Rugby World Cup 2007 Thread
 

The 6th World Cup kicks off on the 8th of Sept.

45 Days to go.

The Draw Can be found here.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/3711557.stm

Pool A
England, South Africa, Samoa, USA, Tonga

Pool B
Australia, Wales, Fiji, Canada, Japan

Pool C
New Zealand, Scotland, Italy, Romania, Portugal

Pool D
France, Ireland, Argentina, Georgia, Namibia




I'm obviously rooting for a NZ win, but it'll be a tough ask. Well, after the pool matches anyway :lol:

WHO DO YOU SUPPORT? :)

is Namibia any good

I fucking hope the poms beat the boks and send the cunts home early :foc:

Nah, the only teams that really stand a chance are New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, or France.
The English, Argentinians, Irish and Welsh are a long shot, and could beat anyone (Except New Zealand) on a really good day.
Other Teams like Samoa, Italy, Fiji can play a tough game, but won't trouble the bigger sides.

I'd say the Quarter Finals will be.

Australia v England
New Zealand v Argentina
South Africa v Wales
France v Scotland

The Semi Finals will be
Australia v New Zealand
South Africa v France

God knows what will happen after that!

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<font color=white>Might as well celebrate it once more while we can.</font>

Excuse me. Why the anger? Don't you realise we rule?

Nah we'll beat France

Shit mate, I rekon you'll struggle to beat the Argies, but I hope to be wrong.

Fuck that, Ireland'll go further than anyone else in the 6 nations (if they beat France)

Dunno how good your squad was earlier this year, but you lost 2-0 to the argies at home, which is always a tough ask, I know, but in a RWC year it's not the best time to lose to them.

Then again, we've lost to Aussie this year.

Holy shit didn't know the world cup was around already. When does it start?

Yeah, it only feels like yesterday when I was in Aussie, posting in TPWW while at the last world cup :D

Kicks off on the 7th of September, Final is on the 20th of October. (French timezones, I think)

England and SA were in the same pool last time - seeing the poms beat the filthy wankers at Subiaco Oval is one of my all time sporting highlights.

I don't think the poms have the team to do it this year, and the Aussies will make the quarters, but no futher.


Canada will beat Wales - mark my words.

did you even read my predictions? They are pretty "by the book" so aussie will be playing England in the Quarter. And Aus will definately beat England.

I never read your posts :mad:

Asshole.
So 38 or so days to go.

Supposedly alot of issues in the Australia Camp. The Welsh claim they can beat the All Blacks, and South Africa have made a pretty gay ad ripping off 300.

Not even proper rugby, stupid union shit


http://www.therfl.co.uk/assets/images/sl_logo.gifor http://www.scouts.com.au/images/uplo...l/10004535.jpg

http://www.superleague.co.uk/
Or

http://www.nrl.com

Yeah, anyway. Keep it for the league thread.

Here's a promo video for the cup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQpP3...elated&search=

Come onnnnnn, I can't be the only one psyched for this! :D

LOL The Welsh have been saying that since 1953, the last time it actually happened.

And going down 62-5 against England last night won't of helped their chances. Team Sheep must be suicidal.

I am super psyched for this, not sure about some of Garham Henrys selections but whats done is done, lets ride that oh so brutal ride again.

It's been twenty long years but I would love to see The AllBlacks pull it off this year.

When was the last time that NZ won a WC? They're always the best country in the world, but they barely ever go through with the goods when it matters.

1987, it's been too long, but I rekon our side can do it this year.

Well, Weepu was unlucky to miss out, but I'm actually concerned about our other 1/2backs after Kelleher had a shocker in the last test, and leonard and Ellis haven't been the best so far in the Air NZ cup.
That Eye injury has all but put sommerville out, after he just got back from blowing his achilles, and after seeing the wellington scrum get destroyed by Hawkes Bay on the weekend, I'd hardly be confident with Schwalger lining up for the All Blacks. Centre is still a mess, Conrad really needed more game time on the weekend and having Tana inside him off the bench would of been great. But it didn't happen. Bloody Wellington.

Lol that game was awful. Every try was just identical. Then again, it was only a friendly, and we played our second string team. Last time we played England in a competitive game, we won back in March in the 6 Nations ;)

World Cup will be totally different though. We'll make the Quarter Finals easily. As runners-up anyway. We've got Australia at home at the Millenium Stadium. The last 2 times we've played Australia here we beat them 24-22 and drew 29-29. And when we played them a couple of months ago in Australia we were winning until the very last play of the game (granted the following week we played again and lost 31-0, but never mind).

Really don't want to play The Boks in the Quarters, so winning the group would be huge.

What the fuck is goin on there, That's worse than the Superleague logo. Alot Worse.

I want England to win obviously, but they have no chance, along with the Aussies I believe I'm afraid. NZ will win.

Nah, England has to be confident with that win. And the huge forward pack they have fronted, almost looking like the england of old with a pack that size!

Nah England won't do much.

shhhhhhh, I'm trying to get people to post in here ;)

I want the All Blacks to take it but im not confident really.

Too many "Slight injuries" and injury prone players in the squad for my liking.

If everything falls into place and theres no injuries then it will go good for them I thin but if Robinson gets injured and theres a few other fragile ones there (Richie MC Caw concussion anyone) we could be in a bit of trouble.

Also I dont like Sione Lauaki, maybe I am missing something but I would much rather have seen just about anyone else in the team beside him. That being said I dont see a lot of Rugby anymore doue to work so hopefully hes a lot more consistent nowadays.

I think Australia is always a threat, I am hopefull for the Springboks I always have a soft spot for them and England look a little better but there game is so reliant on defense and Wilkinson that if either of them let them down there fucked.

Oh and fuck the French, I want to see Japan beat them, La Porte is a wank.

BTW Team sheep is that a photoshop job by someone or legit because my god thats wrong...

Must be photoshoped. My American Football coach sent it to me, cause he's like anti-rugby, Hah.

A few websites where you can follow the cup

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby-world-cup/ (A NZ Based site, will be excellent for AB's info)

www.planetrugby.com
www.rugby365.com

being anti-Rugby in Wales should be a hanging offence

how many more days?

I actually hop over the border to England to play my American football :$

Here's a countdown page...
21 Days to go!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle2110094.ece

Well, BOD is out for Irelands first game at least. He's a sucker for punishment that man.

18 days to go or something. BRING IT ON.

http://telecomvirtualworldrugby.co.nz/

Here's a good competition for picking the winners. SIGN UP.

My username is Bad Company

He is a fanny

I agree, but without him Ireland don't stand a chance.
4 Days to go!

Yeah rugby is awesome.

lol you're not wrong DU, but I'm trying to be friendly so we get a few more posters in here :P

INDEED

NEW ZEALAND SUCK YOU'RE GONNA CHOKE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

:shifty:

At least we'll beat wales if we face ya :p

Now now, you said you'd be nice in this thread, or I won't post in here anymore. :P

I have my glossy world cup score chart up on my fridge WOOO.

Yeah, I have my timetable with the AB's games highlighted on my desk :lol:
NOT LONG TO GO NOW.
Would love to see the Argies beat the French in the first game :D
Italy is going to get hammered by us. Pretty sure we're playing our number 1 team.

If only Wales could get close enough to choke...

Paging Dr Heimlich. choke choke choke!

The boks to win it all!

Pfft Australia at home. Bring it.

O'Driscoll is going to be ready for the first game because he's hard as fuck. Broken skull won't stop him.

All Blacks team named today to play Italy in their opening World Cup pool C match at Stade Velodrome on Saturday:

Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Anton Oliver, Neemia Tialata, Reuben Thorne, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Aaron Mauger, Leon MacDonald

Woohoo, Smith and McAlister at centre, awesome :D

I smell rape in the air for Italy.

Lol that team is just ridiculous.

Yeah, poor italy :D Gonna be a whooping. Then again, our guys haven't played in a few months so they are going to be rusty. Unlike alot of the NH teams that were playing friendlies up until last week. But hopefully we shake the rust quickly.

I wondeer if the Frogs will resort to food poisioning, like those other wankers from Africa - but the the Frenc are known for their good food.

Yeah, I ate frogs, they were awesome. Wouldn't put cheating past the frenchies, but probably more eye gouging and less food poisoning.

The French are playing shit. I hope they win this one narrowly, then the crowd will get on their backs and they'll probably be crap against Ireland too. If they lose, they'll probably get really fucking angry and start twatting everyone in sight.

Holy shit, Argentina won! Good stuff to them, the French look shocked. This could lead to a quarter final vs NZ for the French. But they've gotta beat Ireland to get there

Ireland could and should win this pool now and avoid the All-Blacks. We're better than Argentina and we're better than France on our day. We could give them a hiding if tonight's France shows up.

I reckon with a bit of momentum we could take the All-Blacks later on in the cup too and make them cry bitter tears of defeat.

Are you drunk? Of course you are. :p
Not that I disagree with you comments before you started with the All Blacks ;)

I'm soberer than I've ever been in my entire life. No, it would be a dream come true to face the All-Blacks in the final. Quarters is too early.

I too was with you right up to All Blacks.

Ireland do have a good team this year, but you are 50 years from beating the All Blacks.

Yeah I know. This game is depressing. Looks like adults playing against a load of overgrown kids.

Do Italy only ever score tries from interceptions?

No, Scotland are just pathetic.

It was a pretty shameful performance

It would be just like the French to come back from last night's game and go on to win the group. They've lost the first game in the 6 Nations a number of times but somehow managed to scrape it back up there and win the whole thing.

France are sort of like Ireland's bogey team. No matter how well Ireland play against them they just seem to never be able to get the job done when the 80 minutes are up. Last night's result was pretty crazy though! Missed it as I was wasting my time down at Rodney Parade watching The Gwent Dragons vs Cardiff Blues. :roll:

I honestly thought the Italians would put up a tougher match.

Grown men playing little kids was Australia v Japan, although I thought the Japs started well, and the early penalty goals from Australia was cynical rugby considering who the opponent was. I’m watching the Pom v USA replay – bugger me the Poms look terrible, and the Yanks look quite good.

The Aussies took a while to warm into it, Japan started well, as you said.
England are shit, USA played well, probably could of got a few tries if some of their support was a bit quicker. Made some good breaks.
Can't really tell with Italy and NZ, good start for us, but Italy was out of it after 10 mins.

The Yanks could be the dark horse this year..... but the Poms were pretty shitt, really shit. the tv camera kept going to Johnny in the stands, like a cry for help. ROFL he can't help you fronm there.


The US could win the whole bloody thing and it wouldn't matter, no one in Yankland would give a shit because they don't wear crash helmets.

England are just so fucking slow

You look at New Zealand and Australia, they pass quickly, they get the game moving as much as possible and they play smart kicks into space,

Do England do any of these things? Do they fuck. They think they can drag themselves to victories like they did 4 years ago, and its just not gonna happen. South Africa are going to turn them over on Friday and the Aussies will embarrass them in the Quarter Finals.

Wales :|

9-12 vs Canada at the half. LOL.

Say what?! oh come on! Face facts, NZ got their collective buttcheaks handed to them in 1995.

That was depressing tonight.

We lost, but while we're facing facts, we were food poisoned.
Besides, I'm over that loss, was a great thing for SA rugby to win that world Cup, was just what they needed. Same with the S14 win this year.

Why isn't this topic stickied.

or is that only for gay sports (except Football - you all know I'm talking about American sports right)

I think so

ABs vs Portugal

1 Neemia Tialata
2 Andrew Hore
3 Greg Somerville
4 Chris Jack
5 Ali Williams
6 Jerry Collins (c)
7 Chris Masoe
8 Sione Lauaki
9 Brendon Leonard
10 Nick Evans
11 Joe Rokocoko
12 Aaron Mauger
13 Conrad Smith
14 Isaia Toeava
15 Mils Muliaina

Replacements:

16 Anton Oliver
17 Tony Woodcock
18 Carl Hayman
19 Rodney So'oialo
20 Keven Mealamu
21 Andrew Ellis
22 Leon MacDonald

Well, that's an interesting team, lots of forwards will be playing out of position, especially due to the AB's locking injuries :(
Good to see Conrad Smith back, let's hope he makes it to the game.

Should be 100+ to the All Blacks.

They're not holding back on dishing out suspensions.
Appeals still to be held but:

Schalk Burger (SA Flanker) - 4 weeks
Phil Vickery (England Prop/Captain) - 2 weeks
Paul Emerick (US Centre) - 5 weeks

Also, Massive love to YOUR Hero for Stickying the thread :heart:

Keven Mealamu at Flanker makes me slightly hard tbh.

The mans a fucking beast, cant wait to see what he can do outside of the rough stuff a little more.

And apparently Carl Heyman will see time at Lock, interesting call but I can see it. With Masoe, Lauaki and Collins in the loose there should be plenty of lineout options against a minnow team.

Couldnt agree more on Canrad Smith, him being fit and in form would be a huge boost going into the semis. He plays the traditional Centre so well with his great passing game. Thats going to be invaluable with guys like HOwleet, Sivivatu and Rockoko (SP?) on the wings.

Andy Farrell starts tonight and will show Rugby Union that he is the best player to grace the game. Superior in attack and defence with fitness levels Rugby Union players can only dream of

And this Andy Farrell is who? Has he turned up yet?

England getting an absolute pumping 33-0 with quarter of an hour left

LOL England

Yeah, England got raped.
NZ Portugal in 8 hours or so, woooooooo!

Bloody hell, I'm not much on rugby, but when your best fit player gets injured, and Wilkinson's already out, you're fucked. We weren't going to do much anyway but this is horrendous, Robinson really was the only one doing anything tonight.

Bollocks.

Yeah, Robinson was on fire till he blew his hamstring. Tough break for him.
All Blacks Portugal kick off in 10 mins, NZ have a few changes, and players playing out of position on the bench. It's gonna be interesting to see how it goes for us. This is pretty much onw of the favorites vs the last team to qualify, and their first world cup. Only 3 or so Portugese players are professional :|

The NZ team has been playing like shit, so many mistakes. Players look pretty rusty, but getting into it, good start by Portugal 52-3 at half time.
NZ Wins 108-13, we were messy, certainly shouldn't be letting them get tries. Wouldn't want to play like that vs South Africe. One Injury by the looks of things, could be worse.

Meh @ Wales. Had a good spell from the start of the 2nd half until about the 60th minute. Looks like we're out now, as we'll be playing South Africa in the Quarters :/

Nice job by the Welsh.


Jobbers

Yeah NZ didn't play at their best but come on, have their run on team were reserves in any other game. But of course your team is only as good as your reserves but I just think it was one of those games were Graham Henry was trying out new things with the team. I wouldn't worry about the AB's form at all.

And on an unrelated note: I reckon the French lost that first game against Argentina on purpose so they wouldn't face NZ in the quarters. Just my opinion.