Rugby World Cup 2011

My predictions for World Cup 2011:


Pool A winner NZ
Runner up France

Pool B winner England
Runner up Argentina

Pool C winner Australia
Runner up Ireland

Pool D winner SA
Runner up Samoa/Wales

1st Quarter final Australia vs Samoa/Wales

2nd Quarter final England vs France

3rd Quarter final SA vs Ireland

4th Quarter final NZ vs Argentina

1st Semi Final Australia vs England/France

2nd Semi Final SA vs NZ

Final: SA/NZ vs Australia/Eng/France
 
Don't under estimate Englands chances of going far in this world cup. They almost always very well prepared. Undoubtedly the most professional outfit in world rugby...
 
http://betting.stanjames.com/Rugby-...World-Cup-Wales-Rugby-Union-World-Cup-Betting

Wales (80/1 to win the World Cup) will be without captain Matthew Rees for the Rugby World Cup 2011 after the Scarlets' hooker failed to recover from a neck injury. Rees will now undergo surgery to fix the problem. The Welsh backroom staff had hoped that surgery could be delayed until after the World Cup in New Zealand but the decision has been made to have an operation now to ensure the "safety and longevity of Matthew's career".

Shaun Edwards (Wales's assistant coach) spoke on the situation "There are more important things in life than rugby and Matthew is in such pain it has to be second to his life. We are gutted he will not lead us into the World Cup but he has to take the doctor's advice because you can't live like that. He can't sleep and is in constant agony."

Richard Hibbard has been added to the squad as cover and will compete with Lloyd Burns and Ken Owens for the number 2 shirt at the World Cup.
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That must be a big blow for the Welsh side :(
 
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/RugbyWorldCup2011/Smith-loss-blow-to-Boks-20110818

Johannesburg - All Black coach Graham Henry views the injury enforced withdrawal of Juan Smith as a massive blow to the Springbok chances of winning the Rugby World Cup.
The big flanker was finally forced to give up his dream of being part of a second successive winning World Cup effort when he announced on Wednesday evening that he would not be available to play for the Cheetahs in a Currie Cup match this weekend.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers wanted to see Smith play before the World Cup squad announcement next Tuesday, and Smith has reluctantly accepted that coming back from an Achilles operation so quickly was always going to be a huge ask.
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:(

Was really hoping he would be ready for the WC in time.

Could it not Have been Smit? :o
 
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Hmm got a bad feeling going into this WC :erm: Hopefully we can improve on last weeks performance but so far the team just looks lethargic and without purpose. Man I really hope we can turn things around before the WC actually starts.

Seems to me that many within the current squad are 2 years beyond their expiry date -- pdv gambled on the core of the 2007 squad remaining fit for the task but it seems it's gonna backfire. No plan B it seems. But then we are known for grinding out wins in the World Cup -- so go Bokka!
 
Smith was looking a little off in the Aus game, in that moment when the Aussies kicked up and he tried to gather and got bundled into touch so easily, well, it wasn't what I'd call elegant.;) Heck, it looked like he was a school boy. And the rest of the game wasn't brilliant for him, either. Though, he did look fine in the scrums. Then again, he's a hooker, hard not to do well in that department. When he shifted to prop, well, everyone knows what happened. It might be just as well. I actually applaud him for doing the right thing and stepping down. Anyway, he deserves recognition for his service to rugby and to the Boks and to SA.

As for the Boks chances.............. nada.

Pity, but the fact is they've lost a couple of big players, have a coach that shouldn't be allowed near a rugby field, a really bad start and to many inexperienced players (at least in test). :cry: But if NZ win this, I'm going to be pissed.
 
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Ronjay said:
I actually applaud him for doing the right thing and stepping down. Anyway, he deserves recognition for his service to rugby and to the Boks and to SA.
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Smith has stepped down, Smit has not. Who you talking about?
 
OOPS. Sorry. My buddy told me yesterday that Smit has stepped down. :o

Um, I see I typed Smith instead of Smit in my post. LOL. I SHOULDN'T post when I'm tired.;)
 
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Pitbull said:
Hope Lambie isn't injured in such a way that we can't take him to the RWC :(
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+1. I like having him there for cover on flyhalf / Fullback.

It will also do him a lot of good getting some WC experience under his belt for the 2015 event :D
 
Devill said:
Shoulder injury :(
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He tweaked it passing the ball around the 5th minute, carried on playing and then went off around the 15 minute mark. Wonder how serious it is...??

EDIT: Suspected popped AC joint in his shoulder, could rule him out for 3 weeks...
 
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sandmanm34 said:
He tweaked it passing the ball around the 5th minute, carried on playing and then went off around the 15 minute mark. Wonder how serious it is...??

EDIT: Suspected popped AC joint in his shoulder, could rule him out for 3 weeks...
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Yeah I see that Frans "Have another Sandwich" Steyn and Lambie should be fit to play in the WC.

http://www.iol.co.za/mercury/lambie-steyn-get-all-clear-1.1123229

Springbok utility back Patrick Lambie has been passed fit to take his place in the World Cup squad that will be announced in Joburg tonight after having injured his collar bone early in the Tri-Nations match against the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth.

Fullback Francois Steyn, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Wallabies in Durban the week before, has also been given the green light for the team’s departure on September 1.
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