The world rugby rankings after Wales' win over Australia New Zealand (90.98 points) - up one from tournament opener Wales (88.87) - up three England (88.13) - same Ireland (85.93) - down three South Africa (85.75) - down one Australia (83.52) - same France (81.04) - up one Japan (80.70) - up two Scotland (80.54) - down two Argentina (76.79) - up one Georgia (75.06) - up one Fiji (72.42) - down three
If there is an outsider to win the WC then who would you think looking at the games so far would you choose ? I cant see past NZ,England and Wales to win it myself but as an outsider if you can call them an outsider i would select Australia....They are still a strong capable side imo.
I was a bit disappointed with Georgia today, they lacked composure and promised more than they could deliver. It now means Fiji will really be up for the Wales game. Still, we'll have had a good break and will be fully committed. No complacency and the first team out on the park. Then we can rest some players against Uruguay ready for the assault on the semis
It was a short turnaround for georgia amd it showed in their legs in the last 20 when fiji took advantage as the game broke up. Think we need to go more or less fully loaded against fiji. We've had a long break so should be rested. Might go for a looser back row, get shingler in there with tips and wainright. Beard off the bench in the second row. Fiji will be tough, but we know we will go the full 80 and have more depth with a stronger bench than georgia so fiji wont have the space they had yesterday.
Hard to second guess Gats but he's stuck with the same team for the last two and maybe very similar again to negate the Fijian's unpredictability in attack and just stifle them. They are huge! It doesn't take a mystic to guess Gat's will probably go defensive first Whatever the line up we should win this. I just cannot see any complacency this time, win this and we top the group (sorry Uruguay, just being realistic).
Great win for Japan, they and their fans are a delight. The Scotland game is going to be epic! Lots of orgasms on ITV today over England. I know they scored a lot of tries and won easily but I thought they made hard work of Argentina (a man short for 75% of the game let's not forget). Anyone think France and England will both put out their weakest sides in the hope of finishing second in the group?
I thought that was a fiddle giving them the bonus point. Just my ignorant opinion as I know little bout the game.Too many rules for me lol.
I want Wales to score a lot of try's in this game to give our QF opposition something to think about. I still think England and NZ are odds on favorites and i'm glad they are going to meet in the semi's. Wales are the obvious favorites in the other half of the draw but unlike England and NZ who are nailed on semi finalist i think Wales need to up their game a touch and look a bit more impressive like the big two. Fiji are a side that can hurt you with their speed IF we let them and that is something Wales cannot afford to do. I want Wales to have a comfortable win.....
Well if it is France in the quarters then I'm not as worried as I once was. They were fortunate to beat Argentina and they struggled today, just pipping Tonga in the end. Very disjointed. Another poor ref decision today with another Tongan escaping a card - yellow this time for a late "cheap shot" shoulder to the ribs. The same player should have had another yellow as well! A thumbs up for Phil Davies for Namibia's spirited performance. Another cracker to look forward to now with Namibia v Canada.
