Rugby Union World Cup
 

Not long to go until it starts so can anyone tell me why Russia are in. I didn't even know they played the game?

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Because they qualified ? :dozey:

Yep, for a long while : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia...gby_union_team

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

My money is still on those All Blacks to retain the Web Ellis trophy.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

I'd like to see Wales win. But any of the southern hemisphere would do. Maybe if the US won it would improve the image of the game there but then they have all the "World" sports that only they play (mostly). Rugby doesn't allow for the needed ad breaks.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Bit of a bore the rugby World Cup until the later stages. The possible winners and the rest are wide apart.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Upsets do happen you know.;)

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Yeah, but in an early round league system rarely change anything.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Me too. And I'm sure we will :)

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Now now Russ you don't want to repeat England's tactics.;)

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Have to admit being a born and bred Yorkshireman with Welsh parents, its Yorkshire for cricket and Wales for Rugby :)

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Latest Odds:-
https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-un...up-2019/winner

France look a tempting bet at 33-1. I know they aren't highly rated these days but still... If the odds plummet, it means i've put the house on it ;)

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Indeed 33/1 represents very good value for a team that can beat anyone on their day.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Except in previous years, there's been one stand-out favourite and maybe a couple of challengers.

This time, there's maybe 5 or so teams that are genuinely in with a chance and - on their day - will be hard to beat. That the number-one ranked team in the world became number-5 in a fortnight, shows how open the tournament is!

Even England's group isn't a gimme - both France & Argentina could provide an upset.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

I've always supported Wales at rugby, even though I played in a school team with a future England captain and two others who would turn top level pro, reason for it was because our sports master was Welsh, looking back, I think he might have brain washed me

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

You weren’t at Lord Wandsworth’s, were you?

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

No, Campion in Hornchurch

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Had the England game on yesterday at work, really enjoyed watching it. The biggest lol came when my coworker went outside to check on something and missed the last try!

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Enjoyed the Wales/Georgia game but Australia is going to be a bigger issue. Me thinks one big problem for Wales is injuries. France/Argentina my favourite game so far.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Something kamikaze about the way the Japanese play rugby but good for them. Interesting captain - strange how South Africans have carte blanche to play for anyone in any sport !

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Absolutely as that is the World cup is all about as it was wonderful seeing the fans facial expressions during the match and after the match.:D

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

The Uruguayan try scorer today ' German Kessler' , doesn't sound very Uruguayan to me !

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Most International sides have several players of differing nationalities playing for them now.

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At 28-7 down after 43 mins, I bet the Scots are wishing that the Japan match had been cancelled and declared a draw, due to bad weather.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Serves them right l say.:D

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I wonder if Scotland will still seek legal advice .:rolleyes::D

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Japan beating Scotland made me lol.

Quarter finals:

England v Australia
New Zealand v Ireland
Wales v France
Japan v South Africa

I predict the semis will be Australia v New Zealand and Wales v South Africa with a New Zealand v Wales final.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

I predict SFs of Eng v NZ , and Wales v SA.
Final NZ v Wales. NZ will prob. win, but there's always hope :)

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

l predict England v New Zealand and a France v South Africa as the semi finals with France playing the All Blacks in the final.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

I dunno if the French will be good enough to beat Wales, but who knows. Nobody would have bet on Japan beating Ireland or Scotland, and look what happened there.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

The French on their day are capable of beating anybody , They don't have the overall consistency of Wales but in a one off knockout match they tend to raise their performances as previous tournaments have shown.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Well they're 40-1 atm to win the cup, worth a little flutter Den? ;)

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

50 pence to win at 33/1 about a month ago.;)

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Nice one ! :)

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Well we might have not regained the Ashes but we are giving them a lesson in the Rugby World Cup.:D:D:cleader:

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Yes nice one, but could be NZ next. When Eng won in 2003 Aus nicely knocked out NZ for them .... come on Ireland !!

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Yes it would be nice if Ireland can beat the All Blacks but personally l cannot see it.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Wales were very lucky, they won't go any further in the tournament if they play that again. Thank goodness the French played a violent thug who got sent off.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

I can see (and if I’m honest, am hoping) New Zealand giving England a true royal pasting. However I can’t see us getting past South Africa.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Its a New Zealand v South Africa final IMO.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

And I thought rugby league was supposed to be a game for the lower strata of society, what a complete imbecile this ref is. :shocked:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50121693

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

l quite agree Jim.:td:

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Oh my gawd!!!!!!!

:cleader::cleader::cleader::D:D

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Wow. Oh for an England v Wales final, there should be a national holiday whoever wins.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Not really, we often beat England.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

That's the scenario I'm hoping for Russ ;)

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

We would shout for both teams in that case being as my OH is half Welsh and half English. ;)

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

I will back Wales tomorrow.

But I am forever England.

I wont be watching as I'm not a rugby fan

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Good luck South Africa :tu:

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

You've got to laugh.... (unless your name is Russ). :p: :D

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

:D:D

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Shame England won.

The other match I didn't really mind, grew up in RSA, uni and a soft spot for Wales. But Wales have had so many injury issues that if they had gone through they would have had a really hard time to beat either NZ or England.

So will be cheering for RSA in the final. I would have likes something like Japan/Wales final just to give Japanese rugby a boost and see a new name on the winners list whatever the result.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Don’t worry, we will certainly be ready to take the **** when you lose. And in the unlikely event you get past SA, we’ll take our glory from beating the “world champions” at the 6 nations like we usually do :D

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Strange how you manage to do that when you actually have a negative head to head count against England? ;)

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Well, I’m Scottish, but I’ll be supporting England in the final (just like I would have supported Wales or Ireland if either of them had got through instead of England).

I’ve never understood the ABE* mindset...

*Anyone But England

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

No it's small minded and a bit weird, wonder if it's jealousy at having never won it or even troubled the final

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Bet the bloke who paid £50k for a ticket is a bit pissed off !

SA better team by far, so Eng can have no complaints

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No excuses at all.

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

Bad luck England. Took the opportunity to go shopping while the final was on, my local supermarket was pretty much dead. I can bet that they will be rammed now.

Now to focus on building a bloody good team for 2023 in France. Of the 12 teams already qualified for it, only 4 are previous champions. England, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. Nice to see Japan will be back next time, wonder which big team they will upset next time?

Re: Rugby Union World Cup
 

The impact in RSA will be bigger than the impact in England would have been if result reversed. Here is hoping they can get rugby even more integrated.