Rugby World Cup (1 Viewer)

Desertkiwi said:
It was always going to be close, but didn't think Wales would pull it off. England and their fans will hurting after that loss.

And didn't SA come out all guns blazing!
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Cymru Am Byth. (Wales Forever) - though it sounds as if there will need to be some replacements required ( IF the RFU allow it - and it's in "The Spirit of the Game", that is!!).

I would have thought that 15 players on the park - is what's important.

BUT - Well done Wales for sticking with it - with whatever players could be fielded. Not sure that will be able to be continued - as so many are casualties.

Diolch yn fawr - Johnnybach
 
Well done Wales
That was a thriller.
World Cups are always unpredictable.
 
damian said:
Well done Wales
That was a thriller.
World Cups are always unpredictable.
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Certainly are unpredictable, Wales dug deep and look at the result.

The England/Aussie clash is now shaping up to be a classic encounter! This is what the RWC needs to draw in the fans and make the event even more memorable, can't wait to see that match.
 
wayne556517 said:
Good post mate,they are to big for Union now a days if that makes sense.
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As long as Union keeps the scrum size will always be important but you need to be mobile and incorporate the speed and pace of League these days
The Boks will always have the talent but an Australasian coach would be good for us
 
England vs Aus
Do or die for both teams by the sound of things
Should be a good game
 
Not looking flash for England at the moment.
Can't imagine it's going to be a positive for the tournament losing the hosts in pool play.
 
vandilay said:
Not looking flash for England at the moment.
Can't imagine it's going to be a positive for the tournament losing the hosts in pool play.
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Yeah bit of a shocker really; no offence to the Wallabies who stepped up and played well. Lets face it England got out played by Wales and needed to go at it like men possessed to win this one. Their exit at this early stage is not good for the tournament or English rugby.
 
Who organised that pool anyway
Having three of the established rugby nations in one pool is a bit short sighted
 
Desertkiwi said:
Yeah bit of a shocker really; no offence to the Wallabies who stepped up and played well. Lets face it England got out played by Wales and needed to go at it like men possessed to win this one. Their exit at this early stage is not good for the tournament or English rugby.
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Your joking right we are dominating the pool of "Death" bring on Wales ^&grin
 
Desertkiwi said:
Yeah bit of a shocker really; no offence to the Wallabies who stepped up and played well. Lets face it England got out played by Wales and needed to go at it like men possessed to win this one. Their exit at this early stage is not good for the tournament or English rugby.
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Yeah , the profile of the tournament would have been lifted if they had pushed on. All Blacks little rusty still. Win lose or draw it will be the end of an Era with some of the best players ever to pull on the black jersey calling time after this world cup.
 
damian said:
Who organised that pool anyway
Having three of the established rugby nations in one pool is a bit short sighted
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Heard radio commentary about the pool issue today. Apparently the pools were decided on the world rankings of three years ago. One team from top 4, then one from next group of 4. So for example Wales could have been 9th 3 years ago and Aussies in top 4 and England 5th.

Commentator was Alan Jones, former Aussie coach, who was scathing about the pool selection as did not reflect current rankings.
 
Don't think it would of mattered what pool ENGLAND where in ^&grin^&grin
 
Well, I think we all knew years ago - that pool A was going to be the toughest. The journalists have been calling it "The pool of Death" ever since it was first announced. And yes, even though the rankings have changed slightly over the intervening years ( as they are designed to do), I think everyone knew that one of "the big three" would have to go BEFORE we got to the instant knock-out stage. It's a moot point - but Wales and Australia are currently 2 and 3 in the rankings - respectively.

I too - think that Pool membership might have been designed better than that - as some of the top teams are having a much easier run in - than some of the others, due to the make up of their respective pools - and therefore, somewhat "easier" opposition. That MAY of course, be to their ultimate detriment - as an easier run-in doesn't really test the stronger sides - even though their injury list may not be the same as teams in "harder played" games. so......swings and roundabouts there.

I too am hoping for a corker - from the Australia v Wales encounter - but regrettably, I don't think we will somehow get it this time.

If the Welsh management REALLY puts on their thinking caps - they will realise that whatever the outcome of this match - they are both going through to the knockout stages. The result, therefore, ( in progression terms - if not pride), is a foregone conclusion - and it is FAR MORE IMPORTANT this time, to keep any further injuries to whatever key players they have left - to a minimum. Both teams are (more or less) through - and it's a bit pointless getting to a Final - with over half of your first choice players unavailable or banged up due to injury - and Wales are getting mighty close to that NOW.

Here's hoping it's a good match - but I for one, won't be too surprised if it isn't. I'm looking further ahead than this result - and hoping that the refereeing keeps up it's consistency (mostly), this time. Johnnybach
 
johnnybach said:
Well, I think we all knew years ago - that pool A was going to be the toughest. The journalists have been calling it "The pool of Death" ever since it was first announced. And yes, even though the rankings have changed slightly over the intervening years ( as they are designed to do), I think everyone knew that one of "the big three" would have to go BEFORE we got to the instant knock-out stage. It's a moot point - but Wales and Australia are currently 2 and 3 in the rankings - respectively.

I too - think that Pool membership might have been designed better than that - as some of the top teams are having a much easier run in - than some of the others, due to the make up of their respective pools - and therefore, somewhat "easier" opposition. That MAY of course, be to their ultimate detriment - as an easier run-in doesn't really test the stronger sides - even though their injury list may not be the same as teams in "harder played" games. so......swings and roundabouts there.

I too am hoping for a corker - from the Australia v Wales encounter - but regrettably, I don't think we will somehow get it this time.

If the Welsh management REALLY puts on their thinking caps - they will realise that whatever the outcome of this match - they are both going through to the knockout stages. The result, therefore, ( in progression terms - if not pride), is a foregone conclusion - and it is FAR MORE IMPORTANT this time, to keep any further injuries to whatever key players they have left - to a minimum. Both teams are (more or less) through - and it's a bit pointless getting to a Final - with over half of your first choice players unavailable or banged up due to injury - and Wales are getting mighty close to that NOW.

Here's hoping it's a good match - but I for one, won't be too surprised if it isn't. I'm looking further ahead than this result - and hoping that the refereeing keeps up it's consistency (mostly), this time. Johnnybach
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You might be running into us in the quarters
So tally ho
 
damian said:
You might be running into us in the quarters
So tally ho
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Tally-Ho indeed Damian. :D I just hope that Wales will have 15 fit players left by that time. As the match last year at the Millenium Stadium showed - South Africa CAN be beaten (Wales 12 - S.A 6) - but Wales will need their best side on-field to do it.

Japan also showed - just the other day - what CAN happen.{eek3}

As I've already said - in my opinion, it all depends what players Wales will have left after the pool stages have finished. Both Australia and Wales are already through - BUT - at what cost??

For the future of the Rugby World Cup - I hope the officials take a long hard look at how these Pool games are to be arranged in future. Seeding has to take account of more up-to-date data - than the current almost three year period of pre-arranging matches in these pools. I for one, would feel that it would be a somewhat hollow victory, if one of the teams in one of the easier pools went on to win - whilst a strong team, (say) only got to the final - after they had fought their way through far tougher matches and opponents, and lost half of their first-choice players through being injured along the way.

I disagree profoundly with the statement made earlier in this discussion - that England would not have got through in any of the other pools. I think that they would probably have - and indeed, the Wales v England match was a MUCH closer run thing than the result indicated. Also - at what cost to their opponents Wales? - who eventually ran out narrow winners - but with a much reduced pool of players left - eventually playing in somewhat curious positions for some - as they were running out of replacements.

The pools need looking at again for the next World Cup - and seeding of the top sides should take account of far more recent - and therefore relevant data. I read just today, that Warren Gatland agrees with me - so - I'm not alone.

Cymru am Byth - jb
 
Some great posts on here and it's good to read feedback from other perspective's. Wales has given it's all to get thus far and paid the price with injuries. Regardless they've dug deep and played well and it's great to see some lower ranked teams playing their hearts out.

As for the pool selection, teams have had the advantage of knowing who they were going to play for some time, so there should be no excuses as to why they lost and why some teams don't make it to the next stage. The bottom line is you need points on the board and you need to be able adapt on the day to whatever challenge comes your way.

It's a shame England are out, but there's still plenty of good matches to come, roll on the quarter finals I say.
 
johnnybach said:
Tally-Ho indeed Damian. :D I just hope that Wales will have 15 fit players left by that time. As the match last year at the Millenium Stadium showed - South Africa CAN be beaten (Wales 12 - S.A 6) - but Wales will need their best side on-field to do it.

Japan also showed - just the other day - what CAN happen.{eek3}

As I've already said - in my opinion, it all depends what players Wales will have left after the pool stages have finished. Both Australia and Wales are already through - BUT - at what cost??

For the future of the Rugby World Cup - I hope the officials take a long hard look at how these Pool games are to be arranged in future. Seeding has to take account of more up-to-date data - than the current almost three year period of pre-arranging matches in these pools. I for one, would feel that it would be a somewhat hollow victory, if one of the teams in one of the easier pools went on to win - whilst a strong team, (say) only got to the final - after they had fought their way through far tougher matches and opponents, and lost half of their first-choice players through being injured along the way.

I disagree profoundly with the statement made earlier in this discussion - that England would not have got through in any of the other pools. I think that they would probably have - and indeed, the Wales v England match was a MUCH closer run thing than the result indicated. Also - at what cost to their opponents Wales? - who eventually ran out narrow winners - but with a much reduced pool of players left - eventually playing in somewhat curious positions for some - as they were running out of replacements.

The pools need looking at again for the next World Cup - and seeding of the top sides should take account of far more recent - and therefore relevant data. I read just today, that Warren Gatland agrees with me - so - I'm not alone.

Cymru am Byth - jb
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I will enjoy it whatever happens
You never know you might beat Australia and come top in your pool
Lost of possibilities
All the best
 
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