I don't think it's easy to pick the winners. I'll be backing Argentina with my rare steak and Falklands flag.
Don't fully agree with that Col. I think this World Cup will throw up a few more surprises yet. The SA v Wales and Argentina v Ireland matches are 50:50 matches. Only one of these teams (Wales) are genuine contenders. The Aussies will smash the Scots but I think France are more than capable of beating NZ. Plenty of twists and turns to come yet
I don't think the All Blacks have been properly tested yet, they may be a bit undercooked. If the right French team turns up they will have a real match. Aussies look most impressive so far, and seem to have avoided injury to key players. Argentina improving with every game. Scots by far the weakest of the last 8.
According to BBC Text - O'Mahony ruled out for rest of tournament, Sexton and O'Connell at hospital awaiting scans on groin injuries.....Ireland "hopeful" about Sexton.......
No international rugby for a week. I'm already suffering from withdrawal symptons. If it continues at it's current standard I reckon club rugby will be seeing a few more players and the professional game higher gates after the final. Of course, England's failure has scaled this back a bit. I'll be off to the Ricoh to see Wasps, though that still doesn't sound right.
Maybe so but they had a huge opportunity to avenge their 1999 defeat in 2007 - and got done again. France will also be looking to avenge their 2011 defeat where rthey only lost the final by a point. That said, I don't expect anything other than a NZ win!
Seems like the Irish Times thought that his selection for the First Test was largely predictable...... "Warren Gatland today unveiled a largely predictable starting team for the Lions’ first test against the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium. Sam Warburton will captain a strong, in-form side in relatively good nick at the end of an arduous season which features eight Lions test debutants and two former Lions captains in Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell." Similarly, the Guardian seemed to have no problem with the team for the Second Test http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/jun/27/lions-team-second-test-australia-tour Gatland (correctly) dropped First Test try-scorer Cuthbert for the recovered Tommy Bowe. Gats took huge stick for the team selected for the Third Test - but, in many respects, the result justified the decision to omit BOD.
I agree that the Wales game could go either way. The Ireland game may be a bit closer than it would have been if you didn't have players missing. I maintain that NZ will beat France and the Scots are going to get hammered!
If you thought those big games at the weekend were brutal, take a look at this. There are no scores shown in this 15+ minutes, just hits. I think South Africa won.
An Englishman walks into a bar alone. He's normally accompanied by an Irishman and a Scotsman, but unfortunately they're still at the Rugby World Cup.
Ireland will win by a couple of scores at least. France won't beat the All Blacks. What a start from Wales!! No points though (their main problem, converting possession into points).
Tight stuff, the Boks haven't looked like scoring a try, Biggar kicking for the lead from long range........with his tourette's dance preparation........hits the post! Makes amends with a drop goal, Welsh ahead at half time. Twickenham very very tense atmosphere.
SA aren't the team some think they are. They're very much a team in transition. This Welsh team are resilient. SA lost to Japan and have only beaten a poor Scottish team. It's Wales all the way for me.
SA have had a crap year, but Wales are making mistakes and if they chase kicks back like George North did just now, they will suffer.
