Rugby World Cup 2011

[Hugh Jarse]

Now that the RWC11 pools are finalised, it is time for a thread on the campaign to Bring Bill Back Home Again.

Pool A
New Zealand
France
Tonga
Canada
Japan

Pool B
Argentina
England
Scotland
Georgia
Romania

Pool C
Australia
Ireland
Italy
Russia
United States

Pool D
South Africa
Wales
Fiji
Samoa
Namibia

Knockout Stage
QF1. Winner Pool C vs Runner Up D
QF2. Winner Pool B vs Runner Up A

QF3. Winner Pool D vs Runner Up C
QF4. Winner Pool A vs Runner Up B

SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2
SF2: Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4

Final: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

 

[Groucho]

We certainly have an outstanding draw: the best of the main contenders.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

I feel a bit sorry that it is almost impossible for Fiji AND Samoa to make the GF's as they are both stuck in a fairly tough pool.

 

[Groucho]

I feel a bit sorry that it is almost impossible for Fiji AND Samoa to make the GF's as they are both stuck in a fairly tough pool.

My orange roughy is for Samoa to keep Wales out of the QFs.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

No real obvious pool of death, Pool B maybe?

 

[daz]

Wales (D) and Argentina (B) may be feeling a bit nervous.

I would not be surprised to see Fiji and Scotland take the 2nd spot honours in those groups.

 

[Groucho]

Wales (D) and Argentina (B) may be feeling a bit nervous.

I would not be surprised to see Fiji and Scotland take the 2nd spot honours in those groups.

I agree, except Samoa. In fact, Wales might conceivably finish fourth. These will all be home crowds for the Islanders.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Probably the best draw we've had at any RWC not sure what our draw in 87' was like.

 

[daz]

In fact, Wales might conceivably finish fourth.

Well, at least we will have some additional support when we meet the soap dodgers in the 1st semi.....I thought the banter between the 3N fans was full on, but Eng v Wales or France is so intense it is almost poetic!

 

[Groucho]

Well, at least we will have some additional support when we meet the soap dodgers in the 1st semi.....I thought the banter between the 3N fans was full on, but Eng v Wales or France is so intense it is almost poetic!

Yes, like Goethe. vs Cliff Richard on meth.

 

[baldingwingforward]

All set up to be an NZ vs ENG final then...

NZ gets to avoid both of its bogey teams (Australia and France) until the final.
England have the wood on Australia and France at World Cups, beating Australia in '95, '03 and '07, and France in '91, '03 and '07.

 

[Groucho]

All set up to be an NZ vs ENG final then...

NZ gets to avoid both of its bogey teams (Australia and France) until the final.
England have the wood on Australia and France at World Cups, beating Australia in '95, '03 and '07, and France in '91, '03 and '07.

A NZ vs. England would not surprise.

But it would surprise more than it would have before last weekend. The Saffas did expose them.

 

[chief]

Pool B is the pool of death. Argentina, Scotland and England can all defeat eachother as well as Georgia being able to easily cause upsets like they so nearly did in the 2007 RWC.

Pool D looks pretty dangerous too. Fiji and Samoa could both easily press for the 2nd place in the finals with South Africa.

This RWC looks like a cracker.

 

[#1 Tah]

Knockout Stage
QF1. Wallabies vs Wales/Fiji/Samoa
QF2. England vs France

QF3. South Efrica vs Ireland
QF4. New Zealand vs Argentina/Scotland

SF1: Wallabies vs France
SF2: South Efrica vs New Zealand

Final: Wallabies v New Zealand****
**** = CHOKE!!!

And techinically the grand final is a home game for us.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

I like that scenario

 

[Set piece magic]

Great draw for Aus, basically a guaranteed place in the semi's if not the final. We would play either Wales or Samoa in the quarter final, which with Aus's defense, scrum peaking come world cup time will mean they will suffer an embarassing defeat at the hands of the backs. That sets us up for a france semi final, oh and who won 59 - 16 on the weekend? Continuing to the final where we will play New Zealand who will choke choke choke as usual usual usual. Golden opportunity to bring bill home.

 

[daz]

Great draw for Aus, basically a guaranteed place in the semi's if not the final..

And if the team go into the RWC thinking that, they will be watching SF1 from Bondi.

 

[DPK]

Geez I get fed up with the World Cup some times. It seems like every single game, every single thought about rugby we have is geared towards winning the world cup. 2012 will be sweet when we can get a rugby public/establishment/players group to concentrate on winning the important shit (the Bledisloe).

 

[Bruce Ross]

Geez I get fed up with the World Cup some times. It seems like every single game, every single thought about rugby we have is geared towards winning the world cup. 2012 will be sweet when we can get a rugby public/establishment/players group to concentrate on winning the important shit (the Bledisloe).

I'm well on the way to agreeing with you, TK, except that for me the "important shit" is not the Bledisloe but the next Test whoever it's against. Bugger "building towards". Let's give every match our best shot.

The Wallabies jersey should be prized above everything. It shouldn't be worn by apprentices.

 

[DPK]

Yep, I agree Bruce. The RWC is used by optimists to say "It's OK, we'll come right by 2011" and pessimists to say "We're nowhere near ready for 2011". Meanwhile, we've lost a bloody bagfull of Tests, money and supporters.