The Rugby Thread

[Kick]

Anyone been watching this?

Japan have upset South Africa in the first round, while Argentina almost beat the All Blacks last night.

The rest of the world cup should be amazing, too.

[El Gunner]

Me and a friend ov er the internet discussed yesterday how it should be exciting as we can't be certain who will win the tournament.

He is a Springbok fan and we both agree that they won't win, but I think they can still have a say in who wins the tournament. Surely they will dust themselves off after that loss to Japan. It should be a kick up the backside more than anything else.
The fact that no side has retained the world cup should play in the All Black minds I think. They are still the best team in the world by some way, but they've been favourites many times before and have not gone all the way. Plus they seem to be wank outside of their own country.
I'm a Wallabies fan. But I have to say I don't feel confident for them. Their tight five and their set piece play is what worries me most. Though they have two kings in the breakdown in Hooper and Pocock. And from what I've seen so far the breakdown play looks to be more crucial than the set piece play. Let's hope shitty England and Wales doesn't have much rain for the next 7 weeks so we can see open running play.

As for the northern hemisphere teams I can't say much as I don't watch them that much. Many people seem to think the hopes lay on Ireland and France in that side of the world, but both of them are too inconsistent for my liking. England are not good enough to be honest.

But let's wait and see, I have no doubt a bit of luck will be needed for the team that truimphs at the end. This sort of uncertainty certainly will make for a more exciting world cup.

Just tell NZ to go easy on Namibia pls

[Kick]

I think Izzy Folau has to perform if the Wallabies are to do well.

The loss to Japan could well be a catalyst for change the Springboks but I don't think they are good enough, either.

On paper, the All Blacks can only beat themselves but Argentina showed that they are beatable.

As for the northern teams, England, France, Wales and Ireland could all cause some upsets and potentially win the entire thing.

[El Gunner]

For Izzy to have a great tournament, the whole team basically needs to step up. Much of his play depends on the forwards doing their job and then the scrumhalf and first receivers giving him the ball in running positions (where he is at his best). Much like how every dynamic fullback needs to flourish tbh.

Under the ball he has always been massive. Sometimes he can just try too hard though, so I maintain the rest of the team needs to lay the platform for him. And I agree, if the Aussies were to win the whole thing he would be key.

[Kick]

I agree, the whole team will have to play well, but Izzy has to perform if Australia are to go the distance.

[RealGunner]

Didn't even know Japan had a rugby team. Even as a non-rugby fan i couldn't help but feel happy for them. Great win.

[Kick]

Indeed.

They are improving as a rugby nation, but they're still generally terrible.

[Magricos]

The All Blacks depth is ridiculous

[El Gunner]

England OUT OF THEIR HOME WORLD CUP after being thumped by Australia
What a performance by the Wallabies. Don't let the English media leading into this tournament fool you though, England are a good rugby nation but at this moment of time they're just not good enough. Even Wales minus two key players are better than them, and Wales are currently going through a bit of a slump atm. Only factor which I was scared of was the home/Twickenham aspect, but other than that they're just not good enough.

Having said that it was masterclass by the Wallabies, if we play like that for the rest of the competition we can beat any team, excluding the All Blacks, which we would need an even bigger performance and some luck as well.

[Magricos]

Wales are not in a slump they just have an injury crisis. I expected the Wallabies to win but Bernard Foley surprised me.

[Kick]

Honestly didn't expect Australia to thrash England

Wales V Aus will be hugely interesting, now.

[Magricos]

Wallabies will finish top of the group I want them to go all the way.

[silver]

All the top teams are playing like crap. Just the All Blacks are playing less crap than the other nations.

That sums up the world cup for me so far.

[Kick]

The AB's are playing horribly, but they're so good they still win.

The KO stages will be very interesting.

[El Gunner]

All the top teams are playing like crap. Just the All Blacks are playing less crap than the other nations.

That sums up the world cup for me so far.

Australia have played some of their best rugby in the last 4 years this year

Anyway, too many lesser/weak teams in the group stages. Let's see where the rugby goes in the knock out stages.

[Kick]

Habanna has equalled Lomu's try scoring record.

Hope South Africa get knocked out soon so he doesn't overtake it

[El Gunner]

Was hoping Drew Mitchell would get there first

[El Gunner]

So quarter-final match-ups confirmed (brackets included):

Q1
South Africa
Wales

Semi-final 1

Q2
New Zealand
France

Final

Q3
Ireland
Argentina

Semi-final 2

Q4
Australia
Scotland

[Kick]

New Zealand France at the Millennium Stadium, dat banter.

Ireland Argentina will be an interesting one, as will South Africa Wales.

Both New Zealand and Australia Should go through.

[El Gunner]

Agree.

It's one of those rare instances though here I want SA to go through though
Think that's the only way NZ can be disposed of before potentially running into Aus in the final

Spoiler:

[silver]

NZ vs France!? Oh Shit I've got a bad feeling about this...

[Kick]

Agree.

It's one of those rare instances though here I want SA to go through though
Think that's the only way NZ can be disposed of before potentially running into Aus in the final

Spoiler:

The All Blacks have the beating of Aus, I would be too.

NZ vs France!? Oh Shit I've got a bad feeling about this...

Stephen Donald got this, bro.

[silver]

Great game between SA and Wales.

NZ and France on the other hand...Come on France, at least make it a competition...

[Kick]

Savea though

France gave up after the yellow card, but good on NZ for finally showing how good we are, lets hope we can do the same against SA.

[BarrileteCosmico]

Argentina-Ireland is not good for the nerves

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