Rugby World Cup

Being favourites for a major sporting title does not suit the English mentality at all. I'd feel far more bullish supporting a team of plucky underdogs. Instead I'm just a bit nervous that the team will not deliver. The other nations know this all very well, making us favourites is a very good idea-the 'bubble' is largely of others making.

It would be ideal to lose to Georgia and Outer Mongolia, then blow S Africa off the park but be eliminated in the last kick of a sudden death drop-out competition. This is a scenario I feel more comfortable with. I state this now so that when we lift the trophy in a month you will appreciate that I'm not actually enjoying it at all.

Bruce

Ah yes...the proud history of English teams as gallant losers. Talk about being nobbled by your own subconscience.

Seriously, England are the only team good enough to upset the applecart for the AB's. If Eng get it right and Spencer (in particular) has a 'blonde moment' at the wrong time then I fear we could be in **Deep Shit**

Australia to make the semis, but no more.
South Africa to suck.
France to be woeful with moments of incandescent brilliance.
Wales...don't make me laugh
Ireland..last 4 (maybe)
Samoa/Fiji...win many hearts but f**k all else

Simple really

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Talk about being nobbled by your own subconscience.

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...as long as we are not nobbled by the old sub-continent!

Bruce

I predict that England will lose in a shock semi-final defeat to Austrailia by 14 Egg Chasing points to 12

New Zealand will be heavily favourved in the final after an expansive demolishing of the Irish only to trip over their own hubris and lose painfully to the Aussies on a controvertial late penalty try .

That's assuming the draw works out that way. Otherwise England will romp home by a mile as frankly no other team in the tournament is in their class.

Matthew

PS During the making Addidas adverts with Johnny Wilkinson and Beckham, apparently Wilkinson was really, really good at the free kicks and the ones shown where he hits the top corner are far from flukes.

As a Scotland supporter I can only pray that they perform to the best of their ability and make the semis.

I'm sat quietly in a quiet corner letting y'all diss Englands chances,
'cos i think just for once we will win. (Like we have all bar once in the last 20 odd games i hasten to add - and that was a second team that lost against France)

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PS During the making Addidas adverts with Johnny Wilkinson and Beckham, apparently Wilkinson was really, really good at the free kicks and the ones shown where he hits the top corner are far from flukes.

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No suprise there, shame they didn't let Beckham take a few of Jonny's hits.

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Samoa/Fiji...win many hearts but f**k all else

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Something to do with the ABs stealing all their best players perhaps?

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England are the only team good enough to upset the applecart for the AB's.

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Obviously you're not all singing from the same hymnsheet down there. I thought France were the 'only' team the ABs feared - because "England were so predictable".

I guess predictable means:

The Best Defence
The Best Pack
The Best Goalkicker (shock news ... Jonny misses kick!)
As good a back line as the ABs (at least), Wilkinson, Robinson, Cohen ... wouldn't swap any for an AB.

I think it was George Gregan who said he didn't mind Australia not winning the World Cup ... just as long as England don't. Poor George, he's about to be disappointed on both counts.

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the All Blacks have to burst the bubble by soundly kicking England's bum

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Dream on

Are there any England players you wouldn't want in your team redeye? I suppose you'd probably take a scrum half that can actually pass the ball, but apart from that I can't think of too many weaknesses.

There's an advert I saw that says:

"It's been 200 years since England last sent 30 men this dangerous to Australia" - over a picture of our hansome boys.

PS. redeye, I think it's really brave of you to start a thread on the World Cup.

Patrick

I'd probably give Dallaglio a black jersey but only as cover for Jerry Collins

As to the rest..Cheers, but we're good here.


red

I think they need Wilkinson as a kicker - but put hime somewhere like outside threequarters.

Bump. I'll keep this one close to the top if you fellows don't mind

Although unless England are playing I get the feeling that most here couldn't give a toss.

Aussies off to a winning start..those who discount them retaining the trophy be warned. That wasn't bad for a first game.

There really aren't many Australians on this forum are there? Seem to be more Kiwis (a good thing )

red

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Originally posted by redeye:
Although unless England are playing I get the feeling that most here couldn't give a toss.

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Unless England are losing I couldn't give a toss.

Davie

Didn't think much of Australia.
France looked quite good against dangerous opposition.
Didn't see SA or NZ, but they obviously racked up easy wins.

The first stage is only a bit of a warm up for the big teams. England obviously have the most difficult draw although they will beat SA with ease. Injuries are the major worry, especially if SA choose to play dirty. Aus & NZ have already lost players to freakish accident.

Oh and for those of you into music , the anthem singing has been pretty good.

Quite happy to keep it at the top Redeye.

Redeye, there are a few Aussies here. Don't really follow the rugger too closely myself, but England did look very impressive when they were here in June, even allowing that we have slipped lately. Fortunately, they can be relied on to dog it when the big moment arrives, so shouldn't be too much of a threat.

Just so long as the dreary black clad animal husbands don't do it. That would be a real baaaaaastard.

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Just so long as the dreary black clad animal husbands don't do it. That would be a real baaaaaastard.

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Gosh, what a refreshing view!

First meaningless statistical advantage to England, I think.

I've only watched the France v Fiji game so far but that was quite enjoyable for much of the time, although Fiji ran out of steam in the end.

Steve,

Sadly you did well not to watch Scotland as we were crap.

David

Sounds a bit patronising given the score but real credit to Georgia, really competed for the full 80mins. Made it a very useful work out for a lot of players. Roll on S Africa now!

Bruce

Have watched most of all of the games so far, and the England team look by far the physically fittest of em all. I just hope Cohen and wilko don't get cropped by the south afrikaans...
I'll have to send the boys round if they do...lol

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Sadly you did well not to watch Scotland as we were crap.

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I'm not looking forward to the Fiji game at all.

Regards
Steve

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I'm not looking forward to the Fiji game at all.

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Quite.

David

Well at least you won't be up against that winger - after the punch he threw he's sure to get banned. Don't think there are many other wingers about who would punch a French forward though ....

Chaps,

roll on Saturday then. I am planning a typically quiet do which starts on Friday at 4pm and culminates in the match!

Not looking forward to Sunday morning though regardless of the result!

Don't those Aussies maon a lot though!

Go boys!

Stu.

Oh I have a feeling that the All Blacks will have a rather exclusive oppourtunity to further roll up the score on Friday when they take on a rather lack-lustre Canadian entry. Last time they met I believe it was a 74 point difference. Anyone care to speculate on what the current drubbing will be?

Anyone think that an All Black - English match-up can have some of that magic and spark that was witnessed in the match-ups of the late 70's should it happen?