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Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

I agree with comments re F1, as a long time viewer even I'm getting fed up with it, maybe BBC is right to opt out of all live broadcasts, the highlights are enough! Live cycling isn't brilliant either!

My experience of RU is very much beer drinking loud mouths (in the Uni bar) but point taken, in the valleys I imagine it's different, less a middle-upper class social club more an actual sport!

But 6.5 weeks!!! Really??!!

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

drg andy said:

My experience of RU is very much beer drinking loud mouths (in the Uni bar) but point taken, in the valleys I imagine it's different, less a middle-upper class social club more an actual sport!

But 6.5 weeks!!! Really??!!

 

I'm not from the valleys either.. I'm from a working class town in the North East, yet RU is my passion.  I've played it since the age of 9, my father plays it, my grandfather played it, hell even my sister plays it, yet none of us are 'beer drinking upper-middle class loudmouths.

Rugby Union is an exciting game when you know the rules.   Much more interesting than that Diet brand you have in Wigan, St Helens & the rest of the North West.

I do agree with you on the length of the tournament, but maybe it has something to do with the fact that teams can't really play more than one game a week because it is such a physical sport.

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

I reckon Boks will win this time around

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

Would larger squads be a good idea? Then more players get to represent their country and managers would need to plan more carefully (more tactics in the pits, a bit F1-like?)

To be fair it hasn't impacted too much on us disinterested folk, I guess England-Scotland will be interesting, will there be lots of anti-English ranting from Scots (or vice versa?) or do most anger-infested Scots (and English)  keep to football?

Technically, I can claim Scot ancestry but having never lived there wouldn't do so.  I'm no Zola Budd!!!

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

Taffy_Tours said:

I reckon Boks will win this time around

Not so sure about that. The Samoan team pushed them right to the end this morning & of course Wales only just lost out. It's hard to see NZ not winning to be honest

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

 Hello!!!

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

darthifan said:

 This can go all the way now its so full of confidence.

No it can't.  If Wales don't get beat by France, they will get demolished by the Kiwis.  The Welsh haven't beat anybody of any note yet....  so calm down!

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

This Ireland team is way past its sell by date.. the average age of the side is about 30.   Yeah, they beat an overrated Australian team, who England trounced before the World cup btw..  but Ireland almost got beat by the USA!

You lost to the only decent team you've been up against (South Africa).  If the French don't take you apart, the Ozzie's or the All Blacks will!

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

Smartcooky said:

This Ireland team is way past its sell by date.. the average age of the side is about 30.   Yeah, they beat an overrated Australian team, who England trounced before the World cup btw..  but Ireland almost got beat by the USA!

You lost to the only decent team you've been up against (South Africa).  If the French don't take you apart, the Ozzie's or the All Blacks will!

------ End Quote ------

Despite being an aged side the vast majority of that Ireland would simply walk into the turgid England squad that you are obviously a fan of. Instead of mocking Wales's efforts you should look more on how awful you lot were. Victories against Argentina and Scotland were won as the other side couldnt turn pressure into points, a poor win against the rugby power that is Georgia and a win over Romania, not a great side at all these days. England had NO team spirit, no confidence, no actual plan, a manager that had no idea who his best team was and finally childish off field antics. What a team to be proud of!

As for talking about the French taking us apart, where's your proof that will happen. France were average in their win over an awful English side. France are playing with little team spirit and are more like indivuals and the relationship with their coach is poor. They lost to Tonga too. They have no consistenty in slection especially at the half backs which is crucial at this stage.

Also you call the Aussies overated and yet say they will beat us easily despite the fact that we beat the team which had beaten them well very convincingly. The All Blacks had to dig deep to beat a committed Argentinan side and do look not the same without Carter and the pressure off their fans to win the tournament must be colossal. This World Cup is very open. Wales are playing with great team spirit, playing very good rugby, young players playing like they have been internationals for years and massive mental discipline. No off field childish antics here. Wales have so much to gain and nothing to lose, unlike the other three teams

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

Smartcooky said:

 

Welsh rugby fans are as bad as English football fans. 

No, whats worst are english rugby fans like you who cannot actually do a proper arguement. As for your 6 Nations Champions quote you were destroyed by Ireland in the Grand Slam decider. At least when Wales have a Grand Slam decider over the past few years we win it.

As for celebrating winning nothing, when England reached the final last time they played the worst 10 man style rugby i had ever seen and played in the worst final ever, a terrible advert for the beautiful game and it was considered a great success, with the team being glorifed with a BBC Team of the Year and a year later another poor six nations and Ashton was gone. 

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

Smartcooky said:

There does need to be a complete coaching clearout in the England ranks... Wells & Ford especially.

Oh and whatever you do, DO NOT underestimate France, they can turn over anyone.. All Blacks included.  Their World cup story is similar to that of Englands in 2007.  The coach lost  the players, but they somehow managed to get to the final, through sheer bloody mindedness(so maybe they deserved team of the year).  Wouldn't surpise me if France do the same.

If Wales win the WC, I will tip my hat and say well done.  But I think this WC belongs to the kiwis.

thats more like it, proper discussion!!!

England do need a massive clear out, both of players and coaches. Thing is Johnson is using what he remembers from 2003 and his Leicester days and rugby has moved on. Time for the likes of Jonny, Tindall and Moody to quit too. England need a modern captain, not someone who always says he was one of Martin Johnson's footsoldiers in 2003.

As for France i'm not disregarding them but Wales have been playing better than them in this tournament and the teams are rather equal. Strong front rows, powerful back rows and good backline but Wales have more team spirit and that helps in a tight game.

The All Blacks should win but without Carter, they lose such a player of legendary quality its hard to fill his shoes and they have always choked since 1987. 1995 is an exception because no one was going to beat the Springboks in that final. Something tells me they might just panic against the Wallabies if its tight.......

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011

 Absolutely gutted!!! Losing a game in that fashion against such a rubbish team. Whilst the ref spoiled it with a red card, what was Warburton thinking of doing a spear tackle in the first place!!!!!!! Those penalty kicks missed, 4 of them, cant blame Halfpenny as that kick was a monster and just failed by inches, but Hook missed two kicks, both bread and butter and Jones's conversion hitting the posts and the awful drop goal attempts. Such a shame that the campaign is over. With 15 men we would have beaten France and should have actually should have won with 14 men. France did not do anything in the game. Im cheering for the All Blacks tomorrow against the Wallabies and i hope Wales dont lose heart as there is a playoff game to go and lets hope Shane Williams can end his illustrious career on a high.

CYMRU AM BYTH!!!