Official Rugby World Cup 2015 Thread

[Fulcrum29]

Yep. you will be suprised. Canada have upset some big teams before.

Not a puck.

The last time the Canadians won a big team was against the Pumas, a decade ago, a third-rated starting line-up.

 

[Ho3n3r]

Pool D game 1 Ireland vs Canada.... that is not an easy call.

Yeah. I couldn't decide whether I should pick Ireland by 40 or by 70.

 

[Drifter]

Not a puck.

The last time the Canadians won a big team was against the Pumas, a decade ago, a third-rated starting line-up.

I know it will be foolish not to pick Ireland, playing devils advocate here.

 

[MickeyD]

Ireland - easy win after a tough first 20 minutes.

 

[Drifter]

I also reckon that.

 

[Fulcrum29]

I know it will be foolish not to pick Ireland, playing devils advocate here.

One thing though... this is true,

Funnier things have happened.

In that pool, Italy may pull one over the French and the Irish. Japan in our pool may play like 2014 and perhaps win Scotland and USA, and even Samoa. Fiji might even take their pool... Only time will tell.

 

[Pitbull]

Funnier things have happened.

By all means. It would be a great upset. But very very unlikely

 

[Pitbull]

One thing though... this is true,



In that pool, Italy may pull one over the French and the Irish. Japan in our pool may play like 2014 and perhaps win Scotland and USA, and even Samoa. Fiji might even take their pool... Only time will tell.

If Ireland can win the France game. I'm pretty sure they would make it to the semi's at least. The French are a very funny team all these years. On a good day they can make NZ and even the Boks look like mediocre teams. But when they fail, they fail HARD

 

[OrbitalDawn]

I'll be sorely disappointed if a few of the Canadian players don't have lumberjack beards.

At least they have one Saffer-born player in their squad.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._T._H._van_der_Merwe

 

[Ho3n3r]

Canada's 2015 test results, most recent at the top:

Canada 18 - 47 Fiji
Canada 16 - 15 Georgia
Canada 23 - 41 United States of America
Canada 13 - 15 United States of America
Canada 20 - 21 Samoa*
Canada 18 - 28 Tonga
Canada 6 - 20 Japan

*only decent result

Yeah, if they can beat Ireland, then basically anybody in this world cup can win the whole thing. All home games and just 1 win, by 1 point, against Georgia.

 

[MisterFortySomething]

Canada's 2015 test results, most recent at the top:

Canada 18 - 47 Fiji
Canada 16 - 15 Georgia
Canada 23 - 41 United States of America
Canada 13 - 15 United States of America
Canada 20 - 21 Samoa*
Canada 18 - 28 Tonga
Canada 6 - 20 Japan

*only decent result

Yeah, if they can beat Ireland, then basically anybody in this world cup can win the whole thing. All home games and just 1 win, by 1 point, against Georgia.

The stats speaks for itself here. The current Canada team is very unlikely to produce an upset in the groups.
IMHO, the only team among the minnows that are in a position to pull an upset in the groups are Fiji. Unless you consider Italy a "minnow".

 

[Fulcrum29]

The stats speaks for itself here. The current Canada team is very unlikely to produce an upset in the groups.
IMHO, the only team among the minnows that are in a position to pull an upset in the groups are Fiji. Unless you consider Italy a "minnow".

Any Pacific team in my opinion can pull an upset in this 2015 World Cup, so that is Japan, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Personally I believe that Samoa have become a bit disorganised, but I won’t take them lightly, both Japan and Samoa may shock Scotland... and if they can do that then the Bokke must pull up their socks.

 

[Agent_Smith]

So it appears that Eben Etzebeth and Duane Vermeulen will sit out Saturday's game against Japan. Both are apparently able to play but management is erring on the side of caution with their respective injuries. de Villiers back to lead the side (meaning DDA misses out altogether).

Probable Springbok team: Zane Kirchner, Lwazi Mvovo, Jesse Kriel, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana, Pat Lambie, Ruan Pienaar, Schalk Burger, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Lood de Jager, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.

Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Coenie Oosthuizen, Trevor Nyakane, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Fourie du Preez, Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux.

 

[Solitude]

So it appears that Eben Etzebeth and Duane Vermeulen will sit out Saturday's game against Japan. Both are apparently able to play but management is erring on the side of caution with their respective injuries. de Villiers back to lead the side (meaning DDA misses out altogether).

Probable Springbok team: Zane Kirchner, Lwazi Mvovo, Jesse Kriel, Jean de Villiers (capt), Bryan Habana, Pat Lambie, Ruan Pienaar, Schalk Burger, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Lood de Jager, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.

Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Coenie Oosthuizen, Trevor Nyakane, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Fourie du Preez, Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux.

No De Allende? That sucks. I also really hope that Kirchner isn't our regular fullback again.

 

[Ho3n3r]

No De Allende? That sucks. I also really hope that Kirchner isn't our regular fullback again.

He was pretty steady against Argentina in the one game that he played - did everything right, while Le Roux keeps faking tackles at the back. One thing Kirchner has never been, is scared of tackling.

I can see the reasoning. One guy can make 3 tries but then cost you 3, whilst the other may make you a try a game, or not, but he won't cost you any. In a world cup, dependable is what you need.

I guess De Allende will play the bigger games, i.e. Samoa and Scotland. De Villiers needs all the gametime he can get against the minnows, if only to assess whether he will mean anything come playoff time.

 

[Drifter]

Cant complain about that side, pretty solid.

 

[MickeyD]

Springboks vs Japan

15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Lwazi Mvovo, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jean de Villiers (c), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.


Subs: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Fourie du Preez, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 JP Pietersen.

 

[MickeyD]

 

[APoc184]

No complaints.

Go Boks!

 

[Agent_Smith]

Jeez, can Friday just get here now ffs!!