Apologies for starting a debate on the Rugby World Cup on a football site but i think we are all in need of a little distraction at the moment. I for one cant wait for the World Cup to begin. Here is a short assessment of the countries with a chance. Thoughts !!! New Zeland Undoubtedly the best team in the world. The brazil of rugby. Their bench is stronger than most other teams and this will be crucial for them. The pressure on them will be immense especially when they are hosting the cup. Clear favourites. South Africa Rightly tagged as second favs. Think that if they avoid injuries they will give NZ a serious game. I think they have the best pack in the world. Australia Hard to call the Aussies. They have a developing squad and will be contenders for sure at the next World Cup. Still capable of running NZ and SA close on their day. I think their result against a good Irish Team will be critical as they need to top the group to make the Semi. They have plenty of talent but maybe not enough experience. France Hard to call this one as who knows what French team will show up. On their day they can beat anybody. Awesome going forward but very vunerable in the 6 inches between their ears. Beaten semi-finalists Ireland Rightly ranked the 4th best team in the world at the moment. Last chance saloon for about 6 of the team. Often flatter to decive. Great going forward but their line-out and scrum will not win or retain enough ball to beat the big boys. Quarter finals or possibly semi if all goes very well. England As usual will compete in the scrum and at the break-down with the very best but very very little outside. The game has changed in the last few years and England have been slow to react and change. Had an encouraging 6 nations this year just falling short in Dublin. The winter weather in NZ will suit them as they will look to play a tight non expansive game against all opposition. Wales Might not get out of their group. Very talented group of players but consistently under achieve. Will disappoint again here Scotland Improving as a team and squad but this world cup is too early for them. They could get a few hammerings as they are in a difficult group. Argentina Like England, big and powerful in the front row but not enough ammunition out wide. Think they will cause an upset somewhere along the line though. Quarter-Finals at best.
Just wondering why no thoughts on Australia - i know a few of our regular contributors are down there! Can't see past NZ, but they always seem to struggle against France.
Depends whether NZ think they just have to turn up to win, they've choked so many times when hot favourites so South Africa might be worth a punt. None of the Six Nations seem worth a bet even at generous odds.
He did mention Australia. Don't think Ireland will live up to 4th best tag! England may surprise you. Good at getting to Rugby World Cup finals!!
Has to be NZ's. Ireland have had a few ****e friendlies recently (lost to France twice) and I think Saturday will see an English revenge win in Dublin. That might not be a bad thing - I wouldn't want Ireland heading down under, cocky, and with 3 wins under their belt. Gave my two rugby tickets away to get over to the Wigan game. I know the early 12.30 start on Saturday has fecked up the Rs faithful travelling from London but fits in beautifully with hitting a Wigan bar for the rugby match at 2.30! Mustn't forget to get to Manchester airport for 9pm, mustn't forget......
for what it's worth I think a repeat of 2003? Between England and Australia but result reversed and by a bigger margin but I'm lousy at predicting so you can scrap those two rightaway and Scotland and Ireland sadly and Wales which doesn't leave many so the winner may be among the remainder or not as the case may be;NZ - France close contest, France to shade it.
Apologies! - was reading on my phone and it must've cut that out - at home now and on PC and see that. Still think NZ are the ones to watch
New Zealand are best priced 8/13 to win the whole thing!!! Are they really that much better than South Africa, Australia, France and England?
They'll be plenty of bars in Wigan showing the rugby, only trouble being it'll be Wigan v Leeds in the Challenge Cup final! Personally I think league is a thousand times better than union, especially to play but expect most if not all on here to differ.
I like the short skirts the Irish wear and those funny sticks ... Carrick McCross 14 Ballybay: 4 bream on the feeder
I love Ireland ... Be over maybe in Sept/Oct for the Muckno Pairs I will drop in for a fairy cake and a babycham x
I live in Castleblayney only 6 miles from Ballybay and 10 miles from Carrickmacross. I play golf on the new course in Blayney "Concra Wood", its magnificent. he course is surrounded by Lough Muckno which you seem to know. By all accounts its a good fishing like and i think i heard its hosting the World Pike fishing champs next year. In my younger days i was a fresh water firherman in the rivers in Killkenny. Fly fishing for trout, now trhats heaven.
