Official Rugby Thread

[Somerset]

All SH final 4, imo

Pool A - New Zealand, France, Tonga, Americas 1, Asia 1

Pool B - Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1, play-off winner

Pool C - Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2, Americas 2

Pool D - South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Oceania 1, Africa 1

Quarter Final 1: Argentina v France
Quarter Final 2: Australia v Wales
Quarter Final 3: New Zealand v Scotland
Quarter Final 4: South Africa v Ireland

Semi-Final 1: Argentina v Australia
Semi-Final 2: New Zealand v South Africa

Interesting that you've favoured Scotland to make the quarter finals ahead of England? Admittedly the English look pretty average at the moment but surely over the next couple of years they'll have a side thats capable of beating the Scots, who aren't exactly powering up the rankings. Given Wales' form of late they must fancy their chances of a top four spot, and as we're well aware France on their day are an unpredictable machine and would also eye a semi final date. Either way, it's probably far too early to make predictions yet - I think I'll hold off for at least another couple of years!

 

[Perm]

Who was that? I hear South Africa won the final after a tighthead in the scrum in the last few minutes, good start to the season for them.

Paul Grant.

 

[vogue]

....On the BBC website...Josh Lewsey announces his retirement from international rugby..

 

[Smudge]

The first member of our only team to win the World Cup has died... Vale John Drake.

Worst thing about this is he's far and away the best comments man Sky has had. Now we're going to be left with more of Ian "My voice could break windows" Jones and Murray "who needs to know the laws when you can just crack unfunnies?" Mexted.

 

[Indipper]

The fact that the Blacks actually won a World Cup once had totally slipped my mind.

 

[Smudge]

The fact that the Blacks actually won a World Cup once had totally slipped my mind.

Brilliant. Is that your own work?

 

[Indipper]

I'm not not joking so yes I guess it's my own work.

 

[Somerset]

The first member of our only team to win the World Cup has died... Vale John Drake.

Worst thing about this is he's far and away the best comments man Sky has had. Now we're going to be left with more of Ian "My voice could break windows" Jones and Murray "who needs to know the laws when you can just crack unfunnies?" Mexted.

Its an extremely sad situation to hear of his passing away, almost certainly highlighted by his seemingly good health and lifestyle in Tauranga. Fully agree that Drake's easily been the best of Sky's "expert commenators". In fact I was surprised that Murray Mexted was chosen to fill that role on the northern tour after Drake had been commentating on almost all of the 2008 All Black matches up to that point.

The fact that the Blacks actually won a World Cup once had totally slipped my mind.

Pretty poor post IMO given it had nothing to do with the passing away of Drake, the whole purpose of Voltman's post.

 

[Indipper]

Pretty poor post IMO given it had nothing to do with the passing away of Drake, the whole purpose of Voltman's post.

Comes of pretty stupid on reflection. Just wondered the other day if Wales would win a WC before NZ. Didn't mean to have a crack at NZ or diminish the memory of Drake. One of those 'what was I thinking' moments. Genuinely sorry.

 

[Somerset]

Comes of pretty stupid on reflection. Just wondered the other day if Wales would win a WC before NZ. Didn't mean to have a crack at NZ or diminish the memory of Drake. One of those 'what was I thinking' moments. Genuinely sorry.

Thats alright - but I'll assure that Wales won't win a World Cup before New Zealand get their hands back on the trophy.

 

[BoyBrumby]

RIP. 49's no age, is it?

 

[Perm]

Talked a lot of sense, did Drakey. RIP.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Vainikolo on GBH charge

From the BBC.

You can take the boy out of New Zealand but....

Wouldn't fancy squaring up to Big Les tho.

 

[Smudge]

From the BBC.

You can take the boy out of New Zealand but....

Grow up, BB. You're better than that.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Grow up, BB. You're better than that.

My word. Precious, much? Was clearly joking.

 

[Smudge]

No problem with you making snide remarks about us choking in world cups or being a crappy country at the end of the world, but to make throwaway sweeping generalisations about New Zealand being a violent nation is unnecessary and unbecoming of you.

Maybe you should sort out your army of chavs and knife-wielding youths before you tar other countries with the same brush.

 

[Langeveldt]

No problem with you making snide remarks about us choking in world cups or being a crappy country at the end of the world, but to make throwaway sweeping generalisations about New Zealand being a violent nation is unnecessary and unbecoming of you.

Maybe you should sort out your army of chavs and knife-wielding youths before you tar other countries with the same brush.

Yeah I'd take the Mongrel Mob over 10 million sprog popping pasty skinheads with knives..

 

[TT Boy]

Heard on the wireless that England prop, Matt Stevens has failed a drug test. Apparently he has a Coke habit...

 

[ripper868]

Intriguing.

In other news...This world rugby club challenge to be contested in Singapore in July...4 teams:

1. Western Force
2. Perpignan
3. Gloucester
4. Saracens

All feels a bit too rugby league for me, calling it the "world club" etc when only four teams are involved....not even the champion teams either, surely it should be the crusaders (cringe) representing the southern hemisphere and not the johnny-come-latelys.

Thoughts?

 

[Somerset]

If the Western Force are representing the southern hemisphere, it can rate no higher than an exhibition tournament for me.