2007 Rugby World Cup

[slickpoppa]

There have gotta be at least a couple of Rugby fans in here. First game is Friday 9/7.

The teams:

Pool A:
England
Samoa
South Africa
Tonga
USA

Pool B:
Australia
Canada
Fiji
Wales
Japan

Pool C:
New Zealand
Italy
Portugal
Romania
Scotland

Pool D:
Argentina
France
Georgia
Ireland
Namibia


Not exactly sure who I think will win, but I'm definitely leaning towards either Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.

[imitation]

Australia will win obviously, New Zealand will choke in the semis obviously.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Ireland play and the French could really put on a show. But I just don't see any northern hemisphere sides have a shot.

[ledders07]

i will only get interested if england start playing well but that ain't gonna happen.

i think france will make the final as their at home and NZ ftw

[arcticfox]

[ QUOTE ]
Australia will win obviously, New Zealand will choke in the semis obviously.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Ireland play and the French could really put on a show. But I just don't see any northern hemisphere sides have a shot.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you really believe Australia will win you can get 12:1 at Betfair.... NZ obviously odds-on, SOuth Africa 2nd favourites, marginally ahead of hosts France. I can't see anyone beating the Kiwis, team is awesome. England will get smashed in the quarter-finals after they get hammered in Paris by the Springboks, am not looking forward to attending that match nearly as much as I was 6 months ago...

[Fletcher19]

i think france are like 10/1 on betfair which is absolutely ridiculous.

Clearly NZ are the best team in the world but france are very strong too. History has shown as that world cups tend to be won be strong defensive teams which france are but they also have gamebreakers at the back.

they are at home aswell of course.

[imitation]

I might take a bet on Aus and France, though I hate to bet against the southern hemisphere but honestly everyone knows NZ are huge girly chokers, and they are way overrated, a year ago they were unstoppable, they are not playing as well now and everyone else is playing alot better. Let me say it again NZ will peak 25 minutes into the first half of their semi then proceed to through the game away.

[vagga]

australia's pack is too weak..

Take South Africa as a good shot..

[vin17]

Already a thread:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...e=9&fpart=1

[negtv capability]

NZ's bad luck in the World Cup is just a case of variance. They have to be the favorite. You can't say they'll choke for sure, well you can, but it doesn't make it close to true. They'll probably feel the pressure, say if they're down to Australia at halftime, but they have the most talent. I think Sivivatu will abuse them on the wing. McCaw is maybe the best player of all time (at least when the refs allow him to be). Carter is maybe the best flyhalf of this tournament.
Australia, S.A., England, France
all have a shot at this tournament.
Look out if Ireland or Argentina pull off an upset over France, one would likely make the semis.
Australia has the toughest road to the Finals, because they'd likely play either England or S.A. in the quarters, then NZ in the semis.
My U.S. Eagles likely won't win a match.

[vagga]

NZ's problem in this WC is that they will walk their group without a team coming within 40 points of them..

Then they get to the 1/4's in Cardiff where Ireland or France will give them a very tough game indeed. Will they be used to the pace of the game and the big hits after having easy matches up to that point. Its the same in every sport, the team with more 'physical' games often does better than the team with the easy run in and long lay off...

If they come through that they will have the potential game of the tournament, meeting Aussies in the semi's..