All things being equal

[Every Time Ref]

Wow, we're not a popular country are we!

Personally I'd have to go for, like, Namibia or Portugal, because however the hell that happened it would be phenomenal. More realistically, Argentina. I've adopted them as my second team since they joined the RC, partly because anyone who isn't NZ, Aus or SA is worth shouting for, partly because I hugely admire the relative success they've had without any professional rugby in their country, and partly because I studied Spanish for a long time and have a soft spot for Latin America.

I'd be absolutely thrilled for Ireland to win it though. Wales ... I'm not sure. In theory I'd be all for NH solidarity, but I strongly suspect a vocal minority of Welsh fans would be utterly insufferable! (I'm sure Welsh fans would say the same about England in fairness...)

 

[Kiwi_]

I don't want England to win, because it's never interesting if it's the home nation who wins. As you guys probably felt in 2011.

 

[ncurd]

I don't want England to win, because it's never interesting if it's the home nation who wins. As you guys probably felt in 2011.

Actually it wasn't interesting because NZ were favourite's by a country mile and everyone likes to see an upset....probably why I'm looking to this tournament more it's a little more open ended or at least feels it. Yes NZ are deserved favourites but it doesn't feel like it's as sure a thing as last time around.

 

[Kiwi_]

Actually it wasn't interesting because NZ were favourite's by a country mile and everyone likes to see an upset....probably why I'm looking to this tournament more it's a little more open ended or at least feels it. Yes NZ are deserved favourites but it doesn't feel like it's as sure a thing as last time around.

An NZ vs England final would be a spectacle. What a colossal final that would be, up there with '95.

 

[Horacito]

Being an argentinian fan means that I have already made up my mind, because Argentina won't win. I will jump five meters of pure joy if we make it to the semi final.

Ireland -because they are taugh as a rock and play nice.
Wales- that would be awesome, like, I can see the next four years of welsh victory in this forum. English fans holocaust or world war rugby.
Australia- from sinking so down they loosed to us to winning a world cup. Also love Michael Cheika.
Springbocks- bocks fun forever
France- France winning a WC in England explains itself

In my dreams: Scotland.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Samoa - always liked them.

Probably any NH team, just to give us something to gloat about for the next 4 years.

I'm the opposite. I'd prefer it to be any of the Tri-Nations over any of the Six Nations (bar England, obv). Their gloating would be far less painful than Wales/Ireland

 

[goodNumber10]

That's a fair point.....

 

[Tony Manx]

Agree with the majority here - would love to see Ireland win if England cannot.

To put it as a ranked order of the 20 teams competing at the RWC, my order of preference (based purely on personal opinion of how much I like/admire/and enjoy watching each particular team) to win would be:

1. England
2. Ireland
3. France
4. Australia
5. Samoa
6. South Africa
7. Italy
8. Japan
9. Argentina
10. Fiji
11. Georgia
12. Tonga
13. Canada
14. USA
15. Namibia
16. Scotland
17. Uruguay
18. Romania
19. New Zealand
20. Wales

You read my mind!!!!

 

[Rich Taff]

My choice would be England, followed by USA/Canada.

I've fortunately/unfortunately outgrown the 'anyone but England' mentality, having the majority of my friends being English, and having lived in various places in England for years.

 

[Groundhog]

I'd have to go with my favourite minnow Canada. More reallistically (well a bit) Argentina followed by the home nations.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Of the teams without a realistic chance: Canada
Teams with a chance: Ireland
Team I least want to win: Wales.

 

[McTallshort]

France or South Africa.

Deffo not NZ, Aus or Ireland

 

[Car]

Ireland, Wales, any of the Pacific Islanders, France or any small rugby nation. Deffo not NZ.

 

[SomeOke]

Tough call, probably France.
I wouldn't mind NZ winning but then they'd have more WC's than us and the "two in a row thing" so they're out.
Not Aus or England please (shocker).
Ireland would be fine I guess.

 

[j'nuh]

Wales then Scotland, cuz I'm Yorkshire first, British second, and English third.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'm Yorkshire first.

No true Yorkshireman would support Gloucester - southern pansies!

 

[RedruthRFC]

No true Yorkshireman would support Gloucester - southern pansies!

You'd better hope that Mike Teague doesn't read that comment!

Back to the topic question, Argentina for me (not that I'm saying it will happen). I'm taking a slightly different tack and thinking what positive impact could a win have. An Argentinian would be a step towards turning them into a geniune, sustainable rugby superpower, which has got to be a good thing to me.

 

[Horacito]

That is not going to happen any time soon in the next five to ten years, let's be realistic.

Superpowers in rugby: NZ, AUS, SA, ENG and... Ireland? And they haven't managed to defeat NZ.

I think we have the potential and the right people working on it: the plan is 2019, every result over quarter finals this year will be considered as a gift. Let's see if we can defeat one of the big boys in this RC (something I am very much skeptical about) and then take things seriously at WC. Patience is the key, hard work and humble attitude, and realistic view. That brought us here, that'll take us further.

Surprised so many people cheer for us though.

 

[The Prop]

Scotland first (also never going to happen this WC) but I would like to see Ireland win it.

 

[McTallshort]

Cannot believe everyone wants Ireland to win...if they do you all know what a nightmare every Lions thread will be for the next 2 years dont you?!