Those betting odds are interesting,you could leave out the All Blacks and back the next 5 teams in the betting and if any of them do uyou would make a profit.All you need to do is hope the Kiwis blow it again.Still going for a repeat South Africa v England final!
Hate to tell ya Hammersmith but of the 4 Northern teams heading for the quarters, i think England for several reasons have the least to offer. They are rebuilding slowly after several poor years but this world cup has come at least one year early. France, Ireland and prehaps Wales will beat England this year. They just dont have enough quality in the key positions.
Don't agree with you mate,England have the experience of going all the way in major competitions,which counts for a hell of alot when you get to the knock out phases.We also have Wilkinson who under pressure is still the man i'd want kicking for my life.France blow hot and cold and although brilliant on their day are just as likely to self combust,plus we know how to beat them in knock out rugby.Wales just simply aren't strong enough and i think we would beat them comfortably,Ireland have enough about them to cause concern,good pack,backs and excellent lineout,but they are having difficulty stringing decent back to back performances together.Also they have never got to the Semi's or beyond and i think that might just be their downfall.Whatever happens it promises to be exciting!
Wales not strong enough? Beat them comfortably? Wales are possibly the fittest and strongest team out there. We played England twice recently losing the first game when a few minutes more would have seen us winning it. England were out on their feet and hanging on for dear life. We finished the job in the second game without a problem. The England side were well knackered again and it was an easy win for us. I don't think Wales will win the WC, though, as I think the All Blacks won't choke this time around. If every team brings their A game to the field, the ABs win because they're the best side out there. Before that, if Wales play Ireland I fancy Wales and if we get England I'm off to the bookies; they won't live with us. Prior to the WC, Wales had a torturous training regime that is now paying dividends - there isn't a fitter team out there. That said, it all depends on various teams playing to win and not playing tactically with the next round in mind eg; South Africa losing to Samoa which might get Wales knocked out. They were very lucky to sneak past Wales in their first game and would be happy to see the back of us - and similar scenarios exist elsewhere. Let's hope for some honesty and a worthy winner of the World Cup whoever it is.
I try my best scottswan. But it was one of them ones where have a few, get up the next day. Have a trawl through the latest postings, see what you've written, and go... '' Oh F**k! '' I don't even remember writing that! Shake your head, hold your hands up, and say never again. ..... Until the next time. All the best mate.
Guys, i just want to see a northern team win. Ireland, England, Wales or France all now have the chance to make a final. We all know that each team has beaten the other on several occasions in recent years. On any particular day all four teams would fancy their chances. Each of the four teams has obvious strengths and weaknesses and wont fear the other. I agree that NZ have unquestionably the best team and squad, but sport consistently gives us a reason to believe and smile. I still think that SA will have a major major say in this World Cup.
I agree that South Africa are going to have a big say in this competition. They are the champions and that is psychologically a big advantage. Against Wales they were outplayed for periods but you always felt they would steal the game and their use of substitutes swung it in the end. The mark of champions is getting results when not at your best and I feel they will step up the gears as the tournament progresses. The All Blacks seem to have just dipped going into the tournament and the weight of expectation may prove too much especially if they face SA in the semi-final.
no apologies needed cant really tell from your mood if it was a good or bad party nurse told me i was overweight...so i spose i have to accept "fat bloke"
I don't know if I'd agree with that. Obviously I'm Welsh, and biased, but we were a debatable kick away from winning that game, and on top of that we had other opportunities. Wales SHOULD have won that game, but one or two errors let SA back in. Warburton missed one tackle all game and it counted (that was early on and led to a try). I think Wales' performance against SA and Ireland's against Oz has shown the northern hemisphere teams have nothing to fear from their southern hemisphere counterparts. I'd also agree with ivor, in that Wales look like one of the fittest teams out there right now. We, for the first time in living memory, seem to have the legs to play rugby for 80 minutes, and against England in Cardiff we were superb, as we were against SA.
If you have any spare cash for betting spend it in aus latest nz tab nz 1.60 aus 6.5 sa 9.0 eng 10.00 fra 12.00 ire 20.0 wal 25.00 sco 200.00
SA odds are that long because they'd face Aussies then NZ, worth a punt at that price but 9-1 on the latest shows the money is going on them...
well our captain is out, our replacement winger oconnor is also injured cant remember the other changes, tbh nothing would surprise me atm. i still think sth africa will struggle after watching them in the tri nations. also hear the kiwis have carter and a few out
