Your second favourite international team?

As the title suggests I'm interested to see who your second favourite international team is and why. Couple of rules, a) you can't have relatives in that country or B) have spent significant time in that country. I'll go first.

Team - Samoa

Reason - Whenever I watch them I always imagine that's how a team of battle hungry warriors would play when preparing for a big conflict. They also make me glad I never played the game and instead remained a spectator. They're mad as a box of frogs and twice as entertaining!

I am English & support them, but my second favourite has to be South Africa. Big, brutal and full of skill. On their day they can beat anyone.

Japan..

because I'm always interested to see how they developing. They have big ambitions and want to be inside the top 10 within two years. Its great to see a developing nation aiming high.

Ireland

Despite them bullying us this year, I can't dislike a team that plays such nice rugby and has such huge names that play in the Pro12 too.

Australia

Italy or SA.

In the 6 nations I always find myself rooting for Scotland as my second team.

In the SH my favourites would be South Africa. Not just because a lot of Ulster players are from there.

Canada

France

Ireland.

SH - All Blacks.

Being Welsh, my friends and I always consider Ireland/Scotland to be our second favourite teams.

However, I tend to cheer for the developing rugby nations above the established ones (I count Italy as developing, Argentina I am unsure about) as I think it is important for the sport to have as many competitive international sides as possible.

Ireland are mine for no reason (I've never even been there) I think it started off as admiration for the likes of Wood, O'Kelly, O'Connell, Stringer, O'Gara, O'Driscoll, Hickie and Murphy. When they're on their game the Irish teams are very good to watch, be it the slickness of Leinster and Ulster or the sheer passion of the Munster fans. Just watching a heineken cup game at Thomond park gives me goosebumps.

I'll be the most honest person here - anyone playing England - I just can't support them - it's how I was brought up!

Having said that, you could pick 15 English players to start for the Lions and I would still support them!

wanderingdragon wrote:I'll be the most honest person here - anyone playing England - I just can't support them - it's how I was brought up!

Having said that, you could pick 15 English players to start for the Lions and I would still support them!

I like your honesty & admire your B & I Lions support.

Got to be Ireland.

We all like a plucky loser.

Italy

France (NH) and NZ.
Wales is a side that is like something you need to scrape off your shoe.

Wales under 20s.

Manu Samoa!

Notch wrote:Manu Samoa!

Western Samoa
East German
Czechoslovakia
North Wales

t1000advancedprototype wrote:

Western Samoa
East German
Czechoslovakia
North Wales

That last one just sounds made up.

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:

t1000advancedprototype wrote:

Western Samoa
East German
Czechoslovakia
North Wales

That last one just sounds made up.

It is, (now). The reunification happened in 2007.

t1000advancedprototype wrote:

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:

t1000advancedprototype wrote:

Western Samoa
East German
Czechoslovakia
North Wales

That last one just sounds made up.

It is, (now). The reunification happened in 2007.

I thought it was all West West Midlands?

Argentina - Hernandez is the best flyhalf in the world (when he is fit, so he is the best in world for two days a year), but God, what a glorious two days they are.

kingraf wrote:Argentina - Hernandez is the best flyhalf in the world (when he is fit, so he is the best in world for two days a year), but God, what a glorious two days they are.

Not sure about that

Doesn't he play most of his rugby at FB

I have heard him called the best FB in the world a fair amount

Never been astounded by him at FH

NH- Italy because each year in the 6 nations they are improving as they showed this year.

SH- Australia because their backs will run from everywhere very exciting to watch or maybe Samoa for their big hits

Anybody playing England.

i dont really have a second team they way I decide who i support when neutral is as follows:

default: support the underdog,

however I would say I am Welsh, then Celtic, Then British then from the NH

GavinDragon wrote:i dont really have a second team they way I decide who i support when neutral is as follows:

default: support the underdog,

however I would say I am Welsh, then Celtic, Then British then from the NH

That's pretty much true

I always support the underdog in big games

Although I still enjoy the NZ tries when the underdog inevitably fails

Or the last minute Carter drop goals in Ireland's case

Autralia. Always loved their free running inventive rugby over the years.

The likes of Campo, Matty Burke, Cooper, Genia, O'Connor, Digby, Mitchell, Tuquiri, Giteau, latham, larkham, joe roff, Gregan, Horan, mortlock and mark ella all brought and bring something different to the wonderful game of union. Its just a shame they are currently been stifled by robbie 'mundane' deans....

glamorganalun wrote:Anybody playing England.

The hate only makes us stronger...

Argentina... due to the Welsh language/settler connection and because they have done very well against the odds of not having a professional league structure of their own...

PI's for similar reasons

Japan.

I haven't really got any 2nd favourite team but love watching Aus, NZ & France in their pomp.

I would support the underdog generally & in the NH anyone playing Wales.

NZ is my team.
2nd team would be Scotland - I love how they try so hard and are really clean and don't complain. I really wish they were a bit better at the game.

Generally support the underdog although its very hard not to root for a team which is playing against one of my mates teams (especially if they are really really into it) for example the wife and lots of friends are Kiwis and although I respect and admire the way they play (pity Scotland can't/won't play with similar attributes) but ultimately I find it very hard to root for them.

during the world cup always support the under dog to eliminate the top teams so Wales play an easier team . really really thought we would beat France . i like Japan Argentina and Scotland

Fiji, just for the fun and flair...

Wales, thanks to a Welsh father. I love watching France play in full flow though.

Always support the underdog. Which is quite apt for an England fan for the majority of the last ten years.

Samoa.
Then Tonga & Fiji

Broadly I enjoy cheering a good scrappy underdog, while in the 6N I cheer for the teams in blue

Australia

France

Other 6 nations teams

Lithuania

I see Lithuania has just moved ahead of England in the popularity stakes

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:I see Lithuania has just moved ahead of England in the popularity stakes

If it makes you feel better, when England and Wales play each other I cheer the away team.

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:I see Lithuania has just moved ahead of England in the popularity stakes

If it makes you feel better, when England and Wales play each other I cheer the away team.

That's very generous of you. Of course, you do realise that saying you pretty much like England as much as Wales is insulting to both nations

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:I see Lithuania has just moved ahead of England in the popularity stakes

If it makes you feel better, when England and Wales play each other I cheer the away team.

That's very generous of you. Of course, you do realise that saying you pretty much like England as much as Wales is insulting to both nations

I know. That's why I said it

Scotland for me, but I've got Scottish blood so maybe doesn't count?

Big fan of Ireland, but I do like lower tier teams like Georgia too.

What'll be interesting to see is if England keep playing more attractive, attacking, running rugby whether we garner more support from previously hostile quarters.

May I be correct in thinking that England's previously negative brand of rugby has often alienated supporters from other nations?

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:I see Lithuania has just moved ahead of England in the popularity stakes

If it makes you feel better, when England and Wales play each other I cheer the away team.

That's very generous of you. Of course, you do realise that saying you pretty much like England as much as Wales is insulting to both nations

I know. That's why I said it

I've only just noticed this new emoticon. It's not really apt in this situation but there we go.

GunsGerms wrote:Australia

France

Other 6 nations teams

Lithuania

To add, while I always enjoy Ireland England games because of the added spice of late Ireland Wales games have been extra intense and therefore extra enjoyable.

I think this is one of the top 6N fixtures every year.