Yeah I was thinking similar to you, I think the teams with a head start are always good value in the opening games
I don't give a rat's ass how popular, how decorated, he might be, but it's about time they got this McCaw fellow. He's been getting away with murder for years. Sin Bin or two will do him good. Argentina are giving it all they've got, give them credit. Oh well, even though they lost, great effort by the Pumas in the end. They'll be a handful for any team.
Watched my first match today. Very impressed by Argentina's organization and resilience. I suspect the home nations won't have it easy against them, based on how they can keep the best attack in the world at bay for so long.
To be fair Beefy I think we knew the Argies would be tough opponents for any home nation, theyve been good at a Rugby for a while now, in 07 they finished 3rd, so they are no mugs. They're definately better than Scotland, and aren't far behind the other 3 home nations
Scotland v Argentina would actually be a good game I think. Regardless everything about that NZ game, aside from the result, was a joy yesterday. The crowds and atmosphere were fab all weekend.
Agree with Shergy on the handicap betting theory. Generally the handicaps favour the lesser team, as pressures and the fear of losing means the better sides are just happy to get the win and/or bonus points. On any given day I'd say Argentina could beat any of the home nations. Not sure on the draw but whoever gets them in the quarters will have to bring their game to get through.
Eddie Jones is a man who knows a thing or two about World Cups, he took Australia to a final and was part of the coaching team that got South Africa their last title. When asked about how he prepared Japan for that clash against the Boks, he said that when handed the job after their last Cup failure, he wanted to make sure that Japan's terrible past history would be just that, a thing of the past. He knew when first saw the draw, he had a golden opportunity to really lift the nation's status. He wasn't sure he could win, but he knew he could ambush the South Africans. As mentioned above, a lot of these pool games are tighter than they look on paper, and of course Jones knew this. He said that a lot of the lesser teams can hold the better outfits for about an hour, but then let in a few late tries. This was the crux for him, the last 20 minutes. It became all about fitness and self belief. They assaulted the Bok right from the get go and in the end, played a brand of running rugby that was a delight to see. And as for the self belief, what about when in the last few minutes, the skipper turned down a penalty that would have equaled the scores, and instead went for the win. Jones said he was screaming through his microphone. "Take the kick...take the kick." But the skipper had remembered what Jones had told him on the eve of the game, that if he (the skipper) thought he had the opposition on the ropes and wanted to play on instead of taking a kick, then go for it. SA had a man in the sin bin, that was all Michael Leitch needed. He played on and his team achieved an historic win. Yep, there's a lot of value to be had in these pool matches. Want a laugh? The Boks are blaming seagull **** on their training grounds for their defeat.
Scotland look a good bet to cover the 16 handicap tomorrow. The SA game will have taken a lot out of the Japanese players and it's only a short turnaround
When Eddy Jones was asked about the prospect of playing Scotland on a short turn around, he said. "When you are at the bottom of the feeding chain you just accept what you get, mate. The little fish at the bottom of the ocean just eat what they can get. That’s where we are. You accept it, that’s the schedule, we’ve known about it for two years. There’s no moaning about." He also said. "We made a splash against South Africa but want to make a real dent in this tournament. We want to back up what we did when we play against Scotland."
Oooh those seagulls are responsible for a lot of the **** that's going on in the world at the moment, SA are probably right? (Sorry, Red, not those with your colouring of course!).
England training camp video, can't see any seagull **** around here, but did feel sorry for the horses. Erm, maybe they'll need the background music too against Wales and Australia, might help, who knows? http://www.rugbyworld.com/countries...tense-pre-world-cup-training-camp-video-48701
Owen Farrell set to replace George Ford on Saturday v Wales. Sam Burgess set to play alongside Barrett at centre. Trust me, this is going to be a very direct and very physical England. If the Welsh front 5 handle the heat, England will be severely tested because this is very much a one-sided approach. If the Welsh get knocked on the back foot, it could be a tough day at the office for them. Farrell is there to play a steady role, kick us into the right areas and kick the goals. Seems to me they have decided that with Joseph out, having a flair player at 10 is not what they need for the first 60 minutes this weekend. Gonna be quite some contest this- back row battle at the breakdown and then the set piece battle to determine whether this goes one way or the other.
Hahaha... Nice one Swanny... And to think i actually tipped the Boks to go on and win the whole damn thing... What do i know hey...
Ahh, thinking about it now, our seagulls must be full of sh1te then, unlike the Aussie ones of course... Breed em tough down there Cyc...
It's the one position that still drives me mad with our team, but if i had to make a choice then Farrell would be it. I've never been keen on Ford's ability to control a game, especially when we need something extra to unlock a tight defence. And that's your point really Toppy, it's going to be heads down, ball under arm, and away we go with Farrell kicking for position at nearly every opportunity. Ford would do a similar job for me, but i think that Farrell is the better stand-off... But it's the Welsh, so in the end it shouldn't make any difference as we they all should be up for this regardless of it being a World Cup match... Game on as they might say...
Looks as though England in bolstering their pack, have targeted the injury problems Wales took from their game against Uruguay. The Welsh engine room received a bit of battering when it incurred injuries to three of it's props. I don't know how bad they are, but even if only niggling problems, it must be of concern to the visitors. There is every chance that goal kicking will play a major part in the game. A wobbly boot will lose the game me thinks.
The 'underdogs' (Scotland) start their World Cup campaign today at 14.30. Would you believe it; I have a 'viewing' for a six month let in an apartment at 15.00. Anyway, thank you South Africa for lessening the brickbats should we, as they now remark, do a 'springbok'!!!!
