Official 2015 Rugby World Cup Thread

[vorgaphe]

The 8th Rugby World Cup gets underway in just over two weeks, with the last round of warm up games being played this weekend. It's being held in the England, with a few games in Wales, for the first time since 1991 when five European countries hosted it.

So, who've you guys got to win it? The USA and Canada are once again involved while Uruguay make their first appearance. The Kiwis are favourites to retain their title while South Africa, Ireland and England are the other main contenders.

[Earl-Hickey]

based on those seedings, England vs NZ final

NZ win

[vorgaphe]

based on those seedings, England vs NZ final

NZ win

That would ideal, except for the outcome. I can see us having difficulty getting past Ireland if we were to face them in the semis and we definitely have the toughest group too. The home advantage will help out though I'm sure.

[Earl-Hickey]

That would ideal, except for the outcome. I can see us having difficulty getting past Ireland if we were to face them in the semis and we definitely have the toughest group too. The home advantage will help out though I'm sure.

This Australian team isn't all that, they are the usual bleached blonde prima-donnas, they will crumble in the english conditions under pressure like they usually do. The rest of a group isn't much of a problem really, fiji arent going to do anything to us playing at home, and Wales I don't think have the ability to beat us in that environment. We should be expecting to top our group.

If we do that, the quarter final will be a straightforward win, there are no threats in that group other than S.A who will win the group easily

So we will probably face france or ireland in the semis, again i think that's very winnable.

The Kiwis are basically in the final already due to their side of the draw containing no real threats, and I can't see us beating them in a final, they are more at risk in quarters and semis,

[vorgaphe]

This Australian team isn't all that, they are the usual bleached blonde prima-donnas, they will crumble in the english conditions under pressure like they usually do. The rest of a group isn't much of a problem really, fiji arent going to do anything to us playing at home, and Wales I don't think have the ability to beat us in that environment. We should be expecting to top our group.

If we do that, the quarter final will be a straightforward win, there are no threats in that group other than S.A who will win the group easily

So we will probably face france or ireland in the semis, again i think that's very winnable.

The Kiwis are basically in the final already due to their side of the draw containing no real threats, and I can't see us beating them in a final, they are more at risk in quarters and semis,

I would have said the same as you with regards to the Aussies if it weren't for them winning against the ABs recently. They've still got a lot of talent in their side and if they turn up could provide an upset. I'm not too worried about the Welsh, they have a pretty poor record against us at Twickenham and haven't looked great recently.

The Kiwis really need to lose against the South Africans or the French in their road to the final for us to have any chance of winning. The Irish fancy their chances but I back us to beat them with home advantage. Should be a great tournament though, at least four teams can win it.

[Earl-Hickey]

I would have said the same as you with regards to the Aussies if it weren't for them winning against the ABs recently. They've still got a lot of talent in their side and if they turn up could provide an upset. I'm not too worried about the Welsh, they have a pretty poor record against us at Twickenham and haven't looked great recently.

The Kiwis really need to lose against the South Africans or the French in their road to the final for us to have any chance of winning. The Irish fancy their chances but I back us to beat them with home advantage. Should be a great tournament though, at least four teams can win it.

They took an absoloute arse raping in retaliation the following week. They just happened to be in the right place when the AB's had their customary bi-yearly game where they didn't show up.

I saw England play the AB's in hamilton 18 months ago or so and they looked very good early on playing high tempo, we have gone backwards i feel in the past 18 months to 2 years, it's a shame.

[MDPopescu]

... England has a team in "transition"...
... New Zealand (as always) and South Africa...

[Tom Cruise]

Tough group for England. Dont like how easily we were dominated by Frances forwards last game. I think there is some talent in our team but not convince this year is the year we will show it. Shame Manu Tuilagi was such a spaz as he is my favourite England player.

I dont really follow other national teams that closely so have no idea who is good or bad, in form or out of form going in.

[Tom Cruise]

I really hope England pick Ford over Farrel for the first team. He looks a much better player from what ive seen.

Intrested to see what Burgess can do. Maybe Luther Burrel deserved his shot as he was pretty solid in that position, but Burgess has that X- Factor and big game experience coming from league. My little bro (who is much more in to rugbh than me) says Bath have had more success using Burgess as a forward than a centre

Anthony Watson defintelt deserves to be in the first team too. The guys electrifying

[vorgaphe]

Tough group for England. Dont like how easily we were dominated by Frances forwards last game. I think there is some talent in our team but not convince this year is the year we will show it. Shame Manu Tuilagi was such a spaz as he is my favourite England player.

I dont really follow other national teams that closely so have no idea who is good or bad, in form or out of form going in.

I really hope England pick Ford over Farrel for the first team. He looks a much better player from what ive seen.

Intrested to see what Burgess can do. Maybe Luther Burrel deserved his shot as he was pretty solid in that position, but Burgess has that X- Factor and big game experience coming from league. My little bro (who is much more in to rugbh than me) says Bath have had more success using Burgess as a forward than a centre

Anthony Watson defintelt deserves to be in the first team too. The guys electrifying

Tuilagi is my favourite England player too, but it'll be Hartley who we'll really miss. He's arguably the best hooker in world rugby we haven't got a reliable thrower to come in and replace him

Watson definitely has the X factor and could be the 2015 version of Jason Robinson if he gets enough ball in had. Had we picked Cipriani we'd have had two game changers but now we only have one. I agree with Ford over Farrell who doesn't offer enough with his front foot game.

As for Burgess I see him role as an impact sub to give the opposition problems with his physicality in the last 20. Burrell was too leaky a defender, but its Slade who I'm excited to see more of. A very talented ball player.