Pick the Results Weekends Internationals

We pushed you pretty close in NZ too tbf. I obviously don't think we're on the same level as NZ or SA but I don't think we're far off. Frustratingly its the basics we don't do well atm, too many kicking and handling errors have cost us dearly this autumn. Our set piece is phenomenal though, and is better than both NZ and SA imho. I'm hoping with the addition of Ford at 10, Manu back and a settled pair of wings we'll have a storming 6N.

As for who would make a world XV... honestly I'm not sure. But it's how you play as a team that matters, and that's what NZ do so well. It's also why our pack is so good. Just need to sort the backs out

 

Ignoring home field advantage and factoring in Ireland's recent performances

Nz
Sa
England
Ireland = Australia
France
Wales
Daylight
Argentina
Daylight
Everyone else

Considering this World Cup will be in England would have
England (if fully fit)
Nz
Ireland
Sa
France
Some distance
Wales
Argentina
australia

 

Sorry for speaking on your behalf Fiery that was poor Internet form. I think I have been winding up our English mates for a couple of weeks so I was trying to be polite in that post.

 

Haha

 

At the risk of upsetting everyone else in this thread as I made my predictions known 6 months ago and they are well known - I do have England as favourites at this stage.

I think Manu is worth ten points and I think they would have beaten us and SA with him in the side. I think he is the world's best 13. And the difference between playing him at centre and some guy like Burrell is enormous - it is going from an asset to having a liability in a crucial position.

You know as well as I do that we are always vulnerable in world cups not through any fault of our own but just because the other teams have so much adrenaline pumping that they don't fade away after 50-60 minutes.
You watch our test matches how many games do we play where the other team is in it right up until 20 minutes to go. Steve Hanson even talked about this and said that it is impossible for the opposition to keep up that type of intensity for 80 minutes because they are playing above themselves.
Well at world cup time teams dig deeper because they are playing the game of their lives and they do put in 80 minutes. Watch for us to be challenged big time. I will be surprised if we win. And we have never won a wc on the road.
My prediction for England is injuries permitting. They simply don't have good depth in their backline and if they lose someone like Brown they simply won't win any meaningful game. They seem to be deep in the forwards however.

 

Roberts is worth about 7 a game I would say to Wales and Manu is a bit better and I would say is worth 10.

I am not saying either of them will score those points themselves. They just make the gain line consistently from 2nd and 3rd phase ball and keep the drive alive. Eventually they get into penalty goal range and good things happen for their team. Without people who can make the gain line you have to kick away possession and focus on a kick and chase game or even worse box kicks all game long *shudders*

Nonu has been huge for the ABs over the past 5 years so yes having him back in the mix will be helpful.

Mike Brown is a rugby player's rugby player. He is brilliant at the basics and is mr reliable. I think he is capable offensively but should probably chance his arm a bit more.

 

Tbh I don't really put the English above the ABs, that being said we haven't actually played a "good" full game in so long. It's weird, we play shit yet we're still good....

English catch us on an off day, they're on top form and have home advantage the WC is theirs imo. That'll be the difference. We'll panic, just because it's a WC.

All in all though. NZ > England.

 

South Africa are also in for a tough ride which is one reason I can't see them winning the cup. They have to play the pool of death in the quarters. Which means either Australia, Wales or England. We all know what happened last time they played Australia in a quarter.....

I'd put it down to being either Wales or Australia with England top qualifiers but anything goes really.

That being said NZ will face either France or Ireland (I'm gonna say France) so not exactly easy there either.

The easiest ride playoff wise will be the winner of Pool A (likely to play Scotland or Samoa) and Winner of Pool D - Ireland or France (likely to play Argentina). Obviously Pool A has the tough round robin though.

With that in mind, Ireland or France (probably Ireland) will have the easiest ride to the Semis which is huge. They still get a good match against France so they don't play get complacent.

Ireland could be a force, more so than England just because they trip up once and they're in for a tough ride.

 

South Africa's Probable Ride:

Quarters vs Aus or Wales
Semis vs NZ
Finals vs Ireland, England or France

That's tough cookies tbh.