Predictions for the knockout stages.

[Fard]

I have a soft spot for Ireland and have many friends over there. I hope they give the French plenty.

 

[RJAH777]

My predictions..

1/4s
South Africa vs Wales...south Africa win
All blacks vs Ireland...all blacks win
France vs argentina...argentina win
Wallabies vs Scotland...Wallabies win

Semis
All blacks vs south Africa...All blacks win
Wallabies vs argentina...Wallabies win

Wallabies win final vs all blacks.

Id like to see Japan make it and France beat all blacks in 1/4s. But it won't happen..

 

[InsaneAsylum]

My predictions..

1/4s
South Africa vs Wales...south Africa win
All blacks vs Ireland...all blacks win
France vs argentina...argentina win
Wallabies vs Scotland...Wallabies win

Semis
All blacks vs south Africa...All blacks win
Wallabies vs argentina...Wallabies win

Wallabies win final vs all blacks.

Id like to see Japan make it and France beat all blacks in 1/4s. But it won't happen..

If we get to the final and NZ is the other team there I can't see us beating them, unless Wayne Barnes is the ref and they have a few key players injured. I'm hoping for 3 things A. we actually make the final, and without losing too many key players B. someone else can beat NZ in the 1/4s or semi and C. we win the World Cup

Despite SA really starting to hit some form at the right time, they will always feel slightly more beatable than NZ.

 

[WaterboySA]

I still think Ireland can beat France. That will set up a France/AB game and Ireland/Argentina? Ireland will be too strong for Argentina. I can't see the Boks going past the semi's(IF we beat Wales in 1/4's). How about a NZ/Ireland final, with Richie taking a drop goal to win the match in extra time?

 

[RJAH777]

I think argentina will surprise you. They are strong in all areas. No disrespect to Ireland, but they were awful against Italy, lost to england and Wales just before the rwc started. That's not a confidence builder.

 

[WaterboySA]

I will most probably take some shots for this, BUT.......I think Argentina is TOTALLY overrated. They beat a pretty bad SA side ONCE and suddenly everyone rates them as world beaters? I mean no disrespect. I believe they are punching WAY above their weight class at the moment. Playing good rugby. They still have only one RC win ever, and the only game in THIS WC they've been tested, they lost to the AB's. The loss to the Pumas in Durban was as big a shock as the loss to Japan.

Don't get me wrong. I think they are a good team. I just think they will lose more games against the top 5 teams than win.Could say that about SA also, but SA's not in a good place right now regarding our rugby. I think this is the best coached Pumas team ever, but they must still prove themselves on the big stage. Maybe they will do that in this WC, I will admit I'm wrong then.

 

[Tony Manx]

I will most probably take some shots for this, BUT.......I think Argentina is TOTALLY overrated. They beat a pretty bad SA side ONCE and suddenly everyone rates them as world beaters? I mean no disrespect. I believe they are punching WAY above their weight class at the moment. Playing good rugby. They still have only one RC win ever, and the only game in THIS WC they've been tested, they lost to the AB's. The loss to the Pumas in Durban was as big a shock as the loss to Japan.

Don't get me wrong. I think they are a good team. I just think they will lose more games against the top 5 teams than win.Could say that about SA also, but SA's not in a good place right now regarding our rugby. I think this is the best coached Pumas team ever, but they must still prove themselves on the big stage. Maybe they will do that in this WC, I will admit I'm wrong then.

Actually, I agree with you and have been shot down in the past for saying it!!

As for predictions, suppose it is a bit of fun but I have difficulty in predicting the winners of the next game (or what I will have for dinner tonight even!!!) never mind the make up and winners of a match that is three weeks away!

 

[TRF_heineken]

Here's my predictions:

QF's:
Australia vs. Scotland - Referee: Craig Joubert
South African vs. Wales - Referee: Romain Poite
New Zealand vs. France - Referee: Wayne Barnes
Ireland vs. Argentina - Referee: Nigel Owens

Semi Finals:
Australia vs. Ireland - Referee: Jaco Peyper
South Africa vs. France - Referee: Glen Jackson

Finals:
South Africa vs. Ireland - Referee: Nigel Owens

Winner: South Africa

 

[saulan]

I will most probably take some shots for this, BUT.......I think Argentina is TOTALLY overrated. They beat a pretty bad SA side ONCE and suddenly everyone rates them as world beaters? I mean no disrespect. I believe they are punching WAY above their weight class at the moment. Playing good rugby. They still have only one RC win ever, and the only game in THIS WC they've been tested, they lost to the AB's. The loss to the Pumas in Durban was as big a shock as the loss to Japan.

Don't get me wrong. I think they are a good team. I just think they will lose more games against the top 5 teams than win.Could say that about SA also, but SA's not in a good place right now regarding our rugby. I think this is the best coached Pumas team ever, but they must still prove themselves on the big stage. Maybe they will do that in this WC, I will admit I'm wrong then.

Just a correction there, the Pumas have two wins in the RC. One against South Africa and one against Australia. I don't feel they are overrated at all. Yes they were tested this World Cup, but they were tested against the number one side in the world and did well for about 60 minutes and then fell apart (they were leading at half time). They have improved dramatically over the past four years. I don't expect them to win their quarter final, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if they do.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

here's my predictions:

Qf's:
Australia vs. Scotland - referee: Craig joubert
south african vs. Wales - referee: romain poite
new zealand vs. France - referee: Wayne barnes
ireland vs. Argentina - referee: Nigel owens

semi finals:
Australia vs. Ireland - referee: Jaco peyper
wales vs. France - referee: Glen jackson

finals:
France vs. Ireland - referee: Nigel owens

winner: ireland

ftfy

 

[RJAH777]

Haha, that would be hilarious if Wayne Barnes was the ref and France beat nz. The fallout from this would make England's exit look like a minor incident

 

[austingtir]

I will most probably take some shots for this, BUT.......I think Argentina is TOTALLY overrated. They beat a pretty bad SA side ONCE and suddenly everyone rates them as world beaters? I mean no disrespect. I believe they are punching WAY above their weight class at the moment. Playing good rugby. They still have only one RC win ever, and the only game in THIS WC they've been tested, they lost to the AB's. The loss to the Pumas in Durban was as big a shock as the loss to Japan.

Don't get me wrong. I think they are a good team. I just think they will lose more games against the top 5 teams than win.Could say that about SA also, but SA's not in a good place right now regarding our rugby. I think this is the best coached Pumas team ever, but they must still prove themselves on the big stage. Maybe they will do that in this WC, I will admit I'm wrong then.

They beat Australia last year as well.

Argentina will pose huge problems for any team that is forward dominated as they can match those sides very very well. France, Ireland, Wales And SA would be the main ones im thinking of.

Their backs in no shape or form are on the same level as their forwards and its a bit of a sad state really as that forward pack they have deserves better imo.

- - - Updated - - -

Haha, that would be hilarious if Wayne Barnes was the ref and France beat nz. The fallout from this would make England's exit look like a minor incident

Would it be taking it to far if I said id give up the WC if Barnes was gone forever? Did I really just say that?? Honestly if we had to duck out of this tournament though that would be rather nice.....

 

[TRF_heineken]

ftfy

Lol! Glad you picked up on that. But I think this would be the game where we wouldn't be a victim to him...

 

[Mcfadden]

I will most probably take some shots for this, BUT.......I think Argentina is TOTALLY overrated. They beat a pretty bad SA side ONCE and suddenly everyone rates them as world beaters? I mean no disrespect. I believe they are punching WAY above their weight class at the moment. Playing good rugby. They still have only one RC win ever, and the only game in THIS WC they've been tested, they lost to the AB's. The loss to the Pumas in Durban was as big a shock as the loss to Japan.

Don't get me wrong. I think they are a good team. I just think they will lose more games against the top 5 teams than win.Could say that about SA also, but SA's not in a good place right now regarding our rugby. I think this is the best coached Pumas team ever, but they must still prove themselves on the big stage. Maybe they will do that in this WC, I will admit I'm wrong then.

They've done a bit more than beat a bad SA side.

Do I think they could be a world-beater side consistently? No way. But I wouldn't put it past them to pull off an upset of epic proportions in a one off encounter with somebody. Japan beat South Africa. Almost anything is possible on the day.

 

[WaterboySA]

They've done a bit more than beat a bad SA side.

Maybe a little bit more.....but only a little.

 

[RJAH777]

Yes agree...it's about how they play as a team now, not looking at their record over the last 4 years. Semi finalist for sure. I don't think anyone from pool d will be in the semis

 

[WaterboySA]

Lol! Glad you picked up on that. But I think this would be the game where we wouldn't be a victim to him...

Think we can maybe take Wales with 14 players. Schalk can take one for the team and run over that ref?

 

[The80sDogCancer]

Calibre of all Ireland's opposition has been poor. Their first real test was Italy and they didn't set the tournament on fire. France will really show what the Irish team is made of

I will most probably take some shots for this, BUT.......I think Argentina is TOTALLY overrated. They beat a pretty bad SA side ONCE and suddenly everyone rates them as world beaters? I mean no disrespect. I believe they are punching WAY above their weight class at the moment. Playing good rugby. They still have only one RC win ever, and the only game in THIS WC they've been tested, they lost to the AB's. The loss to the Pumas in Durban was as big a shock as the loss to Japan.

Don't get me wrong. I think they are a good team. I just think they will lose more games against the top 5 teams than win.Could say that about SA also, but SA's not in a good place right now regarding our rugby. I think this is the best coached Pumas team ever, but they must still prove themselves on the big stage. Maybe they will do that in this WC, I will admit I'm wrong then.

I think that Argentina are sometimes unfairly underrated because of their poor results in the Rugby Championship, but is it really?
(NOTE: Before someone comments I know that the stats I am using are not 100% 'like for like' but they as close as possible and can still be used to compare fairly)
I have always wondered how teams like wales or Ireland would go if they competed in the RC. Before searching for this comment I thought that both those teams would fair similar to Argentina.

So to find out I am going to use the past two years of welsh and Irish results against RC teams (2013 and 2014 AIs and summer rugby tours) and compare them to argentinas last two years in RC (2015 and 2014). I

If Argentina are over rated the stats should show a noticeable difference in win/loss between the home nations And Argentina.

ARGENTINA
2015:
Loss to NZ away
Loss to AU home
Win to SA away.
Loss to SA home
= 1 win away
2014:
Loss to IRE home
Loss to IRE home
Loss to SA away
Loss to SA home
Loss to NZ away.
Loss to AU away
Loss to NZ home
Won to AU home
= 1 Win home

WALES
2014:
Loss to SA away.
Loss to SA away.
Loss to AU home
Loss to NZ home.
Win to SA home
= 1 win home.
2013:
Loss to SA home
Won to ARG home
Lost to AU home.
= 1 home win (to ARG)

IRELAND
2014:
Won to ARG away
Won to ARG away
Won to AUS home
Won to SA home
Win to SA home
=2 wins away
2 wins home
2013:
Loss to AU home
Loss to NZ home
=0 wins

So looking at those stats it would be fair to assume that both wales and Ireland would expect to see similar results to Argentina in the RC. Only Ireland's 2014 AI home results against the SH are distinguishable from the others.

So from that I would say that no Argentina are not overrated

 

[TheOvalBall]

I think that Argentina are sometimes unfairly underrated because of their poor results in the Rugby Chanpionship, but is really?
(I know that the stats I have used are not 'like for like' but they are can still be used to comIf you com

If Argentina put in a performance like they did against the All Blacks, then they will beat Ireland. That's if the two play in the QF's.

 

[barthelemy]

Surely we won't get another 2007.

Like in 2007 you should not have gotten another 1999