Thread: 2011 Rugby World Cup. Who will win?

Originally Posted by bobo746

with one star telling the ARU he would go overseas if Deans left after the tournament.

Giteau and Deans are so far apart that giteau already has gone..... interesting to see the support go the other way from another 'star'

yeah never had big wraps on deans he comes across as if he's not sure what he should be doing imo.

He's had such an awful pack it's not been easy to make the rest of it work.

Plus his big name playmaker is playing like a twat and doesn't like being told so, personally I'd go to the RWC without Giteau he's become a disruptive influence.

Originally Posted by Bobcock

I see Giteau has signed to play for Toulon, that means Wilkinson, Henson and Giteau will be in the same backline next year.......

and another addition to 'rent-a-team'

According to reports in the French press, Springbok and Bulls lock Bakkies Botha has signed a three-year deal with Toulon.

French newspaper Midi Olympique reported on Monday that the 31-year-old signed a contract believed to be worth 700 000 Euros per season starting after the 2011 World Cup.

Bakkies eh?...about the right time for him, personally I'd sent the big money after his partner rather than him.

Interesting article from New Zealand..... although it is not written by the SH Stephen jones (Chris Rattarse) it does contain the sort of line that will bring a big cheer if / when the AB's fail again.......

by Mike Kilpatrick - Mon, 21 Feb 2011 14:10

It's fair to say Ma'a Nonu isn't my favourite All Black. And his redcard at the weekend just lowers my opinion of him.

I seemed to be alone in that opinion, especially when I wrote a blog just after Sonny Bill Williams started playing in New Zealand suggesting he was a better option than the Hurricanes' centre.

To say that I was abused would be an understatement. I'd just like a few of those who called into question my sanity on that day to reflect on Nonu's latest indiscretion.

My problem with the barnstorming centre has never been about his ability with the ball in hand - on his day he can be a devastating force.

It's his rugby brain that makes we wonder as to whether he'll ever be considered an All Blacks legend.

Too often - in my opinion - Nonu tries to do too much on his own. I despair every time I see him become isolated and being pinged for holding on in the tackle because he didn't go with the correct option.

And his passing is second only to Sitiveni Sivivatu's in terms of lack of accuracy amongst the current crop of All Black heroes.

I'm sorry to say Friday night's brain fart against the Highlanders, which cost his team the chance of a win, is just the latest example of his lack of nous.

I hope his team-mates are filthy with him - and I think Jamie Joseph should be sending him some new eye-liner as a thank you!

Yes, you could consider him a touch unlucky with his first yellow card.

The Hurricanes were on a team warning and whoever was penalised next was going in the bin.

So even if I give him the benefit of the doubt with that call what he did in the second half was sheer stupidity and nothing else.

He followed through on Jimmy Cowan with his shoulder, made no effort to pull out of it and deservedly walked for it.

It's the kind of mistake I'd expect from a rookie trying too hard to impress.

But Nonu is no rookie. He's 28 years old and in the prime of his career. He has over 50 caps for the All Blacks and will bring up 100 Super Rugby Caps in the next few weeks.

For someone who has been such a big part of the All Blacks over the last few years it was mindless and I hope Graham Henry is rethinking his midfield options.

Henry, who is on a hiding to nothing this year, has his entire legacy riding on the Rugby World Cup. He'll either be the first man to lose it twice or just the second coach to win it.

And I truly believe Nonu could endanger that hope.

Yellow cards are part and parcel of any game now. But what you expect from your senior players is to pull their head in if they are binned.

They've got to be squeaky clean and avoid any potential for a second yellow.

The All Blacks are good enough to beat any team in rugby with fifteen men. They're good enough to beat all but France, England, South Africa and Australia with 14 men.

(They're good enough to beat Scotland with 10, but that's another story!)

But I don't find it hard to envisage another Nonu brain explosion costing the All Blacks at the business end of the tournament.

Okay, Sonny Bill Williams may not turn out to be the answer. But when you've got Dan Carter on the inside, Conrad Smith on the outside I reckon there are better options than Ma'a Nonu when it comes to the World Cup.

I just hope Ted and co see that before it's too late.

^ Thats a crap jurno.Crap piece of writing.

Of course the world will laugh if the ABs fail. That is not exactly a secret bobby.

They'll only get the third loudest laugh from me.....if that's any consolation....

SA have a good chance, imho.

What lunatics voted Scotland and Wales - they have zero chance... (I'd like to see them both competitive, and reckon it'd be great for one of 'em to win it, but...)

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

What lunatics voted Scotland and Wales

"Snigger"....................

Originally Posted by Norton

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Well, the IRB have done everything possible to ensure the 'best team in the world' actually wins it this time, so I'll go for France.

I have to go with me rugby mentor, Marmite.

Hard not to pick the cheating, rules bending French. As the saying goes, "If you can't beat, cheat em".

Marmite has taught you well.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

What lunatics voted Scotland and Wales - they have zero chance...

Can't argue with that, it's a 2 horse race with two outsiders in my book.....and I only believe one team will win it.

^ the last line is the most sensible comment you've made in weeks.

So, you're plumping for NZ then?

I think they will win it will ease, SA are the next best bet but they getting a bit long in the tooth for me....

Unfortunately the best one can hope for in any world cup is a suprise packege in the SF's, can't see one this time, only 6 teams capable and one of them won't for sure (Ireland).

I'll stick with SA because the kiwis may choke.

Australia/England/France/Wales/Argentina are all a fair bit behind in my book; as for the rest...

I wouldn't put Wales or Argentina in with that lot on current form, I would put Ireland but they'll flatter to deceive as they do most times.... Best bet from Wales is a QF which is nothing more than par for the course.

I don't think Australia/England are that far ahead of Wales. England just won't be ready in time, Australia are average. Wales have talent and experience if they bring it together - they've as much chance of doing so as England/Australia, imo.

But, anything could happen, and England/Australia both have pretty strong records in the competition, with improving teams (Wales/Ireland going the other way?)

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Wales have talent and experience if they bring it together - they've as much chance of doing so as England/Australia, imo.

You've obviously never had the pleasure of supporting them in World Cups where they always underachieve.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

But, anything could happen

Some things, but hardly anything the competition is too stretched.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

^ the last line is the most sensible comment you've made in weeks.

Which particular things did you find so non sensible?

SA has been quietly blooding some new talent.

The players that made them dominant a few years back are clearly past their best.

Could sneak in if the new blood is good enough to back up the experienced men.

I doubt it though.

Kiwis probably not to choke this time!

^ Certainly the main credible threat on paper at this point in time, but I don't feel the players coming through are ready to be World Cup Winners.

It would be my preferred final, but I haven't sat and looked at the draw but I assume it's possible.

Apart from the draw probably not allowing it, the 4 semi-finalists will be:-

England
France
New Zealand
South Africa

And the final?
England - France

Bloody marvellous!

Why the French? I rather beat NZ in the final on their home turf; saweeet...

Carnt write them off, bit I doubt you'll see the boks triumphant in the RWC this year.

They weren't great in the 3N last year, and if you look at their actual results it's pretty clear where they enjoy a competitive edge- Altitude. They won't have the benefit of that in NZ, although I'm sure they're relieved not to be playing in the subtropical heat of Qld (Suncorp) either, where they have an woeful track record.

FRA/ ENG eh? Dream on marmers.

Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Why the French? I rather beat NZ in the final on their home turf; saweeet...

It just seems unlikely the chockers will get that far.