World Cup 2007

[iamthelaw]

Maybe I'm being a bit premature in looking this far ahead, but our opponents are showing worrying form already, given that we'll have to beat (at least) one of them to make the quarters, and beat both of them to avoid playing New Zealand there.

'We can win the World Cup' says Pelous

A year out from the Rugby World Cup, to be staged in France from September next year, the French signalled their intentions with an empathic four-try to one (36-26) win over South Africa at Newlands on Saturday.

And French captain Fabien Pelous was the first to acknowledge the significance of the win in terms of the global showpiece they will host.

"I am very happy today," Pelous said of the victory. "It was a very good performance by the team, who performed very well today.

"It is one year out from the World Cup and it was important that we set down a standard. And yes, I feel we can win the World Cup, we showed that today," the French captain added.

All Blacks hold on in wet Buenos Aires

The All Blacks managed to hold on in the face of a strong late charge to beat Argentina 25-19 in their one-off Test at Vélez Sársfield Stadium in Buenos Aires on Saturday. The visitors outscored the Pumas by three tries to one to maintain their unbeaten record against the South Americans.

It was a valiant attempt by the Pumas once again unrewarded, but still the suspicion is maintained that this is a mature team that will do some damage at the next Rugby World Cup.

Certainly the Argentine pack proved more than a match for its opposition, and if the team can somehow unleash the potential which never fulfilled itself in this match outside the front eight, any rugby nation should have good cause to fear the worst against this team.

from planetrugby.com

[cully]

I actually think that either Australia or France will win the world cup, France in particular. they are very very good on home soil and the fact that they beat SA away proves that they are a decent side too. home advantage will be the factor in my opinion.

been very impressed by the aussies in the past few weeks, their backline in particular. they look a class outfit and with matt giteau to come back into it they'll only be stronger, he's one of the top backs in world rugby in my opinion.

i think that nz have a problem in their backline in trying to replace umaga at thirteen. nonu isn't the answer and whilst they'll get away with it the majority of times, a time like France or Aus will be good enough to spot his defensive frailties. also their wingers don't like to be turned and made kick, which ireland actually did quite well. the nz pack can also be put under pressure as evidenced by our packs cracking performances in the two tests we had down there.

i remember gregan taunting the kiwis in the semi final in the last world cup, the aussies had them effectively beaten and a melee started, it came to nothing but you could read gregan's lips saying 'four more years', as if to say you'll have to wait four more years to have the chance of winning the world cup. personally i think they'll have to wait another four after this one.

[iamthelaw]

cully said:

home advantage will be the factor in my opinion.

yes, or lack thereof from NZ's point of view.
they seem to get a ridiculous number of home-town decisions in their favour, especially against South Africa. Even looking back to WC 87, I doubt it made a difference but I still can't figure out how Huw Richards was the only player sent off in the Wales-NZ semi-final. Richards was fully involved in the fight without doubt, but was practically knocked unconscious by a punch from a New Zealander (Buck Shelford?) who escaped sanction.

France do look a good bet. If they top our pool they'd surely beat Scotland at home and would then face the winner of the England/SA pool in the Stade in the semi.

[iamthelaw]

cully said:

I actually think that either Australia or France will win the world cup...

been very impressed by the aussies in the past few weeks, their backline in particular. they look a class outfit and with matt giteau to come back into it they'll only be stronger, he's one of the top backs in world rugby in my opinion.

how about Saturday, 49-0 against the Bokke!
The AB's will be licking their lips, though I don't think they'll come close to that score on Saturday, SA will surely find some hatches & batten them down, play for a narrow defeat the way we used to in such circumstances. Victory in our pool in the World Cup (meaning a probable QF against Scotland and semi against England/SA) is looking better and better. Obviously we mightn't even beat the Pumas in the Parc, but if we do, beat France in Paris to have a decent chance at the Final?!!