NH vs. SH clash in the final, no matter what!!!!

[TRF_Ezequiel]

The loss to Ireland by the Wallabies got us a quarter-final setup which brings the age-old Hemisphere battle to a new level! The tournament is seperated into 2 halves and we are guaranteed a NH v. SH final!!!

In the 1st quarter final we see the All Blacks take on the Pumas
The 4th quarter final is between the Springboks and Wallabies

The winners of these 2 meet up in the semi final.

In the 2nd quarter final we see England take on France
In the 3rd, the mighty Irish will play Wales

The winners of these 2 meet up in the other semi final.


What will be the final???

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Commence trolling in 3............2.............1..............

 

[JW.]

I really haven't got a clue . Will NZ cope without Daniel Carter? Will Australia get back onto terms and play some brilliant rugby like we know they can? For Australia it's all going to come down to the forwards can they buckle down and get the work done, if so there backs are deadly if not wel Ireland,NZ,Samoa and England have shown what happens then. SA are getting better and better, but the injury to F.Steyn could be crucial. We all know how they're going to play there Rugby and try and win. Argentina, I really don't know how they will cope with the NZ backs. Could be a very tight game and could be over after 20mins.

England have the edge in my mind over there NH counterparts in the knockout stages, we've reached the final the last 2 RWC but if we keep playing like we are playing, our tournament could be cut very short next week. But if certain people step up and deliver I'm backing us to beat France and either Ireland or Wales, if nobody steps up and we keep playing the way we have been, well... Then the Celtic nations are gonna rub it in our faces for the next 4 years and that ain't fun .

France... they have been awfull. But seeing they're France... You don't rule them out. Wales-Ireland should be a cracking game! But I've got the feeling Wales have a slight edge. There forwards are in the form of there life, and with Jamie Roberts getting back into form, they have some fire power out wide. But the same can be said about Ireland. Really don't know, it's going to be an awesome couple of weeks!

 

[Rhyer]

Semis - France v Ireland, South Africa v New Zealand
Final - Ireland v New Zealand

 

[lucky number 7]

Semis - France v Ireland, South Africa v New Zealand
Final - Ireland v New Zealand

Stop bigging up Ireland we will never win if that is the case

 

[munstermuffin]

This is a wide open tournament because while the All Blacks looked grand against Canada, Slade didn't seem to be good at that level so when he comes up against better opposition then he will find it hard. New Zealands best hope was calling a major SOS to London for Nick Evans and well that is what they should've done.
And well it is a SH team that has the ammo to break them.

 

[Groundhog]

im pretty worried about playing wales they've looked good so far....... the english have a knack of beating france
england ,ireland ,wallabies, all blacks looking like the semis
i predict england all black final

 

[timrees]

This really is as open a tournament as you could have got. My heart calls for Wales and New Zealand in the final. But I have worries about Ireland, they have so much big game experience at club level and a recent grand slam. Welsh youth v Irish experience? Who knows, but I hope it's as good as it should be, and that god is watching.

 

[Teh Mite]

Semis - France v Ireland, South Africa v New Zealand
Final - Ireland v New Zealand

That's Rhyers prediction. Almost guarantees it's really be Wales v Argentina.

 

[Wooderz]

As much I would like to see an England Vs All Black final, I gotta feeling that England will probably go out in the semi's against Ireland... The Irish always seem to up their game when they play the English. So New Zealand V Ireland in the final.

 

[Rhyer]

That's Rhyers prediction. Almost guarantees it's really be Wales v Argentina.

Haha, it's true, I'm crap at predictions. Well played sir, well played.

 

[BladeMode]

Semi 1 - Springboks vs. NZ - Boks to cause major upset and dump the Kiwi nation into despair (lotsof world cup finals tickets to become available and record breaking SA fans to enter illegally into NZ via their expat brothers and cousins in Australia - some even by boat);

Semi 2 - Wales vs England - Easy victory for Wales. Full stop (The welsh kicked out of the Commonwealth by the English for not adhering to instruction)

Final - A repeat final of 2007 where SA meets the team they played in their first game again. Wales victory in the dying seconds. South African nation dumped into despair - Julius Malema blamed for defeat.

 

[j-dawg]

I envision an Ireland - NZ final. However its just as likely it could be an England - NZ final, or even Wales if they play as they are now.

 

[nickdnz]

Why is NZ so damn guarenteed a spot in the final?! Why is everyone trying to jinx us. Do you not understand, we've lost Daniel Carter! It's like the Jews crossing the Red sea with out Moses, it's possible, but it's a heck of a lot harder!

 

[j-dawg]

Yep NZ will DEFINATLEY get to the final. There is absoloutley no question about it. Australia or South Africa simply cannot handle you in the Semi's and you will progress with such ease. Richie Mccaw will absoloutley NOT get injured, no way.

 

[monkeypigeon]

Why is NZ so damn guarenteed a spot in the final?! Why is everyone trying to jinx us. Do you not understand, we've lost Daniel Carter! It's like the Jews crossing the Red sea with out Moses, it's possible, but it's a heck of a lot harder!

Dude. Nobody is trying to Jynx your team...

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...t-get-to-the-Final-Thread&p=454343#post454343

 

[JW.]

Yep NZ will DEFINATLEY get to the final. There is absoloutley no question about it. Australia or South Africa simply cannot handle you in the Semi's and you will progress with such ease. Richie Mccaw will absoloutley NOT get injured, no way.

Yep I second this.

Jinxing you guys has worked a treat over the years .

 

[monkeypigeon]

Yep I second this.

Jinxing you guys has worked a treat over the years .

But there is no jynxing

 

[Tricia McMillan]

It's too bad Australia and England didn't end up on the same side of the draw since England has such a knack for knocking them out.

 

[TRF_heineken]

The men has been seperated from the boys, between the top tier nations so far in this tournament excluding the NZ vs France game, has been tight affairs with defence and the team putting their kicks through the posts coming out on top of the others, and this ladies and gentlemen will be the ongoing trend for the QF's, SF's and finals!

Will Oz be able to defend as well as they can attack? Will Colin Slade step out of the daunting shadow of DC and not make silly mistakes like he has...

Will Wales keep up with the tempo? Will the Old Irish stalwarts have some gas left? Will England be able to kick more than 50% of their shots through the posts? Will Argentina hold the All Blacks in check and will the French sort their **** out and cause some havoc as we know we can??

Who is left? My team! The Springboks! Will their defence remain rock solid? Can they win matches without the luxury of kicking for goal while still in their own half??

Hmmm

Each team has their problems, and all I can say is may the best team win!! Can't wait for Saturday!!