The Rugby Thread

[E17yid]

A New Zealand Australia semi final would be pretty lively too!

I’ve said it pretty much all the way through, the usual suspects turn up at the World Cup time and again. How many times have we heard it’s Ireland/Wales time? England haven’t reached a semi final since 2007, which is frankly a terrible return if we’re being honest.

I’m adamant it’s All Blacks v Springoks in the final but I’d be pleasantly surprised if it doesn’t happen, no matter which team prevents it ( genuine )

I feel like it’ll be the weakest ever world champion, certainly in the modern game, whoever wins it. The fact plenty seem to fancy this England team says it all really.

Yeah, you’ve not won a knockout game in 12 years. If you’re saying the usual suspects turn up then you should be including France in that and should be beating us. They always get to semi final or final like they did in 2011. They didn’t in 2015 but they played NZ in the qtrs.

I agree with you though, if I had to put my house on it I’d be predicting a SA NZ final.

 

[SugarRay]

Yeah, you’ve not won a knockout game in 12 years. If you’re saying the usual suspects turn up then you should be including France in that and should be beating us. They always get to semi final or final like they did in 2011. They didn’t in 2015 but they played NZ in the qtrs.

I agree with you though, if I had to put my house on it I’d be predicting a SA NZ final.

France have a fantastic World Cup record, made 3 finals and should have been world champions in 2011.

I’d certainly have them as the usual suspects but I think they’re bang average, even when at it, this year. The 2011 side had some seriously good players in there, granted, temperamental etc but they grizzled their way through and deserved to win the final and with a strong, consistent ref, they would have done.

 

[SugarRay]

Will we see a new finalist?

That in itself would be something

 

[E17yid]

France have a fantastic World Cup record, made 3 finals and should have been world champions in 2011.

I’d certainly have them as the usual suspects but I think they’re bang average, even when at it, this year. The 2011 side had some seriously good players in there, granted, temperamental etc but they grizzled their way through and deserved to win the final and with a strong, consistent ref, they would have done.

They’ve got some very talented individuals now imo, they always do.

They’re missing Forfana though. He’s a big miss.

 

[E17yid]

Wales: L Williams; North, Jonathan Davies, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; Wyn Jones, Owens, Francis, Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Wainwright, Navidi, Tipuric.

Replacements: E Dee, Carre, D Lewis, Beard, Moriarty, T Williams, Patchell, Watkin.

Same 15 the started against Australia. Thank fuck Biggar and J.Davies are ok enough to start but our 10,12,13 aren’t exactly 100%. Hope Biggar doesn’t get another knock, if he does I think it’s safe to say his WC will be over even if he says he feels alright. Good to see Carre on the bench and it’s a shame Halfpenny doesn’t make the bench but with Parkes and Davies being half fit we need the cover in the middle of the park.

Wainwright again. He’s been extremely good tbf. He’ll get 100 caps for us injuries permitting

 

[E17yid]

France: Medard; Penaud, Vakatawa, Fickou, Huget; Ntamack, Dupont; Poirot, Guirado (capt), Slimani, Le Roux, Vahaamahina, Lauret, Ollivon, Alldritt.

Replacements: Chat, Baille, Setiano, Gabrillagues, Picamoles, Serin, Lopez, Rattez.

There were concerns over Dupont and Penaud but they’re both in, unfortunately.

 

[teok]

To’omua ?

When a journalist asked current Australia star Matt To'omua for some insight on some English rivals that used to be his team-mates at Leicester Tigers, this wasn't the answer he was probably expecting.

"I know all their weaknesses luckily and I have been telling everyone. I will list them now for you if you want. Manu (Tuilagi) is a terrible snooker player, George Ford never pays for a beer, Ben Youngs isn’t even the best rugby player in his family, let alone the country. The chicken, Jonny May, very weird and Dan Cole doesn’t have a personality.

"No, look, we obviously had a very good relationship with a lot of the fellas there and one thing I do know is that they’re all quality players. He (Tuilagi) probably plays his best rugby in Tests and that’s the sign of a true champion player.

"Besides the fact that George never pays for a beer, there is no glaring weakness."

This has to be the most good natured encounter between eng and aus for a while. The cricketers seem to actually hate each other.

 

[mpickard2087]

Not really surprised with the England changes. When it comes to the crunch games in the last couple of years Sarries-ball type rugby is what Eddie always goes with. A team with two or three with big injury question marks against them isn't ideal though, and you hope it doesn't backfire.

Think the blueprint will be the same as recent wins against the Aussies. An increase in kicking and playing a territory game. In this run of wins against them we've had quite a lot of tries from intercepts or pouncing on errors, and I think that will be in the mindset again - pin them back with the kicking game, strong rush defence, and give them enough rope to hang themselves playing rugby in the wrong areas.

 

[teok]

Sarries have some of the best defensive backs in club rugby though (people like williams and barrit). Our backs are nothing like that really they are way better in attack than defence.

I think farrell is badly off form and he is being given a pass at the expense of ford who deserves his place as one of the form 10's in the tournament. It's a huge gamble for me. I'm also really worried about an unfit mako who will be got at in the scrum and will concede pens.

 

[E17yid]

I must admit, with the extra freshness but more importantly your recent form against them and the fact you’re a better side, I thought this was going to be relatively comfortable but that lineup has made me rethink.

 

[E17yid]

They’re calling the inclusion of this Petaia kid the biggest selection bombshell in Australian WC history. Such a big call and you’ve got to think you’ll target him. Eddie Jones did it very well (both verbally before the game and tactically during the match) against Patchell when you beat us last year at Twickenham. You get the feeling it’ll either spectacularly fail or he’ll have a worldly either way it should be interesting to watch.

 

[Japhet]

A Scotsman walks into a bar......

usually there's also an Englishman, an Irishman, and a Welshman too, but they're still at the Rugby Worls Cup.

 

[E17yid]

Here we go then.

Teok at least you’ll be happy Shane Williams is commentating on this one.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

I've got a bad feeling about this.

 

[E17yid]

I've got a bad feeling about this.

No way you lose this.

 

[E17yid]

You must’ve missed about 4 tackles already. Need to sort that out.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

You must’ve missed about 4 tackles already. Need to sort that out.

Poor start by England

 

[E17yid]

Poor start by England

still, stopped them scoring a try though and you’ve got a good opportunity here.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

That’s better, now don’t miss the kick lol

 

[JCRD]

WOOP WOOP


I really liked that try