's a good incentive to keep playing to get something out of it instead of just giving up. The bonus point system doesn't really make a whole lot of difference in a competition like the RWC as there's too few group games, but in a competition like the Heineken Cup it can make things very interesting come the final weekend in tight groups.

[Nicky Fives]

I've watched a bit, but the time delays are terrible here in Canada..... I'm cheering for Samoa..... half of them look insane and I love it.....

[Ogen]

Quietly confident we'll beat Wales, and more confident again that whoever wins between us and Wales will be going to the final. France haven't kicked into gear once so far and if Wilkinson continues kicking like this then I can't fear England.

Australia South Africa is the game of the weekend for sure and the All Blacks will cruise past the Argies.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

I think Ireland can beat Wales. We've largely got the better of them over the past 4-5 years, and I think this year we were unlucky to lose the 6 Nations game. There was the dodgy Welsh try (Irish players were waiting for the line-out because they saw the ball go into the crowd, Welsh took an illegal quick throw: it is a minor rule but the Irish players had stopped because they thought the quick throw was impossible) and Paddy Wallace made a pretty horrible decision to try to run a try closer in toward the posts near the end of the game instead of just grounding the bastard.

I also think England will bore France and the rest of us to death. South Africa should go through vs. Australia, if Ireland can completely demolish Australia's scrum then South Africa should be on top too. All Blacks will destroy the Argies.

[Team Sheep]

I'm not going to look too much into the 6 Nations game now I think about it. Watched it back earlier and it was a poor game for both teams. Our defense for the first Irish try was horrendous, then there was the dodgy try, and Ireland really should have scored at the end. A lot has changed in 7 months, and we didn't have the likes of Adam Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Faletau, Priestland or North, and for the first time I can ever remember we've got strength on the bench which will be key. Plus the fitness has been insane since the Summer Poland trip. The fact we have a fully fit squad for this is testament to that. Ireland have hit some amazingly good form considering their Summer build up full credit to them, but history can go out the window for Saturday as far as I'm concerned. And for the record, over the last 6 years Ireland vs. Wales is 4-3 to Ireland. Wouldn't call that largely getting the better of us. Just saying :p

If there's a score in it with 10 minutes to go I think I'll hide behind the sofa.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Yeah I didn't mean literally "massively" getting the better of Wales, just for the most part, having the edge. But you're right that history doesn't matter, it'll come down to who deals with the pressure better. I'm not enormously confident because I think Wales have been excellent so far, while Ireland were very good vs. Australia and in the second half vs. Italy, at other times they have been a bit static. We can't let Wales start quickly tomorrow and get confidence early.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

This is a fucking good game already. We let Wales start quickly but since then it's been all Ireland, repelled by some magnificent Welsh defending and let down by silly errors at crucial times. Wales look dangerous any time they get the ball. Tense.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Ireland spent now after getting a try, Wales look to be on top. All that pressure in the first half counted for far too little unfortunately. Still a fantastic game.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Actually there's some stupid stuff going on now, that's fucking awful from Sexton, Earls and Reddan.

Bollocks, that's it now. Wales have just found an extra gear when it counted. They look like they could play all night.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Well played Wales, they were virtually faultless. Aside from the first ten minutes, their discipline was magnificent. I wish Ireland had taken a couple of those early penalties at goal. It made for a great first half pushing for the line but it meant we came away with 3 points when concievably we should have had a first-half lead. The early Wales try seemed to cause Ireland to try to force the game and there were so many errors at crucial moments because of the desperation. Wales' defending was simply superb and they looked like they could puncture Ireland's defence every time they had the ball. I can only remember one handling error and not one misplaced pass or poor kick.

That should have been a semi-final. Now to watch the shower of shit England and France are likely going to serve up. Wales to smash England in the semi.

[Team Sheep]

So proud of that performance. Made hard work for ourselves in the first half but our defence was incredible, they weren't going to let anything past. I knew if it was just a one score game at half time I'd be very happy as we're definitely a second half team and we can outrun anybody, so I was more than delighted with the 10-3 lead. We seemed to suck the life out of them the last 30 minutes and the Irish really had no answers.

England or France in the semi's, I couldn't give a fuck. Bring it on!!

[Londoner]

That should have been a semi-final. Now to watch the shower of shit England and France are likely going to serve up. Wales to smash England in the semi.

Shower of shit is correct. From us anyway. :roll:

[Team Sheep]

Haha cheerio England. What an embarrassing campaign for the "European champions." France played a lot better today, but still weren't all that convincing. Next Saturday can't come quick enough!!

[El Capitano Gatisto]

I hope Wales proceed to the final because they are building real momentum and could do something special, but I won't lie: it would be pretty funny if France made it and beat the All-Blacks again.

[Sting Fan]

Both were pretty good games, I'm 2 from 2 with my picks so far with a lot of people saying I was wrong in the last few days (not here admittedly).

Im picking a Wales NZ Final, and if the ABs dont go at it 150% then Wales might take the cup... Wouldnt that be something.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Kiwi wives and girlfriends would have to run to the hills to avoid the inevitable beatings.

[Team Sheep]

Martin Johnson press conference at 6pm EST. This could be interesting :D

[Team Sheep]

Sit down son

http://images4.hiboox.com/images/4011/diapo44add08d95def6820d1ba31bc438852e.gif

[Team Sheep]

Wow Australia vs South Africa was poor. Disappointed with the standard but I suppose it was always going to be a scrap and Australia won't care. We're guaranteed new champions now anyway which is exciting. New Zealand up 12-7 at half time, Argentina with the only try of the game. A lot closer than I anticipated. Guess I won't be heading to bed just yet after all.

[Sting Fan]

Not surprised by the fight the Argies put up. And TBH I was heartened to see the ABs grind it out for a full 80 minutes.

All credit to the Argies they played a good obstructing game with lots of time spent slowing ball at the ruck. Very smart rugby really.

Many in NZ aren't happy with the AB performance, but I think its a good sign from them, especially with no Carter.

[Londoner]

Wtf? England centre Manu Tuilagi detained by police after jumping from a ferry in NZ.

Breaking news SSN

what the flying fuck

[Team Sheep]

Martin Johnson's appointment was silly. He'll always go down as one of the best captains the game has seen, but he had no managerial experience and it's like he still thinks he's one of the boys, and his selections wreak of favouritism from his playing days. He still talks like he's the captain in his interviews too. They've been horribly exposed on the field this world cup, embarrassed themselves off it, and they don't even give a shit. Unbelievable. Time to start from scratch and leave 2003 in the past for England and the RFU now, they've been clutching at that for way too long.

[Bad Company]

Well, I was impressed by the Welsh, I picked them to win, great structure.
Aus still don't look that good. If they lie all over the ball like that with a decent ref, they will be in for a hard time. Bryce Lawrence had a shocker.
NZ pushed well vs Argentina, showed good patience, played some finals rugby, and were a lot sturdier when Cruden was on over Slade. He has to be in the team from now on.

[Sting Fan]

Thank Fuck someone agrees with me that the ABs played decent finals Rugby.

I'm sick and tired of arguing with bandwagon jumpers today who have decided the ABs are shit because they didnt score 5 tries.

[Team Sheep]

New Zealand weren't brilliant but they didn't need to be. They were always going to pull away in the second half. Can't judge the All Blacks properly until next week, that'll be their first real competitive test of this tournament really. The France group game was a joke from the French.

[Sting Fan]

TBH I thought the Argies did an impressive job of being a bloody nuisance to the ABs attack. But yeah far from a complete AB Display.

However, they took the points, they kept pressure on and didnt lose there heads. Thats finals rugby. Something the ABs dont do well.

[Team Sheep]

WITH SAM OUR CAPTAIN, WE'LL TAKE THE CUP HOOOME! :D

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9teBGwvnsME" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Team Sheep]

Come on Wales let's make history!! Can't fucking wait. Tension's unbearable. The Millennium Stadium will have more people than Eden Park to watch the game on big screens. Would kill to be in Wales right now :(

Cymru am byth.

[Sting Fan]

Wales FTW!

[Bad Company]

Well, I know that red card is going to be a problem for you guys.

[Bad Company]

Well, all has been said and done, and I'm going to be blatently honest here.
That game was an insult to anyone who has loved rugby, and I am ashamed to have a game of that standard as a RWC semi final, and to be played in NZ.
I physically feel ill at how bad that game was, and it's no joke that kicking is measured in kilometers rather than meters for that game.
It was like watching a train wreck, but it wasn't as interesting.

Congrats to France for being the worst team ever to make a RWC final.

[Team Sheep]

Probably in no state to talk about this right now, but here it goes...

Priestland being out hurt us a lot more than I expected. I wasn't too gutted about the injury when I heard about it, because we had two British Lions as substitutes to choose from, and when Hook was selected I was happy in a way because I had more faith in him to kick the vital points needed in knock out rugby. Oh god how wrong was I. I can't get over how big of a howler of a game he had. He was absolutely horrendous, and Stephen Jones, despite trying his best, is past his best, and just couldn't come up with the goods when he came on.

Now, the red card incident. I'm not going to be one of these bitterly annoying fans that says Roland cost us the game, but he sure ruined the spectacle that could have been. Personally (and some may call me biased but whatever) it was a yellow card and no more. I didn't see any malice or intent to drop the fucker on his head, I just think Warburton lost some grip on him mid-tackle more than anything. Anyway, it was always going to be a hell of a challenge from there on out.

The biggest turning point of the game for me though was Adam Jones' injury. The guy was absolutely devastated, not only for himself but for the whole team as he knew what that meant for everyone. It was heartbreaking to see him crying on the bench, for him personally and as a fan.

Everything that could have gone wrong in that first half for Wales happened. Yet despite everything that happened, we lost by one point. The game was there for the taking and we simply didn't turn up. Where was the sheer brutality Wales showed a week ago against Ireland? It was non-existent. We had one real phase of attacking play, and we got a broken tackle and a try out of it. I thought for sure after that we'd take the game to them for the remainder and get another one or two to see it off, yet nothing happened. I honestly can't even remember France attacking once in that game. Yet somehow they are in a World Cup final. I feel disgusted that we lost to this French team. Bottom line is Wales bottled it, and the fears I had last week about freezing in the occasion seemed to become reality this week. The only way I can justify it is that before the tournament I said to myself I'd be over the moon with a semi-final spot for Wales, but to go out like this is just sickening. At least we have a team for the future, and this competition probably came slightly too soon for us (hardly a consolation right now).

For next week, everyone may as well just replay the NZ/France group game. Because that's exactly how it will be. Everything right now just seems so ridiculous.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

It's difficult for any team to repeat the sort of performance Wales put in last week. They put everything into that Ireland match. That said, they shouldn't even have needed to put that sort of performance in again to defeat this France side. Massive disappointment for the tournament that the two best sides to watch will not be playing out the final, but that's how tournaments work. Wales had opportunities to win the match and came up short, unfortunately.

[Team Sheep]

Aye, it's shit but that's how it goes. We'd been blessed with great fortune up until today and unfortunately it all just came crumbling down in less than two hours. Proud of the boys to play an hour with a man down and lose by a point, despite how shit the game was. Just one kick was needed, fine fucking margins :( 11 points missed on kicks. Simply not good enough in a World Cup semi-final from the fly halves. Cruel lesson at this level unfortunately.

[Sting Fan]

Silly mistake by Warburton, but those are the breaks.

Probably should have been a yellow in the context of the game but rule is drop them on there head and you get a red. Its a bit sad.

Had Warburton been on I think Wales would have won. Interesting to see what France team turns up next week, could we see the worst RWC Champs ever?

[Team Sheep]

Well tonight is the World Cup final as far as I'm concerned. Please Australia and New Zealand put on a classic, quality game of rugby to cheer me up. Hope NZ does it.

[Sting Fan]

87 Replay is on...

Hope the ABs don't underestimate the Frogs but as from the beginning I think the ABs have it.

[RiX1024]

All Blacks won, Bring on Australia (even though we got them next month in a friendly) and bring the 3rd place home, Cymru am Byth.

[RiX1024]

Plus Alain Rolland should not ref neither finals. Nigel Owens to ref the final....I wish.

[Sting Fan]

Craig Joubert is reffing the final.

Owens is a touch judge I think.

[Bad Company]

I'm hopeful for our chances, but you never know with the French. They might just drag us down to their level. Or we might get there on our own.
If they play the same way they did last week, and if we play the same as we did last week, I can see it being a massacre.
They struggled to put away 14 men. So what does that say?

[Team Sheep]

In a normal game New Zealand should and would destroy them (as we saw just 3 weeks ago). But seeing as it's a World Cup final there will be nerves so I doubt it will be the same kind of walkover, but I still expect New Zealand will win without much of a threat.

Not looking forward to it at all. Should have been so much different :(

[Cuzziebro]

Just thought I would add my two cents worth..... GO THE ALL BLACKS!

[Londoner]

what a fucking game

[Bad Company]

Holy shit.

Just holy shit.

WE ARE THE FUCKING WORLD CHAMPIONS!

[Sting Fan]

Holy shit.

Just holy shit.

WE ARE THE FUCKING WORLD CHAMPIONS!


Fuck yeah we are.

Dunno about you bro but I will be having Richie holding the beautiful piece of gold as my new Display Pic!

[Sting Fan]

FYI Tony Woodcock is the man and whoever thought that shit up deserves a Gobby from the wench of there choice...

[Sting Fan]

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298692_10150345362091915_56918111914_8269729_447795131_n.jpg

[Team Sheep]

Congrats New Zealand. Must feel amazing to finally be on top of the world once again. You guys have pretty much been the unofficial world champions since the professional era started so now you can enjoy the official title. That was an epic final, and thank you France for showing you did deserve to be there.

Hell of a six weeks. Sad it's all over :(

[Cuzziebro]

Holy shit.

Just holy shit.

WE ARE THE FUCKING WORLD CHAMPIONS!

History does repeat!

[El Capitano Gatisto]

That was a pretty good final. The referee was pretty disappointing in terms of how many decisions he gave to the home side, it was taking away from the game for me at times but the All Blacks won't care. The French were excellent despite their coach doing his best to fuck his own side over (Parra ahead of Trinh-Duc? Bringing on a debutant 20-year old scrum half for Iashvili in the last ten minutes when they only needed a penalty or drop goal?) and they came away with a lot of honour with that performance. Showed immense amounts of heart and discipline.

Felt sorry for little Weepu, his kicking was truly atrocious and he must have been the most relieved man in the universe when the All Blacks saw out the victory. He probably would have been assassinated had they lost.