Team most likely to cause an upset?

[LittleGuy]

haha so many delusional Canadian fans, they might beat Japan, buts thats as far as your world cup glory is going to go

Not really only one Canadian fan has picked Canada to beat France, many here are saying that Tonga is beatable which I believe they are will it be a tough game yes but it is winnable.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Canada's record against Tonga is winning (3-2) and close against Japan (8-11-1), so I don't think it is a stretch to say they can win. All three teams are very close in the rankings.

Canada and Japan will be an intriguing encounter. Canada last played Tonga at the 2003 RWC and as I've said before that side was a very weak Tongan outfit. Tongas squad at this years RWC has impact players spread all over the roster (not just in the forwards) and will be the strongest Tongan team Canada will have ever faced. I'd say it would be an upset and I wouldn't rule out the Canadians to triumph over Canada, but I just don't see it happening.

 

[Sam91]

See how canada go against a Reds XV then start talking

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

lol I am picking Canada to upset France out of blind support for my country. While it may be delusional, its no more delusional than any of the celtic countries thinking they actually have a chance at winning the world cup :lol:

 

[calculon]

lol I am picking Canada to upset France out of blind support for my country. While it may be delusional, its no more delusional than any of the Northern hemisphere countries thinking they actually have a chance at winning the world cup :lol:

Fixed that for you! Afterall, Ireland has the best club success, and are just a better attacking team than any of the other NH teams, with the exception of France. Also, probably the best young players, and backups - Ireland Wolfhounds again beating the English Saxons in their last meeting. And no, you won't beat France. I think they might put about 60 on you - and they'll be looking to do so for goal difference. Hope I'm wrong though, it would be nice to see Canada do well.

 

[Seaton]

A question for the New Zealanders:

Will The Land of the Long White Cloud go into total and complete break-down and riot mode if Scotland were to beat the All Blacks for the first time in the quater-finals?

And what happens if supporters try to interfere with a match winning kick? Is the kicker allowed to re-take or fit?

 

[UilamOsa]

A question for the New Zealanders:

(1) Will The Land of the Long White Cloud go into total and complete break-down and riot mode if Scotland were to beat the All Blacks for the first time in the quater-finals?

(2) And what happens if supporters try to interfere with a match winning kick? Is the kicker allowed to re-take or fit?

(1) No.

There will be disappointment, but after the last 3 world cups, We are now more prepared for that situation. Should that happen, the majority of Kiwi's will that haven't already, will latch onto other teams and provide them support.

(2) Is Pieter Van Zyl attending?
Cost of watered down alcohol too expensive, most of the action too happen outside the stadium.
And security will be stepped up when Samoa play in the Quarters

 

[ExcaLiBuR]

Pool A: NZ v France - I dont think France will pull off another upset, however you cant rule it out

Pool B: Argentina v England - This could be an upset to England even though I think England will win
Argentina v Scotland - This could go be an upset to Argentina

Pool C: Australia v Ireland - This could be an upset to Australia, however I really dont think it will be.
Ireland v Italy - This could be an upset to Ireland

Pool D (group of death): SA/Fiji/Samoa/Wales all could beat each other on the day. However I do believe SA will take 1st place, and Wales SHOULD take 2nd.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I don't think Argentina beating England would class as an upset - England and Argentina have always been a bit back and forth (in the past 5 years it's 2-2)

 

[ExcaLiBuR]

True however everyone thinks England will win, I think its 55% England win and 45% Argentina win. Im just saying in upsets in general even if its 1%.

 

[JW.]

Hmm. Argentina are a threat but not a very big one, they are missing some big players this WC and there forwards are not what they used to be. So I'd see Argentina beating England being an upset.

 

[calculon]

Pool A: NZ v France - I dont think France will pull off another upset, however you cant rule it out

Pool B: Argentina v England - This could be an upset to England even though I think England will win
Argentina v Scotland - This could go be an upset to Argentina

Pool C: Australia v Ireland - This could be an upset to Australia, however I really dont think it will be.
Ireland v Italy - This could be an upset to Ireland

Pool D (group of death): SA/Fiji/Samoa/Wales all could beat each other on the day. However I do believe SA will take 1st place, and Wales SHOULD take 2nd.

It's a bit sad that the top seeded team in pool B is Argentina, but I suppose there's no other way to do it with the tri-nations dominance. I'm trying to become less of a fan of Ireland as we are now firm underdogs though I will of course follow them. I'm looking forward to what should be a great world cup. There's plenty of potential upset in there and that's a good thing. I hope the weather isn't too miserable as then there might be too much upset! Wales vs SA is a possible upset to keep an eye on. Lots more though. Scotland vs England (not much of an upset except via hysteria) . Ireland vs Australia, Ireland vs Italy (Italy winning wouldn't even be a major upset at this point

 

[Shaggy]

I don't think Canada beating Tonga is much of an upset a slight one perhaps but I don't think the gulf is as wide as people believe. Canada beating France would be pretty amazing, funny thing is France could possibly still advance even if they lose two games depending on how the other pool matches work out.

... Not really, Canada beat France wouldn't really be an upset at all ... Canada has Fairhurst, France does not have Chabal ... no contest really

... I'm surprised there is a French team after incurring Chabal's wroth after being left out of the squad

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

Fixed that for you! Afterall, Ireland has the best club success, and are just a better attacking team than any of the other NH teams, with the exception of France. Also, probably the best young players, and backups - Ireland Wolfhounds again beating the English Saxons in their last meeting. And no, you won't beat France. I think they might put about 60 on you - and they'll be looking to do so for goal difference. Hope I'm wrong though, it would be nice to see Canada do well.

No dude Celtic, Ireland are world class chokers and I am predicting they aren't going to make it out of the preliminary round. the fact that the Irish actually think they are going to win this thing is a laugh and a half. I think you are going to see Wales and Ireland both miss out on the quarter finals and i am calling Scotland to go down as well.

My prediction

Group A

NZ, Fr

Group B

Eng, Arg

Group C

Aus, Ita

Group D

SA, Sam

I predict this is going to be the most competitive world cup to date and I really do believe that the minnow nations are starting to catch the tier 1 nations in terms of quality. Give it 15 years and countries like Japan, Georgia, USA are going to begin beating the top sides.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

No dude Celtic, Ireland are world class chokers and I am predicting they aren't going to make it out of the preliminary round. the fact that the Irish actually think they are going to win this thing is a laugh and a half. I think you are going to see Wales and Ireland both miss out on the quarter finals and i am calling Scotland to go down as well.

My prediction

Group A

NZ, Fr

Group B

Eng, Arg

Group C

Aus, Ita

Group D

SA, Sam

I predict this is going to be the most competitive world cup to date and I really do believe that the minnow nations are starting to catch the tier 1 nations in terms of quality. Give it 15 years and countries like Japan, Georgia, USA are going to begin beating the top sides.

Why is Argentina in bold? That could hardly be considered an upset, given their favouritism (according to the bookies...)

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

Reason i bolded them is most traditional rugby powers still treat them with a degree of arrogance as do certain fans.

 

[calculon]

Reason i bolded them is most traditional rugby powers still treat them with a degree of arrogance as do certain fans.

No they don't. They treat them based on their rank, form, and potential. Argentina are good but not as good as they once were. But - they're not much worse than Scotland and on a good day they could cause upsets. Same for Italy. The fact that you are calling 3 different upsets suggests you're not really into probability and statistics. 2 would be stretching it. There is likely to be one casualty, and it's not just confined to Ireland, Scotland and Italy. You are in a frame of mind to accept big shake ups, as that's what Canada need - big big upset if you beat France, not saying it's impossible - it's possible but that would be big.

EDIT: Also as ze Frenchy said, Argentina getting 2nd wouldn't be a huge upset.

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

Thats the funny thing about rugby is that people place so much emphasis on form. In tournaments like this were won on form alone NZ would be world champs every tourney, thankfully it does not work like that. I like the RWC so much because it is the one time in this sport where every team is presented with an even chance at winning. Teams like Argentina and the Pacific Isles are often not given the respect the deserve and I believe they would be ranked much higher if they played together more and were given more game time.

 

[no-1-rugby-fan]

I can see Samoa and Fiji causing all sorts of trouble for Wales.

 

[calculon]

Thats the funny thing about rugby is that people place so much emphasis on form. In tournaments like this were won on form alone NZ would be world champs every tourney, thankfully it does not work like that. I like the RWC so much because it is the one time in this sport where every team is presented with an even chance at winning. Teams like Argentina and the Pacific Isles are often not given the respect the deserve and I believe they would be ranked much higher if they played together more and were given more game time.

= Canada need more game time and respect. True.
I'd like to see Canadian switch the telly over to rugby a little more as opposed to ice hockey. But I don't see that.
If Canada wants to be a force in rugby, you'd have to sprinkle some of the money, respect, programming into rugby.
For now, you're obsessed with ice hockey. In Ireland, a lot of attention is given to traditional sports - hurling, and gelic football - even though they are amateur sports, there is a big passion for these games, but there is also a passion for rugby and soccer, and there are more young rugby players in Ireland than ever.