Paris, the City of romance and flower smelling romance….
And RUGBY! The image you see we took last night shows something unusual under the Eiffel tower – an illuminated rugby ball, kind of an inverted conversion as Paris is buzzing with the 2007 rugby world cup! So, whose gonna win?
Looking at form then clearly you would say New Zealand, having won the tri-nations and showing great team spirit and performances so far
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Much has been made about the fact that the Bulls won the Super 14 in an all South African final, big deal – New Zealand held back half their internationals this year so teams like Crusaders, Blues, Highlanders, Hurricanes and Waikato Chiefs were all understrength. I think South Africa have a great chance of getting to the final, most likely they face Wales in the quarters then France in the semi’s.
New Zealand have a great chance of getting to the final but Australia are waiting for them in the semi’s and with guys like Mortlock and Latham in the back line New Zealand need to be careful.
The final will be South Africa against New Zealand but I think will see the Boks choke.
I’ll go for Australia!
RIPPER, Shelia.
Is Shelia an Indian girl who moved to Aus?
I would back them but to be honest I think Gregan is a little too past it and the tight 5 just aren’t good enough to give a good enough platform for the excellent backs they have. George Smith is always a danger in the back row and will secure a lot of turn overs however over all I just can’t see them commanding enough up front with those fat boy props of theirs.
I think the Springboks have what it takes this year! Go Bokke!
u r soooooo right. i am south african and we will whip the allblacks arses. Wallabies-3rd, allblacks-2nd, SPRINGBOKS-1ST!!!!!
come on bokke
Now we’re on to a decent post
Sport fest with the cricket, football and RWC at the pinnacle. (i was there 4 yrs ago)
My guess is a NZ vs SA final. If NZ can get over their ‘choker’ tag against OZ then they’re the best team by a long way and will probably win it. But I’ve had a sneaking suspicion that SA will do it this time.They have a strong pack, dynamic back ro, flair in the backs and the fastest thing on a pitch on the left wing.
Agree with GIC – Australia’s front row can’t cut it. Look what Sheridan (with only a couple of test caps) did to Billy Bunter (Matt Dunning) and the rest of the lightweight front row a couple of years ago. Uncontested scrums!
One thing i am sure of with regret is that England will be lucky to get to the QF round – still have to beat Tonga. The rot started as soon as Robinson was appointed coach. We’re a second division side at the moment
Man of the tournament has to be Finau Maka, the number 8 for Tonga.
I have not seen a Jackson 5 afro like that in years. They claim he psychs himself up by hitting the wall with his head, with hair like his that’s probably pointless. I’ll bet Michael Jackson would have been on the straight and narrow if this lad was his brother.
(picture in this article if you didn’t watch any Tonga games)
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/photo/12092007/24/photo/photos-n-sports-finau-maka-celebrates.html
I’m with GIC, he who type sense and that number 8 is destined for bigger things, he will be HUGE!
Maybe a rugby version of pop idol.
Call it PROP idol?
If the states are taking part then GO! States, if not then go Canada if not then who cares!
Naturally I’d love Wales to do well, and after a confidence boosting win against Japan, who knows, they could be the dark horse of the tournament?!
A lot depends on the fitness of some of their key players though…
Japan just don’t have the size in the pack for our liking, as GIC said the Tongan #8 is something else.
FAB,
USA and Canada are in this tournament, however it is not a major sport in either country as you can not have a world series where you are the only entrants (cruel of me I know). Both will be leaving the world cup after the group stages, the US probably without a win. This is not as bad as you think as years ago Italy, Samoa and Argentina where the whipping boys, they developed and aren’t any more.
I think Wales have put in reasonable performances, certainly better than England so far. However next round the Boks await, despite a poor show against Tonga I think it will be a good game but a bad outcome for Wales, Habanna takes some stopping and their pack are awesome. Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha are probably the world best lock pairing at the moment.
Ok thanks GIC, our team is called the Eagles, The American Eagles so looks like we’ll be soaring home early :0(
I don’t really follow it
but my favourite teams are the ones who do that really camp dance before the game and stick there tongues out at other men. Its got to be the funniest gayest thing this side of the Wizard of Oz.
That’ll be the all blacks then Gary.
No there were definitely some whites on the side.
They even had a funny little shout at the opposition. I’d have booted rugby balls at them or had a pee in their direction. And all that putting their hands by other mens groins when they scrum and that. It’s all a bit ‘so Johnny you ever watched gladiator movies?’ for me.
wonderfully informed comment. Please have some respect for the New Zealand Haka. This is a wonderful spectacle that is a tradition in rugby and it’s great to see Samoa and Tonga are doing there own as well. The Tonga vs NZ game in the 2003 world cup when both teams were both doing their war dances at the same time is a highlight that I will never forget.
Go Wallabies! I don’t think they will have a problem against England, but the Semi against New Zeland will be a cracker! Whoever wins that match will win the cup.
Mate I’ll agree with you. The Wallabies have hung in there and look very strong. New Zealand are looming and it’s a deadlock there but i think South Africa have lost it after watching that GLORIOUS Tonga match. England no probs (They’r a joke!!!) but winner of the Semi Wallabies – All Blacks will win the cup. South Africa should scrape into the final and the winner of the Wal – NZ match will win.
Im optemistic for our Wallaby boys and there is talk that New Zealand have shown bad form (playing against crappy teams *NO OFFENCE*). The Wallabies have been underestimated and stand a chance but it’s a definite SANZAR win……