Official Thl 2015 Rugby World Cup Thread

[Tiercel 6,986]

As we rugby fans will know the Rugby World Cup is starting this weekend. I see Walshie has pinned his colours to the mast. Prior to last weekend I really fancied Wales getting out of the "group of death." Now with Halfpenny & Webb gone I doubt if we will. The advantage we had with 1/2p was that anywhere from 5 yards inside your own half he kept the opposition honest as his strike rate at that distance was phenomenal. Now with no long range kicker oppositions are more inclined to give away those penalties.

 

Webb will also be very much missed, his speed of delivery and go forward again kept defences guessing. Two players that Wales could ill afford to lose.

 

First up will be England v Fuji, and dare I say it a possible upset on the cards, Fuji have a lot of players playing in the French league and the way they destroyed Tonga in the Pacific Islands cup was no mean feat.

 

Anyway your thoughts please gentlemen no matter who you support.

 

TC

[dogmad riley 1,336]

Hopefully England win the world cup but I can't see it very tough group, ozzies and welsh.

 

I confident England will get out of the group of death. But then NZ and Ireland to contend with. Should be a good world cup.

 

C'mon ENGLAND

[socks 32,253]

I'm with you there mate two players we really didn't need to lose I think that's us out early .........

[johnny boy68 11,725]

Liam Williams is a much more attack minded full back and Biggar is a very competent kicker, sides will not like playing against Williams at 15, he'll cause more problems than Halfpenny going forward. Webb is a big miss though but it's not our cup over imo, can England handle the pressure and expectations of being hosts?

New Zealand have got to be favourites with the Aussies coming good at the right time it's got the makings of a good tournament.

[johnny boy68 11,725]

Ps....always thought there were 15 in a rugby team, 2 players and it's over. LOL

[s.e.s.k.u 1,893]

Can't say im that clued up on union..but the few times iv seen 1/2p he's been deadly accurate he'll be a big miss but I still think you lads have a good chance of getting out of the group. If England don't do well I couldn't care less ..just praying Sam Burgess doesn't enjoy warming the bench and makes a swift return back to rugby league. .:-)

[s.e.s.k.u 1,893]

New Zealand to win the tournament !

[Tiercel 6,986]

Ps....always thought there were 15 in a rugby team, 2 players and it's over. LOL

I agree Johnny 100% but as for the reasons in the OP 1/2p will be missed even though he is not really an attacking full back in his own way he causes the opposition problems in that they just cannot afford to be cynical at the breakdown anywhere in their own half or 10 yards into Wales come to that.

 

TC

Edited September 14, 2015 by tiercel

[whippet 99 2,613]

Ps....always thought there were 15 in a rugby team, 2 players and it's over. LOL

took the words out of me mouth , but do you know what , this mentality and influence will effect them as a team ,....relying on two players is not world cup worthy, its surpriseing the mind set it takes on players

[walshie 2,804]

Have you seen the odds with bookies? A lot of them are quoting "excluding NZ".

 

England 2/1 excluding them and 4/1 including them. Wales is anything from 18/1 up. Might be worth a quid on Uruguay at 10,000/1.

 

Pob lwc i bawb!

[socks 32,253]

Ps....always thought there were 15 in a rugby team, 2 players and it's over. LOL

 

there is but your scrum half is your link man and game maker ... he dictates the speed and direction of the game ... halfpenny was the kicker the man that generally scores the most points in a game ... so although there are 15 players in a team there some that are missed more than others .......

[johnny boy68 11,725]

 

 

Ps....always thought there were 15 in a rugby team, 2 players and it's over. LOL

there is but your scrum half is your link man and game maker ... he dictates the speed and direction of the game ... halfpenny was the kicker the man that generally scores the most points in a game ... so although there are 15 players in a team there some that are missed more than others .......

Kicking stats last season was Halfpenny 76% success rate with Dan Biggar getting 86% imo Halfpenny will not be missed as much as a lot of fans seem to fear. If anything I reckon our squad will be stronger for losing 2 key players but to think our World Cup is over is a bit defeatist imo.

[waltjnr 5,952]

Nah sorry,its just not right ,the "ball" should be round !

[Tiercel 6,986]

 

 

Ps....always thought there were 15 in a rugby team, 2 players and it's over. LOL

there is but your scrum half is your link man and game maker ... he dictates the speed and direction of the game ... halfpenny was the kicker the man that generally scores the most points in a game ... so although there are 15 players in a team there some that are missed more than others .......

Kicking stats last season was Halfpenny 76% success rate with Dan Biggar getting 86% imo Halfpenny will not be missed as much as a lot of fans seem to fear. If anything I reckon our squad will be stronger for losing 2 key players but to think our World Cup is over is a bit defeatist imo.

 

30 seconds to go, 18 all and we have a penalty 5 yards in our own half, who would you want to take the kick? The problem with stats is they are just that, statistics, it does not tell you where the kicks were taken from or what distance they were. It only tells you the conversion rates. If a kicker is conservative with his kicking he can get a very high percentage, if on the other hand no matter the conditions he takes on every possible kick, it stands to reason he will have a lower conversion rate but probably kick more goals in the process.

 

TC

[Wales1234 5,424]

It's gone a great tournament !! Why wales agreed to play aus in England and not in Cardiff but still think we got a chance at getting out !! Think webbs more of a lose than halfpenny I do prefer Liam to him at full back ! And I think wales need to get that idiot cuthbert of the field absolutely fecking useless !! All that being said I think Ireland , France South Africa and Australia will have good tournaments but the all blacks will win it again !! They are ahead of every other side in the world at the moment and with Richie McRaw as captain they can't go wrong great play and outstanding leader !!