Who is going to win the Rugby World Cup

First topic message reminder :

Simple question - who do you think will win this years World Cup?

Remember its in New Zealand people!

And who do you think will be in the final with them?

Not Wales

Glas a du wrote:Not Wales

Yeah, not enough depth.

I still can't believe Ireland and England have more votes than South Africa!

Definitely a victory for the Optimists.

Not too many Saffers on here then? They have more chance of making the Final than any of the NH teams. We all know that, but refuse to accept it. Its normal. It happens every 4 years. Pre RWC excitement does that to a fan.

Bless.

Somehow, I don't think this will be South Africas year.

a) Their coach seems to me to be relatively out of his depth- prone to a number of mistakes and one mistake in a World Cup can be the end. He also has a bad record of underestimating opponents.
b) Some of the key players from 2007- Smit, Habana, Fourie Du Preez- are now on the wane and successors have not been identified.
c) No team has ever won successive RWCs.

Of course they still have huge experience on their side. They still have world class players and you would be foolish to discount them entirely. But I think they won't return home with the trophy this year.

i'm going with the aussies tbh.

If that back division clicks, i fear that they will blow many teams apart. (England included.)

Im going for a France v SA final, with that being a coin toss!

JDandfries wrote:Im going for a France v SA final, with that being a coin toss!

Big call. Who in the semis?

France v Australia
New Zealand v South Africa

Interesting. It would be a surprise but not outrageuous.

Way I see it, Its a toos up for who wins group A, France or New Zealand - the runner up plays England (most likely) and beats the, the rest of fairly straight forward from there - Also think Australia will surprise a few - beter than they look at present

Are NZ and France not gonna be swapped when it comes to semis though?

Semis:

Australia v France
Ireland v NZ

Final:

France v NZ

New Zealand will win probably.

If they do I fancy Ireland to beat them in the next two years.

red_stag wrote:Are NZ and France not gonna be swapped when it comes to semis though?

Staggy, just found this predictor... answers your question and good for inputting upsets!

2011 RWC Predictor

Breaker - serious thanks.

I've decided this year to make €50 worth of bets on the RWC and give any donations to charity. Thats gonna be a useful tool.

No problems mate. Nice gesture to give to charity.

Linebreaker wrote:No problems mate. Nice gesture to give to charity.

Its not really. In reality I probably won't win more than €50. The charity would probably prefer the €50 without me gambling it.

Cheers breaker. With the aid of that tool I predict Wales will lose to NZ in the final (heavily).

Yeah Glas, I'm hoping we'll beat France in the Final.

Unfortunately, NZ are hard to avoid any way we look at it.

Dont think we can take anything out of the weekend apart from the fact wales england ireland or scotland wont be anywhere near the cup.

Answer: probably a team wearing black.

Can anyone see past New Zealand, when you think about it they got a lot going for them with their form in the Tri Nations, the fact their hosting and the earthquake at the start of the year has put a lot into perspective for them and given them a sense of duty to raise the spirits of the country.

Add in the fact that England and the likes are trying to chip away at their idenity they will want to make a point.

Id love Ireland to win it as an Irishman but theres too many errors in the Irish game to go all the way

Do you want to re-assess?

Wait a week or so, then make a final confirmation.

I have already picked my predicted winning margins for NZ-Tonga, Scotland-Romania and France-Japan.

158 points shall be scored in those 3 matches!

There will be shocks

Glas a du wrote:There will be shocks

Yeah, apart from the obvious ones... Wales to beat the Boks by 11

Ireland to beat Aus...no way, they won't get out of the group!

I reckon one of either Tonga, Fiji or Samoa will surprise their fans by underperforming at this RWC.

Australia proved on Saturday that they will be a force to be reckoned with but I still feel New Zealand will be the team to beat.

"Aus play a fast open game better than others"?try France when they`re in the mood.Or the All Blacks with the bit between their teeth.RWCS have`nt been won that way since 1987,or pushing it 1991.

France with flair.

France on song play the best rugby in the world. Vive les Bleus.

i think the all blacks will win the world cup

I think All Blacks closely followed by Australia, SA and France. Haven't seen so much of England lately but they should lift for it too.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/14838723.stm

All blacks vs South africa final

South Africa will have their depth tested if they are to win it... lots of players injured or coming back from injuries. They'll probably make the semis but I'm not so sure they will go all the way this time.

Wales. Fiji or Samoa may do a job on the Saffers yet and we could top the group. In which case the SH nations meet each other in the knockout stages and we get an easier route to the final. Once there anything could happen.

Newport Gwent Dragons.... deserve to win it

With Riley at the helm!

Does he pilot ships too?

If he did they'd sink, slowly.

How are SA on 4% and Ireland on 10%? Wow.

Be interesting to have another poll now and see if anything has changed? - obviously the choices now exclude Italy, Scotland etc.

Good idea, let's have a vote on it.

i backed nz to win it, but with carter injured, do you think that will change?

In 1987, the last time they were at home, they were imperious. Nobody looked as if they could get anywhere near them. We all know what has happened since. There is no doubt they are the best rugby team that has ever been, and they should win the thing every time. A bit like Brazil in Football and Australia in cricket really.

Glas a du wrote:There is no doubt they are the best rugby team that has ever been, and they should win the thing every time. A bit like Brazil in Football and Australia in cricket really.

Having said that Spain and England could easily dominate (football and cricket respectively) for some time to come. Brazil and Australia have fallen back a fair bit recently in the two sports. Australia especially. NZ never seem to have any really bad spells in rugby.

Glas a du wrote:In 1987, the last time they were at home, they were imperious. Nobody looked as if they could get anywhere near them. We all know what has happened since. There is no doubt they are the best rugby team that has ever been, and they should win the thing every time. A bit like Brazil in Football and Australia in cricket really.

The difference being converting potential into deserved success. NZ haven't as yet. In fact they are shocking in KO rugby.

But I'd still put your mortgage on the ABs doing the business this time around.

SafeAsMilk wrote:

Glas a du wrote:There is no doubt they are the best rugby team that has ever been, and they should win the thing every time. A bit like Brazil in Football and Australia in cricket really.

Having said that Spain and England could easily dominate (football and cricket respectively) for some time to come. Brazil and Australia have fallen back a fair bit recently in the two sports. Australia especially. NZ never seem to have any really bad spells in rugby.

Safe,
You are joking yeah?