Rugby World Cup 2015
- Thread starter Rosco
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Lancaster has a good team ethos going, there are some talented players to pick from (though I don't think we're going to be as strong in the front row as we've been in past competitions) and we do have a home team's chance (as do Wales, though losing Halfpenny is desperately bad luck for them), but there are better teams there. If we win our group I think we do have a chance of making the final, but we'd then need to play the game of our lives to beat (probably) the Blacks or the Boks, and if we go though in second place in the group we'll probably have to go through both those teams to get to the final. We *can* win it, but I can't persuade myself to see us as favourites.
Bloody annoying how they will shutting loads of roads around Twickenham on all games. Going to be a pain for me getting to my mums with the kids.
I was hoping to be a bit jinxy with my first post but I do genuinely see England as the best of the Northern hemisphere bunch.
It's a group of death and the Welsh are easily capable of upsetting both Australia and England. If England top the group they'll have a great chance to do it.
Is Quade Cooper going to be Australia's 10 for this tournament?
I still don't know what to think of the French. It's the usual proviso with them, it depends whether they turn up or not.
I'm concerned about Ireland. 6 months ago this team was at its peak. It's looking a bit weaker now.
The pack is fine. But I worry we lack some firepower in the backline.
Bowe looks out of sorts. Payne has never really looked international class. I've never thought Dave Kearney was ever likely to trouble international wingers.
If Bowe isn't vastly improved then I think we'll struggle to score tries. The decision to leave out Trimble must have been because if his lack of versatility (and a kicking game) but I'd have him in for his finishing.
Fitzgerald is all promise. And Zebo is a sevens player.
I'm not hopeful
It's a group of death and the Welsh are easily capable of upsetting both Australia and England. If England top the group they'll have a great chance to do it.
Is Quade Cooper going to be Australia's 10 for this tournament?
I still don't know what to think of the French. It's the usual proviso with them, it depends whether they turn up or not.
I'm concerned about Ireland. 6 months ago this team was at its peak. It's looking a bit weaker now.
The pack is fine. But I worry we lack some firepower in the backline.
Bowe looks out of sorts. Payne has never really looked international class. I've never thought Dave Kearney was ever likely to trouble international wingers.
If Bowe isn't vastly improved then I think we'll struggle to score tries. The decision to leave out Trimble must have been because if his lack of versatility (and a kicking game) but I'd have him in for his finishing.
Fitzgerald is all promise. And Zebo is a sevens player.
I'm not hopeful
I'm nearly of that opinion
Yes, well quite.
I thought Trimble's injury must have been worse than thought only to see him last week knocking ten bells of shit out of the Ospreys for Ulster. Watching Zebo's feeble tackling and all round weak play the next day was exasperating.
I haven't watched anything of Earls lately but unless he's improved a lot tactically and defensively of late I would have considered leaving him at home instead of Trimble.
I get the need for some versatility but my understanding of the rules is that replacements can be made to the squad if injuries happen.
Trimble is pretty much just a winger at this stage isn't he?
Earls - centre and wing. At a stretch 15.
Fitzgerald - every where except 9&10
Madigan - 9-15
Payne - centre and 15
Cave - centre.
Zebo - wing and fullback
Even leaving Zebo out, we have options
I get the need for some versatility but my understanding of the rules is that replacements can be made to the squad if injuries happen.
Trimble is pretty much just a winger at this stage isn't he?
Earls - centre and wing. At a stretch 15.
Fitzgerald - every where except 9&10
Madigan - 9-15
Payne - centre and 15
Cave - centre.
Zebo - wing and fullback
Even leaving Zebo out, we have options
The thing is, Zebo's an average winger (at international level) and a fucking shite FB. Versatility is great if the player is a quality alternative in both positions.
Trimble is actually a very competent player at outside centre too, and I'm surprised Ireland haven't looked at him there in recent years (his first appearances in a green shirt were at centre).
Yeah I remember him starting out there, and while he was a strong runner - he didn't seem to have great ball handling skills - which made those outside him redundant.
I haven't seen him play centre for years though.
And that said, we hardly ever put the ball wide through the hands these days, so arguably it wouldn't affect us even if he hadn't improved that aspect
I haven't seen him play centre for years though.
And that said, we hardly ever put the ball wide through the hands these days, so arguably it wouldn't affect us even if he hadn't improved that aspect
I think Trimble has great ball handling skills IMO, deft at off loading in the tackle, and he knows how to tackle hard so he could do a job there. He's had a few run-outs for Ulster at centre in the last couple of years with Gilroy (another player who offers more than Zebo!!) and Bowe on the wings.
In NZ, the government passed a new law allowing all the pubs to open all night so as they could show the games.
If my reading of the draw is right my prediction is - NZ v Ireland will meet in one S/F and England v SA in the other (assuming they top their groups).
The England, Wales, Australia group is the hardest to call, obviously.
If my reading of the draw is right my prediction is - NZ v Ireland will meet in one S/F and England v SA in the other (assuming they top their groups).
The England, Wales, Australia group is the hardest to call, obviously.
Your predictions are spot on IMO provided England win their group. Everything hinges on that for them.
That's if we win our group, if we don't I think we play the All Blacks in the first knockout game.
While some of our games will be easy I'd still be concerned about the French. The Italians - if we have a real off day.
I think teams have worked out how to defend against our kicking game, and I can only hope Schmidt has been keeping something else under wraps during the prep.
Do you know what I think is the best thing for a group watching a game ?
Numbers 1-15 in a pot. X euro a head. Everyone picks a number (or two)out . And you have that number on each team for first try scorer. Winner takes all.
And you can do it for next try scorer too
Numbers 1-15 in a pot. X euro a head. Everyone picks a number (or two)out . And you have that number on each team for first try scorer. Winner takes all.
And you can do it for next try scorer too
I didn't realise the team had been named. That's as first choice as a team gets.
Schmidt is clearly looking to get off to a good start - I'm still tempted to recommend Canada +40 though. I'll have a think about it.
I'm only really good at seeing the real value bets (upsets usually) rather getting first try scorers. My record is appaling but it's kind of a grand national type bet.
I find its always fun to back a high priced fatty who might get the ball close to the line.
Schmidt is clearly looking to get off to a good start - I'm still tempted to recommend Canada +40 though. I'll have a think about it.
I'm only really good at seeing the real value bets (upsets usually) rather getting first try scorers. My record is appaling but it's kind of a grand national type bet.
I find its always fun to back a high priced fatty who might get the ball close to the line.
That's 10/11. We could all lump on.
Yep, i'd definitely suggest picking numbers for the try scorer but we might be en route at that stage and might just make it to the bar for the 2nd half.
One of the second rows will be playing for my nearest team (Worcester Warriors) in the Prem next season so I hope he at least has a good game.
Wales-v-Australia, eh? I hope they both lose.
I know you'll be watching that game wishing you had been lucky enough to have been born in God's country
True... watching those too would definitely make you want to be Irish.
