World Cup Predictions

[Teh Mite]

I know we talk of NZ failing to cope with the pressure at World Cups, but them losing to Canada if a bit far fetched.

I think there's be national mourning if it happened.

In New Zealand anyway, the rest of the world would adopt Canada as their second team!

 

[hermanshire]

The online betting site Betsson, have New Zealand as favourite of winning the world cup with 2.0 in odds, South Africa is number 2 with 5.50 in odds, Australia number 3 with the same odds as South Africa. France 14.00, England 15.00. I think South Africa will win the World Cup.


https://www.betsson.com/web/sv/sportsbook/#m=524

 

[Tank94]

The online betting site Betsson, have New Zealand as favourite of winning the world cup with 2.0 in odds, South Africa is number 2 with 5.50 in odds, Australia number 3 with the same odds as South Africa. France 14.00, England 15.00. I think South Africa will win the World Cup.


https://www.betsson.com/web/sv/sportsbook/#m=524

lets hope they do

 

[Melhor Time]

Was it so obvious?

All in all, I agree with you. A quaterfinal spot would satisfy me. Hey, even if the Argies progress ahead of us, and we put in a decent shift, I would be happy.
However, a ****e performance cannot be forgiven, even if they return with the Web Ellis Trophy

Scotland have always made the Quarter Finals but not because of ability. Kind draws have been the reality. Scotland deserve to be in a tough pool after having simple pools in every Rugby World Cup too date. I don´t think there is any doubt that Scotland have been the luckiest team of all in Rugby World Cup´s. The draw for 2011 is unquestionably their hardest ever. Had they had different opponents in 2007 and 2003 they would have, without question, not been quarterfinalists. They were lucky against both Fiji and Italy. The boot of Paterson won them their Quarter Final places both times - they scored no tries to knowck out Italy and one at the death to knowck out Fiji. Moreover, their opponents in 1987, 1991, 1995 and 1999 were always much easier than what other teams faced. They were literally handed quarterfinals in the four first Rugby World Cup´s. They never had a tough opponent aside from the leader.

2007 New Zealand, Italy, Romania, Portugal

2003 France, Fiji, USA, Japan

1999 South Africa, Spain, Uruguay then Samoa

1995 France, Tonga, Cote d´Ivoire

1991 Ireland, Japan, Zimbabwe

1987 France, Romania, Zimbabwe

I have my tickets for Argentina vs Scotland at New Zealand 2011. Want to catch up there and then?

 

[Finerz]

Scotland have always made the Quarter Finals but not because of ability. Kind draws have been the reality. Scotland deserve to be in a tough pool after having simple pools in every Rugby World Cup too date. I don´t think there is any doubt that Scotland have been the luckiest team of all in Rugby World Cup´s. The draw for 2011 is unquestionably their hardest ever. Had they had different opponents in 2007 and 2003 they would have, without question, not been quarterfinalists. They were lucky against both Fiji and Italy. The boot of Paterson won them their Quarter Final places both times - they scored no tries to knowck out Italy and one at the death to knowck out Fiji. Moreover, their opponents in 1987, 1991, 1995 and 1999 were always much easier than what other teams faced. They were literally handed quarterfinals in the four first Rugby World Cup´s. They never had a tough opponent aside from the leader.

You are probably right. I'm hoping this time we can get to the quarter finals playing good rugby (i.e scoring tries), and this time against harder teams.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Ireland v Wales
France v England
Austrailia v South Africa
New Zealand v Argentina



France v Ireland
New Zealand v Australia



New Zealand v France

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Ireland v Wales
France v England
Austrailia v South Africa
New Zealand v Argentina



France v Ireland
New Zealand v Australia



New Zealand v France

Do you speculate that Ireland will beat Aus to go top of their pool or Wales top pool D to go ahead of SA?

 

[Carrington]

This coming WC is a mind shattering guess, NH teams are always a shoe in for making Finals, wether its Quarters or semis, SH teams are the stronger, but ts hard to guess. I'll forever back the AB's to win it, no matter how they go during the season before. the biggest threat in my mnd is South Africa, they have a nack of winning here in New Zealand, as for Australia, they could'nt get past a out of form England, nor could the AB's get past an out of sorts France. What ever the case my moneys on a New Zealand v NH Team, and i hope its France....Dam what a game that would be.

 

[Teh Mite]

Considering France's record against New Zealand during World Cups (or for that matter in recent times), I'm very surprised to see a Kiwi wanting anything to do with them!

In my mind, they are the biggest threat to NZs success. What went on it the AIs is non-consequential to the upcoming year.

 

[nickdnz]

Considering France's record against New Zealand during World Cups (or for that matter in recent times), I'm very surprised to see a Kiwi wanting anything to do with them!

In my mind, they are the biggest threat to NZs success. What went on it the AIs is non-consequential to the upcoming year.

The fact France have knocked us out of a semi-final and a quater-final, most New Zealanders want the All Blacks to face France. We under estimated them twice, I don't think it will happen a third time, and it will mean a win will be all more brillaint (and a loss in a knock out stage will be devistating). However, despite how we lost to France in the QF in 2007, it's was because France brought their A game while the All Blacks brought their B+ game, and that's the difference in a World Cup. Had England played their best in 2007, or Argentina, New Zealand could have well lost to either of them.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Considering France's record against New Zealand during World Cups (or for that matter in recent times), I'm very surprised to see a Kiwi wanting anything to do with them!

In my mind, they are the biggest threat to NZs success. What went on it the AIs is non-consequential to the upcoming year.

How? Since they are in the same pool, the only way would be for both teams to meet in the final again ala SA vs Eng RWC 2007. Unless you mean that as runners-up facing probably Eng and thereafter possibly Aus would be a more difficult route?

 

[The_Wol]

Australia vs New Zealand Final.

 

[Seaton]

Scotland have always made the Quarter Finals but not because of ability. Kind draws have been the reality. Scotland deserve to be in a tough pool after having simple pools in every Rugby World Cup too date. I don´t think there is any doubt that Scotland have been the luckiest team of all in Rugby World Cup´s. The draw for 2011 is unquestionably their hardest ever. Had they had different opponents in 2007 and 2003 they would have, without question, not been quarterfinalists. They were lucky against both Fiji and Italy. The boot of Paterson won them their Quarter Final places both times - they scored no tries to knowck out Italy and one at the death to knowck out Fiji. Moreover, their opponents in 1987, 1991, 1995 and 1999 were always much easier than what other teams faced. They were literally handed quarterfinals in the four first Rugby World Cup´s. They never had a tough opponent aside from the leader.

Well, 2003 was before I actually became interested in rugby, so I didn't have a clue about the try against Fiji thing.

But one question, who could Scotland actually get as tougher opposition?

There really were only 7 tier one teams in 1987/1991, with SA added in 1995, with Argentina starting to get good results shortly before that I think.
So I mean, up until 1999 (with Italy), Scotland really could only end up in a group with a tough leader, and Tier 2/3 countries
Mind you, looking at that 1991 pool, that was the year scotland made the semi's.

 

[Finerz]

Well, looking at that 1991 pool, that was the year scotland made the semi's.

good point. and then gavin hastings missed an easy penalty so we lost to england who went into the final.

 

[ckell]

Well, Scotland could have gotten Argentina as their 3rd seeds

 

[LittleGuy]

My ever fluid predictions for 2011 after the AI's

Pool A. 1.New Zealand 2.France 3.Japan 4.Canada 5.Tonga. Top two fairly obvious barring a French upset, battle for third and the qualifying spot for 2015 it brings will be an exciting contest any of the bottom three can beat each other
Pool B. 1.England 2.Scotland 3.Argentina 4.Georgia 5.Romania. Quarterfinal spots could go either way with Argentina making it at Scotland/Englands expense, Georgia might give teams trouble but will probably only beat The Oaks.
Pool C. 1.Australia 2.Ireland 3.Italy 4.U.S.A. 5.Russia. This pool is all about whether these teams can beat the ones I've ranked just ahead of them, I don't see it occuring but anything could happen especially Italy beating Ireland.
Pool D. 1.South Africa 2.Fiji 3.Wales 4.Samoa 5.Namibia. The most exciting pool four possible quarterfinalists possibly one of the toughest pools at a RWC, poor old Namibia I don't expect 142-0 anymore but just no hope for them.

Quarterfinals.
Australia vs. Fiji, Fiji steps up with a lively performance but the Wallabies are too strong and too clinical, win by a decent margin.
England vs. France, A classic encounter Les Blues finally excorcise some demons from previous RWC's and defeat England in an upset.
South Africa vs. Ireland, A competitive match that is narrowly won by South Africa thanks in large part to the kicking prowess of Morne Steyn
New Zealand vs. Scotland, AB's always play well against the Scots and at home they walk away with this one an easy win into the semi's.

Semifinals.
Australia vs. France, Australia and France show us what running rugby is all about, great flair on display but Aussies overmatch them in most facets of the game.
New Zealand vs. South Africa, A brave show by the experienced Springboks but its getting late in the tourney and there older players are worn down by the relentless skill of the kiwis AB's book a place in the final.

Third Place game,
South Africa vs. France, The veteran Springboks put on one last show for their fans before some of them retire from International rugby, France are just happy to have made the semi's and their heart isn't in this game. SA wins.

Final.
New Zealand vs. Australia, The two teams put up one of the greatest games in the history of Rugby Union, shades of some of their classic Tri Nations encounters. At home, with better goal kicking, and with experience on their side the AB's triumph in front of a raucous crowd while Dan Carter holds the championship high. The Wallabies are heartbroken but know deep down inside that they could very well raise the Webb Ellis trophy in 2015.

(Of course now that I have gone to these lengthy predictions, the RWC final will probably now be a coma inducing snoozefest between Romania and Namibia won by the Europeans 10-7 on a 22 metre drop goal with half an hour remaining that barely clears the crossbar, Rugby Forum users will be contemplating suicide or perhaps even worse turning on an association football match in order to cope with a game that makes the 2007 final seem like a classic encounter. LOL)

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Do you speculate that Ireland will beat Aus to go top of their pool or Wales top pool D to go ahead of SA?

Don't think either will happen just these things never go as expected do they.

 

[alexrugby]

Australia vs New Zealand Final.

I vote for this final again and again

will be the most interesting final

 

[Seaton]

Well, Scotland could have gotten Argentina as their 3rd seeds

Well, thats a 1 in 4 chance.

And from 1999 its only a 50% chance that Scotland would be drawn with a strong 3rd seed (Argies and Italy)
and, surprise surprise, Scotland have had 2 WCs without one of the two, and two WC with one of the two (of course Scotland are actually the 3rd seed for 2011)

 

[ckell]

The Argies and Italy are two very different propositions though, lets be fair, Ireland got Argentina in 99, 03 and 07, the worst possible 3rd seed draw for them, unlucky.