World Cup Predictions

[TRF_Olyy]

I shudder to think how brutal NZ would've been with Weepu on this tour,
Nothing against Cowan, he's a top player, but Weepu is a step above (imo)

 

[Seaton]

Scotland to win, with Chris Cusiter scoring an 80th minute try against the All Blacks in the final, with the game ending 38-37 in the Scots favour

 

[Finerz]

Scotland to win, with Chris Cusiter scoring an 80th minute try against the All Blacks in the final, with the game ending 38-37 in the Scots favour

Something tells me you are being sarcastic.

As long as Scotland get to the knockout stages I am happy. That will involve beating England or Argentina. We are once of only 5 countries that have always made it to the knockout stages. It would be a bit **** if we aren't in the top 8.

 

[Larksea]

I shudder to think how brutal NZ would've been with Weepu on this tour,
Nothing against Cowan, he's a top player, but Weepu is a step above (imo)

yeah I 2nd that, weepu is in a class of his own as far as halfbacks in NZ go. I see him as being critical to the AB's WC chances. He was made for big games - shame he let things go before the 07 WC.

 

[Tank94]

It will be very funny if its SA and England in the final again. 2 major upsets england beating AUS and SA beating NZ.
(The SA and NZ game would be a very tight game)

Not that i think its going to happen but it is a possibility.

 

[ckell]

I don't think it will happen either but nothing would surprise me from SA and England when it comes to World Cups.

 

[TrueSlawter]

I hope wales can get into knockout stages.. as for winners I have a feeling Aus will be in the final.. NZ possible also but im not sure depends how the semi's etc. pan out

 

[alexrugby]

Judging by what Argentina showed against Ireland, they don't seem to have much in terms of the near future, but with them you never know what to expect.

If Argentina played bad against Ireland this doesn't mean they will be bad on RWC

Really, you never know what to expect from Pumas

Win against England or against France, or struggle against lower teams unpredictable they play

 

[Nate Dizzle]

NZ to win it if 1) Carter stays fit 2)McCaw stays fit 3) we're not undone by amatuer reffering (which is a possibility for all teams). All the ingredients are there for a successful world cup and Henry and co seem to have learnt you need to play pretty much your top side game in game out to develop any continuity. Next years tri-nations won't tell us anything about the upcoming world cup, just as the s14 tells us nothings about the tri-nations. Second pick to take it out would be the Aussies followed by England. On a side note I hope we see the likes of Samoa in the semis, they'll pretty much have a home world cup as well and will have a tonne of support their definitely the underdogs who should punch well above their weight yet again.

 

[alexrugby]

Guys you listed will play fit McCaw and Carter always look fit
What about amateur refereeing that's the problem everywhere

 

[Nate Dizzle]

Yea amatuer refs are a big problem everywhere and I hope something is done before the world cup (not likely). The new laws are leaving them behind, literally, which makes them prone to dumb decisions, as is anyone who is fatigued, or just missing something because they're not there. I just don't want to see any team get knocked out on the back of a bad call (or non call) that costs a team the game. Maybe a challenge system could be brought in for the coaches or captains. Example could be Frances blatant forward pass against the ABs last world cup (just an example). Captain or coach could have challenged and got the TMO to look for a forward pass in the lead up to the try, in this case would have been called back and NZ given the scrum.

 

[Larksea]

NZ to win it if 1) Carter stays fit 2)McCaw stays fit 3) we're not undone by amatuer reffering (which is a possibility for all teams). All the ingredients are there for a successful world cup and Henry and co seem to have learnt you need to play pretty much your top side game in game out to develop any continuity. Next years tri-nations won't tell us anything about the upcoming world cup, just as the s14 tells us nothings about the tri-nations. Second pick to take it out would be the Aussies followed by England. On a side note I hope we see the likes of Samoa in the semis, they'll pretty much have a home world cup as well and will have a tonne of support their definitely the underdogs who should punch well above their weight yet again.

Yeah pretty much echo's my thinking. Injuries and poor refereeing are the Main potential issues between the AB's & a WC victory right now. And I'm also quietly thinking Samoa should be a bit threat to some of the top teams next year as more NZ based Samoans give up trying to make the AB's and commit to Samoa so they can be involved. And heck there just maybe more Samoan's in NZ than there are in Samoa so they have a great support base.

 

[alexrugby]

Samoa and Fiji always were problems for big teams, but unlike Fiji which looks dangerous usually, Samoa has gained strength this year in a striking fashion

I say this after Samoa's plays in internationals this autumn, but still time remaining till RWC and we do not know what they will bring as a surprise there in NZ

 

[Seaton]

Something tells me you are being sarcastic.

As long as Scotland get to the knockout stages I am happy. That will involve beating England or Argentina. We are once of only 5 countries that have always made it to the knockout stages. It would be a bit **** if we aren't in the top 8.

Was it so obvious?

All in all, I agree with you. A quaterfinal spot would satisfy me. Hey, even if the Argies progress ahead of us, and we put in a decent shift, I would be happy.
However, a ****e performance cannot be forgiven, even if they return with the Web Ellis Trophy

 

[nickdnz]

Not making any prediction, but I just nabbed a ticket for New Zealand v Canada.

Hope New Zealand will win, but over confidence is always the issue.

 

[Finerz]

Was it so obvious?

All in all, I agree with you. A quaterfinal spot would satisfy me. Hey, even if the Argies progress ahead of us, and we put in a decent shift, I would be happy.
However, a ****e performance cannot be forgiven, even if they return with the Web Ellis Trophy

I don't think scotland would be able to come home with the trophy with a **** performance.

 

[Seaton]

I don't think scotland would be able to come home with the trophy with a **** performance.

point in case , kind of

 

[SavageLez]

Final: Australia vs. South Africa = ? win
3 Place Play-Off: New Zealand vs. England = New Zealand win

 

[Tank94]

Final: Australia vs. South Africa = ? win
3 Place Play-Off: New Zealand vs. England = New Zealand win

this is the final i'm hoping for as well.
should be a very good game(if it happens)

 

[Finerz]

Not making any prediction, but I just nabbed a ticket for New Zealand v Canada.

Hope New Zealand will win, but over confidence is always the issue.

I know we talk of NZ failing to cope with the pressure at World Cups, but them losing to Canada if a bit far fetched.