It will be a surprise because NZ at their brliant best are head and shoulders above. But like I said, the French will chance their arm and if they get NZ under pressure or chasing the game, the longer it goes on the more the panic sets in for NZ as they are rarely in that situation. It's just a bogey team situation that will either truly get laid to rest or might just pop up again. The French back row will be the first hard test of the World Cup for NZ, who haven't hit their mark just yet. I really hope Wales and Ireland win as they both deserve a semi final on balance of their progression in the last 4 years. South Africa's tight 5 are a tough nut to crack but I think Wales can do it as the Boks are without lineout maestro and leader Victor Matfield, and Schalk Burger might be vulnerable to the athletic Welsh back row. Wales need to approach it like the 2009 Lions- pace and width to fully stretch the Boks, who are a weaker side now than that 2009 team. Ireland have the banana skin in Argentina and have to do it without Paul O Connell. Hopefully some new leaders emerge and that they see off a dogged Argentinian side. Again, pace and width nullify Argentinas tight forward strengths so you want to see Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls, and Rob Kearney touching the ball plenty of times. The ambitious Wales/France/and then Ireland (-3 handicap v Argies) treble pays a handsome odds for a small stake!
Yes, TopClass, it is a fascinating weekend's Rugby Union of the highest standard. Damn me if my dear Wife has arranged for us to go out to lunch on Sunday, so will have to record the first game. Will make damn sure I am back for the second one, that's for sure. Good luck with your bets, be a big payout if they come off!
O'Mahoney and Sean O'Brien out also, even bigger losses than Paul O'Connell for me. O'Connell is a great leader and motivator for the team, he's still with the squad after his operation so he can still influence them from the line. Madigan had an exceptional game when he came in for Sexton too, Sexton was passed fit this morning too and will start. Whoever has came in for replacements during games so far has improved the Irish teams performance, a great sign that they have the right attitude and will to prove they are worth a place. Hopefully they can push on through these injures and beat the Pumas, after that we will reassess.
I also agree with the France argument, they could catch NZ out and being there bogey side so to speak will be on the All Blacks minds. I think NZ will win. I won't be suprised should they not.
Dan Biggar's kicking routine is mad isn't it. It's like someone is controlling the electric Impulses in his body from the line then pressing X and R2 to kick! Good game, hard to call the winner still.
Hard luck Wales they done themselves proud but the Springboks just had a bit too much control throughout. Another game where the underdog beats the handicap market though. New Zealand -13 to beat France at Evens? Is that a bit high, as much as I fancy them to win the lot, these knockout games are all about getting through...Haven't backed anything, I like NZ and don't often bet against a team I want to win! Hopefully its a good game and hopefully New Zealand bring their A game.
Sexton will miss tomorrow now, after training yesterday he wasn't right so Madigan will fill that spot. Come on you boys in green!
I would rather sexton miss tomorrow and be fit for the semi final than come off after ten minutes and miss the rest of the tournament. Madigan played well against France so I'm confident he will handle the pressure against Argentina. I think we will win by 5-8 margin but it will be a tough old slog.
Aye carumba demolition job by the All Black's. Certainly showing their title credentials tonight. France are all over the shop.
God, that last try by NZ before the half-time whistle by their No.11. Bam. bam, bam, and over the line for a try, French defenders brushed aside as if they weren't there. Who the heck is going to beat this outfit? OK, they can be careless at times, but bloody hell..............
A friend of mine when in New Zealand (Rugby Union camp) as part of a coaching programme told us when he got back that to be apart of the All Black's rugby team the players were required to use a secret supplement, the secret supplement is called BHW. Can anyone tell me what it is? No googling please, although I'm not sure you will find it there either.
There's the Gold Standard lads. No guarantees they will win as there are two tough games to negotiate, but that is what NH rugby needs to aim towards. Brilliant from them- a distinct feel of revenge for 2007 in there tonight.
For the UK, the weekend so far has turned out to be a bit on the painful side. But the Welsh can be very proud of the effort they put in against the powerful South Africans. As decimated through injuries as they were, they battled on with great heart until well into the game. Wales gave their fans something to shout about and will I'm sure be remembered with fondness for the gallant effort they put in. Kiwis. Brilliant. Australia against the Scots should go to the Southern Hemisphere side, but nothing is a given in sport. Scotland have not done too bad, scoring 14 tries to Australia's 17, so they can get the ball over the line. We've all at some time or other lauded the flowering of Japan during the Cup, but not too much has been said of the Scottish climb back from hell. It was just a matter of months ago that they took the wooden spoon in the 6 Nations, losing every game, and now here they stand as worthy combatants in the Quarter Finals. I hope they play well. Of course I want the Wallabies to prevail. Ireland v Argentina looks a classic encounter. Ireland go in as pretty warm favourites despite a massive change of personnel, forced upon coach Joe Schmidt. Ireland will sorely miss the magic of it's legendary captain Paul O'Connell, who over the years, has been worth his weight in gold. With Sean O'Brian sitting in the naughty boy's corner, and half Jon Sexton falling short at the last minute, things don't look good. Add in the injuries to Peter O'Mahony and Jared Payne and maybe "things don't look good" should be substituted with the words "things look dire." Los Pumas are a bit of a mystery. After a workman like, 10 point loss to NZ in their opening pool game, they ran over the top of 3 easy teams, Georgia, Tonga and Namibia. Argentina pride themselves as being among the strongest packs in the game, so there is a chance they may dominate the Irish in the engine room. If that happens, their new found, open running game might come home to haunt the Irish. Watch for the way Los Pumas get to the ruck in numbers too. Ireland should get home, but Argentina can't be taken lightly.
Although I hated the idea of Wales winning the world cup I will miss watching them play. They have been involved in three of the best games of the tournament in my opinion. Also fair play to the Springboks for coming back from the ignominy of defeat against Japan. The offload for that try yesterday was sublime
