The RWC pool draws - live

First topic message reminder :

THE POOL ALLOCATION DRAW WILL BE STREAMED LIVE ON RUGBYWORLDCUP.COM FROM 14:55 UK TIME ON 3 DECEMBER (15:55 CET, 16:55 (South Africa), 11:55 (Argentina), 01:55 4 December (NSW Australia), 03:55 4 December (New Zealand, Fiji), 04:55 4 December (Samoa)

Featuring Boris Johnson amongst the glitterati so it's anyone's guess what sort of a dick he'll make of himself.
(note to IRB: the RWC was granted to England, not London).
p.s. good call not inviting Cameron though.

I can't find any mention of the event on the ITV* schedules which as UK host broadcaster is disappointing up to the point when one realises that that font of rugby wisdom, Steve Rider will not be anchoring the event.

[ed: beg puddin.
Monday 3rd December
IRB Rugby World Cup 2015 – Pool Stage Draw
LIVE: 2.45pm-3.30pm – ITV4

I like the draw as some have already stated every game is a big game. What Wales need is to play crap in the 6N and get Howley and McBryde fired to bring in decent coaches for 2015, Wales have the players to do well.

Just you watch, we'll get launched straight into a match with Oz or Wales for the opener.

Forget all this nonsense. The real question is now who controls the Millennium roof? RFU or WRU?

SecretFly wrote:Forget all this nonsense. The real question is now who controls the Millennium roof? RFU or WRU?

Neither, it will be the RWC organisers who have nothing to do with either Union.

It will be interesting if Wales vs England is the final pool game with the loser going out.

How brilliant would it be for Wales to knock England out of their own WC in the pool stages - that would be the ultimate Wales vs England victory. Ah well, I can dream.

We will have to make sure to beat England in 2014 so we can hold the hoodoo over Twickernam - 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015

bedfordwelsh wrote:

SecretFly wrote:Forget all this nonsense. The real question is now who controls the Millennium roof? RFU or WRU?

Neither, it will be the RWC organisers who have nothing to do with either Union.

Wrell lets just hope its not the Polish representative

When do we find out the order of fixtures?

SecretFly wrote:Forget all this nonsense. The real question is now who controls the Millennium roof? RFU or WRU?

I've read that it actually belongs to Donald Trump.

Normally Pool A winner plays Pool B runner up and v.v. Same for Pool C and Pool D.

For the semis I'm not sure but if you're that far through then you're in with a chance at the final and then if you get that far, you're always in with a shout.

So does that mean for the group stages, Twickers and MS get grouped together for that pool?

When do they decide the grounds? I'd love to know what cities Ireland/Italy/France take over!

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Normally Pool A winner plays Pool B runner up and v.v. Same for Pool C and Pool D.

For the semis I'm not sure but if you're that far through then you're in with a chance at the final and then if you get that far, you're always in with a shout.

Based on the 2011 RWC

Winner of Pool A (NZ)/Second of Pool B (Arg) will play Winner of Pool D (SA)/Second of Pool C (Aus)
and
Winner of Pool B (Eng)/Second of Pool A (Fra) will play Winner of Pool C (Ire)/Second of Pool D (wal)

Cannot complain with the draw - at least we have a better record against the likes of Ireland and Italy than against almost anybody else
should be hopefully an injury free group stage and we should cruise towards a QF against ....New Zeland

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Normally Pool A winner plays Pool B runner up and v.v. Same for Pool C and Pool D.

For the semis I'm not sure but if you're that far through then you're in with a chance at the final and then if you get that far, you're always in with a shout.

So you're saying there is a chance!? (that's good enough for me!)

Sounds like Dumb and Dumber. What happened to one in a million? I thought we had a chance.

How do NZ get a relatively easy group AGAIN !

Wales get to avoid Samoa, Tonga, and Africa in pool stages, so no shame in not qualifying from group A.

England will probably have to meet either NZ or RSA in the QFs, but we have to beat them sooner or later anyway

Very happy with that draw, excitement from the off and one of the combinations that give Wales the best chance of progression IMHO. England can perform very well but are not one of the teams Wales tend to struggle with ala Aus, but Aus seem to be struggling and ina few years may have dropped a bit more.

As long as we avoided NZ and SA I was happy, didn't want Samoa or Argentina either, the physicality of those games made Wales struggle.

But then we are years away so WTF am I talking about, by the world cup Aus and England may be 1,2 in the world.

munkian wrote:How do NZ get a relatively easy group AGAIN !

To be fair they cant face themselves and unless theyd had a really bad run theyd always avoid the Saffaussies and one of the "best of the rest". Last year they had the team that are now 4th in the irb rankings and made the final in their group ...hardly a soft draw.

The groups are easy for them because they are consistently a good side.

England deserve a tough group. We've been dealt a kind hand in recent years, this will be a great test!

We have a good record over Aus in recent RWC comps, winning the last 3 matches. Anything can happen against Wales, should be a cracker!

munkian wrote:How do NZ get a relatively easy group AGAIN !

NZ don't play well with easy groups. We haven't got the pressing tasks like in Pool A, but there is strength in the forwards in Argentina and Georgia to provide us with a badly needed hit out and a much improved Tonga are no slouches. As number one ranked team, that's how the cookie can crumble. Unfortunately, all too many times that crumbled cookie can come back to bite us.

I'm pretty happy with that draw. Wales in our group instead of Tonga though would've been ideal.

I think statements like "NZ have an easy group" are a bit silly. People need to remember that the WC is THREE years away. In three years of playing in the 4 Nations (sorry, Rugby Championship ) they could have made some huge strides and be real challengers. Tonga may also have improved beyond recognition.

Equally, Argentina could go the same route as Italy when they joined the 6N, and Tonga disappear back to where they were ten years ago or so...

England v Australia: recent RWC meet ups.

Met in 2003, England won.
Met in 2007 England won.
[Met Wales in 2003, England won.]

All phoowie of course, so long ago now, will be even longer by 2015.
Just sayin' that's all.

Wales vs Fiji ..won one lost one?

Going on historical precedant they could be challenging for a different fourth place this time

I am loving the permutations of this already.

I've seen one Wales fan proclaim that Wales will top thier group (ok then) and then will easily see off Samoa or Scotland. samoa being the team who recently beat Wales, in Wales.

Lets all remember folks, theres a long way to go before the first kick off in the world cup.

These Boards will soon fill up with opposing veiwpoints. Good luck to the Mods lol

William and Kate are having a baby. This has been a good day.

Mad for Chelsea wrote:I think statements like "NZ have an easy group" are a bit silly. People need to remember that the WC is THREE years away. In three years of playing in the 4 Nations (sorry, Rugby Championship ) they could have made some huge strides and be real challengers. Tonga may also have improved beyond recognition.

Equally, Argentina could go the same route as Italy when they joined the 6N, and Tonga disappear back to where they were ten years ago or so...

....and I - could'a been a contender.

Morgannwg wrote:William and Kate are having a baby. This has been a good day.

Especially for makers of babies accessories and prams!

I'll take that draw. Long way out, but that group is winnable.

Group A the big one, and with probably Fiji in there............a big side may have to qualify next time!

France in about 150 posts have been mentioned only as asides.

I really can't believe at this stage after the AIs nobody's mentioning them.

They have really a p*ss easy pool.

Excellent draw for England. 2015 is a long way off but Wales and Australia are both challenging but very winnable games - especially at home. Will be very tough for Wales to get out of that group.

Yeah I am happy, England and Wales will be a hard group to win, but no sense in shirking anyone, to win it got to beat all the best.

I think we have the hardest group actually.

But will try to gain confidence that we've played RWC twice in UK and Oz has won them both, so here's to a cracking RWC!!

whocares wrote:Cannot complain with the draw - at least we have a better record against the likes of Ireland and Italy than against almost anybody else
should be hopefully an injury free group stage and we should cruise towards a QF against ....New Zeland

Nahhh, NZ win group, France win group, and probably quarters will be France - Argentina

greytiger wrote:France in about 150 posts have been mentioned only as asides.

I really can't believe at this stage after the AIs nobody's mentioning them.

They have really a p*ss easy pool.

Ireland are not easy now and in 3 years time Ireland will have a stronger team and a new coach. 3 years is a long way off and anything can happen. Italy might even find some players.

group a is nails!

i wouldnt be suprised if when 2015 comes around two teams will be the top 4 and wales no reaosn not to be top 6!!

so its kinda stoopid really- but thats the way it goes- england just lost a couple of games and wales decided to go flipping Joey Deacon and lose everything after being quality start of the year

bedfordwelsh wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:Does this change the use of the Millenium Stadium during the group games at all?

I gues we might have our games against the 4th n 5th seeds there but can't see us playing Australia there now.

We were never going to play the top teams at the MS, only the smaller teams. They weren't going to let us get an advantage. Fair enough if you ask me. I don't think we should play any games at the MS in the World Cup.

I cant see the aussies wanting to play you st home- id love abit of reaction if it was proposed!

In 3 years time, Wales will need to be playing like they were against SA/Ireland in 2011 and we be helped if this England "coming of age" comes to nothing and Martin Johnson returns as head coach, meanwhile Robbie Deans remains in charge of Aus and continues to sabotage from within so Aus continue to slide away from their Trinations winning team.

Australia,
England
Wales
Fiji
Russia or Romania -

Bloody hell looks fun

gregortree wrote:Biltong
RSA get an armchair into the QFs !

Yep, and then we face number 3 in the rankings in the QF, number 1 in the semi, and number 4 in the final.

Easy pools doesn't mean a hell of a lot when you face the top three other teams three matches insuccession mate.

The 2015 worldcup is going to have a very familiar knock out look to it.

I guess Meyer really has his work cut out for him now.

He'll have to find ways of beating all the top teams regularly.

It's ok Biltong. We will take care of those troublesome Aussies for you

Wales 606 on your indefatigable optimism there.
I only counted about 4 'ifs' or similar conditions in that.
But fair play to you, in 3 years many things can happen.
Which btw, makes me wonder why the IRB draw it so far in advance.
England & Wales to qualify then from group A. Must be some interesting combo bets available out there at brilliant prices. E.g. predict all 8 top qualifiers.. only do it now. That must have some good prices.

gregortree wrote:Wales 606 on your indefatigable optimism there.
I only counted about 4 'ifs' or similar conditions in that.
But fair play to you, in 3 years many things can happen.
Which btw, makes me wonder why the IRB draw it so far in advance.
England & Wales to qualify then from group A. Must be some interesting combo bets available out there at brilliant prices. E.g. predict all 8 top qualifiers.. only do it now. That must have some good prices.

I am being fairly jokey. Nobody knows what will happen in 3 years, at the time I will make my realistic and optimistic predictions.

But for now, Wales are on their way to a glorious World Cup victory in 2015 after the slight blip in 2012 of Gatland's wonderful plans of world domination.

The final will see Wales score 10 unanswered tries against NZ be they will be called the greatest rugby team that ever lived and Gatland will turn down a multimillion pound offer to return to NZ after Hansen gets on his knees and begs to learn from master Gatland.

He will instead continue coaching Wales who will be allowed to enter an A and B team in the 2019 WC as other nations hope that it will damage their strength and depth, only for Wales B to achieve a major against the odds upset and beat Wales A by a last minute drop goal in the 2019 final in Japan.

I realise that W606, just kidding too. Wish I could wish Wales pob lwk (sp?) but I am a bit conflicted on that in this group as you can realise. E&W both to qualify then.

The Aussies must be a bit gutted. Top seeds but having to play England at Twickers and Wales at the MS = not easy.

wales606 wrote:It's ok Biltong. We will take care of those troublesome Aussies for you

That'll be cool mate, then we can take care of you in the quarters.

A curiosity:
Argentina never played against Tonga, nor world cup, nor friendly, nor Test matches, never, never.

Biltong wrote:

wales606 wrote:It's ok Biltong. We will take care of those troublesome Aussies for you

That'll be cool mate, then we can take care of you in the quarters.

Haven't had a chance to say welcome back yet Bilt. Good to see you again

Even the banter is making me realise that both my heart & liver and going to take a thrashing in a few years time; i might even have to re-mortgage the house to go to every game! Happy days!

AlastairW wrote:

Biltong wrote:

wales606 wrote:It's ok Biltong. We will take care of those troublesome Aussies for you

That'll be cool mate, then we can take care of you in the quarters.

Haven't had a chance to say welcome back yet Bilt. Good to see you again

Even the banter is making me realise that both my heart & liver and going to take a thrashing in a few years time; i might even have to re-mortgage the house to go to every game! Happy days!

mate you only need to win your pool though.

Looking at the draw it looks likely that we will once again have the SH big three on one side of the draw and the NH on the other.

Biltong wrote:

wales606 wrote:It's ok Biltong. We will take care of those troublesome Aussies for you

That'll be cool mate, then we can take care of you in the quarters.

It is ok, we will beat Aus aswell - then we won't see you until the final.

I'll buy you a drink to commiserate the final