RWC 2015 Pools

[nugget]

The Minnows:

Been looking through the IRB website, some interesting countries coming through qualifying:

Thailand
India
Philipines
Paraguay
Brazil
Madagascar
Botswana

although I see Arg beat Brazil 111-0 this year...they might not scrape through.

 

[tigerland12]

Apparently Madagascar aren't a bad chance of qualifying ahead of Namibia. I was watching Total Rugby and I think they beat the Namibians in an earlier qualifier, meaning they get an easier route now.

 

[nugget]

Apparently Madagascar aren't a bad chance of qualifying ahead of Namibia. I was watching Total Rugby and I think they beat the Namibians in an earlier qualifier, meaning they get an easier route now.

Hope they make it in:

 

[TOCC]

Apparently Madagascar aren't a bad chance of qualifying ahead of Namibia. I was watching Total Rugby and I think they beat the Namibians in an earlier qualifier, meaning they get an easier route now.

Yeah i've heard Rugby is massive in madagascar, and following a little it of google, apparently it is their national sport and they have over 22'000 players and 400 clubs with games regularly televised on TV.... impressive

 

[kronic]

Yeah i've heard Rugby is massive in madagascar, and following a little it of google, apparently it is their national sport and they have over 22'000 players and 400 clubs with games regularly televised on TV.. impressive

Yep, the poorer NZ you could say.

If they make it, they'll probably sell their house etc. to go

 

[JJJ]

Apparently the board who decides if Wales get to play any of their matches at Millennium includes both JON and the Welsh Rugby Union chairman. Not sure what to make of that.

The question of whether Wales will play any of their matches at their home stadium will be resolved by England Rugby 2015 in conjunction with the five‑man Rugby World Cup board which is made up of the International Rugby Board chairman, Bernard Lapasset, his deputy, Oregan Hoskins, the chief executive Brett Gosper and, as fate would have it, David Pickering, the chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, and John O'Neill, who has just stood down as the chief executive of the Australian Rugby Union.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/dec/04/wales-world-cup-millennium-stadium

 

[Braveheart81]

Surely they will decide that Wales playing at Millennium is the best way to maximize ticket sales and go with it.

 

[JJJ]

They're making such a big song and dance about turning down Wales' absurd offer to host the Eng vs Wales match at Millennium that you have to wonder if it's to provide justification for a 'consolation' offer to let them host Aus. Otherwise why on earth would you bother lining up suits to spell out to the press the bleeding obvious?

 

[kiap]

Dates and venues for RWC 2015 pool games released:

Four day turn-around for the Wallabies second game. Fourth match v Wales at Twickers.

All weekend games for Samoa

Good draw for the ABs

All weekend games for Ireland.

 

[JSRF10]

Pretty happy with Irelands draw, all venues should get massive Irish crowds as well. Ultimately like the Wallabies we have two games to get the combinations right before the two games which really matter. Although a lot can happen between on and then but I can see the group winners being the 3 SH teams and Ireland with France, Wales, Argentina and Samoa joining them.

 

[Tangawizi]

JON must've been behind the decision for Australia to play Wales at Twickenham.

At least the Wallabies will able to set up camp for a couple of weeks.

 

[kiap]

JON must've been behind the decision for Australia to play Wales at Twickenham.

At least the Wallabies will able to set up camp for a couple of weeks.

Yeah. Not sure if it was O'Neill, ..... but maybe.

With Australia as the Tier 1 side in the pool and Wales the Tier 3, our team and supporters shouldn't have to travel to the boondocks in Cardiff. Twickenham in London is better.

After the 27th, Aussies never need leave London for the rest of the tournament. They can do their side trips from there.

 

[KevinO]

Scotland must be happy playing there two main games as close to the border as possible.

Very very happy with Ireland's draw. Good breaks between all games, but if I don't make the trip it's 3 Monday's off work in a row that will be needed.

France's break is hopefully too long before we play them, 10 day break between games in a world cup?

 

[ChargerWA]

I think it's a shame we miss Wales at Millenium. What a match that would be.

 

[p.Tah]

Rugby World Cup 2015 Match Venues and Host Cities...

1. Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton & Hove – 30,750

2. Manchester City Stadium, Manchester – 47,800

3. Elland Road, Leeds – 37,914

4. Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester – 16,115

5. Leicester City Stadium, Leicester – 32,312

6. Millennium Stadium, Cardiff – 74,154

7. Olympic Stadium, London – 54,000

8. Sandy Park, Exeter – 12,300

9. Stadiummk, Milton Keynes – 30,717

10. St James’ Park, Newcastle- 52,409

11. Twickenham Stadium, London - 81,605

12. Villa Park, Birmingham – 42,785

13. Wembley Stadium, London – 90,256

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...fans-may-face-high-ticket-prices-8600452.html

 

[JSRF10]

I think it's a shame we miss Wales at Millenium. What a match that would be.

It would hardly be fair for Wales to have a home game against their rivals for qualification in a World Cup that isn't theirs! I thought every Aussie fan would be delighted to play them in London. The support could easily be 50:50 at that game.

 

[kiap]

It would hardly be fair for Wales to have a home game against their rivals for qualification in a World Cup that isn't theirs! I thought every Aussie fan would be delighted to play them in London. The support could easily be 50:50 at that game.

Yep. Getting accommodation in Cardiff for visiting fans to a big game is also a nightmare.

 

[Scoey]

I'm stoked that we're not playing Wales at Millennium!

 

[Forcefield]

This is good for us. If we fuck up against England, we are bound to fire up the following weekend against Wales. Wales have England then presumably Fiji then us. Some tough games for them.

 

[Tangawizi]

So thinking it through from the holidaying punters perspective, during the first 2 weeks of this comp, there'll be a smallish beer festival on in Munich.

Might have to combine the 2.