Who'll win the next RWC ?

[Leonormous Boozer]

Load of rubbish. Trimble was great that 6N, BO'D and D'Arcy are still a better balanced centre pairing than the Welsh partnership, but most importantly, Ireland had a massive edge in the half-backs. Rob Kearney was also better than Halfpenny that tournament.

I agree that Irelands backs weren't bad but our forwards definitely won us that tournament. We dominated up front in four of the five games and the one game where we were beaten, ever so slightly, up front was against England and they beat us. We didn't have the outside backs to win us the tight games like we used to but our half backs were that bit better than Englands and that's why we pipped them overall.


Anyway, I predict England vs Ireland and SA vs NZ semis with NZ winning if they make the final and SA losing if they do.

 

[Jaguares]

If England fail to make it out of their group, I'd almost be as happy as if the wallabies were to win the comp

Do you hate the English more than Kiwis, right?

 

[LittleGuy]

My ridiculously biased and silly predictions I pulled out of my bum this morning!!

Pool A. 1. England 2. Australia 3. Wales 4. Fiji 5. Uruguay

Pool B. 1. South Africa 2. Samoa 3. Scotland 4. Japan 5. United States

Pool C. 1. New Zealand 2. Argentina 3. Georgia 4. Tonga 5. Namibia

Pool D. 1. France 2. Ireland 3. Canada 4. Italy 5. Romania

QFs.

New Zealand vs. Ireland

South Africa vs. Australia

France vs. Argentina

England vs. Samoa


SFs.

New Zealand vs. South Africa

France vs. England

3rd Place.

New Zealand vs. France

Final.

England vs. South Africa

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

not denying the fact that samoa are good i know what they're capable off but in the 2015 world cup i dont see what samoa has which scotland hasn't they use to have that strength from the tuilagi brothers but they have retired and Tusi Pisi is probably not going to play since he isn't a regular starter in japan and that says alot. they use to have pace too but i dont know if they still have but all i can say for now is that scotland has vern and thats enough

 

[TheSaffycen]

not denying the fact that samoa are good i know what they're capable off but in the 2015 world cup i dont see what samoa has which scotland hasn't they use to have that strength from the tuilagi brothers but they have retired and Tusi Pisi is probably not going to play since he isn't a regular starter in japan and that says alot. they use to have pace too but i dont know if they still have but all i can say for now is that scotland has vern and thats enough

Samoa are looking decent and I think it will come down to what the conditions are like on the day. If it is a dry hard pitch and the teams are throwing the ball around I say 55/45 Scotland, if it is wet and it comes down too kicking penalties then 80/20 Scotland, if only Samoa could get a decent and steady kicker and they would be a serious problem for a lot of teams. I remember what they did to Australia a couple of years back and physically they just dominated everything about that game, and the speed and flair in which they played would have beaten a lot of teams that day.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

Load of rubbish. Trimble was great that 6N, BO'D and D'Arcy are still a better balanced centre pairing than the Welsh partnership, but most importantly, Ireland had a massive edge in the half-backs. Rob Kearney was also better than Halfpenny that tournament.

Yeah he was over the tournament, but he would have been no where near the squad if the likes of Bowe, Fitzgerald, Earls etc were fully fit. If that were the case we wouldn't have seen how good he was because he didn't have any where near that form going into the six nations.
Sure they probably are in the defense but not certainly not in attack, I'm sure a lot of people would take Roberts and Davies over a retiring BOD and a 34 year old D'arcy. If you had actually watched it you would know it was our forwards that won us the game, not the backs.

Besides, are you disagreeing with the fact that forwards win you games, backs don't?

 

[LittleGuy]

not denying the fact that samoa are good i know what they're capable off but in the 2015 world cup i dont see what samoa has which scotland hasn't they use to have that strength from the tuilagi brothers but they have retired and Tusi Pisi is probably not going to play since he isn't a regular starter in japan and that says alot. they use to have pace too but i dont know if they still have but all i can say for now is that scotland has vern and thats enough

That pool is a total crap shoot, Japan and the United States could upset Scotland and Samoa on their day as well, Scotland could finish 2nd or they could possibly finish dead last(though this seems unlikely). The Boks are really the only guarentee in that pool, and I think the 2nd place team wil be easy pickings in the Quarter Finals.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

ok

 

[ruggabee]

Would this be something close to what Samoa can put out? Cos if so I wouldn't be so confident of Scotland overturning them and making the quarters. Very dynamic throughout the team especially that back line.

1. Logovi'i Mulipola
2. Ti'i Paulo
3. Census Johnston
4. Filo Paulo
5. Joe Tekori
6. Ofisa Treviranus
7. Maurie Fa'asavalu
8. Alafoti Fa'osiliva
9. Kahn Fotuali'i
10. Tusi Pisi
11. David Lemi
12. Alapati Leiua
13. George Pisi
14. Sinoti Sinoti
15. Paul Williams

I think it's hard to look past the ABs winning the world cup having been unbeaten this season and holders of the last world cup. I'd like to see Ireland progress on from this year's six nations and realistically believe we could make the semis although quarters would still be understandable considering who we're facing. I also think Australia are heading in the right direction and are going to be difficult even for the ABs to beat. Springboks will be tough mutant b*****ds as usual and will be one of the favourites too.

edit. Forgot to consider where the wc is even being held! So England will be hard to crack if they get the most out of the players they have.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Would this be something close to what Samoa can put out? Cos if so I wouldn't be so confident of Scotland overturning them and making the quarters. Very dynamic throughout the team especially that back line.

1. Logovi'i Mulipola
2. Ti'i Paulo
3. Census Johnston
4. Filo Paulo
5. Joe Tekori
6. Ofisa Treviranus
7. Maurie Fa'asavalu
8. Alafoti Fa'osiliva
9. Kahn Fotuali'i
10. Tusi Pisi
11. David Lemi
12. Alapati Leiua
13. George Pisi
14. Sinoti Sinoti
15. Paul Williams

You can also add Jack Lam at 7. Scotland though have a very good team (unless Johnson picks it) 1.Grant 2.Hall 3.Muarry 4.Hamilton 5.Swinston 6.Brown 7.Barclay/Rennie 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Weir 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.Dunbar 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

but have you seen the age off most the players not like it matters alot but Ofisa Treviranus i believe is 34 ? close to retiring. Kahn Fotuali'i and Tusi Pisi Doesn't start for they're clubs i have no idea what they're team will be like but with the scotland team i would pick this for a potential XV

1. Ryan Grant
2. Pat MacArthur
3. Geoff Cross
4. Richie Gray
5. Jim Hamilton
6. Rob Harley
7. Kelly Brown
8. David Denton
9. Grayson Hart
10. Finn Russell
11. Tim Visser
12. Matt Scott
13. Alex Dumbar
14. Sean Maitland
15. Stuart Hogg

Grayson Hart and Finn Russell i think will make a good partnership. but i might try Gordon Reid at prop and maybe WP Nel and cornell du preez who could be playing for scotland very soon. and i'd thought this is what i see the samoan team looking like.

1. Logovi'i Mulipola
2. Ti'i Paulo
3. Census Johnston
4. Filo Paulo
5. Joe Tekori
6. Ofisa Treviranus
7. Jack Lam
8. Alafoti Fa'osiliva
9. Jeremy Su'a
10. Patrick Fa'apale
11. Sinoti Sinoti
12. George Pisi
13. Alapati Leiua
14. Brando Va'aulu
15. Paul Williams

i would assume the samoan coach would think more about the future thats why i didn't but Fotuali'i or pisi in and lemi

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

You can also add Jack Lam at 7. Scotland though have a very good team (unless Johnson picks it) 1.Grant 2.Hall 3.Muarry 4.Hamilton 5.Swinston 6.Brown 7.Barclay/Rennie 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Weir 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.Dunbar 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

Johnston was interim manager we have appointed Vern Cotter a very talented coach im looking forward to his progress

 

[Jaguares]

not denying the fact that samoa are good i know what they're capable off but in the 2015 world cup i dont see what samoa has which scotland hasn't they use to have that strength from the tuilagi brothers but they have retired and Tusi Pisi is probably not going to play since he isn't a regular starter in japan and that says alot. they use to have pace too but i dont know if they still have but all i can say for now is that scotland has vern and thats enough

Samoa was a very very tough opponent in 2011. Even, they could have won SA and Wales. I think if they had a little luck and were in another group, maybe they could have come further in the competition. They had the misfortune of sharing group with SA and Wales.

I think if Samoa was in our group (England, Scotland, Argentina, Georgia and Romania) they might even have beaten England. We were very lucky to not play against them in the last WC.

Whatever, I think people still have to remember that Samoan team and see them as a tough opponent for the next WC. Even by some individual performances, such as: Alapati Leiua for Hurricanes in Super Rugby.

But I think they are not the same team. They lost their power, judging by the last games I saw, and now they are the undisciplined team that were always have been.

 

[ruggabee]

You can also add Jack Lam at 7. Scotland though have a very good team (unless Johnson picks it) 1.Grant 2.Hall 3.Muarry 4.Hamilton 5.Swinston 6.Brown 7.Barclay/Rennie 8.Denton 9.Laidlaw 10.Weir 11.Visser 12.Scott 13.Dunbar 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

I really wanted to put Jack Lam in there. Scotland do have a nice team when you look at their team sheet but it's a totally different matter when they take the field whereas Samoa have the ability to always be dangerous even when they're best players are withheld they still show glimpses of attacking prowess. They are no push overs up front either. TBH even if you were confident of beating them you'd rather not face them cos injuries and ****les are high likely to happen against them.

but have you seen the age off most the players not like it matters alot but Ofisa Treviranus i believe is 34 ? close to retiring. Kahn Fotuali'i and Tusi Pisi Doesn't start for they're clubs i have no idea what they're team will be like but with the scotland team i would pick this for a potential XV

1. Ryan Grant
2. Pat MacArthur
3. Geoff Cross
4. Richie Gray
5. Jim Hamilton
6. Rob Harley
7. Kelly Brown
8. David Denton
9. Grayson Hart
10. Finn Russell
11. Tim Visser
12. Matt Scott
13. Alex Dumbar
14. Sean Maitland
15. Stuart Hogg

Grayson Hart and Finn Russell i think will make a good partnership. but i might try Gordon Reid at prop and maybe WP Nel and cornell du preez who could be playing for scotland very soon. and i'd thought this is what i see the samoan team looking like.

1. Logovi'i Mulipola
2. Ti'i Paulo
3. Census Johnston
4. Filo Paulo
5. Joe Tekori
6. Ofisa Treviranus
7. Jack Lam
8. Alafoti Fa'osiliva
9. Jeremy Su'a
10. Patrick Fa'apale
11. Sinoti Sinoti
12. George Pisi
13. Alapati Leiua
14. Brando Va'aulu
15. Paul Williams

i would assume the samoan coach would think more about the future thats why i didn't but Fotuali'i or pisi in and lemi

I don't think age is an issue. They are mostly under 30 or just entered their 30s. Just in time for the WC. The coach will give the younger guys game time but when it comes to the important matches he'll use the old heads in a WC I think. Also I disregarded whether they're starting for their clubs just cos they step up every time they put on a Samoan jersey. It was kind of an automatic decision to put in Tusi Pisi at flyhalf only cos I didn't know the other fella.

You've mentioned Cotter and I think that will be the major factor as to whether Scotland start to perform better. If he gets a game plan in place they utilises what Scotland have then they will go through, if not then Samoa have a good chance. I do hope he improves the Scottish side.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I reckon Leota would be at 12, and Sinoti Sinoti wouldn't be there, but Samoa look far stronger than Scotland and are starting to have depth to their side (especially in the centres/at 15), which is what they've struggled with in the past.
I'd be surprised if Scotland could/would beat them.

How is is Fotuali'i being discounted for being too old?! He's in good form at Saints, and a season or two ago was being discussed as one of, if not the, best 9s in the world.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

People always forget about the referees. They will favour England in the group matches as it is being played at Twickenham. Not saying that England won't be up for it; but if it is tight it will be amazing how many decisions will go England's way. England will progress out of the Pool stages, whether 1st or 2nd; to not do so would be a disaster for the tournament and the IRB's coffers.

Home advantage is still huge in Rugby.

My prediction:

Pool A: 1st England; 2nd Australia
Pool B: 1st SA ; 2nd Somoa
Pool C: 1st NZ; 2nd Argentina
Pool D: 1st Ire; 2nd France

SA and NZ topping their groups is a virtual foregone conclusion. The order of pools A and D are not.

QF:
England v Somoa
Ireland v Argentina
Australia v SA
NZ v France.

Almost inevitable that NZ will play France in the quarters at Cardiff; a repeat of 2007. France, as always, v NZ in the knockout stages of the WC will find an invisible gear to scare the bejesus out of the ABs. This is the one off match that France can win; but as long as they keep PSA they won't go onto beat, most probably SA.

SF:

NZ v SA
ENG V Ire

Final

England v NZ

Winner: England; just after extra time. Penalty or drop goal from Farrell.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

more vote against scotland going second #feelingdepressed

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

more vote against scotland going second #feelingdepressed

Scotland still have time to show they are capable but if we are honest, Scotland have been looking absolutely dire recently.

 

[Jaguares]

People always forget about the referees. They will favour England in the group matches as it is being played at Twickenham. Not saying that England won't be up for it; but if it is tight it will be amazing how many decisions will go England's way. England will progress out of the Pool stages, whether 1st or 2nd; to not do so would be a disaster for the tournament and the IRB's coffers.

Home advantage is still huge in Rugby.

My prediction:

Pool A: 1st England; 2nd Australia
Pool B: 1st SA ; 2nd Somoa
Pool C: 1st NZ; 2nd Argentina
Pool D: 1st Ire; 2nd France

SA and NZ topping their groups is a virtual foregone conclusion. The order of pools A and D are not.

QF:
England v Somoa
Ireland v Argentina
Australia v SA
NZ v France.

Almost inevitable that NZ will play France in the quarters at Cardiff; a repeat of 2007. France, as always, v NZ in the knockout stages of the WC will find an invisible gear to scare the bejesus out of the ABs. This is the one off match that France can win; but as long as they keep PSA they won't go onto beat, most probably SA.

SF:

NZ v SA
ENG V Ire

Final

England v NZ

Winner: England; just after extra time. Penalty or drop goal from Farrell.

Irish going to beat Pumas in the next WC??? We face 3 times against Ireland, we won 2 times (99 and 2007) and they won once (2003). So they are our sons

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Worst. Irish. Teams. Ever.