RWC Draw

[infidel]

ABs paying about 2.3 on Betfair to win the World Cup. Warm favourite.

Ireland next best.

[Crucial]

I have no idea how to read those odds but Wales below Oz?

[Bones]

@crucial hah you just made me actually look at them....what the actual fuck is going on there?

[booboo]

@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

[Billy Tell]

@booboo said in RWC Draw:

@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.

[MiketheSnow]

@rapido said in RWC Draw:

Pool A
Ireland
Scotland
Japan
Samoa
Russia

Pool B
New Zealand
South Africa
Italy
Namibia
Canada

Pool C
England
France
Argentina
Tonga
USA

Pool D
Australia
Wales
Fiji
Georgia
Uruguay

I 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
SA

Pool 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
France

Pool D
Wales
Australia
But more than likely not in that order.

So could very well be an old guard knockout stage

[Crucial]

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)

[rotated]

I can't find a news report but just heard on the radio Canada lost today to Brazil 18-10, this is after losing to Uraguay last week.

NZ Maori of course caned Brazil on the EOYT.

Could be another century in pool play later in the year.

[antipodean]

Canadian mens XV rugby appears to be dying.

[Stargazer]

@antipodean Yeah; their sevens teams (both men and women) also aren't anymore what they used to be. Hopefully, the participation of a Canadian team in the MLR (Major League Rugby) will have a positive effect.