Originally Posted by Ernie Cooley

Incoming!

I've never, ever liked any sport that involved balls (apart from the obvious one ), however I was forced to watch some of the World Cup in France last year and discovered it's actually quite an interesting game in you're in the mood.

When I got back, not knowing a damn thing about the game, I looked up the different versions and watched both. The simple truth is, for someone who's not corrupted with the history behind the two versions, Union is simply a superior version.

As Union is, apparently, the southern jessie version this doesn't sit well but it simply can't be denied.

England v Pacific Islanders - I think a few of you are being far too optimistic about the state of England rugby. How many have had to drop out now? Yes Johnson, giant of the game etc... What was his coaching experience again? I see an upset, maybe still an England victory, but possibly a very tight affair.

France v Argentina - Love watching the Argentinians, but I cant see them getting past France, comfortable French victory by 10-15 points.

Ireland v Canada - have to admit that I have not been doing a lot of reading on the Irish. On the basis that they have not refreshed their team, I would say a close Irish victory. A bit of fresh blood in with the old hands and they could give Canada a proper walloping.

Italy v Australia - Everybody has to predict an upset, and this is mine. Love watching the Italians play, every instinct is telling me to go for the Aussies, but my prediction is a cliff hanger and a victory for the Italians by about a point.

Scotland v New Zealand - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA. OOOO, lets be generous, All Blacks by 30 point margin

Wales v South Africa - Game of the weekend, too close to call. Hate to say it, but the Welsh may just be the best equipped to break the Southern Hemisphere deadlock. Cant bring myself to do it though, so I predict a South African victory - just.

Originally Posted by Veggie Dave

I've never, ever liked any sport that involved balls (apart from the obvious one ), however I was forced to watch some of the World Cup in France last year and discovered it's actually quite an interesting game in you're in the mood.

When I got back, not knowing a damn thing about the game, I looked up the different versions and watched both. The simple truth is, for someone who's not corrupted with the history behind the two versions, Union is simply a superior version.

As Union is, apparently, the southern jessie version this doesn't sit well but it simply can't be denied.

Being a "kick and clap" man for many years I harboured very strong views about that touch rugby played up north. Having watched a few games it does have its good points so I enjoy watching them both now.

Originally Posted by Discharge

Bonners, I see your point about Johhnson, but could he possibly be any worse than Robinson or Ashton? The one thing he's got in spades that the other two never demostrated is leadership, something that's been sadly missing since he and Woodward departed the setup 5 years ago. Will be an interesting season from that respect....

If I'm proved worng, do not expect me to be sad about it, expect a jig of joy, especially if it involves stuffing the Taffies come February/March

England v Pacific Islanders England by 20-30
France v Argentina France by 10
Ireland v Canada Ireland by 15-20
Italy v Australia Shackle draggers by 20
Scotland v New Zealand All Blucks by 15-20

Wales v South Africa. I was quite confident of a win here until Henson pulled out of the side this afternoon. Will hamper midfield creativity for us. Boks 'Proteas' to sneak it.

Originally Posted by jenkins

Sir wants to try Gwlad rugby site if he wants frothing diatribes over the ELVs.

Gwlad is shit. FACT!

Originally Posted by dingbat

hmmm.

Spoiler

are the all blacks really that good, or are the scots poor?

Spoiler

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hhahahahahahahahahahaha

Only watched the Jocks and the England game. According to my Uncle the Welsh game was actually a lot closer than the scoreline seems to suggest. Any confirmation on that from any Welsh boys on here?

Originally Posted by Bonners

Only watched the Jocks and the England game. According to my Uncle the Welsh game was actually a lot closer than the scoreline seems to suggest. Any confirmation on that from any Welsh boys on here?

Yep first half I thought "Here we go again"... But in fairness in the second Wales played very very well and it was tight, we also missed 9 points worth of kicks which would have given us a win, but hey ho it wasn't to be.

Warren Gatland was great mind, he came on to be interviewed and the interviewer was saying it was a shame as they were so close to a win blah blah, Gatland said that he'd bollocked and not comiserated the team!!! Pure All Black class......

Originally Posted by Trunch

Yep first half I thought "Here we go again"... But in fairness in the second Wales played very very well and it was tight, we also missed 9 points worth of kicks which would have given us a win, but hey ho it wasn't to be.

Warren Gatland was great mind, he came on to be interviewed and the interviewer was saying it was a shame as they were so close to a win blah blah, Gatland said that he'd bollocked and not comiserated the team!!! Pure All Black class......

According to my Uncle he cocked up in bringing Hook on, which surprised me, as I think Hook is far better than Jones.

Originally Posted by Bonners

According to my Uncle he cocked up in bringing Hook on, which surprised me, as I think Hook is far better than Jones.

Yeah agree in principle, Hook and Peel at the same time, seemed a bad choice as Hook immediatley missed a pass and SA intercepted and scored, and Peel made a silly error at the end..But its easy to criticise after the event, if you get the chance to see the highlights it's worth a look..

Originally Posted by TooFamousRob

...Gwlad is shit. FACT!

x 240,000,000.

Should have won that game on Saturday, or at least forced SA to up their game. The difference between northern and southern hemisphere sides summed up nicely. England won the World Cup in 2003 (saying that still hurts) because they developed the siege mentality of the southern hemisphere.

New Zealand have a ways to go but they still dismantled Scotland and I was slightly wrong about Ireland and Canada! I knew Canada have troubles of their own but i hadn't grasped quite how dar they've fallen.

Not seen reports on the Italy and England games so won't comment.

Originally Posted by Trunch

Yeah agree in principle, Hook and Peel at the same time, seemed a bad choice as Hook immediatley missed a pass and SA intercepted and scored, and Peel made a silly error at the end..But its easy to criticise after the event, if you get the chance to see the highlights it's worth a look..

I think, as one of the commentators said at the time, if Hook had been on longer he wouldn't have thrown the pass, but that was 'only' 7 points and a single incident. If you take the match as a whole, I'd say that Hook improved things - kept the scoreboard moving for a start.

Powell, the number 8, had a brilliant first game so it'll be interesting if he can keep that form up.

I think that we'll see similar performances against Australia and New Zealand and can see us beating Australia. I think the benefits from this game will really show in the 6N rather than the remainder of the current internationals.

Mind, lacking a killer instinct (win ugly) is something that the 4 regions lack as well, particularly the Ospreys. Hopefully Gatland aand Edwards can instil some of it in the current batch of players.