The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

As an England supporter it’s not great is it

Another “win” world rugby can mark up for themselves

I’ll call a good England team when I see one, but this isn’t one. There are some players with Carly undeserved reputations and some living on past glories.

I had zero confidence going in to today, and I would expect any England or Wales supporter to realistically have the same. If we were playing Wales or England I’d fancy us to win as slight favourites but with no guarantees. I ‘think’ we are best of the rest, but even that feels hard to defend today.

[Buzzo]

Could really hurt. I feel like SA have the advantage with Am coming back if he's fit to play, would be a massive boost. Marx is a massive loss but everyone is missing key players, I think our depth helps us cope a little better.

DuPont is another massive wild card. I literally cannot believe he can be fit by next weekend. My take is that they are just going to string the rest of the world along on the ‘chance’ that he could make it as to officially rule him out would be devastating.

It’s all set for a SA v either Oreland or NZ final I think.

The gulf in class between top 4 and rest is just vast.

[Rigadon]

France, SA, Ireland best teams. Personally think France will win.

NZ better than the rest but not as good as the top three (crazy to think).

[Zapater]

As an England supporter it’s not great is it

Another “win” world rugby can mark up for themselves

I'm actually a little nervous that we're all going to beat each other up mentally and emotionally. Then whoever wins won't be able to get up for the next game and England will someone win it

[Zapater]

:handhake:

We are (or were) 5th in the world, I’d acknowledge there is from what I’ve seen a big gap between 5 and the top 4.

You lot are class, don’t be ashamed of it

The HIAs are probably not going to make the 1/4s so possibly you will be without Lowe and Hansen. Thats on the draw for me.

Could really hurt. I feel like SA have the advantage with Am coming back if he's fit to play, would be a massive boost. Marx is a massive loss but everyone is missing key players, I think our depth helps us cope a little better.

[RichC]

The two 1/4s from this side will be phenomenal.

England v Fiji or Wales v Argentina / Japan. **** me, what a joke,l.

As an England supporter it’s not great is it

Another “win” world rugby can mark up for themselves

[Buzzo]

Draw was diabolical. Scotland are much better than Australia and would probably have faired favourably against Fiji too (or at least on par).

Think they had to take some points at the beginning of the game. Getting into their 22 and "building" phases but actually being pushed back skyrocketed Ireland's confidence. Should have taken a drop or tried to buy a pen to get something on the scoreboard.

The two 1/4s from this side will be phenomenal.

England v Fiji or Wales v Argentina / Japan. **** me, what a joke,l.

[Buzzo]

We are the world number 1 and for a reason, if we get the players recovered then we’ll have a great shot at them. It’s NZ and not Scotland (no offense Buzzo), we’ve done well vs them recently but it’s not a walk over. This isn’t their best ever side but they battered SA recently and showed what they can do when they click

:handhake:

We are (or were) 5th in the world, I’d acknowledge there is from what I’ve seen a big gap between 5 and the top 4.

You lot are class, don’t be ashamed of it

The HIAs are probably not going to make the 1/4s so possibly you will be without Lowe and Hansen. Thats on the draw for me.

[Zapater]

Now we are out we can really see why the draw is so bad… or I can say it without being accused of bias.

Only 2 of South Africa, Ireland, France and New Zealand to make the semi finals against the, let’s be honest sub standard Rugby on the other side of the draw is a joke.

Ireland are ferocious. We didn’t play badly tonight we were just beaten by a better team. Never fancied us and if anything the 2 tries flatter us. We are good, but Ireland are so much better.

I really hope the number of injuries across both teams downs affect Ireland for the 1/4 final.

Draw was diabolical. Scotland are much better than Australia and would probably have faired favourably against Fiji too (or at least on par).

Think they had to take some points at the beginning of the game. Getting into their 22 and "building" phases but actually being pushed back skyrocketed Ireland's confidence. Should have taken a drop or tried to buy a pen to get something on the scoreboard.

[RichC]

The draw is a mess tbh, 3 years prior to the WC is ridiculous
.

Kiwis will always be a threat but I still think Ireland and SA are the stand out sides.

[Buzzo]

And with the draw, **** me what a waste we’ve made of that

It’s sooo bad. Wales are absolutely ****e and they will likely make the semi final.

I just hope one of the top 4 win it ( and hopefully northern hem).

[Buzzo]

Ireland vs SA final is my bet.

Best teams out there

Now we are out we can really see why the draw is so bad… or I can say it without being accused of bias.

Only 2 of South Africa, Ireland, France and New Zealand to make the semi finals against the, let’s be honest sub standard Rugby on the other side of the draw is a joke.

Ireland are ferocious. We didn’t play badly tonight we were just beaten by a better team. Never fancied us and if anything the 2 tries flatter us. We are good, but Ireland are so much better.

I really hope the number of injuries across both teams downs affect Ireland for the 1/4 final.

[Zapater]

It's hard to gauge these things, particular as they're one off matches and key events or refereeing decisions can make all the difference. I thought we would be unstoppable in 2011, the team was playing great. Had a tight game against Australia where the decisions didn't go our way either and I think we lost by 2 points. We were better than France and the All Blacks (both very good mind) that year but what happened happened.

[Irishnev]

World number 1 for a reason, got to stop the underdog stuff at some point !

Harsh draw having to play the Kiwis but Ireland are a better side than them at the moment.

SA are a fabulous side and probably still the team to beat as they are WC but that’s the deal

We are the world number 1 and for a reason, if we get the players recovered then we’ll have a great shot at them. It’s NZ and not Scotland (no offense Buzzo), we’ve done well vs them recently but it’s not a walk over. This isn’t their best ever side but they battered SA recently and showed what they can do when they click

[RichC]

And with the draw, **** me what a waste we’ve made of that