RWC 2015 - SH will struggle to get a semi-finalist.

I just have a strong feeling that this could be the case.

When you look at it; the competition is in England. If you take a look at the respective European teams; England at home, Wales maturing nicely, France and Ireland moved on from transition and never rule out Scotland. Obviously, the SH teams will have moved on also but is it unrealistic?

Awwww no one wants to feed the Wum? you people are so mean i'll do it . Yes the SH will struggle to get a SF. And Japan is winning this particular world cup

Bullsbok wrote:Awwww no one wants to feed the Wum? you people are so mean i'll do it . Yes the SH will struggle to get a SF. And Japan is winning this particular world cup

I think you'll find that its Namibia's turn.

Japan can win at their WC in 2019.

Assuming the SH usually means Tri-Nations. There is only three of them (well, in the top three places on rankings) and I still think at least two of them will be through to the quarters at the very least.

But it is a long way to go in rugby terms. Actually quite a lot of improvements needed for most NH sides but if the improvements happen then it'll be battles of will all round and SH won't have things easy. But then I don't think any of them are planning for easy. They're planning for hard - and that's the worry. Our present 'hard' is their 'quite easy'.

Yeah, Japanese crowds would love to win on their home grounds, afterwards it will be sashimi and sake

England have already pencilled in the win at RWC'15 - it would be nice to beat a couple of SH teams on the way.

biltongbek wrote:Yeah, Japanese crowds would love to win on their home grounds, afterwards it will be sashimi and sake

Can't we have Geisha girls first?

Or how about Cari and Dreamer to do it?

Shifty wrote:

biltongbek wrote:Yeah, Japanese crowds would love to win on their home grounds, afterwards it will be sashimi and sake

Can't we have Geisha girls first?

Or how about Cari and Dreamer to do it?

Oh boy, someone's gonna be in trouble.

Bullsbok wrote:Awwww no one wants to feed the Wum? you people are so mean i'll do it . Yes the SH will struggle to get a SF. And Japan is winning this particular world cup

It's not meant as a wum. Just an observation. If you had said the opposite about the last RWC, not many would have argued.

Nice one,lets take a look at the groups before deciding,then work out which NH side isn`t going to make it out of it`s Group. Are France ACTUALLY going try in all there games this time,3 finals they only turned up in one.Trouble is they barely functioned in the rest of the matchs.Is that the RWC TEMPLATE you want to see.A team creep out of its group,losing two matches then suddenly magically turn up and win a Final?IF SO Forget the RWC i`ll take up tiddly winks.

The French have always been like that. It must be infuriating to be a French rugby fan - all that talent and crazy inconsistency. But they are just one of what I believe will be four extremely competitive NH teams come 2015, maybe five.

More chance of Samoa reaching the semis than Scotland

They've probaly got the 2015 RWC DVD finished already

Making a prediction 3 years ahead of the even is laughable.

Thomond wrote:Making a prediction 3 years ahead of the even is laughable.

The prediction itself or the fact that there is a prediction?

Both.

Thomond wrote:Both.

Ye of little faith, BELIEVE.

Thomond wrote:Making a prediction 3 years ahead of the even is laughable.

No harm in looking ahead. That's what most teams will ultimately be planning for. The WC is the only time you get all teams properly equipped to take on each other and therefore the best time to properly judge their respective strengths.

Any thing could happen between now and then. It's too far away. Just as selecting a squad with a look ahead to the next RWC is ridiculous.

To be honest I think it is possible that there will be two and two.
England look like they could be 2nd seeds so if that is the case I would still expect them to top thier group unless they get either NZ or SA which ever is the top team then.

So that could see Oz being second in their group again which I think could happen with France and Ireland.

It is possible for it to be all SH side again and Nh side

Brendan - What have you seen thus far from England that suggests they will top their group. Statements like that just intrigue me at the moment.

RubyGuby wrote:Brendan - What have you seen thus far from England that suggests they will top their group. Statements like that just intrigue me at the moment.

Maybe that the thing is three years away and he's guessing? Like everyone else - guessing on how present form might evolve into form three years down the line. On that guess he's as accurate as the next guy.

Australia always wins RWC finals at Twickers though... did you factor that into your 'prediction'?

Where does this Optimism come from? I dont believe that for a second I really hope you are right but I'll believe that when I see it

People will struggle to know what the draw is.

Seems like a more relevant starting point for this debate.

Without getting into specifics. The obvious factor is that it's a 'home' tournament for the NH teams. Chances are the prevailing weather conditions will suit them better. There were two semi-finalists in the last WC, so there is no reason to suggest that there could not be three or even four next time around. I personally feel that the 'gap', while it still exists, is narrowing.

Just a thought, that's all.

Well you're entitled to that thought but just as possible is that NZ SA and AUstralia are in the semis. What happened last RWC is no indication of what will happen in the next one. But if you insist on seeing things that way try this fact: there hasn't been a RWC yet with no team from the SH or NH not making the semis. Not to mention if a gap still exists then why the struggle to get a semi finalist, other than home advantage and weather? Looks more like wishful thinking to me.

In the last two years england have only lost one game in the 6nations each year.

They have the most depth in the NH and have the phyiscal power to beat or equal everyone except SA as shown by their tests and Ireland v NZ

They will be playing infront of home crowd with a solid squad. Who will be retiring from England between now and then. They also feel like they will win at home which as much as we hate it gives them an advantage in tight games.

Ireland and France have people leaving and coming in and wales is set up in such a way that young players could be replaced by younger players so may not be one team for 4 years like they should be.

As Fly said I'm just guessing and untill we see the groups who knows but the only way I see England not making a semi is if they get NZ/SA in the group and the other in the quarter.

SA have the money and have enough players that I think they will be the number one team in 2 years as they will always have the power but may have the pace aswell.

Hopefully it will be the wettest september-november on record and scotland will lose narrowly to ireland in the final

Also think money might get tighter in Oz and Nz so they may lose more to overseas thus losing national players.

Don't forget 1999 and 2007 was also held in Europe..

Each of the tri-nations teams will be top seed in their group. If both win through their group, they won't meet each other until the semi finals.
But one tri nations team might lose a match in the group stage. That could leave two tri-nation sides facing each other in the quarter finals.
Or else we are saying that NH lose to SH teams in the group stage and then knock them all out in the quarter final stages.
Thinking through the above, it would be a struggle to have less than 2 tri-nations teams in the semi's. Form would suggest all 3 make it.

The point I was making was that it would not be unrealistic, in my opinion. Whereas in previous years, it would perhaps have been closer to unthinkable.

It took just one unexpected result in last years competition (Irl v Aus) to upsst the seedings. I think there could be more surprises next time around.

biltongbek wrote:Don't forget 1999 and 2007 was also held in Europe..

and 1991. 2015 will be the same. We are the kings of Europe!

Linebreaker wrote:

biltongbek wrote:Don't forget 1999 and 2007 was also held in Europe..

and 1991. 2015 will be the same. We are the kings of Europe!

Forgot about 1991.

We are actuall y better than NZ, we both won in europe.

Yes true, but you still need to score a try in the final!

Linebreaker wrote:Yes true, but you still need to score a try in the final!

Can't help it if you guys play weak opposition.

Besides, we don't need to score tries in finals, cause we don't let any through.

Go easy Biltong.

First you talk about "the big 5" and now you call the team you beat 36-0 the week before the '07 final "strong opposition"?

(Oh... I see what you're doing now. Very clever )

biltongbek wrote:

....and thank you for not mentioning Marseilles. You are a true gentleman and a fine Boer.

Linebreaker wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

....and thank you for not mentioning Marseilles. You are a true gentleman and a fine Boer.

To tell you the truth I am not all that fine, I am a bit gruff and rough around the edges.

biltongbek wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

....and thank you for not mentioning Marseilles. You are a true gentleman and a fine Boer.

To tell you the truth I am not all that fine, I am a bit gruff and rough around the edges.

I wish I had a warthog smiley. You'll find one no doubt...

Linebreaker wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

....and thank you for not mentioning Marseilles. You are a true gentleman and a fine Boer.

To tell you the truth I am not all that fine, I am a bit gruff and rough around the edges.

I wish I had a warthog smiley. You'll find one no doubt...

All I could find, sorry.

biltongbek wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

Linebreaker wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

....and thank you for not mentioning Marseilles. You are a true gentleman and a fine Boer.

To tell you the truth I am not all that fine, I am a bit gruff and rough around the edges.

I wish I had a warthog smiley. You'll find one no doubt...

All I could find, sorry.

Looks like an England forward.... oh, hang on. It's got hair!

... and it probably doesn't smell as bad.

mankiaow wrote:I just have a strong feeling that this could be the case.

When you look at it; the competition is in England. If you take a look at the respective European teams; England at home, Wales maturing nicely, France and Ireland moved on from transition and never rule out Scotland. Obviously, the SH teams will have moved on also but is it unrealistic?

Sorry, but i think you pretty much can actually.

mankiaow wrote:I just have a strong feeling that this could be the case.

When you look at it; the competition is in England. If you take a look at the respective European teams; England at home, Wales maturing nicely, France and Ireland moved on from transition and never rule out Scotland. Obviously, the SH teams will have moved on also but is it unrealistic?

Although an obvious wum that lame argument almost convinces me the last 4 will be the 3N and Argentina, who with 4 tournaments behind them with the SH sides will be no. 4 ranked by then.

Draw permitting of course.

Taylorman wrote:

mankiaow wrote:I just have a strong feeling that this could be the case.

When you look at it; the competition is in England. If you take a look at the respective European teams; England at home, Wales maturing nicely, France and Ireland moved on from transition and never rule out Scotland. Obviously, the SH teams will have moved on also but is it unrealistic?

Although an obvious wum that lame argument almost convinces me the last 4 will be the 3N and Argentina, who with 4 tournaments behind them with the SH sides will be no. 4 ranked by then.

Draw permitting of course.

Now wouldnt that be great imagine 2014 EOYT , the big 4 coming out in force vs 6N. That being said i seriously dont understand this thread. What evidence did the OP use to come to this ridiculous suggestion? Was it the NH dominance in the last 2 weeks? Or maybe NH dominance in world cups in general.it boggles my mind .The way i see it , two SH teams will make it to the semis at the very least.

I have no doubt that the IRB will ensure one or two NH semi finalists and a finalist.

blackcanelion wrote:I have no doubt that the IRB will ensure one or two NH semi finalists and a finalist.

Yep...Lawrence and Barnes are shoe-ins for quarter finals matches...

Taylorman wrote:

blackcanelion wrote:I have no doubt that the IRB will ensure one or two NH semi finalists and a finalist.

Yep...Lawrence and Barnes are shoe-ins for quarter finals matches...