2015 Rugby World Cup

[George70]

The Rugby World Cup for 2015 is underway in England, and the All Blacks from New Zealand are an odds-on favorite to win this year's championship.  South Africa is also a contender, and even the American Eagles are in this year's edition.

 

I welcome your comments, friends.

[Inqui]

The Eagles qualify for most tournaments, and I have a real soft spot for them. I feel they're an untapped power of world rugby and would do really well with a Southern Hemisphere coach to take them to the next level - in the same way Warren Gatland has done with Wales and Joe Schmidt has with Ireland. Robbie Deans, Ewen McKenzie (even though I hate to admit it), Ian Foster, Scott Robertson, Jamie Joseph or Dave Rennie (my personal favourite) all have big untapped potential in this observer's opinion, and are in the kind of position where the Eagles job would be a step up in the career ladder. I'm not a huge fan of the current guy.

 

As a NZer I always have high hopes for my All Blacks. But most years we always seem to struggle in one way or another despite being overwhelming favourites. At least the coaching staff seems to have cut back on some of their weird habits from days gone by.

 

The biggest upset in tournament history (and one of the biggest in sports history imo) happened overnight when Japan beat South Africa courtesy of a last-minute try. South Africa will come back with a vengeance, but I'm not sure they're good enough to slug it out with the other big guns. I was high on them before the tournament (despite their poor form) but now I'm not so sure.

 

You never rule out Australia, who seem to have a way of rising to occasions like these. And Israel Folau is one of the best players in the world atm. France are always good for at least one ridiculously good game in which they stun the world, but fall off after that. They'll make a massive ripple before this is over, but aren't consistent enough to win.

 

Ireland looked good last night, albeit against Canada. They're a side the US should try to emulate imo. I want to believe the hype surrounding them. It'd be great to see them win (assuming we don't...) after being a clear second-tier side for years. Really classy fans too.

 

England are my intellectual pick tbh. Never rule out the hosts.

 

And yes, I am aware that this will mostly be me talking to myself.

[52520Andrew]

And yes, I am aware that this will mostly be me talking to myself.

 

I am sure allblackraven will be around to keep you company lol

[arnie_uk]

Inqui are You saying Ireland is the tem you'd like to win in NZ don't? Good on ya!

[Inqui]

Inqui are You saying Ireland is the tem you'd like to win in NZ don't? Good on ya!

Yeah, it's always good to see one of the non-traditional powerhouses get it done. And I don't think we will win (got a feeling we get bounced in the semis), so go Ireland!

[arnie_uk]

Yeah, it's always good to see one of the non-traditional powerhouses get it done. And I don't think we will win (got a feeling we get bounced in the semis), so go Ireland!

Ireland should have an easy run to the semis. We should make it from our group, and assuming you win yours we will likely play Argentina. We should beat them

[George70]

I just checked the lates results, and I find a set of one-sided scores - including Scotland getting a 35-point win over Japan, and France beating Romania by 27 points; the Aussies were in fine form against Fiji, and the All Blacks went all out and got a blowout win over Namibia by the score of 58 to 14.

 

I welcome your comments.

Edited September 25, 2015 by George70

[arnie_uk]

I just checked the lates results, and I find a set of one-sided scores - including Scotland getting a 35-point win over Japan, and France beating Romania by 27 points; the Aussies were in fine form against Fiji, and the All Blacks went all out and got a blowout win over Namibia by the score of 58 to 14.

I welcome your comments.

why do you always say that at the end?

[George70]

why do you always say that at the end?

 

I say that, Arnie, because I want to engage in conversations, and I hope you understand.

[arnie_uk]

It won't make people respond but each to their own

[George70]

It won't make people respond but each to their own

 

Point taken.

[Inqui]

Predictions have a way of looking silly in hindsight. England the first hosts to be knocked out in the pool stage. Australia looking nasty though.

[George70]

Predictions have a way of looking silly in hindsight. England the first hosts to be knocked out in the pool stage. Australia looking nasty though.

 

England getting knocked out in pool stage - this makes me wonder what England is coming to.

 

Australia should be very good.

[Inqui]

England getting knocked out in pool stage - this makes me wonder what England is coming to.

Australia should be very good.

Been a tough 12 months for England sports after going out in the pool stages in the cricket and soccer world cups too.

Australia's unique loose forward trio has been proving really tough to stop so far, they gave the All Blacks trouble earlier this year too.

[George70]

I've just checked the current pool standings - the Aussies are doing very well, but I didn't expect Wales to be this good; still, there are two matches left for them in pool stage.

 

Also, Pool B is looking interesting, with the Springboks, Scotland and Japan all doing good.

 

The All Blacks are very good, and over in Pool D, Italy and France are the talk of the pool.

[Nightman]

Are any of  these on NBCSN? Or One World Sports?

[George70]

Are any of  these on NBCSN? Or One World Sports?

 

Most likely streaming online; one would have to check.

[Inqui]

So this happened in the quarter-final today.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_8KKUdr6SY

[Pats]

Boks vs all blacks will be fun, hope for ireland vs australia for the other semi

Edited October 18, 2015 by Pats

[George70]

The final four of this year's Rugby World Cup is now set - Semifinal one will feature South Africa vs. New Zealand, while Semifinal two will have the Auusies going against Argentina.

 

At this stage I can honestly say that I like the All Blacks to win this one, but my long shot is Argentina.

[allblackraven]

Since that one by Inqui above turned private, I'll go on a limb... this one?

 

[Inqui]

Since that one by Inqui above turned private, I'll go on a limb... this one?

 

Try of the tournament without a doubt, and not just for Savea monstering three defenders. B Smith was great under the high ball and A Smith managed to draw about six defenders from his run and cut-out pass.

 

The All Blacks are hot favourites after demolishing France in the quarter-final, while Australia and South Africa look to have gone off the boil as they struggled to get past opponents they should have beaten fairly comfortably. Australia will bounce back from their narrow win and should blow past Argentina in the final 20 minutes (even without Pocock).

 

South Africa will also be sharper than everyone expects, but I think the All Blacks win in a grafting, physical affair. This is the rugby equivalent of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry, but with about 50 more years' worth of history. If the margin goes beyond 12 either way, I'd be surprised.

[allblackraven]

Try of the tournament without a doubt, and not just for Savea monstering three defenders. B Smith was great under the high ball and A Smith managed to draw about six defenders from his run and cut-out pass.

 

The All Blacks are hot favourites after demolishing France in the quarter-final, while Australia and South Africa look to have gone off the boil as they struggled to get past opponents they should have beaten fairly comfortably. Australia will bounce back from their narrow win and should blow past Argentina in the final 20 minutes (even without Pocock).

 

South Africa will also be sharper than everyone expects, but I think the All Blacks win in a grafting, physical affair. This is the rugby equivalent of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry, but with about 50 more years' worth of history. If the margin goes beyond 12 either way, I'd be surprised.

I really hate it that it's going to be a slug fest - forecast is 70% chance of heavy rain at kick-off time. That will help the Boks big time.

[Inqui]

I really hate it that it's going to be a slug fest - forecast is 70% chance of heavy rain at kick-off time. That will help the Boks big time.

Yeah, that'd be tough to make it the expansive game that suits us.

 

I really hate how cocky the NZ fans are getting all of a sudden after getting down on the team for not being pretty enough in victory. They've been changing tack faster than Ravens fans and we know what pride cometh before. Fortunately the players won't be buying their hype, but I still don't like the attitude that this game is more or less sewn up already.

[allblackraven]

Yeah, that'd be tough to make it the expansive game that suits us.

 

I really hate how cocky the NZ fans are getting all of a sudden after getting down on the team for not being pretty enough in victory. They've been changing tack faster than Ravens fans and we know what pride cometh before. Fortunately the players won't be buying their hype, but I still don't like the attitude that this game is more or less sewn up already.

Yup, not much surprise there.

 

I wouldn't mind 8-7 score. That gets us to the next game.

[George70]

From what I understand, the Championship Match will be televised on NBC at 12 Noon Eastern Time on Saturday.

 

Should this be the case, then I am so looking forward to this match!

[52520Andrew]

Congrats guys on the win

[allblackraven]

Congrats guys on the win

 

 

 

Can't comment, still emotional...

[Inqui]

Can't comment, still emotional...

I got two hours of sleep last night and I'm not going to crash until later tonight. Great way for the core of the team's golden generation to bow out.

[allblackraven]

I got two hours of sleep last night and I'm not going to crash until later tonight.

 

Same here and I work today

 

Great way for the core of the team's golden generation to bow out.

 

That's exactly why I got emotional - these guys might just be the greatest team that ever played in any sport. Phenomenal.