Rugby World Cup

[Hibs4Ever]

This pub could well be showing the Ireland - Slovakia match in Bordeaux the night before the Namibia game


http://www.connemara-pub.com/

[dfx-]

Can't see past New Zealand, Ireland, France or S. Africa being only real challengers

But who out of that four?

New Zealand should walk away with it blindfolded, but I don't think they will..South Africa can win it, but them being 'away' will always stop me from confidently backing them...noone knows which France will turn up and Ireland...well..

How the Tri Nations goes will probably make me decide

[shakermaker1982]

I thought the Aussies were unlucky today. Two excellent drop goals to win it though and an exciting game. Let's hope next week lives up to this one!

[endabob1]

The Boks were poor compared to their recent form, They will need to up their game for the All-Blacks visit.
Still think they just about deserved the win, the Wallabies play a clever spoiling & tactical game but the Boks were very very indecisive, kept try to go through the forwards when they have enough pace outside to burn off most teams.

[pete]

SA battered the Aussies last week but still lucky to win.

I think Australia are a good outside bet for the WC as they have great defence & effective going forward.

[Supersaint]

I couldnt believe when i saw that tv3 have the rights to da rugby.I wonder who they will have doin the analysis?

[De Town]

I couldnt believe when i saw that tv3 have the rights to da rugby.I wonder who they will have doin the analysis?

Apparently Matt Cooper is hosting it anyway, don't know about analysis

[gustavo]

Jim Williams is one anyway, I think Trevor Brennan might be another

[Aberdonian Stu]

Almost entirely forwards so far doing the analysis. They've said that they will announce a few backs for the panel as well.

[Dodge]

http://www.tv3.ie/media.php?action=news&id=121

All live games will be hosted by Matt Cooper, presenter of The Last Word on Today FM. Matt will be joined in studio by three pundits for each game including Paul Wallace, Trevor Brennan, Jim Glennon, Michael Cheika, Jim Williams and Victor Costello. The commentary team is Conor McNamara (BBC Radio Five Live) and Phillip Matthews (Former Irish international).

[Dodge]

http://www.irishrugby.ie/283_8345.php

Details of Setanta's coverage

O'Connell, the Munster and Ireland lock who is Setanta's Rugby Ambassador, was joined at the Anglesea Road venue by presenters Daire O'Brien and Paul Dempsey and rugby commentators Fred Cogley and Connor Morris to announce details of Setanta's RWC coverage.
Setanta's commentary and analysis team for the Rugby World Cup will also include Ciaran Fitzgerald, Matt Williams, Donal Lenihan, Liam Toland, Neil Francis, Mark Robson, Nigel Starmer Smith and Emmet Byrne.

Ciaran Fitzgerald, the former Ireland and Lions captain, and Matt Williams, who previously coached Leinster and Scotland, are new additions to the Setanta line-up.
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Can't believe Cogley can still get a job out of his son...

[Jerry The Saint]

Don't like the sound of that. Conor MockNamora will be doing his best to out-Ryle Ryle Nugent and Cogley was past it 20 years ago, pure nepotism.

I remember seeing Cooper presenting rugby before (possibly on Setanta?) and he was poor.

Glad I'm going to a lot of the games and won't need to watch the guff on TV.

[Dodge]

Presume Cogley given the Uruguay v TOnga type matches...

[Dave77]

Pool A
England, South Africa, Samoa, USA, Tonga
Pool B
Australia, Wales, Fiji, Canada, Japan

Pool C
New Zealand, Scotland, Italy, Romania, Portugal

Pool D
France, Ireland, Argentina, Georgia, Namibia

Predictions for the groups
Group A
1st: SA 2nd: England

Group B
1st:Australia 2nd: Wales

Group C:
1st: New Zealand 2nd: Italy

Group D:
1st: France 2nd: Argentina

Didnt wat to start a new thread on predictions but this is mine for groups, hope im right about Itlay and wrong about ireland but i think france at home is very difficult and the argiantian scrum, lineout and mauling are incredibly strong, have a bad feeling about it.

[Soko]

I have to turn the sound off if Cogley is talking, worst commentator of all time

[booster 03]

hey folks im a kiwi livin in your country past 2 years.. i gotta admit folks.. i admire ye guys for havin such optimism... guys its going to be an all southern hemisphere final again sorry folks but yer rated as no hopers down below

[Soko]

hey folks im a kiwi livin in your country past 2 years.. i gotta admit folks.. i admire ye guys for havin such optimism... guys its going to be an all southern hemisphere final again sorry folks but yer rated as no hopers down below

Wow, I've never met an arrogant Kiwi in my life. Looking forward to seeing New Zealand win their 6th WC in a row

[paul_oshea]

Wow, I've never met an arrogant Kiwi in my life. Looking forward to seeing New Zealand win their 6th WC in a row

LOL, quality. Looking at the tri-nations has given me great hope to see how beatable the kiwis are. Plus they will bottle it. heres hoping to a cardiff quarter final between ireland and the kiwis, and we win of course

Whats the again bit about?? England were in the last final the last time i checked...

[Jofspring]

i admire ye guys for havin such optimism... guys its going to be an all southern hemisphere final again sorry folks but yer rated as no hopers down below

rated as no hopers...just the way we like it

although the press in the southern hemisphere may rate us as no hopers i doubt very much that any of the teams rate us like that.

[endabob1]

I was in Oz for the last RWC and the local Press on both sides of the Tasman had England as no-hopers so I wouldn't read into the press coverage too much, they pander to the readership.
I think this is a very open RWC and I agree with the Wallabies as a good bet, they always get it right for the big ones. I think New Zealand have peaked at the wrong time again, that said they are still the best side in the world. The Bokke have once again too much politics in their squad to win it added to their abysmal record away from home, they would have to beat (probably) England, Wales & France to make the final... if they do make it they are capable of beating anyone.
To say it'll be an all southern hemisphere final is from someone who's clearly not looking at the draw carefully.
I think there are 5 teams capable of winning it but realistically the winners will be NZ, Oz or the hosts. Ireland & The Boks are outside bets but things need to fall into place.