The 2011 Rugby World Cup!
Discussion
I'm surprised there aren't any threads about this running already.
But it's almost here, the 2011 rugby world cup!
Less than a month to go until the pool stages now 
So, what teams are we expecting to do well? I'm hoping England will do well after winning the 6 Nations this year, however saturday's game showed that they're still a bit rusty. Hopefully they're more composed for this weekend's friendly. I think the same can be said for Wales, who also looked a bit rusty.
The All Blacks are looking very strong at the moment though, they seem be dominating the Tri Nations so far. From the 2 games they've played so far, they've got 70 points for them, and only 21 against them.
Here's a list of which teams are in which pool:
Bring it on!
But it's almost here, the 2011 rugby world cup!
Less than a month to go until the pool stages now So, what teams are we expecting to do well? I'm hoping England will do well after winning the 6 Nations this year, however saturday's game showed that they're still a bit rusty. Hopefully they're more composed for this weekend's friendly. I think the same can be said for Wales, who also looked a bit rusty.
The All Blacks are looking very strong at the moment though, they seem be dominating the Tri Nations so far. From the 2 games they've played so far, they've got 70 points for them, and only 21 against them.
Here's a list of which teams are in which pool:
| Pool A |
|---|
| Canada |
| France |
| Japan |
| New Zealand |
| Tonga |
| Pool B |
|---|
| Argentina |
| England |
| Georgia |
| Romania |
| Scotland |
| Pool C |
|---|
| Australia |
| Ireland |
| Italy |
| Russia |
| USA |
| Pool D |
|---|
| Fiji |
| Namibia |
| Samoa |
| South Africa |
| Wales |
Bring it on!
Can't wait, although I'm nervous about the Argentina match as an opener for us and you just know that Scotland are going spoil our party.
Didn't think England were too bad against Wales considering it was the B team, this weekend will be more telling. Wales have a serious big challenge for this tournament.
I'm living in Aus, so seeing a lot of the tri-nations, South Africa looked dreadful, really surprised, Aus are looking OK, but I don't think anything to be scared of. Whilst NZ were very impressive at the weekend they did have some issues, particularly with their line out which was totally dis-functional and I'm not sure I rate their scrum-half for distribution either, so maybe some chinks in their armour - not that there are ever very many!
Didn't think England were too bad against Wales considering it was the B team, this weekend will be more telling. Wales have a serious big challenge for this tournament.
I'm living in Aus, so seeing a lot of the tri-nations, South Africa looked dreadful, really surprised, Aus are looking OK, but I don't think anything to be scared of. Whilst NZ were very impressive at the weekend they did have some issues, particularly with their line out which was totally dis-functional and I'm not sure I rate their scrum-half for distribution either, so maybe some chinks in their armour - not that there are ever very many!
Theur are a lot of rusty teams at this stage, with NZ looking as polished as ever, but that just might be their undoing.
The other teams will start to gel as they become team mates, rather than individuals from premiership or provincial teams, and as they begin to work as a unit they will get stronger, with a peak towards the end of the World Cup. NZ have to try and maintain their current form for the whole series, and perhaps once again they have peaked just too early.
That's something you really notice in these early games, they are made up of individuals and dont resemble a team proper like what emerges towards the end of the series. England will no doubt have a few bad performances but luckily have a decent pool, Aregentina can be tough, but they shouldnt lose to any of those teams even if they're having an average game.
As an ex Safa Im concerned about the Boks, whether they can turn this around now and start to play as a team is the key, and these last 2 Tri Nations game are a good chance to start doing that. They may also be looking to peak towards the end of the world cup, but they have two very physical games in Fiji and Samoa which will no doubt leave some injuries behind them.
Despite NZ looking unbeatable right now, I wouldnt give them the WC just yet, lets see how long they can keep at the level they're playing at, France will be a key game for them.
The other teams will start to gel as they become team mates, rather than individuals from premiership or provincial teams, and as they begin to work as a unit they will get stronger, with a peak towards the end of the World Cup. NZ have to try and maintain their current form for the whole series, and perhaps once again they have peaked just too early.
That's something you really notice in these early games, they are made up of individuals and dont resemble a team proper like what emerges towards the end of the series. England will no doubt have a few bad performances but luckily have a decent pool, Aregentina can be tough, but they shouldnt lose to any of those teams even if they're having an average game.
As an ex Safa Im concerned about the Boks, whether they can turn this around now and start to play as a team is the key, and these last 2 Tri Nations game are a good chance to start doing that. They may also be looking to peak towards the end of the world cup, but they have two very physical games in Fiji and Samoa which will no doubt leave some injuries behind them.
Despite NZ looking unbeatable right now, I wouldnt give them the WC just yet, lets see how long they can keep at the level they're playing at, France will be a key game for them.
I'm really looking forward to this one.....and I agree that Argentina will be a toughy (althout I also hope they do well and the other SH teams realise that they should let them join the tri-nations!).
I think NZ will be though to beat, but I hope they don't win.....we'll never hear the end of it!
In other news - I hope that the refs clamp down on the new zealand / pacific islanders should barge tackles......this isn't rugby league!!!
In all - beer's are on chill................................
I think NZ will be though to beat, but I hope they don't win.....we'll never hear the end of it!
In other news - I hope that the refs clamp down on the new zealand / pacific islanders should barge tackles......this isn't rugby league!!!
In all - beer's are on chill................................
I had the chance to go to NZ for the WC but did the 'right thing' and took the family to California in May. I was managing to live with my decision until recently when my brother reminded me he is still going and has managed to get tickets for all the England pool games 
Think Italy could scrape through from their group?
Think Italy could scrape through from their group?
Edited by FUBAR on Thursday 11th August 14:24
If you look at the form book you can't see past NZ, they're really hitting their stride but they have choked a few times over the years. SA, Australia, France and dare I say it England will up their games as they always do and present a good challenge.
I worry for Wales, got a horrible feeling we won't get out the group stage, SA will top the table but games against Fiji and Samoa will be very tough. We have a shocking record in the big games against them and they know it. If Wales pick up early injuries then it's game over.
I worry for Wales, got a horrible feeling we won't get out the group stage, SA will top the table but games against Fiji and Samoa will be very tough. We have a shocking record in the big games against them and they know it. If Wales pick up early injuries then it's game over.
I think teams like England and Wales need some Southern Hemisphere games to develope sufficient tougness.
It's a different level of physicality, and guys like Foden, Hape, and even Ashton, will need to be prepared for it. It might do Wales a favour to play Samoa and Fiji as they wont face many tougher teams in terms of physicality, and providing they can scrape a win they will certainly be match tough.
England have a pretty soft pool, so might arrive fresher than some of the other teams, but whether they'll be ready for what lies ahead remains to be seen.
It's a different level of physicality, and guys like Foden, Hape, and even Ashton, will need to be prepared for it. It might do Wales a favour to play Samoa and Fiji as they wont face many tougher teams in terms of physicality, and providing they can scrape a win they will certainly be match tough.
England have a pretty soft pool, so might arrive fresher than some of the other teams, but whether they'll be ready for what lies ahead remains to be seen.
DJRC said:
It is hard to see past the Kiwis. Which just means it will be even more amusing to watch how they manage to f
k it up this time! 
This. It's very difficult to see anyone other than NZ winning it, but then we say that every time! I think aside from NZ, France and Australia could do well, but I don't see any of the home nations doing anything much sadly.k it up this time! Tokoloshe said:
England have a pretty soft pool, so might arrive fresher than some of the other teams, but whether they'll be ready for what lies ahead remains to be seen.
Yeah, I thought England had quite an easy pool, but I think Argentina and Scotland may surprise us. IIRC they only just beat Scotland back in the 6 Nations after everyone expected it to be an easy game for them.
For anybody interested I have started up an Unofficial Pistonheads RWC Pool on Sportguru:
http://www.sportguru.co.uk/rwc/pool.asp?p=10009992
Pool name: Pistonheads
Pool code: togsshod
It's free and usually a good laugh, good way to see who actually knows what they're talking about (hint: my accuracy for the summer friendlies is about 40%
)
http://www.sportguru.co.uk/rwc/pool.asp?p=10009992
Pool name: Pistonheads
Pool code: togsshod
It's free and usually a good laugh, good way to see who actually knows what they're talking about (hint: my accuracy for the summer friendlies is about 40%
)I don't see why France get so much positive backing (watch them go on to win it now). We all know they can turn up and beat anyone on their day (which of the top tier teams can't?) but putting in 3 big performances in a row in the knock out stage I just don't see.
I agree that it's hard to see past NZ, wathced what I believed to be the 2 best sides in the world last weekend in the Tri Nations and NZ seemed to be on another level. SA seem to have been worked out to some extent and don't seem to be able to deal with any sort of raise in tempo against the opp change of coaching is well overdue. Will be an interesting game against Aus today with many of their big guns back-I expect them to be there or there about in the WC though.
I haven't seem Argentina play for a while, Scotland I think will run us close particulary if conditions aren't great it may be close. They're a good side and while some may think they've had some bad luck I reckon they just lack the cutting edge/game breakers which England seem to have developed over the last 12 months. I was impressed with Wales last weekend and should do better with a stonger pack, look good for the future with allot of young talent.
However England will stuff them this afternoon
I agree that it's hard to see past NZ, wathced what I believed to be the 2 best sides in the world last weekend in the Tri Nations and NZ seemed to be on another level. SA seem to have been worked out to some extent and don't seem to be able to deal with any sort of raise in tempo against the opp change of coaching is well overdue. Will be an interesting game against Aus today with many of their big guns back-I expect them to be there or there about in the WC though.
I haven't seem Argentina play for a while, Scotland I think will run us close particulary if conditions aren't great it may be close. They're a good side and while some may think they've had some bad luck I reckon they just lack the cutting edge/game breakers which England seem to have developed over the last 12 months. I was impressed with Wales last weekend and should do better with a stonger pack, look good for the future with allot of young talent.
However England will stuff them this afternoon
Egg Chaser said:
The All Blacks are looking very strong at the moment though, they seem be dominating the Tri Nations so far. From the 2 games they've played so far, they've got 70 points for them, and only 21 against them.
Although bear in mind that South Africa have been resting their A-team for the RWC. They've been fielding their B and C-sides for the Tri-Nations games, so hardly surprising the All Blacks are looking so good.Here's hoping that it pays off for South Africa though.
Symbolica said:
For anybody interested I have started up an Unofficial Pistonheads RWC Pool on Sportguru:
http://www.sportguru.co.uk/rwc/pool.asp?p=10009992
Pool name: Pistonheads
Pool code: togsshod
It's free and usually a good laugh, good way to see who actually knows what they're talking about (hint: my accuracy for the summer friendlies is about 40% )
I'm in http://www.sportguru.co.uk/rwc/pool.asp?p=10009992
Pool name: Pistonheads
Pool code: togsshod
It's free and usually a good laugh, good way to see who actually knows what they're talking about (hint: my accuracy for the summer friendlies is about 40%
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