Rugby

diDi7

diDi7

Member
Australia have been impressive.

Looking forward to Ireland vs. France and Wales vs. Australia. Two great encounters to close the pool stage.

Honestly, I still see NZ as the favourites. There's just something about them that makes me doubt any team will give them too much trouble. Anything can happen, of course, but at the top of their game, they will beat anyone.

I think we will fall out at the quarters or - barring a miracle - the semi finals. I'm just not convinced.
 
Barcafan 2304

Barcafan 2304

New member
I don't know mate, I know there was the Japan shock but your guys are capable of raising it when needed. I'm still going with South Africa as the winners
 
ManusXavi

ManusXavi

New member
stokebarca said:
Can't see a northern hemisphere team doing it. Ireland very solid but just get the feeling they haven't got enough quality to be World Cup winners
Click to expand...

I'm cheering for France when they play Ireland because I think New Zealand can beat Ireland in the quarterfinals but i'm not sure about France. They are so unpredictable.

This is the All Blacks lineup I expect to see against Ireland/France in quarterfinal.
15. Ben Smith (Highlanders) 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes) 13. Conrad Smith (Hurricanes) 12. Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes) 11. Julian Savea (Hurricanes)
10. Daniel Carter (Crusaders) 9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders)
8. Kieran Read (Crusaders) 7. Richie McCaw (Crusaders) 6. Jerome Kaino (Blues) 5. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders) 4. Brodie Rotallick (Chiefs)
3. Owen Franks (Crusaders) 2. Dane Coles (Hurricanes) 1. Tony Woodcock (Blues)

Sonny Bill Williams on the bench will cover second five-eighth (no.12)
Beauden Barrett will cover First five-eighth (no.10) and Fullback (No.15)

Ben Smith is capable of playing Wing or Fullback.
Milner Skudder plays mostly Fullback for the Hurricanes so he is a 3rd option for Fullback cover.

Nonu can play Centre (no.13) and wing if a wing crisis occurs. (Wing was his old position 10+ years ago)
Sonny Bill Williams can play wing as well.
If two centres get injured, Ben Smith can play Centre (no.13). Carter can Second five-eighth (no.12) but is abit frail these days in contact.
 
ManusXavi

ManusXavi

New member
diDi7 said:
Australia have been impressive.

Looking forward to Ireland vs. France and Wales vs. Australia. Two great encounters to close the pool stage.

Honestly, I still see NZ as the favourites. There's just something about them that makes me doubt any team will give them too much trouble. Anything can happen, of course, but at the top of their game, they will beat anyone.

I think we will fall out at the quarters or - barring a miracle - the semi finals. I'm just not convinced.
Click to expand...

I think the All Blacks are vulnerable to being beaten by SA, Aus, France and Ireland if they can keep their fitness throughout 80 mins rather than 60 mins
 
ManusXavi

ManusXavi

New member
I can't see Wales beating Australia tomorrow. Wales have really shuffled their backline to a combination that has not at all played together before.

I predict Australia by 13+
 
Barcafan 2304

Barcafan 2304

New member
Well, 2 quarter finals now sorted. Scotland vs Australia and Wales vs South Africa. Think Australia will win comfortably and will still back South Africa although Wales will push them close
 
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