The Rugby Thread

[Dinowolf]

What a fantastic game Fiji v Portugal.

Portugal win 24 - 23: their first ever win at the Rugby World Cup
Fiji get through to the Quarter final and send the Aussies home on head to head result.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

What a fantastic game Fiji v Portugal.

Portugal win 24 - 23: their first ever win at the Rugby World Cup
Fiji get through to the Quarter final and send the Aussies home on head to head result.

Was better entertainment then I expected.
Fair dues to Portugal what a good tournament they had, missed a kick to beat Georgia, beat Fiji & put it upto Australia & Wales.

 

[Banjo]

Whoever Wales play in the SF it’ll be a comfortable win for either NZ or Ireland

You're not exactly putting your neck on the line with this prediction. Not really sure what your point is.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

On the other side it should be routine for the winner of France v SA to dispose of England or Fiji. But sport sometimes does funny things.

If Wales were to win with some comfort against Argentina and Ireland v NZ turned into an extra time humdinger with injuries and cards galore then there would be a chance. Unlikely, but a chance.

 

[jd1981]

Can easily see both England and Wales going out next weekend.
I think Ireland are a level above NZ currently, NZ are just very good at disposing of weaker opponents currently they come unstuck after that fully expect Ireland to get past them. Unless Ireland decide to have their usual World Cup brain fart.

 

[jd1981]

You're not exactly putting your neck on the line with this prediction. Not really sure what your point is.

Point being I really wouldn’t worry to much about who you’re playing in a SF if you get there.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

We have regularly beaten Ireland. We haven’t beaten New Zealand since my dad was about 7

 

[jd1981]

We have regularly beaten Ireland. We haven’t beaten New Zealand since my dad was about 7

Pretty sure the Ireland sides you’ve beaten in the past were a patch on this side.

 

[Tredman]

Wales have as much chance of beating NZ or Ireland as England do of beating France or South Africa. Fuck all. And that is very much dependent on both winning their quarters which is absolutely not a given.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Pretty sure the Ireland sides you’ve beaten in the past were a patch on this side.

Oh absolutely. In fact bar Brian O’Driscoll I struggle to think of a previous Ireland player who would get in this side. Willie John McBride maybe. They are deservedly world number one.

 

[1986]

Oh absolutely. In fact bar Brian O’Driscoll I struggle to think of a previous Ireland player who would get in this side. Willie John McBride maybe. They are deservedly world number one.

Paul O' Connell , Keith Wood to name but two .

Our problem in the past has been that we would have say 3 top class players in the first 15 and then far too many players after that that were not just up to the required standard . Now we have a far more even spread of top players , and a very good bench too .

Against New Zealand mind you , there are no guarantees .

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Oh absolutely. In fact bar Brian O’Driscoll I struggle to think of a previous Ireland player who would get in this side. Willie John McBride maybe. They are deservedly world number one.

We will never have a better chance of winning it (then again this time next week could be all over).
Saying that still think winner of competition will come from the winner of France/Bok quarter final.

 

[jd1981]

We will never have a better chance of winning it (then again this time next week could be all over).
Saying that still think winner of competition will come from the winner of France/Bok quarter final.

Ireland have beaten everyone in last 12-18 months, Ireland if they maintain their levels will win it.
As for England best performance was when the odds were stacked against them and their style of performance was dictated by the situation. Once they’ve had to think for themselves they’ve gone wayward again Sonia game they were forced into being a bit more ruthless.
Absolutely don’t stand a chance if they meet France or SA, it’s not a small gap it’s huge. It would be the equivalent of expecting Luton to win at Man City, nevertheless I think Fiji will have to much power for them so it won’t matter anyway.

 

[1986]

Ireland have beaten everyone in last 12-18 months, Ireland if they maintain their levels will win it.
As for England best performance was when the odds were stacked against them and their style of performance was dictated by the situation. Once they’ve had to think for themselves they’ve gone wayward again Sonia game they were forced into being a bit more ruthless.
Absolutely don’t stand a chance if they meet France or SA, it’s not a small gap it’s huge. It would be the equivalent of expecting Luton to win at Man City, nevertheless I think Fiji will have to much power for them so it won’t matter anyway.

Fiji are unlikely to beat England . They will almost certainly rise to the occasion , but they simply do not do the basics well enough to win a big match . Your penalty goals , your scrum , your mauls , your rucks and most of all your lineouts must be 85% right at that level , and for Fiji it's not .
They'll do the one handed off loads , they'll be tricky and they'll be entertaining as well , but they'll pull your hair out too far too often .

 

[1986]

Check out the homecoming for the Portugal Rugby squad at the airport yesterday . Listen to the singing !

 

[BillyDee]

but they'll pull your hair out too far too often .

Sounds like England tbf...

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

About the only bit that does. Fiji are entertaining. England have reverted to the pragmatic under Borthwick so they aren’t a thrilling watch.

 

[sycophantia]

Think it'll be close, yes on paper England should win but we seem to struggle against Fiji's brand of rugby currently.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I expect England to stick up the jumper and strangle the Fijians and wait for the penalties. If it is a loose game there is a chance Fiji could win, but a battle of attrition England will win nine times out of ten.

 

[sycophantia]

I expect England to stick up the jumper and strangle the Fijians and wait for the penalties. If it is a loose game there is a chance Fiji could win, but a battle of attrition England will win nine times out of ten.

Oh I agree, not sure Fiji will allow it to become a war of attrition though.
Looking forward to it, gunna be an interesting game, potentially frustrating for England fans.
Ultimately I think we'll win but it's gunna be hard won.