Menu
Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
Latest activity
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Help Support The Rugby Forum :
Forums
Rugby Union
General Rugby Union
IRB rankings and RWC 2015 pool draws
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="tompaton7" data-source="post: 541752" data-attributes="member: 64388"><p>I can see Samoa being the dark horses of this tournament. Much like Argentina in 2007. I would not be surprised if they upset the odds and stunned South Africa, which would be great for the tournament.</p><p></p><p>I'm surprisingly not worried about Wales. In recent years when we've been either written off or predicted to bomb out we've gone through and likewise when we had an easy group we've bombed out. For example, 2003 people thought Italy were going to upset the odds having beaten us in the Six Nations. But we came through. In 2007, no-one really saw us losing to Fiji for some reason, as I remember but it happened, and we all know about 2011.</p><p></p><p>I reckon if Georgia qualify as Europe 1, this is their best chance to get in the top 3 of their group. They won't beat Argentina or New Zealand but Tonga are there for the taking in my opinion, anything could happen there. Likewise for Americas 1, if they shore up their packs they could beat Italy and hell even Ireland (unlikely however but before you bite my head off remember Georgia 2007? They also stuttered against the USA in 2011 and by then I see America being an improved team).</p><p></p><p>Elsewhere for qualifying, in Africa, we could see a new team in possibly Madagascar? They beat Namibia in an absolutely absorbing game of running rugby in extra time. Namibia also need to get out of Division 2 of the Africa Cup to be in contention for qualifying in 2014. Teams like Uganda and Kenya have also beaten them in the past. I just think it would be great to see a new representative as Namibia have delivered the same old every tournament. However considering the other teams have failed to beat them in qualifying they will probably be no different.</p><p></p><p>As for Europe, I wouldn't be surprised if Spain make a valiant effort to qualify for the first time since 1999, maybe even through the Repechage. I don't see Uruguay making it on current form, as they just lost to Portugal, who were below Spain in the ENC. However a lot can happen in three years. Bring it on!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="tompaton7, post: 541752, member: 64388"] I can see Samoa being the dark horses of this tournament. Much like Argentina in 2007. I would not be surprised if they upset the odds and stunned South Africa, which would be great for the tournament. I'm surprisingly not worried about Wales. In recent years when we've been either written off or predicted to bomb out we've gone through and likewise when we had an easy group we've bombed out. For example, 2003 people thought Italy were going to upset the odds having beaten us in the Six Nations. But we came through. In 2007, no-one really saw us losing to Fiji for some reason, as I remember but it happened, and we all know about 2011. I reckon if Georgia qualify as Europe 1, this is their best chance to get in the top 3 of their group. They won't beat Argentina or New Zealand but Tonga are there for the taking in my opinion, anything could happen there. Likewise for Americas 1, if they shore up their packs they could beat Italy and hell even Ireland (unlikely however but before you bite my head off remember Georgia 2007? They also stuttered against the USA in 2011 and by then I see America being an improved team). Elsewhere for qualifying, in Africa, we could see a new team in possibly Madagascar? They beat Namibia in an absolutely absorbing game of running rugby in extra time. Namibia also need to get out of Division 2 of the Africa Cup to be in contention for qualifying in 2014. Teams like Uganda and Kenya have also beaten them in the past. I just think it would be great to see a new representative as Namibia have delivered the same old every tournament. However considering the other teams have failed to beat them in qualifying they will probably be no different. As for Europe, I wouldn't be surprised if Spain make a valiant effort to qualify for the first time since 1999, maybe even through the Repechage. I don't see Uruguay making it on current form, as they just lost to Portugal, who were below Spain in the ENC. However a lot can happen in three years. Bring it on! [/QUOTE]
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Rugby Union
General Rugby Union
IRB rankings and RWC 2015 pool draws
Top