The Rugby Thread

[E17yid]

I predict a dominant Southern Hemisphere showing with NZ v SA in he final.

The rugby championship is going to have them all battle hardened and ready to rock and roll from the off.

The Northern Hemisphere sides are all susceptible to dropping a bollock at some point. I have little faith in England giving a good showing. They always find a way to balls it up at some point. I genuinely think we could well suffer another group stage exit which would be another embarrassment!
I believe the Argies will qualify so it’s out of us and France as to who can hold their nerve and produce. You’d make England favourites but Jones’ most recent fixture in the six nations shows exactly why this England side can’t win the World Cup.

Nah. I’m not 100% sure whether you’ll top it but you’ll definitely qualify. I know France always turn up for the WC and Argentina are a very good side in some decent form but you’ll top that group I reckon.

The whole battled hardened thing works both ways. I’m not saying you’re wrong but look at Retallik. Ok, it sounds like he should make it, but that could of easily gone the other way and you’re talking about the 2nd best lock in the world (after AWJ of course) plus there could be more to come as they all play their own WC warm up matches on top of the Championship games.

It’s not like we’re not doing any decent prep either, all of us have got 4 warm up games that will be played at high intensity all of which will be after a long period of training which is what you want, IMO.

I’m not saying you’re wrong, though, just that it can go both ways. Time will tell but I’d rather have the prep we’re having.

Having said all that a NZ v SA final is very possible but then so is Ireland playing well and beating SA in a QTR final.

 

[SugarRay]

The warm ups before world cups between the NH sides are always lacking edge. Definitely the calm before the storm with plenty of experimentation.
You are right about the risk of injury in the rugby championship games but that’s just the game.

It’s pretty tight across the board in terms of quality but all the NH sides have a nasty habit of eventually losing big games at world cups, for whatever reasons. The tournament being in Japan isn’t ideal for them either.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see us all massively underwhelmed come the end of the semi finals unfortunately. I hope not because it’ll make for a boring World Cup!

 

[E17yid]

The warm ups before world cups between the NH sides are always lacking edge. Definitely the calm before the storm with plenty of experimentation.
You are right about the risk of injury in the rugby championship games but that’s just the game.

It’s pretty tight across the board in terms of quality but all the NH sides have a nasty habit of eventually losing big games at world cups, for whatever reasons. The tournament being in Japan isn’t ideal for them either.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see us all massively underwhelmed come the end of the semi finals unfortunately. I hope not because it’ll make for a boring World Cup!

I’m 95% sure we’re gunna win it. You’re probably right, England will crash out of the group

 

[SugarRay]

I’m 95% sure we’re gunna win it. You’re probably right, England will crash out of the group

95% is very cautious from you mate. Don’t wanna tempt fate!?

 

[E17yid]

95% is very cautious from you mate. Don’t wanna tempt fate!?

That was my head talking. My gut says 99.9%

 

[DaiT]

He’s a beast.

Would have been a real shame him missing the WC especially considering he’s taking 2 years out of the international game after this WC.

It was a little bit naughty that clear out, imo.

Came in from an offside position I thought. Nothing that the AB's haven't done in the past.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

I think I'm going to have me £15 on Wales to win it.

 

[E17yid]

I think I'm going to have me £15 on Wales to win it.

Stop trying to jinx us. I know your game.

 

[E17yid]

The last time I checked we were behind England and Ireland, 4th favourites IIRC.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Stop trying to jinx us. I know your game.

Okay.






£20

 

[Arnoldtoo]

The last time I checked we were behind England and Ireland, 4th favourites IIRC.

England aren't going to win it, and Ireland have a habit of fucking it up.

 

[E17yid]

England aren't going to win it, and Ireland have a habit of fucking it up.

I thought you were going to inform me of the current odds. How very uninformative of you.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

I thought you were going to inform me of the current odds. How very uninformative of you.

It varies, except they've all got NZ as favourites, obviously.

William Hill have NZ @ 6/5 England @ 9/2 (because some idiots are betting waaaay too much on them!), then South Africa, Wales & Ireland @ 6/1.

 

[E17yid]

It varies, except they've all got NZ as favourites, obviously.

William Hill have NZ @ 6/5 England @ 9/2 (because some idiots are betting waaaay too much on them!), then South Africa, Wales & Ireland @ 6/1.

I think Wales, England, Ireland and South Africa all have a pretty much equal chance of winning it. I don’t get why you’re all being so pessimistic.

You beat SA the last 2 times you played, winning home and away. You beat Ireland away last time you played them with one of best performances away from home I’ve seen in years. Australia are shit and France have just performed terribly in the 6N.

I’ll be absolutely gutted if Wales don’t get to the semis. There’s no excuses not to get there and from that point on it’s absolutely 100% game on for any of those 4 teams. NZ are favourites, for sure, but I think they’re there for the taking at the moment.

If results go the way they should (which they won’t obviously) but I’m half expecting a England v NZ and SA v Wales semi final line up. A. Good even split between NH and SH.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a collarbone injury.

The Bath player was injured during Wales training and will need surgery.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49196540

 

[E17yid]

Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a collarbone injury.

The Bath player was injured during Wales training and will need surgery.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49196540

Oh FFS

 

[E17yid]

I guess the 1 area we’re really strong in is the back row and we just won a grand slam without him but still gutting news that.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

I guess the 1 area we’re really strong in is the back row and we just won a grand slam without him but still gutting news that.

With due respect to Faletau it doesn't really weaken you that much given the cover.

The warm-up matches are going to be scary affairs for everyone. Someone somewhere will lose a major player.

For England, if the Vunipolas, Farrell and Maro make it through unscathed I'll be happily surprised!

 

[TorontoYid]

With the Kiwis and South Africa in our group Canada is screwed. On the plus side, NZ vs SA is always a good match and once we are out I can start cheering for England.

 

[E17yid]

With due respect to Faletau it doesn't really weaken you that much given the cover.

The warm-up matches are going to be scary affairs for everyone. Someone somewhere will lose a major player.

For England, if the Vunipolas, Farrell and Maro make it through unscathed I'll be happily surprised!

Yeah but you know my thoughts on Faletau, he’s the best number 8 in the world, imo, so it has to weaken you.

Moriarty literally has no competition for number 8 now. Fingers crossed he doesn’t pick up an injury and he’s not exactly had an injury free season.

You’re right about those warm up matches, scary. It was during a warm up match in the run up the the 2015 WC when we lost Rhys Webb.