so

lets talk rugby(world cup)..for the record Im an all blacks fan

njunge

u think they win it this year? im afraid im not very confident this time round graham henry i think messed up on selection

[quote=SAC Cohen]Happy that the All Blacks are going into the WC in poor form...

every worldcup they ingia with sooo much dabooh.. sic.. only to be eliminated by France!

atleast we have them in the group stages... :-0[/quote

this is 1 world cup where they wont be all out favs...and their playing at home...france only won last time on a forward pass! the previous world cup was a valid victory

It must be tough for you guys to support the biggest choke artists at the bigstage.On the other hand hope Aussies stick it to them come the final

so the most sucessful national rugby team in the world will choke in every world cup?

i think the wallabies r impressiv tho it seems like 1 trinations win has made every1 think theyr all that...for a team with no kicker of note and virtually no forward pack of note i wouldnt be soo impressed by them, their game is easily counterd if they meet an SA or England that play forward dominated kicking for points rugby then theyr out

and boring as hell

Webb Ellis doesn't really mind how you play, but whether you can put more points on the board than the other guy.

I am a Bok fan thro & thro and hands down i think Morne Steyn is a far much better fly-half than Dan Carter or the Red Rose clown!!

@ Taz The boks virtually played their B team in this years Tri-nations and you saw the Aussies won by luck in the return leg.

SA is a tournament team, just like the Germans and as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow they won't dissapoint.

Top points scorer Morne Steyn/Francoise Steyn (SA), taking bets now!!

@Kizee

Thanks for starting this thread, I am a dyed in the wool rugby fan and "all black damu". I expect McCaw and company to carry the Web Ellis at the end of the tournament.

Here's my analysis of the AB's

STRENGTHS:

- The 2 best players in the world in Richie MaCaw and Dan Carter
- Has a settled and one of the most experienced sides in the world at the moment.
- Has the best pack in the world anchored by "The Frankeistein Monsters" Owen & Ben and Brad Thorn in 2nd row
- Has homeground advantage
- has some of the best game breakers and strike runners in the centre pairing of Maa Nonu and Conrad Smith, No 8 Kieran Read and Israel Dagg

WEAKNESSES:

- They suffer from serious stage fright. They have been favourites in all the tournaments except 1991 and have only won the 1987 tournament at home, lets hope this is the year they shake of that monkey
- The coaches seem to struggle selecting the best side when it comes to the world cup (ala, Cullen to Centre in 1999, Macdonald to centre in 2003 and completely leaving out Umaga, selection of Luke MacAllister over Mauger in 2007 and in 2011 true to expectations, graham Henry picked Zac Guildford and left out Sivivatu/Gear, and the selection of tony Woodcock over Wyatt Crockett)
- All blacks struggle to change to a plan B when plan A is not working, here's to hoping this does not happen this year

EXPECTED STRONGEST TEAM:
1. Tony Woodcock (currently injured, again!)
2. Keven Mealamu (personnaly prefer Andrew Hore)
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie MaCaw (Captain)
8. Kieran Read (Victor Vito to play in the pool games as Read is currently injured)
9. Piri Weepu
10. Dan Carter
11. Israel Dagg (although I suspect they will pick Isaiah Toeava)
12. Maa Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Cory Jane
15. Mils Muliaina
SUBS:
16. Andrew Hore
17. Ben Franks
18. Ali Williams
19. Victor Vito
20. Jimmy Cowan
21. Colin Slade
22. Isaiah Toeava

P.S. Sonny Bill Williams does not make the 22 oops!

EXPECTED POSITION:

WIN THE DAMN THING, ITS BEEN LONG BETWEEN DRINKS

Tomorrow I analyse the BOKS

Hi all,

Allow me to join in the thread as well...

@ SAC Cohen, I do agree with your comments. Hence, I do support the All Blacks when they are playing in the Tri Nations.

During the World Cup, I decide to reduce my chances of disappointment by rooting for any team in the Southern Hemisphere i.e. Tonga, Wallabies, Springboks and Pumas. They dont have one man teams like the Northern teams like England.

@ Njunge, don't write off the Tonga team as yet.

@ Ric dees, I do agree with you about the Red rose clown. It's weird that he managed to recover just in time for this year's world cup.

Btw, why would anyone in their right mind allow the English to wear black during the World Cup?

Cheers