RWC Draw
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@antipodean said in RWC Draw:
@antipodean said in RWC Draw:
@rapido and NZ not the favourite
How are we not the favourite? Surely we will start as favourite and then whoever wins 6 nations?
Because we lost to the team of the year and also to South Africa, at home.
And you don't think we will be favourite for the WC?
Depends what happens in the 6N and truncated RC. But at the moment we're only favourites because our powder is dry.
I would bet that even if Ireland tip everyone over in the 6 nations, we will still start the tournament as favourites.
I hope we aren't so I can whip some coin on the AB's for a decent collect
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In most recent RWCs there has been an upset in the pool games which has thrown everyone's predicted QF/SF matchups into disarray. For example, Argentina beating France in 2007 leading to that QF, Ireland beating Aust in 2011 and England losing to both Aust and Wales in 2015.
The top-seeded teams in Pool A (Ireland) and Pool B (NZ) should prevail but you can't be 100% certain. The lower half of the draw looks to be easier if the favoured teams win their pool games.
And I wouldn't put it past Argentina to come good again in a RWC year and beat France.
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Pool A
Ireland
Scotland
Japan
Samoa
RussiaPool B
New Zealand
South Africa
Italy
Namibia
CanadaPool C
England
France
Argentina
Tonga
USAPool D
Australia
Wales
Fiji
Georgia
UruguayI can't guarantee the pool winner of any of those pools.
Maybe Ireland are the clearest favourite to win their pool, I actually rate Scotland as very danerous but inconsistent, however maybe Ireland have the style of game to beat them easier tha NZ could beat them? I don't know enough about NH rugby to call that.Our pool (B) is the only one you can clearly predeict the 2 to progress.
Pool A again probably next clearest tp predict the 2 to progress - although I rate Scotland to possibly win the pool or possibly drop a game to Japan or Samoa .....
Pool C is pool of death.
Pool D has Fiji capable of knocking over Australia, and Wales had to resort to golden oldies scrums to beat Georgia at home last year (but would expect both Aus and Wales to beat Georgia in pressure situation of world cup).
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having been involved in the last 3 campaigns, 2 of which were successful, Hansen has a good idea how to manage the team, not only during the tournament but in the lead up too.
So despite what we did this year, we still have the personel, who will largely be managed into the RWC with thier programme and gametime primed for them to start peaking at the RWC.
Experience is a huge factor, not only with the team on the park, but all the others off the park too.
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Good to see Canada made it, I think they’ve participated in every RWC since ‘87, but they had to beat Hong Kong in a repechage to qualify. Their rugby program has fallen off a cliff, and they’ll likely take pummelings from ABs and Boks. Mind you, Italy is in the same group pool, and they’re suckingmajorleagueass right now too.
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@taniwharugby said in RWC Draw:
having been involved in the last 3 campaigns, 2 of which were successful, Hansen has a good idea how to manage the team, not only during the tournament but in the lead up too.
So despite what we did this year, we still have the personel, who will largely be managed into the RWC with thier programme and gametime primed for them to start peaking at the RWC.
Experience is a huge factor, not only with the team on the park, but all the others off the park too.
Has anyone got average age of 2015 Final 23 versus average age of current starting 23
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@hooroo no idea, I had a look at that stats page but cant work it to get that info.
But I'd expect the current squad age would be younger; we had what, 6 centurions in the 2015 squad (Richie, DC, Ma'a, Conrad, Woody, Mealmau?) We will have 2 next year - Read & Whitelock? If the stars align, Ma'a could be back.
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Has anyone got average age of 2015 Final 23 versus average age of current starting 23
Test caps would be just as important. The 2015 ABs had 4 centurions in the 23 (McCaw, Carter, Nonu and Mealamu). The current 23 will have 3 (Franks, Whitelock and Read). The 2011 ABs only had a single centurion - McCaw. Mils was invalided out.
Edit: Same for Woodcock in 2015.
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@bovidae you missed Woody and I just checked, Conrad didnt make a ton, so was 5.
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@taniwharugby Yep, I corrected my post. I only included those who played in the final.
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@taniwharugby said in RWC Draw:
@hooroo no idea, I had a look at that stats page but cant work it to get that info.
But I'd expect the current squad age would be younger; we had what, 6 centurions in the 2015 squad (Richie, DC, Ma'a, Conrad, Woody, Mealmau?) We will have 2 next year - Read & Whitelock? If the stars align, Ma'a could be back.
Franks
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@taniwharugby said in RWC Draw:
@hooroo no idea, I had a look at that stats page but cant work it to get that info.
But I'd expect the current squad age would be younger; we had what, 6 centurions in the 2015 squad (Richie, DC, Ma'a, Conrad, Woody, Mealmau?) We will have 2 next year - Read & Whitelock? If the stars align, Ma'a could be back.
Franks
You’re velcome.
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Pool A
Ireland
Scotland
Japan
Samoa
RussiaPool B
New Zealand
South Africa
Italy
Namibia
CanadaPool C
England
France
Argentina
Tonga
USAPool D
Australia
Wales
Fiji
Georgia
UruguayI can't guarantee the pool winner of any of those pools.
Maybe Ireland are the clearest favourite to win their pool, I actually rate Scotland as very danerous but inconsistent, however maybe Ireland have the style of game to beat them easier tha NZ could beat them? I don't know enough about NH rugby to call that.Our pool (B) is the only one you can clearly predeict the 2 to progress.
Pool A again probably next clearest tp predict the 2 to progress - although I rate Scotland to possibly win the pool or possibly drop a game to Japan or Samoa .....
Pool C is pool of death.
Pool D has Fiji capable of knocking over Australia, and Wales had to resort to golden oldies scrums to beat Georgia at home last year (but would expect both Aus and Wales to beat Georgia in pressure situation of world cup).
Rugby has moved on considerably since last season, even if your viewing hasn't.
Pool A
Ireland
Depending on who is fit and in form, Japan could beat Scotland and progress. They almost did last WC.Pool B
NZ
SAPool C
Pool of death as you've said. England could easily lose out again if they play like they did against Japan. Likewise France if they play like they did against Fiji.
Should be
England
FrancePool D
Wales
Australia
But more than likely not in that order.So could very well be an old guard knockout stage
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I quite like our draw as long as everything goes to plan.
We get to see what SA will bring during the TRC then play them first up. We shouldn't have to show our hand too much at that point and will want a different game plan for them.
After that it is training matches until the QFs where (by ranking) we should come up against Scotland who should test us early but be able to be broken down without too much trouble.
SFs are always hard and we are likely to come up against either England or Wales (assuming Oz are still a basketcase). Both would come from a couple of hard matches in a row (England play France in the last RR and Wales play Fiji).If you look at the last 4 games for the contenders we have a 'smoother' run (assuming we beat SA in the opener)
