Official Rugby World Cup 2015 General discussion thread

[Batmannerism]

Kia Ora Koutou !

Don't know if anyone's created an official RWC 2015 thread yet, but if not here goes.

Strangely the build up here in NZ doesn't seem to have been that much, of course that's compared to 2011, when the whole country was going insane !

Still, the 7 day countdown has started and I'm excited about it.

I've seen some great predictions in the other rugby thread, how are feeling about it all now ?

I'm gutted for Wales losing Leigh Halfpenny ! That's a huge loss. Matt Dawson is comparing it to England losing Jonny Wilkinson. Is that an accurate statement ? At the height of his powers in 2003 JW was arguably the greatest (and that's saying a lot as I'm a Dan Carter fan).

http://www.worldcup2015-rugby.com/


here are my picks for Round 1

England over Fiji ( a tough game, England will need to be on form to win convincingly, it will be all about denying the Fijians the ball for the first 60 minutes)

Tonga over Georgia (probably reasonably close but in the end Tonga's superior strength will win out)

Ireland over Canada ( Ireland are contenders, not pretenders, Canada will put up stiff resistance for 60 minutes but in the end Ireland will be too strong).

South Africa over Japan ( the Boks will probably want to run up a big score and Japan will be lucky to get away without a lot of injured players)

France over Italy ( who knows ? France could be stupendous....or horrendous, last RWC they lost to Tonga in a pool game. However, if the world-beating French team shows up then Italy is in trouble).

Samoa over USA (closer than you might think. USA have a strong sevens program, but Samoa probably have a highly skilled (and brutal)team who are probably still riding high on their strong showing against the All Blacks earlier this year - USA will put up a fight, but Samoa will come out on top).

Wales over Uruguay (likely to be a ass-kicking, Wales main objective is not to lose any more key players to injury).

NZ over Argentina (probably closer than we'd like ! The main goal for both teams is to win with the smallest number of injuries)

my poll picks, are NZ (defending champions and general good form), France (because they've been in more finals than anyone without a win) and Ireland ( while England could do it, not sure if they have the depth, Ireland I think has probably the best chance of any Northern Hemisphere team).

Cheers.

 

[Hound55]

Nah. Johnny Wilkinson was much better than Halfpenny prior to injury and was a monster both with the boot and with his tackling (which has been an undersung part of his game).

Still a big loss though... particularly when you stack it next to their other two.

Now they'll probably have a tough time getting over Fiji to finish third in pool.

 

[Fallen Angel]

I'm thinking the Kiwi's will win but I've bet Australia to do it.

 

[Batmannerism]

I'm thinking the Kiwi's will win but I've bet Australia to do it.

A lot depends on keeping McCaw free of injury. I know we can win without Carter ( I mean, given the Steven Donald story from 2011, I think Lima Sopoaga should leave his phone on and expect a call).

But without McCaw, not so sure. He was absolutely key in that tough final against France and I'm not sure any of the other players could step up in his absence.

Also,we face France in a quarter final - and France have been our achilles heel at RWC time ( 1999, 2007 in particular).

Assuming we can get past France, I think we'll be able to take down the Boks in a semi. However, who will we meet in the final ? It's likely to be Australia, but that's not assured (and Australia have been another bugbear team for us in crucial matches - especially this year ! ).

Still, not ruling out any upsets ! Pool A and D will be the ones to watch.

Incidentally, I pick Samoa to beat Scotland and come 2nd in their pool, which means a bruising quarter final for Australia - even if Samoa doesn't beat them (which they actually have, although not at RWC) the Aussies will come out of that match hurting.

Cheers.

 

[Hound55]

Can't see Australia winning it all.

They have the talent to do it. I just can't see it getting utilized properly.

Cheika has some "interesting" ideas and views which don't always align themselves with mine...

 

[Batmannerism]

Can't see Australia winning it all.

They have the talent to do it. I just can't see it getting utilized properly.

Cheika has some "interesting" ideas and views which don't always align themselves with mine...

The RWC is a war of attrition, what's Aussie's injury roll like ?

The big worry for the AB's is that Naholo is recovering from a broken leg - can he really stand up to a six week tournament ? If Hansen made an error in selection there, (as in we don't win) he'll have to fall on his sword when he gets home.

I think they needed to bring someone else to cover at Full-back. If anything happens to Ben Smith, we're in trouble. And is Dane Coles really up to it ?

If McCaw gets hurt, and Pocock and Hooper stay injury free, I think we'll really struggle against Australia !


BTW what's Giteau's form like ? He's getting a bit long in the tooth - at one time he was Aussie's million dollar man, but what's he like now ?

Other than Giteau, who's cover for Cooper ?

Now having said all that, with a backline that includes Cooper, Genia, Giteau, Ashley-Cooper, Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale, and has Stephen Larkham on the coaching staff, wow -that is a backline to be utterly feared !

 

[jmc]

Here's the draw.

Pool A is anyone's at this stage.

 

[Hound55]

The RWC is a war of attrition, what's Aussie's injury roll like ?

The big worry for the AB's is that Naholo is recovering from a broken leg - can he really stand up to a six week tournament ? If Hansen made an error in selection there, (as in we don't win) he'll have to fall on his sword when he gets home.

I think they needed to bring someone else to cover at Full-back. If anything happens to Ben Smith, we're in trouble. And is Dane Coles really up to it ?

If McCaw gets hurt, and Pocock and Hooper stay injury free, I think we'll really struggle against Australia !


BTW what's Giteau's form like ? He's getting a bit long in the tooth - at one time he was Aussie's million dollar man, but what's he like now ?

Other than Giteau, who's cover for Cooper ?

Now having said all that, with a backline that includes Cooper, Genia, Giteau, Ashley-Cooper, Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale, and has Stephen Larkham on the coaching staff, wow -that is a backline to be utterly feared !

You can replace guys who go down hurt though. That's how the squad's work.

Frankly, if Australia wound up with certain specific injuries they'd actually be in a better position to win the whole thing because there's better options that Cheika left home than a lot of the guys he actually selected.

Cover for Cooper?

Foley for one. Frankly, the best Australia has looked was with Toomua at 10 and Giteau at 12, but he's been avoiding doing that for some reason.

Same with the Wallabies playingbest with Hooper and Pocock both on the field. Open-side is a natural developmental strength, frankly I'd have left Palu home and taken Liam Gill as a third and insurance at the position (plus he actually can play some 8 as well at but doesn't really get utilized there).

Kurtley Beale... great attacking threat, but his defense is terrible (he was pretty much a coin flip odds for a missed tackle if you ran at him in S15) and frankly shouldn't be in the squad. He's been protected by Cheika though so he wouldn't get shown up prior to the World Cup.

Frankly I suspect a ****load of internal politics in general in the Wallabies squad. There's a lot of extremely suspect decisions getting made, which only make sense if you look at it as Cheika having "his guys".

 

[jmc]

Venues

Twickenham Stadium, London - 81,605

Wembley Stadium, London - 90,000

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff - 74,154

Manchester City Stadium, Manchester - 55,000

Olympic Stadium, London - 54,000

St James' Park, Newcastle - 52,409

Villa Park, Birmingham - 42,785

 

[jmc]

Elland Road, Leeds - 37,914

Leicester City Stadium, Leicester - 32,312

Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton - 30,750

Stadium MK, Milton Keyes - 30,717

Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester - 16,500

Sandy Park, Exeter - 12,500

 

[Lilbaz]

Looking forward to it. Haven't really been following rugby that closely for the last couple of years. Went to the world cup in australia and saw a couple of games but since then lost a bit of interest.

Excited for this one though. Can't wait for friday.

 

[jmc]

I saw three games in Australia in 2003. South Africa v Georgia, Ireland v Namibia in Sydney, and Wales v Italy in Canberra. Atmosphere at the South Africa/Georgia match was insane, full house, 80% of the crowd cheering for the underdogs.

 

[Hound55]

Ireland vs Argentina was fantastic too...

 

[Batmannerism]

The stadium pics are great !


I worked as a volunteer usher at RWC 2011, here in NZ (at the Wellington Stadium).

I was there for Wales v SAfrica, Argentina v Scotland, France v Tonga
and the quarter finals Wales v Ireland and Australia v SAfrica.

Didn't work at NZ v Canada (not really much point)

Of all those games Wales v Ireland was the most exciting and intense - and the fans were deafening (particularly when the Welsh fans started singing), it was the best atmosphere I've ever experienced at a rugby match (and I've been to a few All Blacks and Super rugby matches over the years).


- Sorry to hear about politics in the Australian camp, that's never good for the team (except for France, who last time seemed to get better the worse their relationship with the coach got ! But they're pretty much the exception to every rule as far as rugby goes )

The thing I enjoy most about RWC is the match ups that would ordinarily never happen e.g. RWC 2011, USA v Russia and Russia v Georgia (no love lost in those games). This time around there are some weird match-ups, NZ v Namibia, but I enjoy games that are more evenly matched. I find games where the ABs roll over some team (from a country where Football is the national sport, and nobody plays rugby) by 100 points really dull.

Personally, I think the tournament should adopt a similar structure to the 7's, where teams compete for the cup, the shield and the bowl - so those minnow teams still have something to shoot for. It would be difficult (given the difference between 15's and 7's in terms of duration and the ability to run tournaments over 2 days) but something for the IRB to think about.

Anyone picking England to make the final ? or win it ?

 

[jmc]

I could end being wrong here but I firmly believe the winner will not come from Pool A, whoever emerges winner from that group will be battered and bruised from 3 really tough games, I cannot seeing a team winning a further 3 to win the Cup.

 

[Batmannerism]

I could end being wrong here but I firmly believe the winner will not come from Pool A, whoever emerges winner from that group will be battered and bruised from 3 really tough games, I cannot seeing a team winning a further 3 to win the Cup.

Yeah, pool A is horrible. The teams who advance to the QFs then face South Africa, and likely Samoa, which will be awful and bruising encounters !

At seminfinal time (assuming they survive the QFs) the pool winner will likely face Ireland or France, while 2nd place gets the All Blacks (correct me here anybody if I've read the chart wrong). A very difficult road indeed !


I reckon Australia could do it, but will they ? England, not so sure about their form. Wales, maybe !



I am very cautious about the All Blacks pool though. 3 walkover games and one testing, but almost guaranteed win (although if Argentina beats them it would be an enormous upset - a bit like Ireland beating Australia last time).
At previous RWC's whenever we've had a soft pool things have come undone at the QF or semifinal stage. They will handily win pool D, but then if they face France (and the world-beating French team turn up, who often do for the AB's) then we're in trouble.


While I would love the All Blacks to win, as it will be the end of McCaw's career and he has been a great servant to the game here in NZ, I would also be really happy to see someone else lift the cup - France, Ireland or Wales would be terrific, and great for the future of the world wide game.

On a related note, who has potentially the easiest run to the final ?

And, how did the host nation get such an abysmal draw ? Surely there are systems to prevent that !

 

[jmc]

Ironically the Pool A Winner would technically have the easier path once the QF's begin, but I think by that time they'll be too weary to go the distance. All Blacks have the easiest pool obviously, although they'll get a decent hit out against Argentina, and maybe Tonga. Argentina though could be a real dark horse. If they come second in Pool C as expected they'll either play Ireland or France (maybe Italy but unlikely), teams they are well within the ability to beat. If they defeat Ireland or France they'll likely play the Winner of Pool A, who by that time will be battered and bruised from 4 tough games, meaning Argentina could sneak into the Final.

In terms of avoiding a Pool A scenario again, easiest solution is to have the draw closer to the tournament, the draw from this tournament happened 3 years ago which is absurd.

 

[Hound55]

Honestly... I keep seeing the Boks as a dark horse side.

They should face the All Blacks at 100% health wise... and if they can somehow topple them, it's a downhill roll for them with the possible exception of if they were to hit an Australian team in form or an in form English team at home.

 

[Batmannerism]

Honestly... I keep seeing the Boks as a dark horse side.

They should face the All Blacks at 100% health wise... and if they can somehow topple them, it's a downhill roll for them with the possible exception of if they were to hit an Australian team in form or an in form English team at home.

Dark horse is a fair evaluation, given that Argentina beat them this year - not a good sign for SA's hopes. However RWC 2015 is full of dark horses with Wales, Ireland and France lurking in the background - so who knows, I really enjoy upset matches (even when it's against NZ, simply because it makes the tournament more exciting).

They're replaying some matches from RWC 1987 on tv down here - it's simply amazing how much the game has changed, in terms of speed and tactics since then !

 

[Fallen Angel]

Give me some players to look out for man. I don't mean the household names.

 

[jmc]

Nemani Nadolo for Fiji is a beast of a winger. He's definitely one to look out for.

 

[Batmannerism]

Give me some players to look out for man. I don't mean the household names.

Team Canada :

Conor Trainor (full back)

Nathan Hirayama, Nanyak Dala and John Moonlight ( sevens players)

Not picking Canada to get out of the pool stage - but they should at least account for themselves well against Romania and Italy. Given the number of sevens players (with lots of international experience) they shouldn't be a walk-over for anyone.

 

[Batmannerism]

Today is a sad day. RWC 2003, 2007 and 2011 were all free to air, live in New Zealand. The government, who own tvnz, gave enough of a **** about the everyday kiwi to purchase the rights and provide us this wonderful entertainment.

It pains me to say that this time, we can only see RWC games on Sky. I'm very saddened by this - mostly because I can't afford sky, but also because for an event of such national significance our leaders clearly don't feel it worth investing our tax dollars - yet they waste ****loads of money on a pointless debate about a new flag.

Anyway, hopefully you folks who live in the more-enlightened country of Australia (where the RWC is free to air on Channel 9 ) will keep me posted. I will have to start going to pubs at 7am, to see the All-Blacks play.

Bummer ! But still looking forward to the start this weekend !

 

[jmc]

Channel 9 is only screening a select few games, I think something like 8 pool matches plus the semi-finals and final, Fox Sports is carrying the entire 48 games on a dedicated channel. There's probably some online streaming option for you if you have a look around. If you can't watch then maybe radio is an option, the BBC has the rights to broadcast on radio so maybe try downloading a radio app.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Going to be annoying to watch it here in the States as well, though of course we don't have the long tradition of such countries. Sorry you two.