| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Sean 
"Necrosphenisciform anthropophagist."
|
 Posted - 09/30/2007 : 03:51:12
|
OK, now that we're getting to the business end of the competition, who else is following this? I haven't paid attention during the pool stages, but the quarterfinals start next week so I'm about to wake up. Most of the pool matches have been totally one-sided and largely pointless from a spectator perspective.
A few surprises so far; mainly Fiji knocking Wales out last night, and of course Argentina upsetting France in the tournament opener. There may be another surprise tonight when Ireland play Argentina.
Here are the fixtures anyway. 
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/knockout.html
|
|
|
bife 
"Winners never quit ... fwfr ... "
|
Posted - 09/30/2007 : 04:02:03
|
Bring on those Aussies, we'll show those weedy ex-cons who the boss is.
Or maybe not  |
 |
|
|
Chris C 
"Four words, never backwards."
|
Posted - 09/30/2007 : 20:02:12
|
Quarter finals:
Australia - England: Aus to give us a good slapping. Unfortunately.
New Zealand - France: All Blacks to give the cheese-eating surrender monkeys the beating they deserve.
South Africa - Fiji: Fiji to give the Boks a hard time in the first half and then fade and lose.
Argentina - Scotland: Argentina will make it a pair of all-southern-hemisphere semifinals, which would mean Aus vs NZ and SA vs Arg.
|
Edited by - Chris C on 09/30/2007 20:02:43 |
|
|
|
Shiv 
"What a Wonderful World"
|
Posted - 09/30/2007 : 23:01:34
|
quote:
Originally posted by Chris C
Quarter finals:
Australia - England: Aus to give us a good slapping. Unfortunately.
Neither team have really been tested - so I wouldn't take if for granted that Australia will win.
New Zealand - France: All Blacks to give the cheese-eating surrender monkeys the beating they deserve.
Hear hear (if only for France's defeat of Ireland in the last WC)
South Africa - Fiji: Fiji to give the Boks a hard time in the first half and then fade and lose.
Probably - but it'll be a good match I reckon.
Argentina - Scotland: Argentina will make it a pair of all-southern-hemisphere semifinals, which would mean Aus vs NZ and SA vs Arg.
Since my team, Ireland, was knocked out by the Argentines it would be nice to see some Celtic spirit in the semis.
|
|
|
|
Sean
"Necrosphenisciform anthropophagist."
|
Posted - 10/01/2007 : 00:17:41
|
I agree with Chris C.
My picks for the semis? NZ-Aus I have no idea, normally I'd say NZ except that the ABs have a habit of crumbling under the ludicrous pressure that the NZ public and media put them under during WC year (in fact the pressure began early 2006 - ridiculous). 
So I'd say it will be either NZ or Aus vs. SA in the final. |
|
|
|
Chris C
"Four words, never backwards."
|
Posted - 10/01/2007 : 22:51:52
|
quote:
Originally posted by Shiv
quote:
Originally posted by Chris C
Quarter finals:
Australia - England: Aus to give us a good slapping. Unfortunately.
Neither team have really been tested - so I wouldn't take if for granted that Australia will win.
I think the shut-out the S Africans handed us is just a preview of what we can expect against the Aussies.  |
|
|
|
Shiv
"What a Wonderful World"
|
Posted - 10/02/2007 : 01:08:52
|
quote:
Originally posted by Chris C
quote:
Originally posted by Shiv
quote:
Originally posted by Chris C
Quarter finals:
Australia - England: Aus to give us a good slapping. Unfortunately.
Neither team have really been tested - so I wouldn't take if for granted that Australia will win.
I think the shut-out the S Africans handed us is just a preview of what we can expect against the Aussies.
Yes, fair comment.
I haven't been able to watch all the matches because of the timings of them. I also haven't seen any 6 Nations this year. I agree with your analysis of the outcomes of the games based on reading match reports and the pundits - but I'm always an optimist for either the underdog, or that a team will suddenly come into form. Hence staying up late to watch Ireland-Argentina |
|
|
|
Sean
"Necrosphenisciform anthropophagist."
|
Posted - 10/02/2007 : 02:55:54
|
I've watched precisely zero rugby matches this year. They killed the Super 14 by pulling the ABs out of the first half of the season, then France killed the tour to NZ by leaving their good players at home, then SA killed the Tri-Nations by leaving their best guys at home. So I watched none of them, didn't see the point.
Then the pool matches of the World Cup were almost all irrelevant or total mismatches. So, the quarterfinal this weekend will be my first match of the year. |
|
|
|
Chris C
"Four words, never backwards."
|
Posted - 10/02/2007 : 22:40:55
|
quote:
Originally posted by Se�n
...then SA killed the Tri-Nations by leaving their best guys at home.
Is anyone talking about Argentina joining up to make it a 4-nations tournament? The Italians joined the 5 nations a few years ago, and are steadily improving, and beating some of the "bigger" teams. |
|
|
|
Sean
"Necrosphenisciform anthropophagist."
|
Posted - 10/02/2007 : 23:11:15
|
quote:
Originally posted by Chris C
Is anyone talking about Argentina joining up to make it a 4-nations tournament? The Italians joined the 5 nations a few years ago, and are steadily improving, and beating some of the "bigger" teams.
Yep I read something about that a few days ago. It's being suggested along with adding some of the Pacific nations to the Super14. Probably both are a good idea. |
|
|
|
Shiv
"What a Wonderful World"
|
Posted - 10/06/2007 : 15:41:09
|
| 'Upset' number one. I hadn't ruled England out. Wonder what else is in store! |
|
|
|
Sal[Au]pian
"Four ever European"
|
Posted - 10/06/2007 : 17:20:16
|
 Thanks for the info, Shiv. I've just been out with a friend and so missed the match. |
|
|
|
ChocolateLady
"500 Chocolate Delights"
|
Posted - 10/06/2007 : 20:08:39
|
quote:
Originally posted by Salopian
Thanks for the info, Shiv. I've just been out with a friend and so missed the match.
Well, there's another stereotype blown out of the water!
|
|
|
|
Shiv
"What a Wonderful World"
|
Posted - 10/06/2007 : 21:52:54
|
Well, well, well. France-England semi - that'll be a doozy. Who would have thunk it. I am definitely punting for Scotland now. Not sure Fiji can overturn South Africa though.
|
|
|
|
Sean
"Necrosphenisciform anthropophagist."
|
Posted - 10/06/2007 : 22:37:31
|
quote:
Originally posted by Shiv
Well, well, well. France-England semi - that'll be a doozy. Who would have thunk it. I am definitely punting for Scotland now. Not sure Fiji can overturn South Africa though.
Nah, Fiji will win the world cup now.
 |
|
|
|
Shiv
"What a Wonderful World"
|
Posted - 10/07/2007 : 00:49:47
|
quote:
Originally posted by Se�n
quote:
Originally posted by Shiv
Well, well, well. France-England semi - that'll be a doozy. Who would have thunk it. I am definitely punting for Scotland now. Not sure Fiji can overturn South Africa though.
Nah, Fiji will win the world cup now.
I truly wouldn't rule anything out
NZ and Australia were both beaten, rather than lost their games. France came back defensively in the second half. It was grueling to watch! In the end it was something like 140 tackles to NZ's 40 - but NZ had 70% of the posession! And England out-scrummed Australia - as well as stopping their back line getting any momentum.
I've not seen either Fiji or South Africa play so far - but I suppose it all comes down to whether Fiji can counter whatever strengths the SA team are playing at the moment. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Rugby World Cup
