Official Rugby World Cup 2015 General discussion thread
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Spider-Kid
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England vs. Fiji sort of echoed the defensive problems England faced. To merit Fiji, though, they put on a brilliant display. I honestly thought England would overwhelm Wales, but...
...eh!
Also, to Iceman, obviously, your concern is whether England will qualify for the quarter finals. They will. It's extremely likely and I don't see how it can't happen. And, as for Fiji vs. Wales, I honestly don't find it likely that Fiji will be victorious; but anything could transpire in a rugby match. Fiji, defensively, has shown that they can hold their own, but it's fitness that's an issue.
Wales, however, are obviously f***ed a good bit with those injuries they're facing. It's just, well...the players Wales do have show a lot of courage. They persist and they just all seem to go on and on. Fiji sort of lost it with the England game and, unless they all become dark-skinned Terminators, I wouldn't see it as likely.
Like, Wales have good set-pieces, will exploit you if you're open and show great spirit. They aren't lethargic. Fiji sort of regress to that.
BUT, I mean, Wales could get open and Fiji could destroy them. I don't know. We can only hope the best team wins...
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Batmannerism
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Just got home from the pub, believe it or not our parliament changed the opening hours laws to suit the RWC - Nz really is a rugby fan's paradise.
First, great to see SA back in bruising form, they slowly ground Samoa into the dust - a real statement " WE RE BAAAAAACK !"
Wales v England, one of the most exciting games. Ive ever seen. The courage of the welsh to hang in there despite trailing on the scoreboard and fearsome injury toll was inspiring. Cymru am bith !
England made a strong start and held on until the Welsh scored that try. The decison to go for a lineout in the dying moments.... A big gamble, whi h didnt pay off. Dont want to criticize as hindsight is 20/20.
Feel sorry for England , who now face a do or die battle with Aussie.
First, great to see SA back in bruising form, they slowly ground Samoa into the dust - a real statement " WE RE BAAAAAACK !"
Wales v England, one of the most exciting games. Ive ever seen. The courage of the welsh to hang in there despite trailing on the scoreboard and fearsome injury toll was inspiring. Cymru am bith !
England made a strong start and held on until the Welsh scored that try. The decison to go for a lineout in the dying moments.... A big gamble, whi h didnt pay off. Dont want to criticize as hindsight is 20/20.
Feel sorry for England , who now face a do or die battle with Aussie.
Spider-Kid
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If we don't get a result against Australia then we'll be out. Huge game that's set up to be. Will be interesting if Australia beat Wales and we beat Australia as it will come down to bonus points (assuming all 3 teams beat Fiji and Uruguay).
Batmannerism
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Not so sure about that. Australia have shown that they have what it takes to beat anyone , this year -when they're on form.
Even after today's valliant effort, given the number of key players injured, I don't fance Wales' chances against the Wallabies.
As for England, well there's a lot more on the line but will they be able to lift their game enough to beat Australia ? I have my doubts.
I hope they do, but I'm far from confident that they will.
From what I can tell these are the scenarios for England.
If Fiji beat Wales a win against Uruguay will be enough to qualify for the QF
If Wales beat Fiji they have to beat both Uruguay and Australia to qualify for the QF.
What England supporters want is a Fiji victory this Thursday.
If Fiji beat Wales a win against Uruguay will be enough to qualify for the QF
If Wales beat Fiji they have to beat both Uruguay and Australia to qualify for the QF.
What England supporters want is a Fiji victory this Thursday.
Batmannerism
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Okay for the next stage of the tournament
Quarter finals
Pool A: on this year's form it looks like its shaping up to be Australia as winner and Wales as runner up.
Pool B: South Africa, I think, will win the pool (if they show the same form against Scotland and the USA, they'll make it there on bonus points)
Runner up ? Anybody's guess.
Pool C All blacks Win, Argentina runner up (not hard to call that one)
Pool D France and Ireland, but in which position, too early to call.
So this means that
QF 1 winner C vs runner up D ( All Blacks vs France or Ireland)
QF 2 winner B vs runner up A ( South Africa vs Wales )
QF 3 winner D vs runner up C ( France or Ireland vs Argentina )
QF 4 winner A vs runner up B ( likely Aussie vs Samoa or Scotland)
None of those are easy routes to the final. The ABs have a so-so record against France at RWC time (so they should fear a QF with les Bleus)
Wales (or whoever comes second in pool A) has a **** time with the Boks
Not only is pool A death because of the tough teams in it, but it has a tough draw at QF time for the runner up ).
Argentina will play Ireland or France..... and if it's Ireland, I think they'll be going home (Argentina that is)
Aussie vs Samoa or Scotland - the run gets easier for the pool A champ. If they can take down 2 other top tier teams then they should have more than enough firepower to deal with Samoa or Scotland.
Of course, as we've already seen, upsets do occur !
Quarter finals
Pool A: on this year's form it looks like its shaping up to be Australia as winner and Wales as runner up.
Pool B: South Africa, I think, will win the pool (if they show the same form against Scotland and the USA, they'll make it there on bonus points)
Runner up ? Anybody's guess.
Pool C All blacks Win, Argentina runner up (not hard to call that one)
Pool D France and Ireland, but in which position, too early to call.
So this means that
QF 1 winner C vs runner up D ( All Blacks vs France or Ireland)
QF 2 winner B vs runner up A ( South Africa vs Wales )
QF 3 winner D vs runner up C ( France or Ireland vs Argentina )
QF 4 winner A vs runner up B ( likely Aussie vs Samoa or Scotland)
None of those are easy routes to the final. The ABs have a so-so record against France at RWC time (so they should fear a QF with les Bleus)
Wales (or whoever comes second in pool A) has a **** time with the Boks
Not only is pool A death because of the tough teams in it, but it has a tough draw at QF time for the runner up ).
Argentina will play Ireland or France..... and if it's Ireland, I think they'll be going home (Argentina that is)
Aussie vs Samoa or Scotland - the run gets easier for the pool A champ. If they can take down 2 other top tier teams then they should have more than enough firepower to deal with Samoa or Scotland.
Of course, as we've already seen, upsets do occur !
Tonights match between USA and Scotland is going to be interest. Scots only have a 4 day turn around and I know the Americans are targeting this a winnable, the last time these two played in Houston two years ago Scotland came away with a 24-6 win, but the Eagles are a better team than that one. If the Eagles win that means all 5 teams in Pool B will have one win each, which means the second QF spot is completely up for grabs.
t:Actually Uruguay did well to force errors from the Wallabies. Wallabies thought they could score off every play but Uruguayans battled hard for the full 80. Just remember that Uruguay are an almost entirely amateur team, so the shear fact they kept it to 60 points shows the enormity of their effort.
