RWC 2015: other predictions

[TRF_stormer2010]

I thought I'd start a thread to discuss/predict who might be top points scorer, top try scorer etc.

This is RWC-specific.

So top try scorer per tournament is held jointly between Jonah Lomu and Bryan Habana both on 8. Who are we tipping to get closest or possibly even surpass? I suppose the obvious choices will come from the tier 1 sides.

I'd have liked Jesse Kriel's chances but I don't know if he'll continue at 13 with De Villiers supposedy coming back into fitness. There should be some tries score against all of Japan, USA and even Scotland and Samoa weather permitting. I doubt there'll be a plethora of tries in the 'pool of death' so I'm ruling out players from Aus, England and Wales as top try scorers/ top points scorers. I see NZ rotating players heavily... actually, I think I'll stick with Kriel (assuming here he'll get a lot of game time even if he might be moved about between 13, 14 and 15).

Other than that I like Habana's chances to get close to Lomu's total of 15 tries across all tournaments. Lomu did 15 in two settings though while this will be Habana's 3rd RWC (8 tries in 2007 and 2 in 2011).

I can't see many other records tumbling though. All the big teams apart from possibly Ireland aren't 100% set on any one flyhalf and the blow-outs will probably continue to decrease in size.

Thoughts?

 

[TRF_heineken]

Well, we are playing Samoa again. Maybe Habana can score 4 tries against them again.

I think Kriel or Willie Le Roux will be our top scorers.

For New Zealand, I'm gonna go for Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ben Smith.

 

[AzaMatt]

I thought I'd start a thread to discuss/predict who might be top points scorer, top try scorer etc.

This is RWC-specific.

So top try scorer per tournament is held jointly between Jonah Lomu and Bryan Habana both on 8. Who are we tipping to get closest or possibly even surpass? I suppose the obvious choices will come from the tier 1 sides.

I'd have liked Jesse Kriel's chances but I don't know if he'll continue at 13 with De Villiers supposedy coming back into fitness. There should be some tries score against all of Japan, USA and even Scotland and Samoa weather permitting. I doubt there'll be a plethora of tries in the 'pool of death' so I'm ruling out players from Aus, England and Wales as top try scorers/ top points scorers. I see NZ rotating players heavily... actually, I think I'll stick with Kriel (assuming here he'll get a lot of game time even if he might be moved about between 13, 14 and 15).

Other than that I like Habana's chances to get close to Lomu's total of 15 tries across all tournaments. Lomu did 15 in two settings though while this will be Habana's 3rd RWC (8 tries in 2007 and 2 in 2011).

I can't see many other records tumbling though. All the big teams apart from possibly Ireland aren't 100% set on any one flyhalf and the blow-outs will probably continue to decrease in size.

Thoughts?

not sure about trys but im sure halfpenny will rack up some major points from the tee. he rarely misses, and we tend to go for goal anywhere within 60 metres. its just a question of how many penalties we can earn

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Well, we are playing Samoa again. Maybe Habana can score 4 tries against them again.

I think Kriel or Willie Le Roux will be our top scorers.

For New Zealand, I'm gonna go for Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ben Smith.

I've also got Kriel and Le Roux as our best bets. For NZ I can't seperate Savea, Smith, Skudder or Naholo. I expect Skudder will get chances against te minnows and might rack up a fair few tries and assists. I doubt he'll be starting against bigger opposition due to lack of experience though.

not sure about trys but im sure halfpenny will rack up some major points from the tee. he rarely misses, and we tend to go for goal anywhere within 60 metres. its just a question of how many penalties we can earn

Good call. The thing baout the pool of death is that the tier 1 nations will probably be doing less resting of their top players than in the other pools and penalties will also probably be more abundant as a staple for points in what one would imagine would be tighter games against tougher opposition (adding Fiji here as well).

 

[Mcfadden]

Really? I would say Skudder would be playing against the big guns. Naholo won't be ready until after Argentina and imo will have to be managed carefully. He has even less experience. But he might be good to go by the time Tonga roll around. I really just think we should have taken Piutau but that battle is lost. As for top try scorer - probably keep an eye on the SA midfield, Skudder and Folau (despite the pool of death, his stats are always crazy!). Not confident enough to pick someone from the northern teams. I'm sure Ireland have a few threats though. Johnny May for England? No idea.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

If Piutau was included I'd have backed him TBH. I wouldn't know who Hansen would see as his 1st choice for the 14 jersey. I was assuming it'd be Naholo as a specialist winger and in fine form (at least prior to injury) but I suppose Hansen has shown a preference for a wing-cum-fullback for tat jersey in the recent past (Smith, Jane, Skudder and Piutau) so I may very well be way off. Savea is a bit of a dark horse in my mind ATM; I wouldn't be surprised to see him either quietish (by his lofty standards) or blow Habana and Lomu's shared record out the water.

 

[TobesHodges]

Most defenders beaten - Nehe Milner Scudder/Jonothan Joseph
Most Metres made - Micheal Hooper/Louis Picamoles
Most Tackles - Chris Robshaw/Dave Denton/Richie Mccaw
Most points - Johnny Sexton/Dan Carter
Most Turnovers - David Pocock
Most Tackle Busts - Ma Nonu

Most Outrageous Maneuver - Sergio Parrise
Most Broken Bones - Jaques Burger

 

[chippieolamus]

Really? I would say Skudder would be playing against the big guns. Naholo won't be ready until after Argentina and imo will have to be managed carefully. He has even less experience. But he might be good to go by the time Tonga roll around. I really just think we should have taken Piutau but that battle is lost. As for top try scorer - probably keep an eye on the SA midfield, Skudder and Folau (despite the pool of death, his stats are always crazy!). Not confident enough to pick someone from the northern teams. I'm sure Ireland have a few threats though. Johnny May for England? No idea.

May might not even start actually. I'd say England's top try scorers will probably be Watson and Joseph, although I doubt either of them will come close to being top scorer across the tournament. Mark Bennett might be a decent northern hemisphere shout, or Huget? I'd probably still go with Savea though, or maybe NMS if he's given a run of games.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Most defenders beaten - Nehe Milner Scudder/Jonothan Joseph/Damien De Allende
Most Metres made - Micheal Hooper/Louis Picamoles/Willie Le Roux
Most Tackles - Chris Robshaw/Dave Denton/Richie Mccaw
Most points - Johnny Sexton/Dan Carter/Handre Pollard
Most Turnovers - David Pocock
Most Tackle Busts - Ma Nonu/Damien De Allende

Most Outrageous Maneuver - Sergio Parrise
Most Broken Bones - Jaques Burger

I just added on.

Most Kicks - Dan Carter/Handre Pollard/Foley/Sexton

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Most defenders beaten - Nehe Milner Scudder/Jonothan Joseph
Most Metres made - Micheal Hooper/Louis Picamoles
Most Tackles - Chris Robshaw/Dave Denton/Richie Mccaw
Most points - Johnny Sexton/Dan Carter
Most Turnovers - David Pocock
Most Tackle Busts - Ma Nonu

Most Outrageous Maneuver - Sergio Parrise
Most Broken Bones - Jaques Burger

Nice.

I'm going with

Individuals
Most Tries Scored - Jesse Kriel
Most Defenders Beaten - Damian de Allende
Most Metres made - Israel Folau
Most Offloads - Israel Folau
Most Try Assists - Le Roux (Willie, not Bernard) / Aaron Smith
Most Tackles - Scott Fardy
Most points - Johnny Sexton
Most Turnovers - David Pocock
Most Tackle Busts - Damian de Allende
Most Outrageous Maneuver - Milner-Skudder
Most Broken Bones - is this his own bones, other bones or a combination?

Teams
Most Cards Recieved - Samoa
Most Points Scored - New Zealand
Most Points Conceded - Uruguay

 

[TobesHodges]

Nice.

I'm going with

Individuals
Most Tries Scored - Jesse Kriel
Most Defenders Beaten - Damian de Allende
Most Metres made - Israel Folau
Most Offloads - Israel Folau
Most Try Assists - Le Roux (Willie, not Bernard) / Aaron Smith
Most Tackles - Scott Fardy
Most points - Johnny Sexton
Most Turnovers - David Pocock
Most Tackle Busts - Damian de Allende
Most Outrageous Maneuver - Milner-Skudder
Most Broken Bones - is this his own bones, other bones or a combination?

Teams
Most Cards Recieved - Samoa
Most Points Scored - New Zealand
Most Points Conceded - Uruguay

As per my Answer, probs a combination of both

RE: Most Turnovers - David Pocock/ Heinrich Brussow

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

As per my Answer, probs a combination of both

RE: Most Turnovers - David Pocock/ Heinrich Brussow

Then my vote ges to the one they call 'the bone-collector', Willem Alberts.

Brussow is not touring.

 

[TobesHodges]

Wtf is HM playing at..

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Wtf is HM playing at..

I'm pretty sure its because he needs 30% black players and has included Kolisi in order to achieve that. TBF Kolisi is a handy player but having a back up specialist fetcher would have been better for us seeing as PSdT can cover Burger and Alberts' roles.

The bigger 'WTF?' is at scrumhalf where Rudy Paige has leapfrogged De Klerk (SAs form 9 IMO), Reinach and both those above him at the Bulls (Hougaard and Van Zyl) to make the Bok squad.

 

[CaliRa1]

I've also got Kriel and Le Roux as our best bets. For NZ I can't seperate Savea, Smith, Skudder or Naholo. I expect Skudder will get chances against te minnows and might rack up a fair few tries and assists. I doubt he'll be starting against bigger opposition due to lack of experience though

NMS 2 Caps (160min)
Naholo 1 Cap (50min) and won't be available till game 3

Yeah he lacks the experience

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Really? I would say Skudder would be playing against the big guns. Naholo won't be ready until after Argentina and imo will have to be managed carefully. He has even less experience. But he might be good to go by the time Tonga roll around. I really just think we should have taken Piutau but that battle is lost. As for top try scorer - probably keep an eye on the SA midfield, Skudder and Folau (despite the pool of death, his stats are always crazy!). Not confident enough to pick someone from the northern teams. I'm sure Ireland have a few threats though. Johnny May for England? No idea.

I actually think that 1 of their forwards will end up being their top try scorer for the tournament
Billy Vunipola or is that too absurd?

 

[TobesHodges]

The bigger 'WTF?' is at scrumhalf where Rudy Paige has leapfrogged De Klerk (SAs form 9 IMO), Reinach and both those above him at the Bulls (Hougaard and Van Zyl) to make the Bok squad.

If i was Paige i would actually concede my place, considering he must know that he has been picked on Colour not Form or Ability, which is completely Racist.
Race, colour, ethnicity, religion should no be used to as a tool for inclusion and exclusion in any society especially not a Bloody rugby team (apologies for the curse), were all humans, exactly the same aren't we? It's outrageous that this has even been brought up, players should only be picked for teams on Ability and Form! Thats that!

Rant Over, thanks for listening
Back to Topic

 

[TRF_heineken]

If i was Paige i would actually concede my place, considering he must know that he has been picked on Colour not Form or Ability, which is completely Racist.
Race, colour, ethnicity, religion should no be used to as a tool for inclusion and exclusion in any society especially not a Bloody rugby team (apologies for the curse), were all humans, exactly the same aren't we? It's outrageous that this has even been brought up, players should only be picked for teams on Ability and Form! Thats that!

Rant Over, thanks for listening
Back to Topic

Yeah, you can actually join our discussion on this topic in another thread...

Most passionate person at the RWC - Heyeke Meyer

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

NMS 2 Caps (160min)
Naholo 1 Cap (50min) and won't be available till game 3

Yeah he lacks the experience

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I actually think that 1 of their forwards will end up being their top try scorer for the tournament
Billy Vunipola or is that too absurd?

I suppose I put that somewhat clumsily didn't I. yes, both certainly lack experience on the test stage. I suppose its just that Naholo somehow *feels* just that little more... solid?.. a pick to my mind.

If i was Paige i would actually concede my place, considering he must know that he has been picked on Colour not Form or Ability, which is completely Racist.
Race, colour, ethnicity, religion should no be used to as a tool for inclusion and exclusion in any society especially not a Bloody rugby team (apologies for the curse), were all humans, exactly the same aren't we? It's outrageous that this has even been brought up, players should only be picked for teams on Ability and Form! Thats that!

Rant Over, thanks for listening
Back to Topic

Yeah, not to derail the thread (there is another for this topic) but if he did concede his place he'd actually be putting himself in harm's way. I mean, the type of precedent he'd be setting. Most heads of government and parastatals, a good number of directors on the board of some big companies all the way up to our dear president should probably not be there on merit by my definition of merit. In any case, Paige's inclusion might even just be an oddity from Meyer. I mean, there are tons of examples of weird decisions from selectors in most sports in all countries. The fact that Meyer has to deal with any sort of racial quota at all is unfair to those non-white players just as much as any white player possibly omitted as it casts a shadow of doubt over their inclusion. I know that's something I wouldn't like. No question Meyer has assured Paige he is the man he wants. I don't question Paige's integrity at all really. But, yeah. I don't want this thread to go off topic.

And @TRF_heineken, Meyer has surely got to be the guy mostly likely to have a heart attack during the tournament. I hope the medical takes precausions.

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Also seems like we may have a new player in the record books for youngest player to feature at a RWC:

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/WorldCup/Teen-set-to-make-RWC-history-20150902

Vasil Lobzhanidze is poised to write his name into the Rugby World Cup history books after being named in Georgia's squad for the tournament.

The scrumhalf does not turn 19 until after the climax of the pool stages and if he plays would become the first 18-year-old to grace rugby's showpiece event.

Well done on the selection, lad!

 

[Mcfadden]

I've been trying to think who New Zealand's crippling tackler will be this time around. In 2003 and 2007 there was Jerry Collins, then Richard Kahui in 2011 (especially with that humdinger on Quade Cooper).

I'd say this time it could be between Fekitoa, who can race up out of the line very quickly and occasionally he'll belt someone and SBW who has solid tackling stats and can lay one on. Unfortunately for the minnow teams, they'll probably be the ones to face these two.

A lot of people don't talk about it, but Wyatt Crockett can also thump people into the dirt as well. Not sure if the Franks brothers have stood out in this area for a couple of years, but they're worth a mention. What I don't want to see is either of them doing a suicide dive into a ruck and giving away penalties. Which use to be an amusing sight, but the referees have cracked down in recent times and deemed it dangerous.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Interesting consideration that. Collins is an absolute legend- may he RIP. I'd say now for SA it'd have to be either Alberts or Bismarck. We've been missing Jaque Fourie in that role in backline for a number of years while the world as a whole is missing Brian Lima though Samoa isn't lacking in players that can put some in a solid tackle.