2015 Rugby World Cup thread

[Slava]

I tried to jam in a NZ game, just because of the atmosphere and the haka. Top it off with the fact that the only game I could find was against Georgia and you would probably see some great tries when they win about 80-0!

That game is a Friday in Cardiff though and the only places available to stay seemed to be like $750+ per night. Suddenly paying $1000-$1500 didn't seem like 80-0 would be as amusing.

[undercoverbrother]

Canada with an odd photo......

[FireGilbert]

^yeah that is an odd photo. Please put in a spoiler tag, it is so weird I don't want my post touching it.

There are less than 40 hours to go until England and Fiji kick off the Cup! Hopefully some Pommy CPers managed to score tickets. Unfortunately I will not be getting up early to watch the game as I have learned to pace myself during these type of events and will save the early mornings/late nights until the later stages. Anyhow, that was off topic, here are my predictions:

Pool A: 1. Wallabies, 2. England, 3. Wales, 4. Fiji, 5. Uruguay.
Pool B: 1. Springboks, 2. Scotland, 3. Samoa, 4. USA, 5. Japan
Pool C: 1. All Blacks, 2. Los Pumas, 3. Tonga, 4. Georgia, 5. Namibia
Pool D: 1. Ireland, 2. France, 3. Italy, 4. Canada, 5. Romania
QF winners: Springboks, All Blacks, Ireland, Wallabies
SF winners: All Blacks, Ireland
Winner: Ireland

Analysis: My dreams of a Canada vs Australia final are quickly dashed as the Canadians get smashed by Ireland and France. The Wallabies play well but lose in the semis again. The All Blacks avoid choking to France and the Springboks but can't win the final. Ireland continues their hot streak going undefeated to win their first ever World Cup. Irish people around the world drink more than they normally would.

[nik-]

sheesh, our pool. I hope we get one win

[Ducay]

Coulda had a chance in pool C, or at least a few more of the matches would have been competitive.

Oh well, this is how all the other countries feel when we play them in hockey, so have to take our lumps.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Coulda had a chance in pool C, or at least a few more of the matches would have been competitive.

Oh well, this is how all the other countries feel when we play them in hockey, so have to take our lumps.

Canada have announced their team:

http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/ne...D=0&page=90160

Canada’s starting team to face Ireland – (Club), Hometown, Province

1. Hubert Buydens – (Unattached/Prairie Wolf Pack) Saskatoon, SK
2. Ray Barkwill – (Unattached/Ontario Blues) Niagara Falls, ON
3. Doug Wooldridge – (Lindsay RFC/Ontario Blues) Lindsay, ON
4. Brett Beukeboom – (Cornish Pirates) Lindsay, ON
5. Jamie Cudmore, Captain – (Clermont Auvergne) Squamish, BC
6. Kyle Gilmour – (Rotherham Titans/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB
7. John Moonlight – (James Bay AA/Ontario Blues) Pickering, ON
8. Aaron Carpenter – (Cornish Pirates/Ontario Blues) Brantford, ON
9. Gordon McRorie – (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
10. Nathan Hirayama – (UVIC Vikes/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC
11. DTH van der Merwe – (Scarlets) Victoria, BC
12. Nick Blevins – (Calgary Hornets/Prairie Wolf Pack) Calgary, AB
13. Ciaran Hearn – (Unattached/Atlantic Rock) Conception Bay South, NL
14. Jeff Hassler – (Ospreys) Okotoks, AB
15. Matt Evans - (Cornish Pirates) Maple Bay, BC
16. Benoit Piffero – (Unattached/Atlantic Rock) Montreal, QC
17. Djustice Sears-Duru – (Oakville Crusaders/Ontario Blues) Oakville, ON
18. Andrew Tiedemann - (Unattached/Prairie Wolf Pack) St. Albert, AB
19. Jebb Sinclair – (London Irish/Atlantic Rock) Fredericton, NB
20. Richard Thorpe – (London Welsh) Beckenham, England
21. Phil Mack – (James Bay AA/BC Bears) Victoria, BC
22. Liam Underwood – (Balmy Beach RFC/Ontario Blues) Toronto, ON
23. Conor Trainor – (UBCOB Ravens/BC Bears) Vancouver, BC

Unavailable for selection:

Tyler Ardron – (Ospreys) Lakefield, ON
Harry Jones – (Capilano RFC/BC Bears) West Vancouver, BC

Senior Men’s Coaching Staff:

Head Coach: Kieran Crowley
Forwards Coach: Neil Barnes
Assistant Coach: Leo Crowley
Scrum Coach: Mike Shelley
Skills Coach: Graeme Moffat
Manager: Gareth Rees

Local boys are bolded.

Sadly, I think it will be one way traffic during this game. That being said the last good game the Canadians played against the Irish (a tie in 2000) had a Calgary Hornet in the team.


I have sent an encouragement text to Moffat, so I think I have done my part.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

^yeah that is an odd photo. Please put in a spoiler tag, it is so weird I don't want my post touching it.

There are less than 40 hours to go until England and Fiji kick off the Cup! Hopefully some Pommy CPers managed to score tickets. Unfortunately I will not be getting up early to watch the game as I have learned to pace myself during these type of events and will save the early mornings/late nights until the later stages. Anyhow, that was off topic, here are my predictions:

Pool A: 1. Wallabies, 2. England, 3. Wales, 4. Fiji, 5. Uruguay.
Pool B: 1. Springboks, 2. Scotland, 3. Samoa, 4. USA, 5. Japan
Pool C: 1. All Blacks, 2. Los Pumas, 3. Tonga, 4. Georgia, 5. Namibia
Pool D: 1. Ireland, 2. France, 3. Italy, 4. Canada, 5. Romania
QF winners: Springboks, All Blacks, Ireland, Wallabies
SF winners: All Blacks, Ireland
Winner: Ireland

Analysis: My dreams of a Canada vs Australia final are quickly dashed as the Canadians get smashed by Ireland and France. The Wallabies play well but lose in the semis again. The All Blacks avoid choking to France and the Springboks but can't win the final. Ireland continues their hot streak going undefeated to win their first ever World Cup. Irish people around the world drink more than they normally would.

Bold Call.

My dark horse is the French. When everyone sees them as down and out the usually put it all together, look no further than 1999. Also, IRRC, France are the only country to ever win a test series in NZ.

[Slava]

I will put together my "bracket" here, but I am just hoping that Canada can beat Romania and upset Italy. We finish 3rd in the pool that way and are guaranteed entry to the next WC.

I can't go against New Zealand for the overall. They're just ridiculously good, and so consistent. Combine that with a simple pool, relatively speaking, and they should cruise through with some dominant performances.

[Zach]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

^yeah that is an odd photo. Please put in a spoiler tag, it is so weird I don't want my post touching it.

There are less than 40 hours to go until England and Fiji kick off the Cup! Hopefully some Pommy CPers managed to score tickets. Unfortunately I will not be getting up early to watch the game as I have learned to pace myself during these type of events and will save the early mornings/late nights until the later stages. Anyhow, that was off topic, here are my predictions:

Pool A: 1. Wallabies, 2. England, 3. Wales, 4. Fiji, 5. Uruguay.
Pool B: 1. Springboks, 2. Scotland, 3. Samoa, 4. USA, 5. Japan
Pool C: 1. All Blacks, 2. Los Pumas, 3. Tonga, 4. Georgia, 5. Namibia
Pool D: 1. Ireland, 2. France, 3. Italy, 4. Canada, 5. Romania
QF winners: Springboks, All Blacks, Ireland, Wallabies
SF winners: All Blacks, Ireland
Winner: Ireland

Analysis: My dreams of a Canada vs Australia final are quickly dashed as the Canadians get smashed by Ireland and France. The Wallabies play well but lose in the semis again. The All Blacks avoid choking to France and the Springboks but can't win the final. Ireland continues their hot streak going undefeated to win their first ever World Cup. Irish people around the world drink more than they normally would.

Ireland is +789. May be worth a bet. New Zealand is only +122.

[killer_carlson]

Springboks.

[V]

My boss's boy plays for the Canadian squad, so I wish them well.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Bold Call.

My dark horse is the French. When everyone sees them as down and out the usually put it all together, look no further than 1999. Also, IRRC, France are the only country to ever win a test series in NZ.

I know Ireland has struggled at past World Cups but I don't think it is that bold a pick. They are back to back 6 Nations winners and #2 in the world at the moment. Also, there was no way I was picking the All Blacks to win. They are the favourites at every World Cup but only ever win with home advantage.

Yeah, I would not be surprised if France upset the All Blacks in the Quarters, it has happened before. It just seems like the French are on a downswing at the moment but as you said they seem to up their play for World Cup elimination games.

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by Slava

I will put together my "bracket" here, but I am just hoping that Canada can beat Romania and upset Italy. We finish 3rd in the pool that way and are guaranteed entry to the next WC.

I can't go against New Zealand for the overall. They're just ridiculously good, and so consistent. Combine that with a simple pool, relatively speaking, and they should cruise through with some dominant performances.

A funny article from former Wallaby turned journalist Peter Fitzsimons on the history of the All Blacks at the World Cup:

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/ru...16-gjo989.html

the three great traditions of rugby are the coin-toss before the match; shaking hands after it is over; and the All Blacks shattering Kiwi spirits at the World Cup

[carom]

Opening ceremonies in a few hours. I live near the stadium and this is going to be quite the spectacle. We are used to all that comes with big games during the six nations and autumn internationals, but this is going to be a game every week for 6 weeks (and two this weekend). Oddly enough it isn't England games that make the biggest mess of the neighbourhood, it is the 7s finals and the Army Navy game.

Anyway, it should be a lot of fun. Not planning on going to any games, maybe try and pick up some last minute tickets from a tout (scalper) if I can get a good deal. The price of tickets (at least for the Twickenham games) is unreal. Unfortunately I am going to be out of the country for the only Canada game close to London. Most frustrating of all is that I had someone offer me a ticket for that game in MK. I also missed the warm up game against Fiji because I am an idiot and double booked myself. I could have got a free ticket to that game because I am a Harlequins season ticket holder and it was played at the stoop. If anyone ever wants to see the Qunis play, let me know I can get 1/2 price tickets. Rugby is good fun, I like to be able to drink when I watch live sports.

Oh, and I am another old Hornet. I played when I was pretty young (at the old ground in Kingsland). I have a friend that played Hornets for awhile, maybe still does.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

I know Ireland has struggled at past World Cups but I don't think it is that bold a pick. They are back to back 6 Nations winners and #2 in the world at the moment. Also, there was no way I was picking the All Blacks to win. They are the favourites at every World Cup but only ever win with home advantage.

Yeah, I would not be surprised if France upset the All Blacks in the Quarters, it has happened before. It just seems like the French are on a downswing at the moment but as you said they seem to up their play for World Cup elimination games.

Its tight between the next five (New Zealand is ranked first and its really not close if you look at the points), but Ireland is back in 6th. Australia, England, South Africa, France are all ahead of them. England got by Fiji to open, but it wasn't exactly domination for a while. Late in the game they piled up some points.

I'm just so excited that the RWC is here though!

[FireGilbert]

Originally Posted by Slava

Its tight between the next five (New Zealand is ranked first and its really not close if you look at the points), but Ireland is back in 6th. Australia, England, South Africa, France are all ahead of them. England got by Fiji to open, but it wasn't exactly domination for a while. Late in the game they piled up some points.

I'm just so excited that the RWC is here though!

Haha, I probably should have checked the updated rankings before posting. Ireland was #2 a week ago. It does show how tight 2nd to 6th are right now though .

Hopefully Canada can put in a decent showing against the Irish today. If they can beat the 40 point spread I will be happy.

[Slava]

Canada-Ireland kicks off in a couple of minutes, just as a reminder.

[carom]

Points!

[carom]

Ok, it was a beating and a bonus point victory. Really it was a bit like the England Fiji game in the sense it could have been a lot closer. At one point it looked like eng vs fji was going to be one point difference. It could have been 50-20 or 30-7. Oh well at least it looked like a great atmosphere

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Japan!