Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:08 pm Posts: 15892 Location: a wee green island Gender: Male
The first half started well for the All blacks, the second half not so much. I was expecting a 50 or 60 point rout. Still, first game nerves at home and all that.
In the second game, if Romania start the second half like they finished the first, we're in for the first shock of the world cup......
Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:08 pm Posts: 15892 Location: a wee green island Gender: Male
High fives after beating Romania by 10? Really? Poor performance, poor result! Going on that, I fancy Georgia to beat Scotland. They've got a bigger and better pack and more dynamic backs than Romania.
After seeing our performance against Tonga, I'm picking Australia to go all the way. How many times did Sonny Bill lose the ball in the tackle? Teething problems as a result of playing League for years, unfortunately.
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Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:52 am Posts: 853 Location: Australia
I watched 4 games last weekend and a bit of some other other games. It's great to the see the 'non-rugby' nation doing really well, almost winning some games. There's been no real blowouts so far.
I think NZ is favorite to win overall, but I think Australia definitely has a better than great chance at beating them (says the Aussie). Apart from those two nations I think the others will have to be somewhat lucky to win the WC. I think SA is just past it, most of them are too old now and not as good as they were 2 years ago when I reckon they were better than NZ. The main thing Australia has to worry about is the fact that if all goes to plan they are due to face England in the Semis and Australia generally plays below themselves and England above themselves when those two sides meet.
Australia vs Ireland is the big game this weekend, I really can't wait. Australia really needs to put James O'Conner back in the starting side again, he's served his punishment. He was blistering when he came on against Italy.
Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:00 am Posts: 16093 Location: dublin Gender: Male
Ireland took the Italians out and in some style. Now for the quarter finals against Wales. A team we have a good history of playing and beating but who are really in form at present. Gonna be exciting. Not sure we can ever get around the kiwis though if that is what it'll come to in the finals.
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Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:52 am Posts: 853 Location: Australia
Quarter Finals: Southern Hemispher and Northern Hemisphere sides to the draw. SH side is definitely much tougher than the other.
Ireland v Wales Ireland should win this.
England v France England should win this with their classic boring play. Although France are always unpredictable and could easily (hopefully) win.
South Africa v Australia This could really go either way. South Africa were very ordinary all tri-nations, so I thought they weren't true contenders for the WC (great players just over the hill). But when they beat NZ in their last game they showed a hint of promise for WC. Since then they've been playing really well and are improving. The key for SA are Brussow and duPrez. Without them they are nothing, as shown by their form over the last couple years when they've been injured.
Australia's chances really depend on whether their forward pack shows up. Sharpe absolutely needs to be in the side, not Simmons. The locks should be Horwill and Sharpe, with Vickerman benched. Pocock and Moore back is a massive boost!
New Zealand v Argentina NZ will win this. Bummer that Carter is out of WCthough. Slade is good, but he's not Carter.
Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2006 7:44 pm Posts: 5489 Location: Ireland Republic of Gender: Male
Typically Ireland failed to deliver yet again but fair dues to Wales, they defended superbly and got their tactics spot on. Wales were much better at 9 and 10 and Roberts was immense. At 10-10 I thought we had the momentum to go on and win but the Welsh picked it up again. A shame all that possession and territory in the first half wasn't turned into scores.
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Joined: Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:00 am Posts: 16093 Location: dublin Gender: Male
What was with not taking the penalty opportunities?? Wales did their homework. Better team won and if were gonna lose to anyone, it'd be Wales. Hope they go all the way.
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