Official Rugby World Cup 2015 Thread

[Pitbull]

Regardless of what happens in this RWC, I think the next one will see them being even more competitive. Then they've got many years of Rugby Championship experience, combined with a Super Rugby team, which in a way is basically going to be the Argentinian national team.

I agree 100%. They have already made massive inroads with the *Currie cup team they fielded years ago, then the inclusion into Super rugby and now lately the Rugby Championship. There has been massive improvements in their rugby. They are growing from strength to strength. Just shows what game time can actually do to a team like Argentina.

Apologies: Vodacom cup*

 

[Drifter]

People seem to forget Argentina, I wouldn't write them off, it's very likely we will see them in QF, and NZ vs Argentina is going to be an interesting game, I doubt very much that NZ is under estimating them at all. Argentina is good enough to beat NZ or at least a low scoring game.I think what is an issue for smaller teams is that they need to have their best 15 playing in every game, where the bigger teams have opportunities to rest some of their players against weaker teams.

However I do see that happening less and less as the smaller teams definitely kicked it up a notch in recent years....

I dont think NZ ever underestimate an opponent, they just seem to have the fire power to run over anybody.

 

[Wall]

I agree 100%. They have already made massive inroads with the Currie cup team they fielded years ago, then the inclusion into Super rugby and now lately the Rugby Championship. There has been massive improvements in their rugby. They are growing from strength to strength. Just shows what game time can actually do to a team like Argentina.

+1, now we need to get the islanders more involved, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa more involved, their potential is there.

 

[phoneJunky]

There are so many threads dedicated to this kind of kark. I just wanna talk RWC '15!

Something fun for ya'll. I got 7/10...

http://www.iol.co.za/sport/think-you-know-rugby-test-yourself-1.1917942#.VfvU19LzrUI

Got 10/10, but a few I guessed. I was also between Johnny and Percy for the most points.

 

[Pitbull]

+1, now we need to get the islanders more involved, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa more involved, their potential is there.

Good gwd no.

Those guys are wrecking trains. Can you imagine the injury lists in a comp like the Super series?

 

[Drifter]

7/10

 

[Agent_Smith]

Got 10/10, but a few I guessed. I was also between Johnny and Percy for the most points.

Yeah I went with Percy. Misread that as who had the most points at a single world cup (not in total). Thought it was Monty in '07.

/stares at clock on wall in office. Tick Tock... Tick Tock...

 

[wizardofid]

I dont think NZ ever underestimate an opponent, they just seem to have the fire power to run over anybody.

They do however play on dirty, slowing down rucks is a pass time for them, especially on defense of their own half.Definitely hope the leniency given in the north hemisphere rucks doesn't feature.I do feel refs need to keep a close eye on the rucks.I think any team that is going to try kicking them into their own half is going to get the asses handed to them.

Kicking simply doesn't work with NZ, given enough space they much rather run with the ball in hand, and they do it so efficiently. I would say keep it close and force errors and penalties on NZ.

 

[OrbitalDawn]

+1, now we need to get the islanders more involved, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa more involved, their potential is there.

Fiji has come the farthest, imo. They make clever use of their Sevens strengths. Tonga just suck.

 

[Ho3n3r]

Fiji has come the farthest, imo. They make clever use of their Sevens strengths. Tonga just suck.

France will disagree.

 

[Wall]

They do however play on dirty, slowing down rucks is a pass time for them, especially on defense of their own half.Definitely hope the leniency given in the north hemisphere rucks doesn't feature.I do feel refs need to keep a close eye on the rucks.I think any team that is going to try kicking them into their own half is going to get the asses handed to them.

Kicking simply doesn't work with NZ, given enough space they much rather run with the ball in hand, and they do it so efficiently. I would say keep it close and force errors and penalties on NZ.

easier said than done,I think tactical kicking is key when playing NZ, kicking for the sake of clearing lines will just mean wave after wave of attack.

 

[Agent_Smith]

easier said than done,I think tactical kicking is key when playing NZ, kicking for the sake of clearing lines will just mean wave after wave of attack.

Yup. A kick (if not for touch) is only as good as its chasers. If you're going to boot it up field and then sit back, you're going to have a bad time.

 

[Wall]

Yup. A kick (if not for touch) is only as good as its chasers. If you're going to boot it up field and then sit back, you're going to have a bad time.

yep. Also, the kicks have to be of a high standard, you've got to give your chasers a chance to contest it or get the opposition outnumbered.

 

[Agent_Smith]

New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock

Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Sonny Bill Williams

Unbelievable looking team!

One of the most exciting players to watch. The step in conjunction with the turn of speed is just insane.

 

[Frankie_Yale]

One of the most exciting players to watch. The step in conjunction with the turn of speed is just insane.

agree. quite a step on him as well.

hope he doesn't lose it like Quade.

 

[wizardofid]

easier said than done,I think tactical kicking is key when playing NZ, kicking for the sake of clearing lines will just mean wave after wave of attack.

True, true.

We don't have a good supporting back line, haven't had one in years looking at the backs pathetic bunch really.
Zane at full back, is a tough one, habana is old, lambie is okay, pienaar needs to take up another sport.Mvovo has eye patches on, kriel tries his best, but barely gets the ball, jean has trouble deciding what position he wants to play.

9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Pat Lambie
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Jean De Villiers (captain)
13. Jesse Kriel
14. Bryan Habana
15. Zane Kirchner

Now that I look at this....only words to describe this back line is ouch !

 

[Pitbull]

True, true.

We don't have a good supporting back line, haven't had one in years looking at the backs pathetic bunch really.
Zane at full back, is a tough one, habana is old, lambie is okay, pienaar needs to take up another sport.Mvovo has eye patches on, kriel tries his best, but barely gets the ball, jean has trouble deciding what position he wants to play.

9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Pat Lambie
11. Lwazi Mvovo
12. Jean De Villiers (captain)
13. Jesse Kriel
14. Bryan Habana
15. Zane Kirchner

Now that I look at this....only words to describe this back line is ouch !

Also has a problem with passing

 

[wizardofid]

Also has a problem with passing

Lol that as well

 

[Vrotappel]

Anyone knows of any good excel spread sheet for the WC? I found this one. Seems decent, but one with broadcasting times would be better.

 

[Pitbull]

Anyone knows of any good excel spread sheet for the WC? I found this one. Seems decent, but one with broadcasting times would be better.

Someone shared a pdf for the SABC broadcasts. Maybe you can combine the 2? I'll try find that post.

Edit:
Damn it, I can't seem to find it now...

Found it:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...015-Thread?p=16112634&viewfull=1#post16112634