Gardian Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Here we go then - six weeks of wall-to-wall rugby. As with any competition, there'll be a few superb matches and a few absolute shockers.For what its worth, my thoughts on the chances of the major teams:Ireland - not the team they were a season ago. Might struggle.Wales - badly hit by injuries in key positions. May not make the QF's.Scotland - improving, but not enough.France - somehow they always seem to do better in the RWC than their form suggests. Dark horse.Italy - always capable of springing the odd surprise, but simply not good enough.Australia - usually do well. A big danger.New Zealand - justifiably strong favourites, but often seem to have peaked too soon. South Africa - very hard to beat, with determination in spades.Argentina - not quite enough all-round strengthand ..........England - a good squad in as good a state as one would hope. Will our kicking let us down? Must win our group or we'll be almost certainly up against RSA in the QF's.My likely winners? South AfricaPossible surprises? France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cendrillon Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Did anyone listen to France classique radio last night 18.00?To mark the start of the RWC they invited Johny Wilkinson to be interviewed for this hour long programme. They played his choice of music and he chatted away quite fluently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardian Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 Right.Enough of the fosse septiques / washing machines / various betes.We're off ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardengirl Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 We've just got back from aperos with French friends, who tried to convince us that the English team was playing France this evening. I knew it began with 'F' but couldn't remember exactly which country, while they were absolutely certain it was France. On the way home, I remembered it was Fiji. I never thought I would know something about rugby better than French friends!Hope anyone who's keen enjoys the match - we don't have TV in France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Sooner it's over the better IMO, ditto world cup anything, cricket, golf, tennis, tiddlywinks, etc. etc. etc. Opium for the masses.[:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekJ Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 It's a lot better than wave after wave of cookery, house buying/improving, antiques etc crap..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonzjob Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Didn't that 'f' team do well!! Got England quite worried at one time, but the reds rallied and eventually got their bonus points 4th try.They are going to have to pull their shorts up and do a hell of a lot better if they really have the desire to get very far n the comp though.33 -- 11 eventually! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardian Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 The Fijians are by no means poor players in World class terms - many of their side play in the top level in French club sides. They've transitioned from being one of the best 7's sides in the World, to being one of the better '2nd level' 15's sides.We'll take the win & the 5 points, but beating Wales next weekend is crucial. It wasn't great tonight, but good enough.NZ vs Arg on Sunday. Now that's a match that could go close! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 In the pool matches all that really matters is the win and bonus point so an excellent result for England. I agreed with Sir Clive Woodward that the referee should not have gone to the TMO after awarding the disallowed Fifi try. IMO he should not have allowed the try but referred it before making a decision. I feel sorry for Uruguay in that group as they will just be sacrificial lambs. Still it is was an enjoyable first match so let's hope we see some more rugby like it over the next weeks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerekJ Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 I never thought I'd be shouting (well, screaming actually) for Japan. Brilliant stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnie Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 What a brilliant match Japan played. They certainly showed South Africa what they're made of. A well deserved win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Yes, proof indeed that size isn't everything! They were half the size of the S Africans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonzjob Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 [quote user="DerekJ"]I never thought I'd be shouting (well, screaming actually) for Japan. Brilliant stuff.[/quote]2s up on that Derek!! I have never been a fan of the SA team and their attitude of ' a walk over' spat back at them. The Japanese blokes were so quick and determined and if there are any better games in this lot then we don't want to miss them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickP Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 [quote user="AnOther"]Sooner it's over the better IMO, ditto world cup anything, cricket, golf, tennis, tiddlywinks, etc. etc. etc. Opium for the masses.[:P][/quote] Still;only another 5 weeks of wonderful sport for the masses who enjoy life. Talking of opium don't you need to take that to buy; and attempt to restore old cars that nobody else wants or wanted? I remember when they used to say you had more chance of being cured of Herpes than selling an MG. [:D][:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardian Posted September 20, 2015 Author Share Posted September 20, 2015 Eight matches & a great weekend!RSA were awful (so much for my prediction!) - more than a few players unfit from injury and/or past their sell by.Japan were fantastic, but can they sustain it? However, best match by far as has been said.Ireland, France & Wales were all OK vs weak opposition. Hard to judge any of them objectively.NZ vs Argentina - the All BLacks were just so efficient, particularly in the final quarter. Hard to love them though, eh? Argentina will scare all the other teams.England? Despite the moaning Press, I'd rather be where we are, than where the South Africans are. Its not perfect, but it certainly isn't awful and seemingly no injuries.Two days off now to get a few things done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Are these the correct rules? [6]https://www.facebook.com/173931136117490/videos/420566344787300/?fref=nf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardian Posted September 23, 2015 Author Share Posted September 23, 2015 Just baled out from watching France - they're making heavy weather of it, but Romania are a league or two below.Australia looked quite good vs an underrated Fiji side - two good games by the latter and they end up with nothing!Scotland are going to think they're going to win it after today. Is it me, or is the rolling maul the only way to score a try in this tournament? OK, maybe not all the scores, but its the 'in-thing'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Thing is that it's difficult to disrupt a rolling maul without giving away a penalty or committing half your team thus leaving an overlap on the passes.Why don't the Germans play top level rugby?Because in the scums, they get confused when the Ref says 'Yes...Nine!' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardian Posted September 26, 2015 Author Share Posted September 26, 2015 I don't believe what I've just witnessed.Anybody know a good counsellor? I need help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I don't believe it either but I LOVE the result and I shall have a good night's sleep after all[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonzjob Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Yu may have loved the result, but I didn't!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 An exciting match to watch. A draw would have been a fair result but all credit to England for taking the gamble. Just a pity that poor execution let them down at the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 [quote user="Jonzjob"]Yu may have loved the result, but I didn't!!![/quote]Tough t i t t i e[:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzer Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Quite!!It just got BIGGAR and better!Just concerned about a 4 day turnaround , Fiji and so many injuries. But for now just enjoying the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Interesting Welsh team you may notice; hardly a Welshman amongst them, but then who cares as long as the rugby is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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