RWC - Group A

[againstthehead]

Usually the RWC groups are a bit micky mouse and it's a matter of avoiding the Argies in the group stages but group A certainly has the something to get the old juices flowing. Okay, you can blame the system for dropping Wales, Oz, Fiji and the hosts, Engerland in the same pool, but what a way to get the tournament going. Straight off, it's getting close to knock-out rugby and it's just going to be fascinating to see who makes it through:

England. No idea how they will fare. At home, in a RWC, they should be finalists. They'll attempt to bludgeon sides and at home they might just succeed. Although how will their centers go? Will their pack have any discipline? Certainly if they can get dominance up front they'll be a force and I'd fancy them to advance given the home advantage (although their crapness might make this challenging).

Ozzie. No idea how they will fare. Ask me 3 months ago and I'd say QF max but they recently blew the All Blacks off the park in Oz and gave them a good hiding up front no less. In Falau, they have one of the in-form players in world rugby and in Pocock and Hopper have two of the best backrowers for getting over the ball in world rugby. Oz always do well so will probably go through.

Whales. No idea how they will fare. I like Wales, Warbarton, Halfpenny, Roberts, Tupuric - cracking players. Add in 2 big lumps of wingers and you have a nucleus of decent players. Keep everyone fit and they are more than capable of upsetting the other 2 big boys. However, England at home and the ruthlessness of the Ozzies will probably be a bit much for them.

Fiji. Poor old Fiji, Not only to they get lumped with the above but they have to play them on the bounce. I'd have fancied an upset if they had a decent schedule but the physical nature of their schedule is probably just too much. If Wales rest a few and play open then Fiji could maybe do them over.

Anyway, what a group and what a way to get the RWC started!

[Russ]

This is stupid

Wales have a 47% win record
Aussies and England will progress with ease

Fiji will beat Wales

[againstthehead]

This is stupid

Wales have a 47% win record
Aussies and England will progress with ease

Fiji will beat Wales

10 quid that won't happen

[Russ]

This is stupid

Wales have a 47% win record
Aussies and England will progress with ease

Fiji will beat Wales

10 quid that won't happen

England
Australia
Fiji
Wales
An other

I'll take your £10 bet (should be at Ravers over Xmas to collect)

[againstthehead]

This is stupid

Wales have a 47% win record
Aussies and England will progress with ease

Fiji will beat Wales

10 quid that won't happen

England
Australia
Fiji
Wales
An other

I'll take your £10 bet (should be at Ravers over Xmas to collect)

Lol, your on. How do we define 'progress with ease?'

[thecrouch]

I actually think England could very easily be the team to fail to get out of that group.

[Setanta]

I must admit I'd have a little titter if Fiji beat England;

[big mervyn]

I actually think England could very easily be the team to fail to get out of that group.

That would make the World Cup for me - possibly better than Ireland getting to the semis.

[thecrouch]

I actually think England could very easily be the team to fail to get out of that group.

That would make the World Cup for me - possibly better than Ireland getting to the semis.

I'd laugh my wee socks off.

Robshaw's post match interview would be a classic.

[rorybestsbigbaldnoggin]

I must admit I'd have a little titter if Fiji beat England;

I think the whole country would have more than a little titter if that happened. Enda Kenny'd propbably draft a gloating press release, knock a few votes out of it

[rumncoke]

Fiji are a 7s playing country plenty of backs but usually lack a front five for the 15 game to trouble the English or Welsh


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[bazzaj]

Wales are really up against it.
We can treat our first games v Canada and Romania in our group as extended friendlies and a chance for squad rotation as they are weak opposition and know all we have to do is beat Italy to qualiify.
On the other hand England, Wales and OZ know they could feasibly end up beating one another so it could well come down to how they perform against the other sides.
Therefore they need to go all out in every game which will stretch their squads as every point could count.

Wales might well be a match for the other two big sides in the group with their first team but their back up is threadbare.
Therefore realistically they will have to beat both England and Oz in order to progress as they don`t have their resources to rack up the scores against the other two teams.
Throwing Fiji in the mix makes that uphill to say the least as that`s historically a tough game for Wales and I know a lot of their supporters are worried about that one.

[Shan]

I fancy Australia to top the group with England second with both beating Wales. I don't really mind which order those two end up in though as long as Wales are gone. Hope Fiji beat Wales for good measure. 3 Welsh defeats would be just awesome.

[Rooster]

Fiji are a 7s playing country plenty of backs but usually lack a front five for the 15 game to trouble the English or Welsh


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

I must admit I'd have a little titter if Fiji beat England;

I think the whole country would have more than a little titter if that happened. Enda Kenny'd propbably draft a gloating press release, knock a few votes out of it

There would be a general election again as it was bound to be Camerons fault

[Snipe Watson]

I fancy Australia to top the group with England second with both beating Wales. I don't really mind which order those two end up in though as long as Wales are gone. Hope Fiji beat Wales for good measure. 3 Welsh defeats would be just awesome.

I can see Wales doing a number on England. If the Welsh can contain the English pack, they have the backs to break the English line.