RWC Final - Wallabies v Samoa

[Scott Allen]

My prediction of a Wallabies v All Blacks final is out the door but last night's result against Ireland sets up an interesting scenario.

If Wales beat Samoa today, one side of the draw should end up with four Northern Hemisphere teams contesting the quarter finals:

QF1 - Ireland v Wales
QF2 - England v France

and the other side of the draw should end up with four Southern Hemisphere teams contesting the quarter finals:

QF3 - South Africa v New Zealand
QF4 - New Zealand v Argentina

However if Samoa beat Wales today they'll probably play Ireland in QF1. If that's the case I'd expect the semi-finals to be:

SF1 - Samoa v England
SF2 - Australia v New Zealand

and if the two underdogs get up, it'll be a Wallabies v Samoa final!

I base all of this on the Wallabies being able to beat South Africa and New Zealand, which we'd all be confident of wouldn't we?

 

[Miyagi]

Yes after last night its certainly interesting.

I wouldnt put it past PDV to throw the match against Samoa so the Boks dont end up playing Australia til later. As it stands though I think Aus or SA are going home early when they meet each other soon. Aus needed to top their pool.

NZ wont throw their match against France but if they did they would meet and beat Eng in the QF and play perhaps Wales or Samoa in the SF and that pretty much guarantees they make the final.

 

[teach]

No team is going to throw a game. How can you ask your senior players to lose on purpose? They didn't get to represent their country without a burning will to win.

 

[Chunderstruck]

A Wallabies v Samoa final would be so awesome, I don't want to see the cup decided by another penalty goal orgy. I would almost even want to see Samoa win because I love Samoan rugby and I kind of hate the wobblies after their latest pissweak showing

 

[Muttonbird]

NZ wont throw their match against France but if they did they would meet and beat Eng in the QF and play perhaps Wales or Samoa in the SF and that pretty much guarantees they make the final.

Highlights what a lottery this tournament is.

 

[BRIX]

We messed up big time. Very disappointed that we didn't go for a kick at poles in the last 5 minutes for the bonus point.

If the Azzuri manage to beat the Irish, it probably won't be by more than 7 - and that's our only chance to top the pool right now. We're going to just have to sit and wait this out. There should be a few more upsets yet before the pool games are finished. Gold till I fold...the dream isn't over yet.

 

[Scarfman]

This is actually a serious issue. The winner of Pool D might play Australia then New Zealand. The runner-up might play Ireland then England.

If you were South Africa, which draw would you prefer? I can see a very understrength side being sent out against Samoa. The thing I'm looking forward to is P Divvy making up outrageous lies about selections.

 

[redstragic]

Realistically what chance are the azzuri over Ireland? I was really impressed with their first half against us.

 

[cyclopath]

Who knows about Ireland and Italy. If Ireland play like last night, they'll win comfortably. But they could revert to recent form, Italy could play a blinder and a surprise occurs. I doubt it.
ABs will get their wish - beat SA and get a NH team in the final.
SA have been handed the dud draw all of a sudden, although I don't think they'd be overly worried after watching the video of the Wallabies.

 

[Lindommer]

and the other side of the draw should end up with four Southern Hemisphere teams contesting the quarter finals:

QF3 - South Africa v New Zealand
QF4 - New Zealand v Argentina

I realise it's a home tournament for The Blackness but, Austin, really?

 

[matty_k]

New Zealand are just that good.

 

[#1 Tah]

I realise it's a home tournament for The Blackness but, Austin, really?

New Zealand are just that good.

But if New Zealand win both, they will play each-other in the semi-final.....

 

[#1?]

Samoa has kind of blown their chances by not beating Wales today.

Not clinical enough. Would love to have seen them them get up, but not to be.

 

[matty_k]

But if New Zealand win both, they will play each-other in the semi-final.....

And using the same logic from Van Damme's Time Cop that when the exact same person occupies the same space they will destroy each other and will cease to exist.

 

[Lee Grant]

I always watch matches on delay and pause it and do other things because the rugby at a RWC is so concentrated. I went to make a comment on refereeing and I accidentally saw the thread title and I thought Good-oh, Samoa won. When I settled down to watch the last 15 minutes I was disabused.

With 3 minutes to go I thought geez, this is going to be a miracle finish since they were 7 points down. The joke is on me.

 

[PaarlBok]

Boks will play who is in front of them. 2007 they had the pool of death. After winning the WC they had a lucky draw. Wonder what the excuse will be this time?

 

[da_grubster]

Boks will play who is in front of them. 2007 they had the pool of death. After winning the WC they had a lucky draw. Wonder what the excuse will be this time?

no excuses for going out early paarl. while i expect you to beat up the wobs for us< you wont get past NZ in NZ.

 

[Jnor]

But if New Zealand win both, they will play each-other in the semi-final.....

The sad thing is two NZ XVs would probably win both those QFs

 

[teach]

Yeah but we wouldn't have enough black jerseys. We would have to borrow Englands away kit.

 

[PaarlBok]

no excuses for going out early paarl. while i expect you to beat up the wobs for us< you wont get past NZ in NZ.

The All Blacks will do their usual France qoute to try and miss the Bokke. Austins two finalists is living on thin ice. They better get their act together.