i can't see past england to be honest. they are playig the best rugby at the moment.

france may surprise a few.

Come on you lions!!!

You mention Argentina, Fiji and Tonga but no Scotland???

i mentioned argentina cause they are like france, bit of flair in the backs but they have forward pack the envy of any nation, i wouldnt be surprised if they beat australia in the opener
tonga and fiji were jokes
england is playin good but new zealand match them in strength and dicipline in the forwards and if it werent for wilkinson, they would walk over their backs
hmmmm i see someone voted for ireland, a joke im guessing...

___________________

i like you

While I want the Wallbies to win at home...I think the All Blacks are just playing too good of rugby right now. Howlett and Rokocoko are the best set of wings in the game and McCaw is a brilliant number 7. The only thing that could hurt the Blacks is Spencer's kicking.

England have had the most consistent year but they could be a little rusty going into the World Cup since they were at the end of their season during the Southern tours. But they do have Johnny Wilkinson's boot which is a distinct advantage.

It should be interesting to see what happens. I am glad I will be able to see a lot of games here in the states (though on a 72 hour tape delay) and England, USA, and the final rounds will be live on PPV.

MrS

___________________
Click the sig to see MrSquirrel

-"Reality" is the only word in the language that should always be used in quotes.

OOOOOH BARMY ARMY!!!!!

EN-GER-LANNNNNNND

quote:

Originally posted by MrSquirrel It should be interesting to see what happens. I am glad I will be able to see a lot of games here in the states (though on a 72 hour tape delay) and England, USA, and the final rounds will be live on PPV. MrS

sucks for you
we get it free to air LIVE!!

___________________

i like you

Already decided kids - Australia in a landslide victory

Lock it in

___________________
yep

England and it will be even better that we win it in the Aussies backyard

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by MrSquirrel While I want the Wallabies to win at home...I think the All Blacks are just playing too good of rugby right now. Howlett and Rokocoko are the best set of wings in the game and McCaw is a brilliant number 7. The only thing that could hurt the Blacks is Spencer's kicking.

I'm not convinced by all the hype surrounding Rokocoko. He's quick, and he's a good finisher from what we've seen, but he's hardly been tested, and in the one truly tough test match he's played in (England in Wellington) he was pretty anonymous. I'd be more interested if I saw him really deliver on the world stage in a match that counted, not running in the easy ones against wales.

I would also disagree with the notion that Spencer's kicking is the only thing that could hurt the blacks. I'm not sure they have the ability to change their game when they need to, and if they aren't getting the space they need in the backs, I don't think Spencer is a rounded enough player to take the game by the scruff of the neck and set a different pattern.

I also think some of their forwards are unconvincing in the tight, and whilst they do have some exceptional talent in the pack with the likes of McCaw and Jack, they have to carry Thorne and Collins, and their front row is ripe for being decimated by a strong pack that really sets about them in the tight. Which brings me to...

quote:

Originally posted by OLi_A england is playin good but new zealand match them in strength and dicipline in the forwards and if it werent for wilkinson, they would walk over their backs

There is no way that New Zealand could live with England up front. When you get shunted back on a 5-metre scrum against a 6-man pack, you have problems. England played badly in Wellington (a fact that seems to have escaped many people), if the likes of Mealamu and Thorne have to come up against Vickery, Thompson, Johnson, Dallaglio etc. in full flow in the tight, they are going to get stuffed, and they know it. They would have to keep the game as fast as possible, but even that wouldn't guarantee success as...

England operate a very effective high defence. They are adept at rushing up and in and squeezing the opposing 10 and 12 into forcing passes that shouldn't be forced. Their big-hit tackling is superb from 10 through 15 (save Robinson), and they base their defensive game on aggressive early hits to stop quick teams such as NZ spreading passes to the wide men as easily as they were allowed to do in the Tri-Nations this year. I don't see anyone, not even New Zealand, being able to run England ragged, and their big problem comes if Mauger and Spencer were to start being stopped behind the gainline, as Howlett and company are only really effective on the front foot. They were impotent against England in Wellington, and not just because of the stinking weather - because Tindall and Wilkinson knocked back the 5/8ths time after time, and stopped the momentum NZ require to break the line from building, something an Aussie line led by such a defensive weak-link as Larkham, with any number of utility players fitted in any old how outside him, never managed to do this year. It made the All Blacks, talented as they are, look better than should have been allowed.

Anyway, I'll stop babbling on, just getting excited that it's coming close. Should be a fucking awesome tournament whoever comes out with the trophy (No prizes for guessing where my allegiances lie).

___________________
Don't fight it, feel it.

quote:

Originally posted by Mallard I'm not convinced by all the hype surrounding Rokocoko. He's quick, and he's a good finisher from what we've seen, but he's hardly been tested, and in the one truly tough test match he's played in (England in Wellington) he was pretty anonymous. I'd be more interested if I saw him really deliver on the world stage in a match that counted, not running in the easy ones against wales.

i wouldnt say he has hardly been tested, he would have come up against some of the best players and teams during the super 12s but being at the end of one of the best backlines in the 12s would make it easier to score i guess.

quote:

Originally posted by Mallard I would also disagree with the notion that Spencer's kicking is the only thing that could hurt the blacks. I'm not sure they have the ability to change their game when they need to, and if they aren't getting the space they need in the backs, I don't think Spencer is a rounded enough player to take the game by the scruff of the neck and set a different pattern.

i didnt get to see him play that much during the season, but he was impressive when i did. he is undoubtedly a freak and i believe he could take control, there is a great mind behind the flair. if you watched the super 12s, you wouldve seen him waltz through the best of defences and to be the all blacks 5/8 youve gotta be good

quote:

Originally posted by Mallard I also think some of their forwards are unconvincing in the tight, and whilst they do have some exceptional talent in the pack with the likes of McCaw and Jack, they have to carry Thorne and Collins, and their front row is ripe for being decimated by a strong pack that really sets about them in the tight. Which brings me to... There is no way that New Zealand could live with England up front. When you get shunted back on a 5-metre scrum against a 6-man pack, you have problems. England played badly in Wellington (a fact that seems to have escaped many people), if the likes of Mealamu and Thorne have to come up against Vickery, Thompson, Johnson, Dallaglio etc. in full flow in the tight, they are going to get stuffed, and they know it. They would have to keep the game as fast as possible, but even that wouldn't guarantee success as...

both are technically gifted and physically, but the english pack have been together a while, that makes a pretty big difference wouldnt you say?
thorne and collins are hard cases...thorne is progressing really well since his league switch and i rate him, collins...i see somethin there, has force and skill, just not outstanding

quote:

Originally posted by Mallard England operate a very effective high defence. They are adept at rushing up and in and squeezing the opposing 10 and 12 into forcing passes that shouldn't be forced. Their big-hit tackling is superb from 10 through 15 (save Robinson), and they base their defensive game on aggressive early hits to stop quick teams such as NZ spreading passes to the wide men as easily as they were allowed to do in the Tri-Nations this year. I don't see anyone, not even New Zealand, being able to run England ragged, and their big problem comes if Mauger and Spencer were to start being stopped behind the gainline, as Howlett and company are only really effective on the front foot. They were impotent against England in Wellington, and not just because of the stinking weather - because Tindall and Wilkinson knocked back the 5/8ths time after time, and stopped the momentum NZ require to break the line from building, something an Aussie line led by such a defensive weak-link as Larkham, with any number of utility players fitted in any old how outside him, never managed to do this year. It made the All Blacks, talented as they are, look better than should have been allowed.

i cant really comment much on the backs of england cause any backline would look good against the aussies if their forwards were movin like englands were...didnt see the all black england game cause i was too drunk so i cant comment on that


regardless, its gonna be an awesome world cup and i hope argentina leaves the aussie forwards in a mess

CARN THE ALL BLACKS!!

___________________

i like you