Rugby World Cup

**shakermaker1982** · 12/10/2007, 9:14 AM

Originally Posted by JGKyne

Hopefully after the WC Argentina will be taken seriously by the IRB. Surely the time has come to let them play in Tri or Six nations. I think it would be better for them to play in the Six Nations because all their top players play in Europe so they could be weakened by injuiries and tiredness if they were to play in the tri nations

I'd love to see em enter the 6 nations. Base them in Spain and its an extra away trip but with better weather!

**Dodge** · 12/10/2007, 9:43 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

I'd love to see em enter the 6 nations. Base them in Spain and its an extra away trip but with better weather!

They said they'd play all their games away.

**shakermaker1982** · 12/10/2007, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

They said they'd play all their games away.

I didn't hear that. That would be a shame but if it allows them to enter and they are willing to do it then fair play to em.

**Dodge** · 12/10/2007, 10:29 AM

I'd say they'd prefer to have a base but my reading of it was that they were so desperate to get in they'd even play all games away. Nust try and dig out a link...

**Soko** · 12/10/2007, 1:54 PM

The 6 nations is packed as it is

I've always thought they need to join the tri nations. That thing is beyond stale, an extra team might give it some purpose

**pete** · 12/10/2007, 2:35 PM

Argentina joining the Tr-Nations would make sense on the basis of numbers but almost all their players play in the European season so would mean playing Internationals in their summer break every year.

If they joined the 6 Nations it would mean odd numbers again & make for longer tournament in an already congested calendar for English & French clubs.

**DaveyCakes** · 12/10/2007, 3:18 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Argentina joining the Tr-Nations would make sense on the basis of numbers but almost all their players play in the European season so would mean playing Internationals in their summer break every year.

If they joined the 6 Nations it would mean odd numbers again & make for longer tournament in an already congested calendar for English & French clubs.

Why not bring an 8th team in. Have a 2nd division with Romania, Georgia, etc. and have one up one down every year? It'll never happen of course 'cos the IRB is too much of an old boys' mutual backscratching club.

**Torn-Ado** · 12/10/2007, 4:35 PM

This World Cup is the best Ive seen so far. The games are a lot closer, More upsets and far less predictable than usual.

It all makes for riveting rugby.

**paul_oshea** · 12/10/2007, 4:47 PM

It all makes for riveting rugby.

Oh yes, quite sir. I do say.

**bennocelt** · 13/10/2007, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by dfx-

More importantly if that England side were to win it, it would be as bad for the history of sport as Greece wining Euro 2004.

Horrible, horrible side.

Greece winning wasnt bad for football, they deserved to get their playing solid football with a team ethic, and it gives hope that all half decent nations have a chance to win a cup, and euro 2004 wasnt that bad

I would argue that italy winning the World cup was worse for football, cheating b$$tards

fancy France to do it against england, but england are a tough enough team to beat, and it will be a close game

and south africa for the other game, should beat argentina well enough

**Giuly** · 13/10/2007, 10:23 PM

Just as i feared

little details has made all the difference. England weren't brilliant but still they did the job, being more realistic than us. Anyway, i will be cheering for whoever will face them next Sunday.

**Poor Student** · 14/10/2007, 7:59 AM

Originally Posted by DaveyCakes

Why not bring an 8th team in. Have a 2nd division with Romania, Georgia, etc.

Who are the etc? Portugal? Spain? It just goes downhill steeply from there.

**Bald Student** · 14/10/2007, 1:07 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

Who are the etc? Portugal? Spain? It just goes downhill steeply from there.

The table from 2006 is here:

Country Played Won Drew Lost Points
Romania 10 8 0 2 26
Georgia 10 8 0 2 26
Portugal 10 6 1 3 23
Russia 10 4 1 5 19
Czech Rep. 10 3 0 7 16
Ukraine 10 0 0 10 10

so the gap isn't that big but I don't agree with straight promotion because the gap in standards between Italy/Scotland and Romania/Georgia is too big.

**DaveyCakes** · 14/10/2007, 1:30 PM

Originally Posted by Bald Student

I don't agree with straight promotion because the gap in standards between Italy/Scotland and Romania/Georgia is too big.

September 12: Italy 24 Romania 18
September 15: Ireland 14 Georgia 10

**Bald Student** · 14/10/2007, 2:00 PM

Whatever Date: Ireland 2-1 San Marino

It doesn't prove much.

**sniffa** · 14/10/2007, 4:59 PM

For probably the first time ever, the whole of England will be cheering on Argentina.
Isn't sport great the way it brings people and nations together.

**paul_oshea** · 14/10/2007, 7:12 PM

ill have to buy an argie jersey if they win this, but i cant see it happening, no look of ries from argentina....

los malvinas son argentinas

**ifk101** · 14/10/2007, 7:48 PM

A bad case of stage fright from the Argies.

**pete** · 14/10/2007, 9:55 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

A bad case of stage fright from the Argies.

Looked a tired side. RSA lethal in taking their chances though. You can't give Habana those openings.

As long as RSA don't get complacent just because they have beaten England already they should be ok. Montgomery can match Wilkinson in the kicking too.

**dfx-** · 14/10/2007, 10:03 PM

I thought it was a pretty convincing performance from RSA. Even conceding a try that never ever was. Disciplined in the breakdowns, restricting Contepomi's penalties, impressive lineout, impressive forwards, flankers dominant and back line a strong unit ready to take advantage.

If they keep their heads, they should overcome England comfortably. There is no bigger IF in rugby though