New Zealand was the favoriutes! !

To win the RWC before the tournament started, seeing that the tournament is being held in New Zealand

So after the first week end as any thing happend to change that opinion?

New Zealand seemed to win their first game fairly easy.

Australia struggled against Italy inh the first half but seemed to wake up in the second half.

South Africa was realy under the cosh today form a Welsh side that rely pushed them all the way to the final whistle.

England against Argentina, well, not the most livelyist game to be honest, but England did manage to pull off a win.

France and Scotland was pushed all the way in their respective games as well.

So after the first week end do New Zealand have any thing to fear from any other team?....Or has winning their first game like they did give NZ a false sence of being unbeatable?

I'm still very worried about the Aussies Maj.

And if the Bok get a sniff of a lead they know how to defend one

I predicted an Australian win at this world cup two and half years ago, and I've seen nothing to change my mind so far.

Still the top 3. SA will be put to the test even further in pool play and will come out the other end hardened. Its matches like yesterday that MAKE you tougher come knockout- something the AB's have never experienced.

For that reason, if NZ dont get a fright in pool play, it could be same ol, same ol...

Oz need to survive injuries. let the famous five have any width and they'll do that every time. Simple.

They still have the edge for my money but only because of home advantage. Oz look to have the tools to do the job but they have in past World Cups and still come unstuck. By the time we get to the semis any team is capable of turning anyone else over, a bounce of the ball, a key injury, an unforgiving ref any or all can screw up the form book. That's the magic of cup tournaments. I'm happy to wait and see. Hell, France might even get their act together then all bets are off. I think England will have done well to get through the quarters and don't expect them to. They are too ragged and indisciplined.

LDCPete wrote:I predicted an Australian win at this world cup two and half years ago, and I've seen nothing to change my mind so far.

+1

I don't think anything has changed, to early in the tournament to tell.

SA may well have reduced their chances by having both Matfield and Botha on the injury list.

poor grammar, aside from that i think NZ, aussies were held level against italy for the first half.

dont see any teams from NH really competing, i would like tos ay wales but i am NOT jinxing this!!!!!!

Cymroglan wrote:

LDCPete wrote:I predicted an Australian win at this world cup two and half years ago, and I've seen nothing to change my mind so far.

+1

ditto