Thread: 2011 Rugby World Cup. Who will win?

Thurs Sep 15
Pool C Russia v USA New Plymouth Stadium Taranaki


A Cold War match - and Russia's sending big guns
7 January 2011

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev or Prime Minister Vladimir Putin are set to be guest of honour at Stadium Taranaki during the Rugby World Cup when their country takes on the United States in September.

Russia rugby coach Steve Diamond revealed plans for the diplomatic visit after arriving in New Plymouth yesterday. Diamond, along with skills coach, former Kiwi rugby league international who also played rugby for England, Henry Paul, arrived in New Plymouth a day ahead of the Russia squad who will spend a week preparing to play a Taranaki invitational XV at Tikorangi on January 15.

The former England player revealed plans were being finalised for President Medvedev or Prime Minister Putin to visit New Zealand during the World Cup.

"Apparently they are going to have either the president or the prime minister at the game," Diamond said. "I think they have got a state visit planned and they want to coincide it with that. It will be a big political day."

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.

Australia will take some beating got a good young side but I'm an Englishman so I vote England.

I can see England failing to get out of their group as Scotland are going to have a blinding year and Argentina to progress with them, as to the winner you have to go for NZ although no doubt they will bottle it again, always a good way to make some easy money lay NZ to win the world cup at a stupid price.

New Zealnd will win it this time.

^They should win it everytime but they don't.

Suid Afrika for me.

Originally Posted by buriramboy

^They should win it everytime but they don't.

True, but this time they will win

I voted Wales. They're at the bottom of the poll, shame. They sing good.

Dream dream dream, Dream dream dreee-eeam.....

Grassroots rugby: The Russians in NZ
12/01/11



It may only have a population of a few hundred, but Tikorangi will become the home of international rugby this Saturday.

The Clifton Rugby Club will host a match between the Russian rugby team and a Taranaki Invitational side as a warm-up for the visitors ahead of their Rugby World Cup match in New Plymouth, Taranaki, later this year.

And Clifton club co-chairman Russell Tate has been frantically mowing, painting, and water blasting in preparation.

"I take great pride in doing it. We're privileged to have an international team here and it's good for the kids."

"We do it for the love of the game, for the love of rugby".

The 70-year-old is retired, but used to own a lawnmowing franchise, and admits to having "always been a bit fastidious with my lawns".

He said the club would be welcoming the Russians with a clean changing shed, extensive gymnasium, and some good Kiwi fare during the after match function in the club rooms.

Source

A Russian team came over and played in the CM 10's this year, they had some big fuckers and certainly enjoy the game. Even had a KGB lookalike with a big scar on his face.....

Imagine if those buggers got their shit sorted out.....

Kiwis at last?

Surely the Kiwis will win it this time.

Sneaky French steal Australian rugby team


Giteau out of here: Fading midfield star Matt Giteau, left, is reported to be leaving Australian rugby amid rumours he doesn't get on with national coach Robbie Deans, right.

A massive raid by European clubs is threatening to derail the Wallabies' Rugby World Cup preparations before the season has even begun.

Sydney's Sun-Herald newspaper this morning is reporting the Wallabies will be decimated after the tournament this September and October with foreign rugby clubs already having signed several players to secret contracts while others intend switching to league.

The raids have left the Australian Rugby Union red-faced as most of the moves on their players happened while staff were on their summer break. In particular, several French clubs tabled offers to Australian players, with deadlines.

The paper predicted Matt Giteau, headed to Toulon, would lead the exodus and that almost all of the other 15 Wallabies stars off-contract after the cup would follow the 28-year-old playmaker due to unrest within the Robbie Deans-led squad.

Two players, hooker Stephen Moore and backrower Huia Edmonds, have already signed with European clubs Racing Metro and Saracens, while Dean Mumm, Drew Mitchell, Luke Burgess and Adam Ashley-Cooper have all been given strict deadlines from determined French clubs as they look to cement their rosters for next year by February.

ARU officials returned from their Christmas break last week to learn that international clubs had fast-tracked contract negotiations with their players, shifting contract deadlines to January – six months earlier then their regular deadlines – in anticipation of the busy world cup period.

more here

If the Kiwi's are good enuff to choke, Oz is as good a chance as anyone.

I presume the Aussies also have this stupid rule that says it's players must play in Australia?

Idiocy of the highest order.

^ yes; I think Oz and NZ are now the only ones who will not select from outside their own country.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I presume the Aussies also have this stupid rule that says it's players must play in Australia?

Idiocy of the highest order.

Why is that?

Australia because we can.

Bobo -where have you been, the MotoGP threads have been dead -your place survive the floods ok?

Oz will go into the WC with a young team, average probably about 18 looking at some of them! never rule them out they play so often in NZ it's not as if it's an 'away' game, as long as the team v coach issue doesn't get in the way they will always be a real threat

[quote=genghis61;1664050]Bobo -where have you been, the MotoGP threads have been dead -your place survive the floods ok?

yeah mate the water got to the end of my street lost power 4 a couple of days all good the place was like a war zone all good now i will get to to the moto gp thread asap.