Who will win the wc 2011

[Steve-o]

<div class='quotemain'>
I think because New Zealend ar e at home they will probabley win or else that extra presure will get to them again and they will go out at their first hard match
[/b]

well, the fact that the SH rugby "big ones" are so close to each other makes it hard to have a real home advantage.

also argentina, although their national investment in rugby is pretty much nothing compared to other countries', they reached 3rd place on the last WC. so my vote goes to the pumas.
[/b][/quote]
Yeah, we only live on different continents with completely different eco-systems and climates, with time zones up to 10 hours in difference.

Anyway, I predict Russia to do a 1995 and win in their 1st ever WC, by giving all their opponents radioactive poisoning

 

[shtove]

Oh, and I think you don't have to worry about Shtove jumping on your bandwagon on crazy team predictions - he started that bandwagon long ago. This is the same guy who was predicting Italian Glory against the All Blacks in the RWC Pool Play.

[/b]

Man, I just never get it right. Even came close to last in this year's 6N prediction comp.

Mind you, I only said Italy would give you a test - turned out to be dead wrong, but never predicted glory. Next time!

And I was kind of right about the ABs. Dead right, in fact. Dum dum de dum dum de dum de dum de dum [errr, that could be either the Funeral March or the theme from the Muppet Show - doesn't matter, both equally fitting for the ABs]

 

[Prestwick]

I predict South Africa & Fiji to have another <strike>mindless brawl</strike> thrilling match in 2011.

 

[inakisuperyeah]

Yeah, we only live on different continents with completely different eco-systems and climates, with time zones up to 10 hours in difference.
[/b]

sorry, man, i didn't think about south africa. must have slipped my mind. but my vote still goes to the pumas

 

[Gay-Guy]

I believe two nations may win it.

2. WALES - Gatland with the same philosophy and his innovative ideas. However he has a bigger problem ddealing with the Welsh psyche changing it from "hope" to "we are".

 

[shtove]

Wales will have their downs, but they're the best bet at the moment.

I have no idea about Robbie Deans - won't Aus have long term problems mucking around with ELV rules?

 

[Gay-Guy]

I have no idea about Robbie Deans - won't Aus have long term problems mucking around with ELV rules?
[/b]

Whether it is ELV or whatever Deans is above all that...besides at International level they don't bother with ELVs.



More trivia.....the Super 12 trophy was given to the Crusaders permanently after their fifth Super 12 title and 7 finals appearances out of 10. Two of those years were without Robbie. so Robbie only had one bad season on 2001 which he fixed up in 2002 by having the only UNBEATEN season ever.

 

[fcukernaut]

Well said Gay-Guy. That is my absolute worst fear as a Cantabrian and as a New Zealander.

 

[Gay-Guy]

Wales will have their downs, but they're the best bet at the moment.
[/b]

To be fair winning the 6 nations with average wining margins against an England team out of sorts...a French team lacking the French spark of old.....an Ireland team recovering from the awakening of a disastrous RWC..... a Scottish team with nothing spectacular on offer....and Italy......does not really prove themselves at the moment to be the best bet at the moment.....I am thinking where they will be four years from now if Gatland pounds into them that "they are" now rather than "they may be". Wales have struggled with their mental state of mind and play a game where they hope to win rather than expect to win. this is what they need to change and it will only come after four years of consistent victories against the big guns. At the moment all they have achieved is beating countries who are not at their best.

 

[sambãd5]

ive got to go for the mighty pumas. assuming they get more internationals (which looks to be happening) they are a serious threat. very serious. and if not 11, they will in 15

 

[shtove]

Wales love it and they hate it - maybe that's why Gatland got so far so quickly. They have good players, good balance, good set up, and a real desire for the RWC - didn't you know they're the "greatest" rugby nation?

Their attitude is passion and arrogance. Grand Slam? "About fcukin time!" Ireland? "Fcukin bog trotters!" France? "Fcukin pussies!" Italy, Scotland? "Fcukin Ha Ha Ha!" England? "DIE! DIE! DIE!" By the way, their supporters on here are really decent people

The attitude is completely unreal and sorrowful, until it gets proved right. So I don't agree with the Hope to We Are gradual progress - it happens in a second. And Gatland can make it stick with his emphasis on forward power and the way he changes tactics.

That makes them the best bet - don't know what the odds are, but probably longish.

Their aim is fixed on SA this summer, and that could be a right shock for the champions. After that it's the ABs. Good luck with that.

 

[Gay-Guy]

Their aim is fixed on SA this summer, and that could be a right shock for the champions. [/b]

Yes if they beat South Africa down there then I will know the light has been turned on.

 

[Macsen]

Their attitude is passion and arrogance. Grand Slam? "About fcukin time!" Ireland? "Fcukin bog trotters!" France? "Fcukin pussies!" Italy, Scotland? "Fcukin Ha Ha Ha!" England? "DIE! DIE! DIE!" By the way, their supporters on here are really decent people [/b]

Wah-? I must say that after 23 years of living in Wales, that is completely at odds with the attitude I've seen from Welsh people. :mellow:

Passion yes, but being a Welsh sports fan is being a martyr to a hopeless cause. You travel to every match expecting to lose, and usually do. In the face of such a record you either develop a hopeless optimism or you might as well stop supporting the country - most people choose hopeless optimism and I don't think Wales would actually exist as a country if the people didn't do that. Realistically we won't win the World Cup because we consistently underperform in them, and given our past record (2007 was the norm rather than the exception) getting out of our pool would be an achievement for Gatland. But here's hoping!

Regarding our attitude towards the other nations I don't think we'd show any disrespect towards Ireland, Scotland, France or Italy.

 

[shtove]

<div class='quotemain'>Their attitude is passion and arrogance. Grand Slam? "About fcukin time!" Ireland? "Fcukin bog trotters!" France? "Fcukin pussies!" Italy, Scotland? "Fcukin Ha Ha Ha!" England? "DIE! DIE! DIE!" By the way, their supporters on here are really decent people [/b]

Wah-? I must say that after 23 years of living in Wales, that is completely at odds with the attitude I've seen from Welsh people. :mellow:

Passion yes, but being a Welsh sports fan is being a martyr to a hopeless cause. You travel to every match expecting to lose, and usually do. In the face of such a record you either develop a hopeless optimism or you might as well stop supporting the country - most people choose hopeless optimism and I don't think Wales would actually exist as a country if the people didn't do that. Realistically we won't win the World Cup because we consistently underperform in them, and given our past record (2007 was the norm rather than the exception) getting out of our pool would be an achievement for Gatland. But here's hoping!

Regarding our attitude towards the other nations I don't think we'd show any disrespect towards Ireland, Scotland, France or Italy. [/b][/quote]
So you're not a believer? I don't believe you.

 

[PLo]

My heart says the Wallabies...and with a NZ legend taking the helm in Robbie Deans and a few young guns maturing I think the Aussies have a chance. However, as everybody knows - the scrum will have to hold up and we need a bit of talent in the front row. Otherwise, the northern hemisphere teams will exploit this perceived weakness... B)

 

[Feffo]

I think NZ...But it's too early...

 

[BLR]

I have no idea about Robbie Deans - won't Aus have long term problems mucking around with ELV rules?
[/b]

It's not us mucking around with the ELV laws despite the yabbering on from O'Neill...it's a joint effort of many nations supported by the IRB...

 

[PLo]

Fiji to reach the finals again? Or will there be another coupe de tat during the next WC??

 

[Steve-o]

<div class='quotemain'>

Their aim is fixed on SA this summer, and that could be a right shock for the champions. [/b]

Yes if they beat South Africa down there then I will know the light has been turned on.
[/b][/quote]
The summer tour to SA this year is Wales' biggest chance of beating the Boks at home in awhile.

If my rugby calendar is right it'll be De Villier's 1st game as Bok coach. Who already seems to be struggling under the pressure of just having that title.

He's in the newspaper every week saying weird things like there will 3 SA teams in this years S14 semi finals and that he might pick players for the Bok team even if they haven't played a game, whilst fit, this entire S14 season.

BTW what will the Welsh players be doing from now until June?

 

[badboy80]

Australia