Thread: The Rugby World Cup 2015

^The RWC links are all different aspects of the tournament.

Looking forward to the contest as well Chas.

Originally Posted by chassamui

Good to see Nigel Owens as one of the top 12 referees.

I hope that the Kiwi show-boat idiot is not a referee? Cannot remember the clowns name.

^ Not to worry, LT - you won't be playing many games, but you might get the one win against Fiji (maybe...).

As soon as Pocock is injured, that's the end of the WC for the Convicts; and he always gets injured...

Here ya go LT

The full list of referees with their union and number of tests in brackets is: Wayne Barnes (RFU, 57), George Clancy (IRFU, 38), JP Doyle (RFU, 12), Jérôme Garcès (FFR, 22), Pascal Gauzere (FFR, 17), Glen Jackson (NZR, 10), Craig Joubert (SARU, 55), John Lacey (IRFU, 13), Nigel Owens (WRU, 60), Jaco Peyper (SARU, 20), Romain Poite (FFR, 39) and Chris Pollock (NZR, 18).

In addition, the full list of assistant referees with their union and number of tests as AR in brackets is: Federico Anselmi (UAR, five), Stuart Berry (SARU, 15), Mike Fraser (NZR, 10), Angus Gardner (ARU, two), Leighton Hodges (WRU, 19), Marius Mitrea (FIR, 13), Mathieu Raynal (FFR, nine).

The television match officials for the six-week tournament with their union and number of tests as TMO in brackets are: George Ayoub (ARU, 33), Graham Hughes (RFU, 60) Ben Skeen (NZR, 11) and Shaun Veldsman (SARU, 50).

^ Thanks mate.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

^ Not to worry, LT - you won't be playing many games, but you might get the one win against Fiji (maybe...).

As soon as Pocock is injured, that's the end of the WC for the Convicts; and he always gets injured...

I'd be very careful Betts. Aussie are as cunning as shit house rats. Their scrum is ok, their loosies are great and they have very good attacking backs.

What's not to like about them?

^Just wait and see.They are very physical to boot.

I'd rather play Pommies or France than the South Pacific Yanks...

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

I'd rather play Pommies or France than the South Pacific Yanks...

Crazy!

The French are shite, but if they turn up can beat anyone - you were fuking lucky to be the second best team in the last final and scrape a win!

England are an OK team, not great, but we will be well prepared and managed, at home, so you wouldn't wanna be playing us in the quarters or semis, just sayin...

Funnily enough, I'd rather we played the CKBs than Ireland. We will see.

^ firstly, I'd be very happy to get to the semis! It is a tough group and pretty close between us, Wales and the Convicts; I could imagine any of the 3 not making it out - one bad game or one great game by the oppo and you're gone!

Second, semis at home, I'll take anybody because at that stage you have nothing to lose and the home support/venue will add 10%. I just don't fancy playing those Irish because I reckon they have a manager and players who have worked us out.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

^ firstly, I'd be very happy to get to the semis! It is a tough group and pretty close between us, Wales and the Convicts; I could imagine any of the 3 not making it out - one bad game or one great game by the oppo and you're gone!

Second, semis at home, I'll take anybody because at that stage you have nothing to lose and the home support/venue will add 10%. I just don't fancy playing those Irish because I reckon they have a COACH and players who have worked us out.

fixed that for you Betts.


Any game playing Engerland at home would have to be great...regardless of who wins.

I've yet to be convinced by this whole resurgent Australia thing. They squeaked one at the death against a fading Bokke side, predictably beat Argentina in a match where the score flattered them, and beat an off-song All Blacks.

It certainly wouldn't be the first false canary yellow dawn. After beating the AB's in Brisbane in '11 they were suddenly the team to beat at the World Cup. Until they weren't.

Tomorrows match is going to be rather telling methinks.

Originally Posted by chassamui

I would not be in the least bit surprised if England Australia and Wales all win one game each and it will go down to who puts the most points on Fiji and Uraguay.

Distinct possibility.

Personally I'm hoping that Fiji gets up and topples one of them. I don't care who, any of the three will do!

Actually now that I think about it whilst it would definitely be an upset it's far from being outside the realms of possibility.

Fiji are tracking well recently and with players like Nadolo on song who knows...

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

I just don't fancy playing those Irish because I reckon they have a manager and players who have worked us out.

Ireland fully deserve their current IRB ranking. They are capable and confident as a team, with great individual support for each other.
England are not far behind them in all those departments but they have so much depth and so many options it actually makes Lancasters job that much harder.
The Kiwis side is probaly 2 years ahead of us in development.
The top 3 sides in the world today are ABs, Ireland and England. The really great part of that, is that it could all change in the next 24hrs.

Have a safe journey to England ABs

SA to win. Based on, I like, their style of play. No more to add sorry.

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

What's not to like about them?

... they are unsporting. Just take a look at the Aussie prime minister giving England their medals

Originally Posted by chassamui

Have a safe journey to England ABs

That there is a great ad...

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

Aussie are as cunning as shit house rats.

true

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

Their scrum is ok

Not true

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

their loosies are great

They only have two though

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

As soon as Pocock is injured, that's the end of the WC for the Convicts; and he always gets injured...

Probably...depth is going to be important

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

hey have very good attacking backs

Folau is world class, the rest play well at home, and they have no depth...jaysus they have picked that retard Quade Cooper to play at Eden Park tonight

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

I've yet to be convinced by this whole resurgent Australia thing. They squeaked one at the death against a fading Bokke side, predictably beat Argentina in a match where the score flattered them, and beat an off-song All Blacks.

It certainly wouldn't be the first false canary yellow dawn. After beating the AB's in Brisbane in '11 they were suddenly the team to beat at the World Cup. Until they weren't.

Tomorrows match is going to be rather telling methinks.

Agree totally

Originally Posted by chassamui

Ireland fully deserve their current IRB ranking.

True...but in reality daylight is second

Originally Posted by chassamui

The Kiwis side is probaly 2 years ahead of us in development.

Munster is the driving force of the hard Irish style, they just need more of them...they lack depth

Originally Posted by Bruce Bayliss

Originally Posted by Little Chuchok

Their scrum is ok

Not true

I'll be watching from a box at Eden Park tonight Brucie...we shall see. The AB front row were outplayed last week...pure and simple. Expect a back lash, but the Aussie scrum have come ahead leaps and bounds.

Where was their weak point?

Originally Posted by Bruce Bayliss

Munster is the driving force of the hard Irish style, they just need more of them...they lack depth

Their B team showed considerable cohesion and power against Wales. One of the few reasons I place them ahead of a competent England side who have struggled to find effetive pairings because they have so much depth..