Thread: The Rugby World Cup 2015

^Jackson, Lamont, Vernon, Horne, Visser, Tonks, Pyrgos, Grant, Brown, Welsh, Hamilton, Gilchrist, Cowan, Blake, Denton.

That was the starting Scotland line up against Ireland, in the forwards you have Cowan, Denton and Grant who would probably be considered first choice and in the backs just Lamont and Visser fighting for a place on the opposite wing to Maitland. Personally though I'd have Pyrgos at 9 instead of Laidlaw in my starting line up but Vern Cotter still refusing to take my advice.

Originally Posted by buriramboy

Personally though I'd have Pyrgos at 9

I was pleased to hear in the aftermatch interview that you had an English captain...

Your 9 and 10 have been shite for so long, but it looks like that may be changing and that could well be the catalyst for some good results.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Originally Posted by buriramboy

Personally though I'd have Pyrgos at 9

I was pleased to hear in the aftermatch interview that you had an English captain...

Your 9 and 10 have been shite for so long, but it looks like that may be changing and that could well be the catalyst for some good results.

No issue with him being Scottish as his mother is 100% Jock, but now Strauss qualifies to play for Scotland we could have an SA captain soon and that's another issue.

^ It's not really an issue because every other team has been doing it for decades... Scotland has a small pool of players, so if you apply the rules just as every other team has then I don't see any issue with that. The CKBs latest Fijian winger is superb; even better than the Convicts Fijian winger; and far better than the English Fijian winger who didn't even make the final WC squad...

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

I was pleased to hear in the aftermatch interview that you had an English captain...

To go with an Aussie Director of Rugby, Kiwi coach, Dutch, Kiwi(s), and Zimbabwean players.

Keep this up and they can change their name to U.N. Scotland.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

It's not really an issue because every other team has been doing it for decades

Jaysus...I agree with BB

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

depth in most positions

Mate....depth...jaysus...we won the last RWC with a fourth choice flyhalf called in from catching whitebait on the Waikato River...there is only one team in the RWC with any depth

^ nonsense, many teams have depth. I agree however that the CKBs have amazing depth at 10.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

^ It's not really an issue because every other team has been doing it for decades... Scotland has a small pool of players, so if you apply the rules just as every other team has then I don't see any issue with that. The CKBs latest Fijian winger is superb; even better than the Convicts Fijian winger; and far better than the English Fijian winger who didn't even make the final WC squad...

Personally I don't agree with the residency rules but they are what they are and of course Scotland are right to follow others and take advantage of them where they can but doesn't change the fact that I don't think people should be able to qualify that way.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

nonsense, many teams have depth. I agree however that the CKBs have amazing depth at 10.

Oh I see...what I call depth you call amazing depth...ok have it your way

Just read that James Horwill and Nic White have missed the cut for the Aussie WC squad.

Caps a rather drastic fall from grace for the former and a little bit surprising in the case of the latter (wonder if signing to play overseas in White's case was a factor?).

They picked Phipps...... so happy.... hope he plays against us.... with Quade.....

^No, Bob - they need to be first choice against England (if they start one they'll be dropped for the rest of the tournament...)! A fly half who can't pass and has very limited vision (poor kicking too) - he could practically make it into the England squad...

As for that 10; his brilliance is always worth 7 points in a game and his errors, lack of catching the high ball, poor kicking, lack of tackling, out of position, weakness in rucks, etc, is always worth about 20 points per game to the oppo (I used an Aussie term there, did you notice fellas?).

This weekend should be some interesting games - the real stuff starts...

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

Nic White

Isn't up to it

Originally Posted by Bobcock

Phipps

Neither is he...but he is better than White

The definitive World Cup injury list

NEW ZEALAND

Nathan Harris
Apparently still in the frame, which is something of an indictment on the other contenders for the third hooker's spot. He's barely out of base camp in his test career, and has been sidelined in 2015 with an ankle problem and mysterious toe injury. Roared back to life for Bay of Plenty in the opening ITM Cup round, and who knows from here?

Charlie Faumuina
The big prop dropped out of All Black sight because of a neck injury and surgery in late June, and test rookie Nepo Laulala progressed very well in his absence. But Faumuina's ball carrying and athleticism is prized and an Auckland training ground concussion this week is a setback. Stay tuned.

Aaron Cruden
A knee injury and surgery in May put him out of the World Cup - noises about recovering in time to be a standby option were more in hope than reality.

Patrick Tuipulotu
Not an option, but his absence does still loom large. The athletic Auckland colossus was ruled out by a hip injury long ago and the subsequent struggles to find a quality fourth lock means veteran loosie Jerome Kaino will probably be the back-up.

Waisake Naholo
The wing remains in the selection hunt despite a leg fracture suffered on his test debut against Argentina in mid-July. Probably more of a standby option though, because he won't be ready by tournament kickoff.

FRANCE

Thierry Dusautoir
The inspirational 33-year-old French captain, missing from the warm-up matches against England, should return from a leg injury against Scotland early next month. French coach Philippe Saint-Andre says Dusautoir - who had an awesome 2011 final - will be fit for the World Cup. French hopes would plummet without the loose forward who some suggest is as much coach as captain.

WALES

Liam Williams
The highly regarded outside back had foot surgery in June but is expected to return for the tournament. Leigh Halfpenny's goalkicking makes him the likely fullback with Williams' attacking ability moved to the wing.

Samson Lee
The Welsh scrum is in serious trouble, especially if tighthead Lee hasn't recovered from the ruptured Achilles suffered during the Six Nations. Lee is so important - especially after veteran "hair bear" Adam Jones quit his test career when coach Warren Gatland dropped him - that he may be included if not fully fit by kickoff.

George North
The world class power wing is continually monitored after three quick concussions last season which saw him stood down for 10 weeks. He has resumed full contact training with Wales, who have a return warm-up game against Ireland next week and play Italy soon after their 31-man World Cup squad is named.

Jonathan Davies
The major Welsh casualty who was ruled out of the tournament months ago because of a knee injury.

SOUTH AFRICA

Duane Vermeulen
A major concern for Heyneke Meyer, given Vermeulen's ability. The Springboks' top No. 8 had neck surgery last month and is rated a good prospect by team doctor Craig Roberts but Meyer is still worried about his lack of game time.

JP Pietersen
Recovery from a hamstring injury has not gone as well as hoped and the clever wing was a late scratching against the All Blacks last month. Must be some doubt over his World Cup impact.

Jean de Villiers
Springboks doctor Craig Roberts is a busy man, media wise, because of their injury toll. He says the widely respected captain will recover just in time from a broken jaw, suffered against the Pumas on his comeback from an eight-month layoff because of a knee injury. His leadership and toughness are revered but could the Springboks be erring in their desperation to get him on the field, especially with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel forming such a promising centre partnership?

Marcell Coetzee
The loose forward is probably the most doubtful of the 'Boks after suffering a medial ligament injury against Argentina.

Fourie du Preez
The star halfback has been chilling out in Japanese rugby and last pulled on the Springboks jersey in mid 2014. A knee injury prevented his return against Argentina, but the veteran's selection is written in stone by coach Meyer.

Willie le Roux
The gifted fullback is so unique that his presence has a major impact on the game plan. Le Roux suffered an ankle injury in the loss to Argentina but should return to the training paddock within a fortnight.

Francois Louw
The flanker is due back about now from a "small tear" to his shoulder.

Jannie du Plessis
The long time test prop is battling a knee problem.

AUSTRALIA

Rob Simmons
Missed the Bledisloe Cup tests after wrist surgery, having gone into the World Cup season dealing with the lingering effects of a shoulder problem. Australia need all the locking resources they can get, and his latest problem let James Horwill remind Michael Cheika of his worth. Simmons is slated to return in the warm-up against the USA in Chicago on September 5.

SCOTLAND

Ryan Grant
The prop was on crutches after the close loss to Ireland but an x-ray revealed no ankle fracture. Further checks are needed though so he remains in some doubt.

Hugh Blake
The young Kiwi flanker dislocated a finger on debut against Ireland last week but is already back training.

ARGENTINA

Marcos Ayerza
The Pumas' scrum ace has had hamstring problems this year and was a late withdrawal in the return warm-up match against South Africa. He has an important date two weeks before the World Cup opener against the All Blacks - his testimonial game between Leicester and the Pumas. Ayerza is in the the World Cup squad and Argentina will be desperately hoping he gets back to full fitness.

Ramiro Herrera
The tighthead prop has made the World Cup squad despite recent knee surgery.

IRELAND

Cian Healy
The hugely important Lions prop is a touch and go proposition after neck surgery.

ENGLAND

Alex Corbisiero
The injury prone prop's World Cup chances crashed after suffering a back injury on his return to the test arena this month. That leaves Keiran Brookes as England's likely utility prop selection able to play on both sides.

Ben Morgan
The impressive No. 8 made a tentative return against France after eight months out following a bad leg fracture. He should be in the World Cup squad but coach Stuart Lancaster will have to take a punt he can find form during the tournament.

ITALY

Kelly Haimona
The big No. 10 - from Bay of Plenty - is apparently out of squad contention because a broken arm took longer than expected to heal. This puts the heat on Tomasso Allan, the remaining experienced first five-eighth.

Simone Favaro/George Biagi
The forwards have been cut from looming matches against Scotland allegedly because of shoulder and ankle injuries, although there has been Italian media suggestions there were disagreements with management. (The Italian squad took industrial action in June over World Cup bonus payments.)

FIJI

Napolioni Nalaga
The France-based wing - a star in European rugby - is apparently unlikely to make the squad after suffering undisclosed injury problems in the Pacific Cup. It would be a major loss although he could make the standby list.

SAMOA

David Lemi
Samoa were quick out of the blocks in naming their World Cup 31 with the veteran wing and national captain the major omission because of a longstanding neck problem which also forced him to miss the historic Apia test against the All Blacks. Prop James Johnston and halfback Pele Cowley were two others left out because of injuries.

There'll be more over the next 2 or 3 weeks.

15-6 to the hosts in Paris.

Their pack has given the Saes a bit of a first half thumping..... at one point it was 54-4 in numbers of tackles made.....

France v England 22/8/2015
England are a bit shit first half and lucky to go in only 15 - 6 down. Only good point is France have not touched down yet.
Pack being overwhelmed by the French.

The French are a good team with a very good pack, so this is a very good test at the right time.

We are all over the shop, where are all these leaders? That's why Burgess will probably get into the squad...

Scotland got a victory away from home, so they'll be happy with that.

Is it too late to put Armatage and Hartley into the squad (and first team)?

Anyone got a decent stream, mine (Sky Sports 1 Live Stream | Sky Sports 1) keeps freezing.

No beating about the bush we were shit for most of the game. I hope Lancaster and Betty will revise their opinions of Cipriani. Only on for 15 mins but he showed he is class,

England and Robshaw in particular need to understand how to operate under SH referees. Tonight should have been a lesson in that aspect. One of the commentators mentioned it early on but no one else picked up on it. One of McCaw's top qualities is playing the ref well.
England were too slow to understand what was going on at the breakdown, hence all those penalties and the French lead.

Originally Posted by chassamui

One of McCaw's top qualities is playing the ref well.

Oh Jaysus spare me

Originally Posted by chassamui

I hope Lancaster and Betty will revise their opinions of Cipriani. Only on for 15 mins but he showed he is class,

If he is class England are in the shite big time

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

The French are a good team with a very good pack

They ALWAYS are...they just have to turn up all at the same time the weird bastards

Originally Posted by chassamui

No beating about the bush we were shit for most of the game.

Indeed, utter shite. But, and this is no excuse for our poor play, I reckon the French have the most powerful pack and best scrum in the world, currently.

Originally Posted by chassamui

I hope Lancaster and Betty will revise their opinions of Cipriani.

He is poor, in the super 15s, he was the worst player on the park every game he played. However, Lancaster likes options at centre, a ball playing centre, he has been trying so hard for 36 to fill that role, and the Cip did look threatening in that role close to the tiring lumbering French looses and that bog fat prop of a centre, but I'd prefer Slade to play that role if needed (although Cip has a bit of pace that often makes the difference). Much as I dislike him, he did play well when he came on - maybe he will start at centre against Ireland alongside Desperate Dan or Burgess?

The good news is that Care looked good; start him against Ireland and give him a chance to be our number 1.

Originally Posted by chassamui

Robshaw

Shite performance; the worst game I've seen him play for club or country (not seen him play many club games, but always played well in the ones I watched). 7 & 8 were utter shite; 4 and 5 were poor and looked like they needed gametime (start them against Ireland and Fiji). 2 is crap at set plays, no matter how much they try to pretend otherwise, he cannot scrumage or throw the ball in - he should not be going to the WC, he is a liability. George should start against Ireland (and I don't rate him either... 10 had his worst game in an England shirt. 11 was back to his average self... Burrell tried, but on that performance adds no more than the League superstar (and less as a strong character on the field). Joseph really needs the team to play well to shine, he needs space to do his thing... 14, yeah, not international class I'm afraid. Brown played quite well but needs game time, start him against Ireland.

I expect Ireland to beat us in a closer game than today. But, that's where we are - 4th or 5th in the world, no better, but home advantage gives us a chance to beat anybody. We would be the worst team to ever win the WC if we won it - I see Ireland/CKBs as the top two teams - but of the French keep up this level and add a bit more with the backs then...